Scholars suggest Jesus must have exuded joy or children would not have flocked to Him. In fact, Hebrews says Jesus was more joyful than anyone else. WHY was Jesus joyful? Because He was obedient.
“You loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above all your companions” Hebrews 1:9.
God gives joy to the obedient. But what if you are disobedient? Sin is always fun—for a season. But if you love God, you will eventually feel sorrow over your sin. (And that sorrow is a gift because it helps you make changes!) Those who feel no sorrow over sin, likely do not know God, because serious sin brings tremendous sorrow. In fact, the sorrow spreads all around—not only will the sinner suffer, but everyone close to him will suffer too. For example, look at what alcoholism or adultery can do to families. Sin brings sorrow to families, communities, churches, and even pastors.
People love a warm, smiling preacher like Joel Osteen. Osteen’s manner can be effective at times—I know a Jewish trial attorney who told me he watches Osteen to become better at talking to juries. But the Bible covers such a breadth of subjects, a preacher committed to effectively teaching the word of God is going to be forced to confront some unpleasant topics. Jesus was joyful, but His messages were not always happy and encouraging (you don’t encourage sin). He called the Pharisees snakes and hypocrites.
Which brings me to Jeremiah. Do you know his nickname? Jeremiah is called “THE WEEPING PROPHET.” (Imagine having that captioned under your name in the yearbook.) Jeremiah wept over the unrepentant sins of Israel—and the wrath of God the nation was about to endure.
“My joy has flown. Grief has settled on me. My heart is sick” Jeremiah 8:18.
“I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn. Horror has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead?” Jeremiah 8:21-22.
“If my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, I WOULD WEEP DAY AND NIGHT over the slain of my dear people … They are all adulterers, a solemn assembly of treacherous people.” Jeremiah 9:1-2.
I smile. I love a firm handshake, a warm embrace, dancing eyes, and laughter. And I enjoy the same from my pastor. But God is holy. When men are blinded by their rebellion against God, their circumstances may require more weeping than smiling.
Dear God, forbid that our pastors are so busy trying to be warm and winsome that they never preach tough messages about the law, sin, and judgment!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 