REJOICE!

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

REJOICE! 

(Mat 28:9) And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 

The word rejoice isn’t very popular in our vocabulary these days.  It means to be glad and to enjoy life.  Nowadays we just say let’s party!  But do we have to wait for the weekend to have a good time?  Is it just that one vacation a year that we can really live it up?  Do we have to drudge through life and only wait for certain times before we can get that lift and forget all about our problems?   

It was the women who were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb.  The disciples had fled and were sequestered for fear of their lives.  Leave it to the ladies to be so devoted and the men to be so spiritually timid.  It ought not to be but the reality is that women have such a beautiful sensitivity to spiritual things and sometimes men just don’t get it.  But be that as it may, the Lord rewards faithfulness and dedication and that is why Jesus appeared to the women first before the men.  And what was the first word He said to them?  Rejoice!   

What a wonderful surprise for the women.  Their sorrow was over and Jesus said it was time for them to be glad and joyful.  They dropped to their knees and held Jesus’ feet and worshipped Him.  Jesus said to go and tell His disciples that He had risen and that He would meet up with them in Galilee.  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  Jesus was alive and it was time to celebrate!   

But is it possible to celebrate and be happy even when the chips are down?  Or do you have to wait until you aren’t beat anymore to be upbeat?  The Bible says you can be glad and enjoy life no matter what the circumstances.  In fact you can be in the pits and still praise!  Paul said from prison:  Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Phil 4:4)  When he and Silas were arrested in Philippi they were thrown into prison where they were singing praises at midnight and the other prisoners were listening.  The Bible says there was a great earthquake and the chains were loosed from the prisoners.   Through this the jailer and his family got saved and were baptized! (Acts 16:25-34) 

Knowing Jesus is risen gives hope to the believer!  (1 Pet 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.   We have a living hope because we have a living Savior.  Happiness depends on circumstances but joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is available for us no matter what we’re going through. (Gal 5:22-23) 

Rejoice Christian!  Jesus is alive!!  Tomorrow is going to be a better day because He lives!!!  

Louie