Last Sunday, we shared that God provides joy in unexpected ways through unexpected ways. After being pregnant by the Holy Spirit, Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s baby leaped inside her with joy as soon as Mary arrived. This brought Elizabeth joy, and Elizabeth’s joy transformed Mary’s perspective. It was a transformational moment for Mary to move from her anxiety to celebration and praising God.
Then, Mary and Elizabeth praised God together. Joy was revealed in Mary’s song that God was fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants to care for the lowly, humble, and hungry. Mary’s faith, understanding of the scripture, and devotion to God are poured out in this moment of rejoicing.
During the last supper, Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. …. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1; 5-6) And Jesus concluded, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10)
God’s joy only comes into us when we truly abide in Jesus. Moreover, only by the joy from God, our joy is completed. Probably, when Mary first heard from the angel that she would be conceived a baby by the Holy Spirit, she must have been so frightened. However, Mary’s worries and concerns turned into joy when she saw Elizabeth rejoicing. Moreover, Mary’s joy was completed when she finally realized God’s will through her life and the baby in her.
Our lives as Christian may be the same. Sometimes, we feel worried and even frightened as we try to follow God’s will. However, God hides joy in every corner of our lives as we struggle to follow God’s will. We only need to follow Jesus Christ and find the hidden treasures on our journey.
May the unfailing love of our God be with us all the time.
Pastor Woo.
