What
is a parent’s greatest wish for their children? In today’s world, the
near-universal answer that you hear is, “I just want my children to be
happy.” The proclamation comes off as if it is wise and thoughtful. And I
can understand it. No one wants their
children to grow up and be miserable! Of course, a parent wants their
children to be happy. But what do you mean by happy?
Happiness can be derived from eating a cookie. It can be derived from
watching a cartoon or from getting a good score in a video game. Is that
the kind of happiness – the kind of fullness of joy – that we want for
our children? Is that the kind of happiness
that God wants for his children?
In this veil of tears, we encounter all kinds of unhappiness – legal
problems, health problems, relationship problem. So often the Christian
life seems more full of sorrow than joy. So where is the true happiness
for the Christian in this life? It is found
in the Risen Jesus who had said to his disciples, “I am the way, and
the truth, and the life.” The Risen Jesus who has promised us, “Because I
live, you also will live.” The Risen Jesus who has told us, “These
things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain
in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Fullness of joy is an expectation that is repeated again and again in
God’s Word. Fullness of joy was celebrated just this last Sunday as we
beheld the empty tomb of our Risen Savior! It’s a joy that we celebrate
each Sunday, and truly every day – He is risen!
He is risen indeed! God doesn’t just want us, his children, to possess
an earthly happiness, but rather a heavenly happiness! You see, true
happiness is the joy of salvation – the joy of faith in the redemption
that Jesus’ provided through his life, death
and resurrection. |
