What's another way of saying someone is rejoicing greatly? What? Can you hear us today saying, "I feel like rejoicing greatly right now." or "Honey, you make me rejoice greatly, you know?" How about: "My children rejoice greatly on Christmas morning, don't yours?" Come on! This phrase is a bit archaic for 2008, don't you think? Instead, we might say: He was hyped, or was beside himself. Possibly we'd say, she could barely contain herself. Maybe this: he was pumped!
Think about what a person would look like if they were hyped, or pumped, or beside themselves. What do you picture? I see someone standing up and pacing the floor. Their face is animated, with eyes wide open and bright. There would be a smile on their face and their arms and hands would be moving up and down. They wouldn't be able to sit down.
Now transfer that picture over to a day in the life of Jesus. He had been talking with 70 men who had gone on a little trip into the countryside, visiting villages where Jesus was due to come speak. Jesus had given them authority and boy did they have authority! When they came back, they were so excited because demons had been afraid of them! This was new territory. But it isn't their joy I want you to think about. Because during this conversation with Jesus about their success with evil spirits, Jesus got really excited. In old fashion language my Bible says "He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit." You can pass right by that without blinking an eye. Do you realize what this is saying? He "rejoiced greatly." He was pumped! He was hyped! He couldn't sit down because of the adrenaline running through His veins! Do you know what He was excited about? Two things. He was excited that we can kick the devil in the pants. And, the other is that our names are recorded in heaven - we're saved! Isn't that cool? Think about Him reacting in such an demonstrative way. We need to get past thinking He spoke in a monotone voice, dispensing heavenly wisdom as if he were giving a speech on medieval culinary practices or how to do new math. This was no boring guy. And look at what excited Him. Our salvation, and our ability to deal with an enemy that's out for blood. He is excited because He knows we've won the war, and have tools to fight the battles.
I'm pumped, aren't you! (From Luke 10)
When it said, "who do you think of?" I thought -Kelly Leiseca :)
ReplyDeleteplease put somewhere In parenthesis the address of the passage you're studying so we can study too -this is why i miss small group with you -because you saw little tidbits i'd have passed over! this one and the last one are such good pieces of writing as well as food for the heart and soul. Thank you! jan
You have a gift meridee!
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