The Joyful Life of a Disciple

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A recurring theme in Luke 10 is joy. Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces joy. The fruit of the Spirit is joy. A good indicator that I am filled with, controlled by, and walking in step with the Holy Spirit is the joy I am both experiencing and expressing.

Am I feeling joyful?

Would others characterize me as a joyful person?

What are the other sources or indicators of joy in Luke 10?

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The disciples experienced joy when they were used by God.

The disciples experienced joy when they experienced the supernatural.

But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus reminds the disciples that a greater joy than being used by God is being loved by God. The joy of our salvation should never grow old.

The greatest miracle in another person’s life is not a physical healing, deliverance, or divine provision, but rather them being born again. Salvation should produce the greatest excitement, the greatest joy.

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:21‬ NLT‬

The Father is pleased as He reveals Himself, His will, and His ways to us. If the Father experiences joy when He reveals Himself to us, we too should experience joy when the Father reveals Himself to us. As God is at work around me, and as God works through me, what is God revealing about Himself to me? This revelation, knowing Him more intimately, should also produce joy.

While Jesus didn’t expressly connect joy or rejoicing to what followed, it’s not a leap to say that joy would be experienced in these ways also…

Jesus told the story about the Good Samaritan to make the point that we are to love our neighbor as ourself. And who is our neighbor? Anyone God puts in our path who needs His love. When we open ourselves up to loving those God has placed in front of us, we experience His joy. As His love flows out of us, His joy flows into us. His joy floods our heart.

When Jesus visits the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Martha is stressed out. Martha was not experiencing joy. She was overwhelmed with the work of preparing a meal for a large party of house guests. Martha’s stress squeezed every ounce of joy out of her heart. All she could do was complain.

Can complaining and joy coexist in the same heart? It doesn’t seem like they can.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Mary soaked in Jesus’ presence. Mary was experiencing peace and joy in the presence of Jesus, and He told her sister that Mary had chosen what was better.

Choose Jesus.

Choose time with Him.

Experience His peace.

Be filled with His joy.

Sometimes, I look at others and think, “What makes you so joyful?”

Maybe, instead of looking at others, I should look at myself and ask, “Why aren’t I more joyful?”

Joy is an obvious, outward mark of a Spirit-filled Christian…

…who is grateful for their salvation.

…who is spending time at the feet of Jesus.

…who is knowing the Father more intimately.

…who is bringing the gospel to others and seeing them saved.

…who is living a generous, loving life.