“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit” (Luke 10:21)

In Heaven, joy is a regular occurrence every time someone is saved. As Christ told His disciples, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:8). On Earth, Christ rejoiced with His disciples. For example, when “The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name”, Christ immediately directed their attention to eternal joy as more important: “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:17-20). 

 He constantly reminded His disciples that eternal souls were the most important thing: “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26). “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). When the 120 disciples received the indwelling Holy Spirit, they also began to see the eternal perspective. After Peter and others were beaten for preaching the Gospel, they rejoiced, “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). 

 May we have the same resolve as Peter and Paul: “Chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24).