Sunday,
December 22, 2019
EXCEEDING GREAT JOY!
Matt
2:9-10
9 When they
had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the
east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Our
King James Version
has a British accent and describes events with British aplomb and
decorum. In Texas, the three wise men would have shouted “Yee Haw!” In South
Louisiana it would be reversed and they would issue a loud “Ah Yee.” You can
almost hear the squeeze box and fiddles erupt. But in our Bible even “exceeding
great joy” looks like polite applause! I often smile at this.
These
were Magi
accustomed to the community of scholars and engaged in serious research. It was
as if they had invented “flubber!” The discovery of a new star was
revolutionary not only in astronomy but in its indication of a new king of
Israel. Daniel, in his time, must have spoken of the rise of a Day Star visible
even in the daylight. They had found it and would soon travel to find HIM.
This
was a guiding star.
It moved and pointed their way. When it stopped, they knew they had found their
quest. Their excitement exploded beyond their ability to restrain it. It
exceeded! It would not be hushed.
I
once was lost, a
sinner condemned, but Jesus saved me by His grace! I’m going to heaven
eventually instead of hell and that requires much more from me than polite
applause. It exceeds! It can’t be hushed.
Zeph
3:17
17 The Lord
thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee
with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Thank
you, merciful Lord, for the gift of eternal life through the blood of Jesus! I
have no words to describe my joy and my actions might suggest that I am out of
control. My joy exceeds. AMEN
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