Shared Joy

"They shared her joy." Luke 1:58 (NIV)

This Advent season we've been looking at the many "good news, great joy" scenes found in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. So far, we've seen two divine angelic birth announcements; John the Baptist's in utero joy in Jesus' presence; and Mary's Magnificat, her joyous song of deliverance and salvation. 

But Mary isn’t the only one who rejoices in Luke’s orderly account of the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist is born to the old and barren Elizabeth and her little community rejoices. Luke the Physician records this: “Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy and they shared her joy.”(1:58) This is joy multiplied. The good news of salvation brings joy, which is not just shared, but multiplied. John’s miraculous birth brought that little community corporate joy. The neighbors and relatives share Zechariah and Elizabeth’s joy, so much so that they even try to name the new baby after his father.  Zechariah, still in his forced silenced, quickly writes “His name is John,” the name God gave him before he was conceived.  Immediately Zechariah's mouth is opened, his tongue is loosed, and he begins praising God. Deliverance always demands praise whether it’s the deliverance is from infertility, sin, debt, disease, or silence. 

Read the Bible and look for songs of deliverance. You will find them scattered throughout scripture from beginning to end. The first song ever recorded in scripture is found in Exodus 15. God delivers the nation of Israel from the Egyptians. God brings them out of slavery, the Red Sea parts, the Israelites are saved; and the Egyptian army is killed. It’s a day of national deliverance. Moses writes and records this song to help the Israelites remember and celebrate God’s great deliverance. Years later, the prophetess Deborah leads Israel to a national victory and promptly writes a song of deliverance recorded in Judges 5. King David later pens these words: “You surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) Even God gets in on salvation’s song. The prophet Zephaniah declares in Zephaniah 3:17 “the Lord is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

There are three important Kingdom of God principles that we can learn from today's passage:

Deliverance demands praise. 

Good news brings great joy. 

And joy shared is joy multiplied. 

When have you been delivered by God? Perhaps your deliverance is that of Mary's, a deliverance of salvation. Perhaps you've experienced Elizabeth's deliverance from infertility. Some of us may have been held captive by bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, or student debt. Whatever our situation, God's deliverance always demands praise. Few of us will write a song to commemorate our deliverance, but all of us can give thanks for it. 

Beyond deliverance, are you experiencing the joy of your salvation? If so, that joy is meant to be shared with others so that it multiplies. If not, Advent is the perfect time for remembering Who God is and What He has done. For those of us living in the traditional Bible Belt, it's easy to become complacent to the good news of the gospel. But the good news of the gospel still brings great joy and joy shared is joy multiplied. Who do you know that needs to hear the good news of the Gospel this Christmas season? 

Faith Hill was right when she sang, "a baby changes everything!" 

Good news; great joy!