Joy Without Doubt

Chapter 26 - Joy in Spite of Stoopidity

Luke 24: 52 ESV

And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy…

Our last verse had us looking at how the disciples were stuck in thinking that Jesus before them was too good to be true. They were joyful at seeing Him but disbelieving too. Today’s verse is a 180-degree turn from that.

To see why, we must backtrack to Luke 24: 45 where it says, “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…” (ESV). Remember, these disciples had lived with Jesus, saw many miracles, performed miracles, sat at Jesus’ feet to be taught, witnessed his suffering and death, and now His resurrection, and still needed their minds to be opened for them to fully understand all that they had been taught their whole lives. This was the moment their faith was solidified. Jesus took them from thinking “this is too good to be true” to understanding, knowing without a doubt “this is all true”. Their head became aligned with their heart. Joy without doubt comes from knowing AND understanding the Word of God. And how great is it that our faithful Father gives us understanding when we seek it!

As we continue in chapter 24 we see that Jesus, after He opened their minds to understand, told them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (ESV). A quick look into that shows He wanted them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. And then He parted from them.

If we fully understand that Jesus is who He said He is, and that He did what He said He did, and that He will do what He said He will do, then our waiting and our worshiping will be reflected in joy-full faith. Fierce faith, powerful joy, these are what will set you apart for the glory of God.