Pastor John D Jakes

What moves you? What makes your heart beat with passion or your eyes light up? It’s worth it, isn’t it? It’s worth the effort. It’s worth the struggle. It’s a joy!

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46  and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

When we think about joy in Jesus we connect it with being happy. Unfortunately, that connection makes us doubt our joy when we don’t feel happy. Think about this: “Feelings” don’t challenge our joy in other areas.

Think about raising your children. You don’t think, “Since today was a hard day, my children aren’t a joy.” Do you? No, they are worth it! There is joy in raising them. Their future is what we are looking for.  We see what they will become and our sacrifices are worth it. This is what Jesus tells us the kingdom of Heaven is like.  It is something that is worth giving all to. The Kingdom of Heaven is like finding a treasure hidden in a field. It is worth the sacrifice of selling everything to get it. It is something that is worth sacrificing everything for. Jesus is worth it! 

By the way, Jesus tells us that we are worth it too. Hear these words from the book of Hebrews in a new light, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the  author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, emphasis mine) What was the joy Jesus was focused on? It was the resurrection to be sure. However, we read in other passages that Jesus’ focus was not simple physical relief. His ultimate joy is to see people, His people, be redeemed for the glory of the Father. So, more than just resurrection was Christ’s joy. You and I were His joy too. We were worth it!

So, Christian, isn’t He worth it today to be your joy? Isn’t He worth any sacrifice or pain we have to face? That is joy. Not just a fleeting happiness, but an abiding declaration of worth. Jesus is worth it. Living in that knowledge is the very definition of joy. May we find it today.

Something to think about,

Pastor John