Finding Joy in Jesus

Finding Joy in Jesus

It was a crisp evening in May 1893, and the air buzzed with anticipation as thousands of visitors gathered at the Chicago World’s Fair, also known as the Columbian Exposition. Families, couples, and groups of friends packed the fairgrounds, their voices humming with excitement. They had come to marvel at the wonders of the modern age, but few were prepared for what they were about to see.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a hush fell over the crowd. The sprawling fairgrounds, with its gleaming white buildings and intricate architecture, were suddenly cloaked in twilight. Then, with a flick of a switch, it happened.

The night exploded into brilliance. Thousands of electric lights—soft, golden, and impossibly steady—flooded the grounds with light, illuminating every corner as though it were midday. Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a wave of applause and cheers. Many had never seen an electric light before, and the sight of these countless bulbs glowing simultaneously felt nothing short of magical.“It’s like the stars have come down to the earth,” murmured a woman clutching her young daughter’s hand. Her daughter’s eyes were wide with wonder as they reflected the shimmering lights.

A farmer from rural Illinois, his hat in hand, whispered to his wife, “Can you imagine? No more trimming wicks or smelling kerosene? Light at the flip of a switch. It’s like a miracle.” She nodded, tears glinting in her eyes.

The electric lights weren’t just illuminating the grounds; they were lighting up imaginations. Around every corner of the fair, people buzzed with ideas. If electricity could light the night, what else could it do? Factory workers spoke of safer, brighter workshops. Mothers imagined homes where children could study late into the evening without the risk of fire. Farmers dreamed of tools powered by this invisible energy, saving hours of back-breaking labor.

As they wandered among the fair’s exhibits, many attendees felt a growing certainty that electricity wasn’t just a novelty—it was the future. It was the solution to the world’s problems. It could banish darkness, ease toil, and bring modernity to every corner of the earth. “This is what progress looks like,” said a young man in a bowler hat, gesturing toward the glowing fairgrounds. “This will change everything.”

For a moment, standing under the spell of those shimmering lights, it was easy to believe. It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, urban or rural. Under the electric glow, the future looked brighter for everyone.

As the evening wore on, the lights continued to shine, casting their glow on faces filled with awe, hope, and joy. No one wanted to leave; no one wanted the night to end. And as they finally drifted home, visitors carried the memory of that dazzling illumination with them, convinced that they had glimpsed humanity’s destiny—a destiny where light conquered darkness and the world’s problems melted away in the glow of progress.

and Progress did come as the result of technological, scientific, medical, and electrical advancement. Life spans increased, and the ability to live with less pain has become a reality.

Joy in Jesse’s Root

Isaiah 11:1-10

Isaiah 11:1–10 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

In the book of Isaiah we see that God will judge Judah as well as all the nations of the earth, and that God is working at each point in history in each nation of the earth to bring about his will. The most succinct statement of Isaiah’s message is this: “God controls everything” ~Gary Smith NAC

Isaiah 55:12 ESV

12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Romans 15:12-13

Romans 15:12–13 ESV

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

1. Rejoice in Jesus (Joy in Jesus)

Luke 2:10–11 (ESV)

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Philippians 4:4–7 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You could encourage the congregation to rejoice in the Lord always, as Paul's exhortation reminds believers that joy stems from a relationship with Christ. Perhaps emphasize how a life rooted in prayer and thanksgiving opens channels of peace that transcend understanding, suggesting that this serenity is a testament to joy found in Jesus alone.

3. Journey with Jesus

John 15:9-11

John 15:9–11 ESV

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Journey with Jesus in the Father’s love which leads to the fullness of Joy

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Journey with Jesus as our Example

1 Peter 1:8–9 (ESV)

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Journey with Jesus as our Example

Romans 12:15 ESV

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Journey with Jesus’ body, the church.

God’s presence amongst sinners

Joy Vs Lament

World’s answer. Minimize pain

Bible’s Answer: redeem pain through lament and mourning, finding hope in Christ. Give meaning to Pain.

You know what I hear from people who move from the north or south and come to magnificent Missouri? People love the contrasts of the seasons. We have hot winters, cold summers, and nice mild springs to plant and falls to harvest. The heat is all the more appreciated because of the cold. The rains are all the more welcome because of the seasons of dry, and even the cold is welcomed to encourage us to hunker down with our family and friends.

“Joy is all the sweeter when sorrow has been all the deeper” ~PBJ

1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV

16 Rejoice always,

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.