Still Awake?
A little closer to Jesus every evening.
August 4
The Joy That Comes from Jesus
Matthew 2:10–11
“When they saw the star, they were filled with exceedingly great joy. They went into the house and found the child with Mary, his mother. Then they fell down and worshiped him.”
Matthew 2:10–11
When was the last time you felt truly joyful?
Perhaps because you passed an exam.
Because you received good news.
Because of a vacation.
Or simply because you were able to spend time with someone you love.
Joy is one of God’s most beautiful gifts.
Yet it is often temporary.
Today we rejoice.
Tomorrow, the moment has already passed.
The joy of the wise men was different.
Matthew even writes that they were “filled with exceedingly great joy.”
Why?
Because they saw the star again?
Not only because of that.
The star was important. But it was never the destination.
It was only the guide.
The destination was Jesus.
How quickly we sometimes confuse the guide with the destination.
We rejoice in beautiful experiences.
In success.
In recognition.
In gifts.
But all these things can make us happy only for a moment.
The joy that lasts can be found only in Jesus.
When the wise men entered the house, something remarkable happened.
Matthew does not write that they first greeted Mary.
He does not say that they admired the house.
He does not even mention that they spoke about their long journey.
Their eyes fell upon Jesus.
And immediately, it was clear what they should do.
They fell down and worshiped him.
Try to imagine that moment.
They had been traveling for months.
They had covered many miles.
They had experienced uncertainty.
Perhaps others had laughed at them.
Perhaps they themselves had sometimes doubted.
But now they finally stood before Jesus.
In that moment, every hardship was forgotten.
Sometimes our lives are similar.
We are on the way.
We hope.
We wait.
We pray.
And often we wonder whether the journey is worth it at all.
The story of the wise men gives us a wonderful answer.
Yes.
Every step toward Jesus is worthwhile.
Perhaps you do not recognize that today.
Perhaps your faith sometimes feels dry.
Perhaps you read the Bible and think:
“Why do I not feel anything?”
The wise men surely had days when all they could see was sand, heat, and exhaustion.
But they continued.
And eventually, they stood before Jesus.
I believe that many people are searching for joy, but in the wrong places.
They look for it in likes.
In recognition.
In success.
In relationships.
In money.
All these things can be beautiful.
But none of them can permanently fill the emptiness of our hearts.
We were not created for that.
We were created for fellowship with God.
Augustine once wrote:
“Our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.”
Perhaps this is precisely why some people have everything and are still unhappy.
And why others have so little and yet live with deep peace.
True joy does not depend primarily upon our circumstances.
It grows wherever Jesus is at the center.
That is why, this evening, I do not wish you success above all else.
Nor perfect grades.
Nor a life without problems.
I wish you something far greater.
That you may encounter Jesus.
For wherever Jesus is, a joy begins to grow that reaches deeper than every feeling.
A joy that endures even through difficult days.
A joy that no one can take away from you.
Think About It
What does your joy depend upon at the moment?
What would need to happen for you to be happy tomorrow?
And what would change if Jesus himself became the greatest joy of your life?
Prayer
Dear Father,
thank you that true joy does not depend upon my circumstances, but upon you.
So often I search for happiness in the wrong places.
Please turn my eyes toward Jesus again and again.
Give me a heart that rejoices in your presence.
And help me never to forget that the greatest joy is not found in what I receive, but in the One whom I encounter.
Thank you that Jesus is here.
Today.
And tomorrow as well.
Amen.
Sleep well.
The greatest joy is not waiting for tomorrow.
It has a name:
Jesus.
See you tomorrow.
