This past Friday, I had the wonderful blessing of seeing Jesus performed at Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania. If you ever have a chance to see one of these amazing plays, go! These performers and all those behind the scenes do an incredible job of bringing the Bible to the stage in a larger than life way.
Of course this story was based on, yes you guessed it, Jesus. LOL And it was a Jesus filled with joy, passion, boldness and compassion. Sometimes, as I read the Bible I forget that it's more than black words on a white page...that these were flesh and blood people, living, breathing, feeling beings just like me. And that is true of Jesus Himself.
In bringing Jesus "to life" on a 21st century stage, the actor portrayed Him living joyfully. He didn't lecture so much as explain and teach. He didn't go around dourly, seriously but lovingly. When I think about it...people were drawn to Jesus...would that be the case if He was always frowning or stern? NO! They were attracted to His joy, and His deep compassion for those who needed Him.
On this stage we saw Him hugging a leper. walking with children, and laughing with His disciples. This was someone you wanted to be around.
The Lord tells us to be rejoice always. Philipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Wouldn't it make sense that God Himself is filled with joy!
So, at the end of this play we see Jesus return to heaven, taken up into the clouds as His friends watched. We then see His followers huddled together in prayer, awaiting the Holy Spirit as was promised. And then it happens, He comes. The Holy Spirit's wind whips around the stage and the disciples are filled with His power. It was amazing. What was even more amazing was as we left the theater, the wind was blowing all around us. Wow. But, when we got back to the hotel, (which is only about a mile away), the night was perfectly still. Just wow!
Lord, thank You for sharing Your joy with us. I forget to be joyful, to rejoice in all the blessings You provide, Your very Presence with me always....Lord, I let life get in the way. Help us all to be like Your Son, showing and sharing joy with everyone we meet. Thank You for showing me this Jesus...the real joyful, loving, compassionate man-God that walked this earth, coming here to save us. In His most holy and precious name, amen.
Practice choosing joy. Do a study on joy.
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