Celebrate Our Joy

Revelation 19:1-9

One week from today, my husband and I will celebrate our 22^nd anniversary.  It seems like only yesterday we invited our friends and family to “rejoice and be glad with us.” Our reception was quite the party!

A few days before the wedding, my soon-to-be husband started inviting everyone he saw.  Strangers on the street were encouraged to attend.  Now, anyone who’s planned a wedding knows one of the most important things is to stick to the numbers.  The reception hall was already full and I was afraid we weren’t going to have enough seats or food.

But Corey didn't see it that way.  He's "the more the merrier” type.  He was genuinely excited about our wedding and wanted to share our joy.  Yes, we did have people show up who hadn’t been sent a formal invitation, but it all worked out.

The dance floor was packed, and we celebrated well into the night.  It was a true celebration, filled with unforgettable memories.

I can only imagine that’s what God wants for us when we’re ready to enter into a relationship with Him.  He wants us to be filled with joy and then want to share that joy with others.  “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (v. 9).

No one throws a party better than the Father.  Wouldn’t you like to be invited to His feast?

So, as Corey and I celebrate together, we’ll also celebrate Christ.  It’s through Him these past 22 years were possible.  “Amen, Hallelujah!”

PS:  I just found a copy of our wedding program and the cover reads - Celebrate Our Joy.  I think we all did!

    

It is Time to Celebrate!

Everybody loves a celebration. A birthday party, the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve are favorites of many people. And let’s not forget the celebrations that occur when your favorite sports team wins a championship.

Today’s reading is Ezra 6:13-18. The Israelites rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and a new Temple to the Lord. The exiled Israelites will soon return from Assyria. It was time to celebrate!

 

But, what is the significance of what they were celebrating?

 While in exile, the Jews were strangers in a foreign land. They were away from the Holy Land, away from God, so to speak.  They did not have an identity.

 Those Jews who were not exiled lived without the safety of a walled city. They were very vulnerable to their neighbors and other invaders. And since the Temple had been destroyed, they could not turn to God who previously dwelled among them.

When the exiles return, the Jews will be re-united. They once again will have an identity. They will be a nation. They will be united with their Lord who will once again dwell among them. And the rebuilt walls will provide them safety.

 Today Christians do not have a walled city, or a single spot for the Lord to dwell. We are not even united, we are scattered all over the world.

 Yet we should celebrate!

 Jesus is our wall; his death on the cross keeps sin from harming us.

 Jesus does not need a Temple; he dwells in heaven and here on earth. He lives among us. The earth is his footstool!

 And Jesus is the great unifier. All Christians everywhere are part of his heavenly kingdom whose job is to spread the Good News of Jesus. As citizens of heaven, Jesus gives us an identity!

 Jesus gives us everything we need.  That is something to celebrate!