Advent 3: Greater Is Coming: Christ’s Covenant of Joy by Steward Sydnei Bethea

Greater Is Coming: Christ's Covenant of Joy

 

“⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³ Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ⁴⁴ When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. ⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” ⁴⁶ Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. ⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! ⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. ⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. ⁵¹ His mighty arm has done tremendous things!...” Luke 1:41-51 _NLT

 

The third week of Advent represents joy. While Christ is in the womb, His existence foretells the promise of joy: Mary rejoices at the prosperity her unborn child will bring. Though like any great book or movie, we cannot appreciate the climax without the historical context. Therefore, we can exalt that Christ was born, in a manger, to virgin Mary [and Joseph]. He lived no luxurious life wardrobed in jewels—not even a mansion, yet we know greater is coming. Philippians 2:7-10 _NLT provides confidence that “⁷ Instead, [Christ] gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, ⁸ He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” There is joy that though Christ could and should have lived like a King, He will be placed at the Right Hand of The Father.

 

Okay, I’ll get to the part that brings Christians joy: there is Wonderful Joy ahead because Christ chose us. “⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. ⁸ You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. ⁹ The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 _NLT  Yup, there’s something (a lot) in it for you, too! We get eternal life, forgiveness, fellowship, abundance, power, and unconditional love, just to name a few things that come to mind!

 

I’d be remiss not to address the trials for a little while part. I can empathize that a little while feels a lot longer than the denotation of that verse, but greater is coming. Not to mention, eternity is far longer than any trial we can imagine. Christ promises joy from the very beginning and we can trust His track record is greater than anyone in comparison. Remain faithful. Rejoice. Despite any test that you endeavor, there is wonderful joy ahead that nothing can defer or deter because Christ promises full joy to those who believe in Him, and endure a little while. Greater is coming, so look forward to full, glorious, and inexpressible, joy.