Luke 10:17-24 A verse caught my eye. In Luke 10:21, I found the phrase, "...Jesus, full of joy...", and I couldn't think of any place else where it was stated in so many words that Jesus experienced joy. When I begin searching, I found only 6 verses where Jesus and joy were mentioned in the same verse and only one other one where it was Jesus experiencing the joy. The other verse is in Heb. 12:2, where is says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This verse in Hebrews is speaking of a joy that will be realized in the future. In Luke, however, it is joy He was experiencing right then. What was bringing Him joy? The disciples had just returned from a missionary trip where miracles were the order of the day. "Even demons responded to them in Jesus' name." That was not what brought Him joy, because He corrected them by reminding them that it was far better to have their names written in the Book of Life, than to have demons obey you. I believe it is in the verses that follow that reveal the source of joy. His joy was in seeing the Father revealed to those with simple childlike faith. I believe that as He looked around He could actually see the names of many who were standing there written in the "Book". The event that kings and prophets down through the ages longed to see was beginning to unfold. He was able to see a glimmer of recognition - the Father was being revealed, and that was the whole purpose of His coming. You see, joy doesn't come when we get 'stuff' or even when "good" things happen to us. That is better referred to as happiness, and it's mostly a head experience. Real joy is a "gut" experience, and it happens when you see God interacting with people. When you see God saving, healing, or setting either yourself are someone near you free, it's like the Holy Ghost is doing a dance inside of you. We need to ask: What are we seeing in the healing or deliverance or miracle? Is it the act that is occurring, or is that a real person is being set free? Are we seeing an act or are we seeing the God of the universe meeting and changing a real person? It is a very subtle, but very important difference. If we have eyes to see, I believe we will be able to understand a little about the joy that Jesus was experiencing.

What Brings Joy to Jesus?