“And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41
Every time that the Spirit of God moves, there is an effect. When it comes to subjects of joy, there is almost the explosion of joy, the breaking through of the normal, to reveal a joy that is not of this world, but of Christ. It is that joy that Christ knew with the Father, that joy set before Him, not only in receiving the reward of His work on Calvary, but that experience of the Father’s joy and love for, and in, the Son.
When Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, being six months pregnant, heard the greeting of Mary, the mother of Jesus, being also pregnant, Scripture tells us that the babe leaped in her womb. Why? It was for the same reason that the shepherds who were visited by the angel of the Lord, heard not only the angel’s voice concerning “tidings of great joy,” but experienced this joy. This moving of the Spirit in the hearts of those who heard such tidings resulted in the experience of a joy that was not of this world, one from heaven, from the Father, by the Spirit. Later on, when Jesus was reaching the end of His ministry, and came riding a donkey into Jerusalem, in what has been called His triumphal entry, He spoke to the Pharisees, who were telling Him to rebuke His disciples. The reason for this rebuke was that “the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.” They were saying, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”(Luke 19:37) How is it that such a multitude would declare such a greeting and proclamation concerning the Lord Jesus, who was coming in such a meek and lowly fashion? It was because of the Spirit moving, the overwhelming joy of such an event, being communicated to the people from God. Jesus would affirm this by saying, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (v.40) When the Spirit moves in power, whether in the womb where a child is leaping with joy, or whether in a crowd, which in unison is rejoicing and praising God with a loud voice, there is the overwhelming evidence of the accomplishment of God’s purposes. This is the confirmation of Christ’s joy.
In God’s dealings with Israel, there is the revelation of His never-ending desire and will to bless her, to call her ever to Himself, that she should know the blessedness of communion and fellowship with Him. There were times of great rejection by Israel of the Lord, and times of great restoration. It is with the unveiling of His heart, that God would speak of “an acceptable time,” a “day of salvation.” (Is. 49:8) The Lord then spoke to Israel of what He would do, and how He would respond to their spiritual and physical needs. He would speak of feeding them in their pastures “in all high places,” and being led by springs of water. In accomplishing what He desires and wills to do for Israel, He says, “And I will make all my mountains a way, and my high places shall be exalted.” (49:11) The result of the Lord moving so specifically, and powerfully, according to His word, and in a way that exceeds all that Israel could ask of think, is joy, declared and revealed by singing. The Lord addresses the heavens and the earth, by commanding them: “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth.” He then speaks to mountains by saying: “…break forth into singing, O mountains.” (49:13) From a babe in the womb, to stones that will cry out, to mountains commanded to sing, the purposes of God, will be fulfilled. There will be overwhelming joy in that day.
Dear Father, Give us grace to know such joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.