The Road From the Cross Brings Joy

Fear AND Joy???

“And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy…” (Matthew 28:8a)

“And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matthew 28:8-10).

The final hours that led to the cross were full of sadness and fear. Fear overcame the disciples as they stood by and watched their Savior be mocked, ridiculed, tortured, and crucified. The Jewish and Roman trials only served to raise their fears along each step of the way, and during those last few hours of Jesus’ life, fear stole their joy. 

But on Resurrection morning, joy returned. Jesus was alive, and joy was returning to His followers. Think about those words in vs.9, "Jesus met them and said, ‘Rejoice!’” Straight from the Master’s lips, they heard those words, “Rejoice!” Death was defeated, fear was eradicated, and joy had returned.

What about you? Can you experience joy in the midst of fear?

Maybe today you are walking a road of anxiety, fear, and worry. Perhaps you are facing a diagnosis that is frightening. Perhaps your boss has warned of layoffs and terminations. Perhaps your family is facing uncertain days. 

There is good news for us even in the midst of sad or scary circumstances. The road FROM the cross brings joy.

Joy is not the absence of problems or difficulties.

Being a Christ follower does not mean a stress-free life. There will be challenges and there will be losses. But for the Christ follower, the things that cause us fear, pain, and loss do not have to reign “supreme” in our lives. Why? Because Jesus had risen and defeated all of those enemies. That is the beauty of joy. 

Joy is knowing that the Sovereign Lord Jesus rules and reigns. 

Joy is knowing that the road FROM the cross is a road of victory.

I heard one pastor say, “Joy is an inside job.” And that joy from the inside will keep our hearts lifted and steady during the hardest of days.

Because of the resurrection, we can overcome the hardships and challenges of daily living, and we can do so with joy.

Today, as you walk away from the cross, walk in His presence with joy!