Rejoicing Redeemer

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

that thou has hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes;

even so Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Luke 10:21

Here is the one instance on record of our Lord Jesus Christ rejoicing.

We read, that in that hour 'Jesus rejoiced in spirit.'  Three times we are told in the Gospels that our Lord Jesus Christ wept.  Once only we are told that He rejoiced.

And what was the cause of our Lord's joy?  It was the conversion of souls.  It was the reception of the gospel by the weak and lowly among the Jews, when the 'wise and prudent' on every side were rejecting it.  Our blessed Lord no doubt saw much in this world to grieve Him.  He saw the obstinate blindness and unbelief of the vast majority of those among whom He ministered.  But when He saw a few poor men and women receiving the glad tidings of salvation, even His heart was refreshed.  He saw it and was glad.

Let all Christians mark our Lord's conduct in this matter, and follow His example.  They find little in the world to cheer them.  They see around them a vast multitude walking in the broad way that leadeth to destruction, careless, hardened and unbelieving.  They see a few here and there, and only a few, who believe to the saving of their souls.  But let this sight make them thankful.  Let them bless God that any at all are converted and that any at all believe.  We do not realize the sinfulness of man sufficiently.  We do not reflect that the conversion of any soul is a miracle--a miracle as great as the raising of Lazarus from the dead. 

Let us learn from our blessed Lord to be more thankful.  There is always some blue sky as well as black clouds, if we will only look for it.  Though only a few are saved, we should find reason for rejoicing.  It is only through free grace and undeserved mercy that any are saved at all.

~excerpt from "Day by Day with J. C. Ryle"