Joy!

April 9, 2007

By William E. Richardson

“Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8, NKJV).

It was titled, “Burst of Joy.” The Vietnam-era news photograph won a Pulitzer Prize. It clearly captured the emotions of a specific moment.

The left side of the picture shows the back of a serviceman, shortly after he stepped off a plane (at Travis Air Force Base in California). Running toward him, filling two thirds of the photo are his wife and four children. While each family member bears a big smile and has at least one foot in the air, the teenage daughter in front is the most elated.

Both of her feet are off the ground as she appears, with arms outstretched, to leap toward her father. Her facial expression is ready to explode into either a big laugh or a joyous cry.

Any soldier returning home from war is reason for celebration. But this story goes deeper. The man in the picture just returned from Vietnam where he’d been a prisoner of war. The happy daughter hadn’t seen her father for six years.

That’s so much like the first Easter. What about Mary at the tomb and the disciples in the Upper Room? I’m certain the “Burst of Joy” photograph is a worthy symbol of the emotions they displayed when they saw Jesus alive.

Mary had heard the angel say, “He is risen.” Yet, when Jesus spoke her name all doubt vanished. In an instant, her winter melted into spring; her tears of sorrow became tears of joy. She ran to the disciples with the news.

The disciples had deserted Jesus in Gethsemane. In the high priest’s courtyard Peter had denied even knowing Jesus. Out of fear they hid from the Jewish authorities. But that Easter evening Jesus walked through the wall speaking “peace” to them. Suddenly all fears, frustrations and failures fled their hearts. Replaced by joy.

For that airman’s family there had been reason for sorrow: the Vietnam survivor was a pilot the enemy had shot down. There was reason for joy: he returned home. The welcoming daughter said, “We didn’t know if he would ever come home.” She added, “That moment was all our prayers answered, all our wishes come true.”1

The reason for sorrow over Jesus: His crucifixion. There was greater reason for joy: Jesus returned from the dead. Mary could exclaim, “Teacher!” (John 20:16). The disciples’ joy returned (John 20:20). A week later, Thomas exulted, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Elation.

In 2007, we have a right to our own bursts of joy. Easter is plump with meaning for every Christian. By dying for our sins and rising from the dead, Jesus defeated the devil (Hebrews 2:14). His resurrection guarantees we’ll rise from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20,21), or join Him in the Rapture to live with Him forever (John 14:1-3).

Because of Easter, we have reason every day to burst into celebrations of joy. When we actually see Jesus, our Easter joy will become eternal joy.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.

1Carolyn Kleiner Butler, “Coming Home.” Smithsonian (January, 2005).