Filled with joy

And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)

No matter how many times I remind myself, I often forget that the word “disciples” in the book of Acts is primarily referring to the “ordinary” Christian.

So when Luke talks about the disciples being filled with joy, Luke’s not talking about Paul and Barnabas. He’s talking about the brand new Christians that they had just shared the gospel with.

Why were they filled with joy? After all, their leaders had just been persecuted and kicked out of the city.

I think they were filled with joy for two reasons. 

First, they were rejoicing in their salvation.

For years, the Gentiles had been told they were outsiders. That they had to become Jews in order to be accepted by God.

But now they were told that they too were accepted by God through faith in Christ.

Not only that, they found out that before time began, they were loved and chosen by God. (Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:4-6)

But I do think there was a second reason.

They saw how their leaders were treated and the trials they faced. And they saw their leaders still filled with God’s joy. 

How we respond to trials in our life will affect other people. 

If in the midst of our trials, we are rooted in the truth that God loves us and has chosen us, we will keep our joy. And people will notice. 

Our children will notice. Our friends will notice. Our coworkers will notice. 

For those who are Christians, they will take heart by looking at us. And for those who don’t know Jesus, it will start making them wonder what we have that gives us the ability to rejoice.

There are a lot of people in this world who are struggling to find joy. If they can’t see it in us, where will they find it?