By Will Kynes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
Embracing Joy
Psalm 95:1–3; Luke 2:4–14
What inspires the “joy” in “Joy to the World”? Gifts? Family gatherings? A season of peace and good cheer? Cookies and eggnog?
According to the carol, the source of joy is the fact that “the Lord is come.”
Isaac Watts based his famous Christmas hymn on Psalm 98, but its call for the earth to rejoice in God’s salvation is found across the psalter, from which it echoes in the Gospel accounts of the Lord’s coming in Jesus Christ.
We can experience joy because God is our salvation. (Ps. 95:1–3)
Psalm 95 is one of those psalms that expresses this invitation to rejoice in the Lord.
In fact, it begins with an imperative, commanding the congregation to join in exaltation of the Lord as “the Rock of our salvation” and the supreme God, the “King above all gods.”
Psalm 82 similarly declares God the judge over all gods.
In the verses which follow the focal passage (Ps. 95:4–5), the psalm, like Watts’ hymn, draws heaven and nature into the Lord’s praise, declaring all the earth, from the depths to mountain peaks, the sea and dry land, to be His creation.
The only appropriate response to this God caring for us as a shepherd for His flock (v. 7) is to “bow down in worship” (v. 6).
Jesus, the Son of God, was born to bring us salvation. (Luke 2:4–7)
How does this majestic God choose to save His people? In the exodus, He sent terrible plagues, routing the Egyptians, the most powerful nation on earth, and their Pharaoh, who claimed for himself divine status.
But when Caesar Augustus, ruler of the mighty Romans and similarly a self-proclaimed god, decreed a census, the Rock of our salvation appears as a helpless infant born in a manger.
Though Joseph, the child’s father, submits to Caesar’s command to return to his own town, there is a hint that a greater king is at work.
Twice in verse 4, David, the great king of Israel, whose son God promised would reign forever, is mentioned.
This baby, the son of David, will be King above all “gods.”
The birth of Jesus is cause for great joy. (Luke 2:8–14)
The angelic messenger carries the joyous news of the Messiah’s arrival to lowly shepherds.
Though no earthly king would choose such humble emissaries to declare his reign, the Lord glories in His role as shepherd of His people (Ps. 95:7; Ps. 23).
One day, this baby will declare Himself “the Good Shepherd” who “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
And, when He does so, nailed to a Roman cross, and then triumphs over death, He earns for His flock an enduring joy, and the redemption of creation itself (Rom. 8:18–25).
The only appropriate response to the arrival of this baby, this King of kings and Lord of lords, is to bow down in worship (Ps. 95:6) and rise in shouts of joy (Ps. 95:1), for the joy He offers surpasses anything the season that celebrates His birth can offer.
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