Today’s word is one that isn’t used very often today. We might know what it feels like. When the test comes back positive and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for years. You’re exuberant. Your team wins the national championship. You feel triumphant. You complete your final round of chemo and ring the bell. You’re celebrating.
These are jubilant moments.
But can we live that way?
We are much more familiar with the opposite of today’s word: unethusiastic, discouraged, unexcited, and sorrowful.
Jesus saw a lot of the downside of today’s word. The people were oppressed by the Roman government from without, and by the religious leaders from within. One day he looked out at the crowd, and was moved to compassion. I imagine that happened more than once during his ministry.
That day he invited them to learn a new way from him. On another occasion he assured his followers with these words: I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11, NIV).
Complete joy? That’s jubilant. That’s what Jesus offers.
Pot of Manna 