REJOICE ALWAYS 120209

H2o devos sj 120209 Rejoice Always

“Joy joy joy in the morning
Joy joy in the afternoon
Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you”
Sing Joy by Peter Mayer

http://www.petermayer.com/AUDIO/SPA/SingJoy.mp3

It’s a short little verse. Just two words long, or better yet, two words short. It comes from 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 16, “Rejoice always.” As anyone who has been with me before my coffee kicks in during the morning knows. Or when I’ve had a very long, trying tiresome day my colleagues and family are aware that I am not always in compliance with the dictates of this short, little passage.

And yet, during this holy season of waiting, watching, wondering and worshiping we are called to “Rejoice always.” Peter’s encourages us “sing joy” morning, noon and night.

The church sign reminds us that Advent is the cure for “spiritual tryptophan.”
Now, you might be asking, “what exactly is tryptophan?” Fortunately, here’s a great explanation for you. http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/question519.htm

The wedding reception was in full swing. Unfortunately, the wine had run out.
Mary, the Mother of our Lord came to Jesus and told him about the problem. We read in John 2 that Jesus said something like, “I will serve no wine before it’s time.” Well, actually here’s how the exchange went,

“3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’4And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’"
It doesn’t sound like Jesus was very interested in following 1 Thessalonians 5:16 either (well, and to tell the truth it hadn’t been written yet). But, Jesus did something to make the celebration continue.
Check out the following link to see and read how a famous painting (at the National Gallery in London) portrays the scene.

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/focus-painting-december

The late Roland Bainton used to quote the late Martin Luther who in describing this passage from John 2 indicated that sometimes in personal relationships, the “wine does indeed run out.” But, Luther was quick to point out that Jesus is also at the table when this happens. It is his presence and word that enables us to “rejoice always” even when the glass appears to be half empty or totally empty.


“Rejoice always.”
rtg