From Psalms to Peace and Joy

Is it any wonder that the Old Testament Psalms are favorite sources of inspiration? These poems or songs of praise, worship, thankfulness and repentance represent a wide range of feelings, emotions, attitudes and interests. Written by so many people, from different time periods, they strike a common chord. They illuminate God’s covenant with Israel. They document His chosen people’s communication with their faithful Yahweh. They capture human dependency on the Almighty across time and space.

But when we step into the world of the Book of Luke, within a specific time period and geographic space, a single author focuses on telling the story of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a book of Good News in which Luke, a highly educated man writing from a Greek background and viewpoint, documents that Jesus loved all kinds of people. Yahweh’s covenant with Israel was now available to all – through the sacrifice of this Jesus who loved children, the poor, and the oppressed.

There is a theme of joy throughout the book. Christ brought joy as well as hope and salvation. When Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem after the resurrection, he stood among them and said,

“Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they
still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.......
Luke 24: 36c-41a New International Version

Yes, they experienced joy – for it seemed too good to be true! Their master Rabbi, their friend, their Messiah was alive! Remember the first time you heard and believed these words and knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to you? Did not your heart burn within you? The Living Christ speaks through the Gospels!

Amazed that this Jesus of Nazareth sacrificed for us on the Cross, we now experience peace and joy, assured that He lives and will return. The witness of the Old Testament affirms God’s faithfulness through the ages; the Gospels teach and inspire us to follow Jesus today; the Holy Spirit challenges, convicts, comforts and guides us as we journey through this life on earth.

Hallelujah! Amen!

Patricia McCann
for the Adult Discipleship / Membership Development Council