When have you experienced the greatest joy in your life? Maybe it was your wedding day, the birth of a child, a long-awaited job offer, or another milestone. Most of us can point to a moment that filled us with deep happiness. But how often do we reflect on the day we were baptized?
As we read through the book of Acts, something that we can notice is the joy that follows baptism. Luke intentionally notes the rejoicing of the Samaritans (Acts 8:8), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:39), and the Philippian jailer with his household (Acts 16:34). Their joy recorded in this way, teaches us the joy of entering Christ.
Many things in this world bring happiness, but only our salvation brings a lasting and eternal joy. Earthly blessings come and go, but the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our promise of eternal life remains for us forever. The joy of being in Christ is a joy nothing can take away.
For those in Christ, when asked what the greatest amount of joy we have experienced is, don’t forget about the day that you were baptized. The day you were given your salvation, and something to hang onto for the rest of your life. This same joy that you have experienced should also drive you to tell others that this joy can be theirs as well. There is joy for all who are in Christ. Let us not forget to spread the joy of Christ to those around us.
Josh Schutkowski