Joy  

Discipleship is not all sacrificing and doing for others. Jesus promised that being a disciple also brings a deep sense of joy. This joy is not dependent on being happy. Disciples have been chosen for a joy that is not the absence of trouble, but the very presence of God with them all of the time.

After Jesus called his disciples, according to Matthew, he sat them down on the side of a mountain and taught about the joy of being a disciple. Some thought he spoke about life in heaven. But really, he described how life can be right now, for disciples. Jesus' remarks are recorded in Matthew 5 and often called "The Sermon on the Mount' or "The Beatitudes."

In the beatitudes, Jesus promises disciples then, and now, that they will have a bit of heaven while on earth -- a joy-filled life.

Written by Jerry Schmalenberger
Produced by the Education/Evangelism Team of the Division of Congregational Ministries-ELCA