“44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” — Luke 1:44 (ESV)
Mary went to visit Elizabeth and upon her arrival, John was overjoyed at the presence of the LORD. This sounds like no real big deal, except that John had not been born and would not for the next three or so months. He was still in the womb of Elizabeth. It was being in the presence of the yet to be born King that the joy was found.
John knew that the King was there and was exclaiming that even when no one would see him. His mother knew, and those in her physical presence knew. John did not leap for everyone to see, he leaped with joy.
Anticipation can be as powerful as the event itself. This was the anticipation of the coming of Jesus and John was joyous. I have gone into situations myself knowing that something was to happen and the anticipation was overwhelming. My wedding to Lori over 26 years ago, I was awe struck at the thought of becoming her husband. The birth of Bryson and Aarron, I was anxious at the thought of becoming their father. And the greatest of all, the reward of heaven once my work for God is done, I am over joyed at what that will bring. Just knowing of the coming of these things brings joy.
John anticipated the coming of Jesus and was overjoyed. He leaped at just being in the presence of the unborn savior, even as he was unborn himself. Another demonstration of the life of all and the connection to the Lord is there, even before we face this world. I was a child of God before my physical birth, even as I was in the womb of my mother. I have to remember that and bring the joy to the LORD now just as I would have then.
When did you first experience joy? Even now, are you experiencing the joy of the LORD? What if you were to step back and realize that the joy of the LORD began even before you were even physically born into this world?
Trevor's Thoughts 