Digging Deeper: We Never Want to Get Over What Jesus Did for Us

In 2013, news anchor A.J. Clemente became an overnight sensation after his first on-air broadcast went viral—for all the wrong reasons. A series of verbal blunders and an inaudible expletive led to his immediate dismissal. While the moment was a disaster for him, it became a shared, cringeworthy source of humor for millions who watched the clip again and again. The joy of that memory, for viewers, was something they didn’t want to get over. The early church felt a similar—yet infinitely more profound—joy about their salvation.

This “great joy” wasn’t a fleeting emotion tied to a single, powerful Sunday service; it was a constant, underlying reality of their lives. It was born from a deep, unshakable gratitude for what Jesus had done for them on the cross. They didn’t just remember the gospel; they lived in the reality of it every single day. The forgiveness of their sins, the hope of eternity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit were not distant concepts—they were present truths that filled their hearts with overflowing gladness. This joy, in turn, fueled their “generosity” and “praising God.”

When overwhelmed by the immensity of God’s love and grace, worship becomes a natural response, and sharing what one has with others ceases to feel like a loss. It becomes a joyful act of stewardship and love. The believers were so filled with gratitude for what Jesus had done that they couldn’t help but let it spill out into their community—a contagious joy that drew others to the source of their happiness.

Reflection Questions:

• What can be done today to intentionally stir fresh gratitude in your heart for the cross?

• When was the last time joy about Jesus felt contagious?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for saving me. Let me never lose the wonder of the gospel. Fill my heart with a joy that spills over into every part of my life. Amen.