No Greater Joy

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:9-11

The Ravens were up by one in the championship game of the winter league basketball tournament when the scoreboard buzzed. The game was over! All the guys huddled around their star player, Hank Phillips, who scored 28 of their 62 points.

On the car ride home, Hank couldn’t stop looking at his Most Valuable Player trophy. “This is the best day of my life!” he told his dad.

Suddenly a bird swooped down in front of their car. “Watch it!” yelled Hank. Dad tried to swerve, but it was too late. The car hit the bird head-on, and it instantly fell to the ground.

Dad pulled over. Hank raced out and knelt beside the bird, cupping its small head in his gloved hands. “Is it still alive?”

“I’m afraid not,” said Dad. Hank gently picked up the bird and moved it to the side of the road. As they continued driving, Hank set his trophy aside and peered out the window. He thought of his friend Billy. It had been almost a year since Billy had passed away from cancer. It had taken him and his family by surprise—one day Billy was fine, and then suddenly, he was gone. Just like that bird getting hit by our car, Hank thought as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Are you okay?” asked Dad.

Hank looked at the trophy in the seat next to him. “All of a sudden this trophy seems kind of worthless,” he said. “I’d give it back in a heartbeat—along with every Ravens basketball victory—if it meant getting Billy back.”

Dad sighed heavily. “I miss Billy too. Life is precious—more precious than anything we earn or receive on this earth.”

Hank nodded. “Much more precious than winning basketball championships.”

“And that’s exactly why Jesus came to earth,” said Dad. “He died so that we could have life—a life that goes beyond the years we live on earth. He gives us a life with Him that lasts forever!”

Hank smiled as he thought of Billy in paradise with Jesus. He picked up his trophy again. “I do like the joy of winning,” he said, “but it will never come close to the joy Jesus brings.”

Dad smiled. “Nothing does.” – Randy Saller

How About You?

What things in life give you joy? Winning a game? Spending time with family and friends? Having others recognize your accomplishments? God blesses us with many good gifts, but there’s one thing He wants us to treasure above everything else—His Son, Jesus. Only Jesus can give us life that lasts forever, and when we trust in Him, we can experience a joy that is unlike anything else.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceedingly great joy.

Today’s Key Thought:

Rejoice in Jesus