“For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many whole were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.” Acts 8:7,8
There was much joy in that city. Did you catch that? Joy in the City.
This concept captivates my heart. What would it be like to have a city full of joy because of the life of Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel? When Phillip brought the message of Christ to the people of Samaria, it had a considerable effect upon them.
Unclean spirits were cast out.
Paralyzed and lame people were healed.
And, there was a notable sense of joy in the city.
That puts a smile on my face. I am captivated with the idea that a city could resonate with the life of Jesus to the degree that there is a tangible tone of JOY. Does the message that we proclaim today have a similar effect?
If not, then perhaps we’ve forgotten that the Good News is supposed to be…well…GOOD NEWS.
What would “joy in the city” look like in the place you live?
2 Responses
Thanks Tim. You’re right, we do need this to break out in all areas of our life! Amen.
I LOVE this!!! I’ve read this chapter every month this year, and even written about it, but had never seen this.
It’s the natural result of life in the Spirit.
And we need it breaking out all over the places we live.
Thanks for the observation!