The Good Cheers of Jesus
Have you ever noticed how up-tight you can get when you are looking for the right words to use in order to cheer up a friend in trouble? Many times we just don't know how to say: -- "Cheer up!" Sometimes we say: -- Hang in there! -- Take courage! -- Be strong! Usually we find ourselves saying something like -- "Cheer up, things could be worse." So they cheer up -- & sure enough, things do get worse!
Some people try to cheer us up by telling us just how badly they have it -- & by the time they're finished -- you feel a lot worse than you did before!
The wife says to the husband: -- "Look at it this way. -- You may be the low man on the totem pole at work -- but here at home -- why, you're second in command."
A young inexperienced chaplain was called upon the offer prayer for a prisoner on death's roll -- who was about to face the electric chair. As the chaplain was leaving, he started to say "Good-bye" -- but that sounded so final. He was about to say, "So long" -- but that seemed rather frivolous on such a serious occasion. He began to say: -- "I'll see you later" -- but realized he wouldn't. Finally in his awkwardness -- he said: "Well, more power to you!"
Jesus Christ always has the right word for you -- & for me. Jesus talks to people were they hurt. In Scripture -- He was able to get right down where the need -- the problem -- was -- & He was able to address the need -- & furthermore, He was able to do something about the need. When Jesus met a person with a problem -- He was able to say: -- "Be of good cheer. -- I can do something about your problem." Has He said that to you yet? -- Has He said that to you lately?
All the theology of the Bible can be summarized into two statements: -- "Cheer up -- you are a lot worse than you think you are!" "But, cheer up -- God's grace is a lot better than you think it is!"
The world is full of lonely, burdened, homesick hearts that need more than anything else a word of good cheer. The Christian religion is one that wipes away tears & inspires hope. The Christian faith is one that gives you courage & strength. There are two ways of meeting the problems of life. We can either give up & loose heart -- & thus become bitter & complaining -- or we can face our problems in faith believing that God knows all about it -- & that He is still in control!
No one ever put into three years of life so much good cheer as did Jesus during those three years of His earthly ministry when He "went about doing good" -- among the hill & valleys of
There are three different times in the Gospels where we discover Jesus saying: -- "Be of good cheer!" In those words of His -- we find the call to a cheerful heart! As we examine the words of Jesus -- when He says: "Be of good cheer" -- we discover His call to a cheerful heart! The words -- "Be of good cheer" -- is a happy phrase! It means: -- "Cheer up! -- Be happy!" And there is always a good & sound reason as to why we can do just that! -- I call these: -- "The Good Cheers of Jesus."
1. First, there is The Good Cheer of Forgiveness!
We discover this first good cheer of Jesus spoken to a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by his friends -- as recorded in Matthew 9:2. It says: -- "They brought to (Jesus) a man sick of palsy, lying on a bed: -- & Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'" Jesus looked right inside this man & saw his deeper need. Jesus saw the emotional impact his condition had upon this man's life. His inner spiritual need was greater than his outward physical need. Bad feelings & attitudes had developed over time. Bitterness & resentment had taken control of his heart. Sin was blocking out God's healing power.
Jesus, knowing this man's need was a spiritual need, said to him: --"Cheer up, son! For I have forgiven your sins." "I'll wipe away every bad attitude & every sin." "I'll remove all that negative thinking; -- all the self-pity" "What's in your soul is worse than what's wrong with your body. -- I'm wiping out what is bad in your heart!"
The most beautiful word in the Bible is that word -- "Forgiveness." Forgiveness is the starting point of all Christian life & experience. Only those who know what it is to be forgiven can know what a beautiful & transforming word "forgiveness" truly is!
Old grandpa's excitement for what God had done in his life was not shared by his son & daughter-in-law -- in whose home he lived. They were unbelievers; -- they liked to party with their friends. They were often embarrassed in front of their friends when grandpa would begin talking about the Lord -- & sharing his faith in God's goodness. So one evening when the family was having some friends over to play cards -- they decided to tell grandpa he would have to stay in his upstairs bedroom -- & be quiet. To keep him entertained, they handed him a geography book to read. About half way through the evening -- suddenly old grandpa began shouting praises to God -- & once again his son was embarrassed. The son ran up the stairs -- & asked grandpa why he was shouting so loudly. Grandpa said, "I was reading here in this geography book you gave me about how deep the ocean is -- & I remembered the Bible says our sins are buried in the deepest sea to be remembered against us no more -- & I got so blessed, I just couldn't keep from shouting."
Have your sins been forgiven? -- Do you know the joy of sins forgiven? Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior? Do you know what it means to be a child of God? Are you prepared to meet the Lord with a blood-washed clean heart?
You too can hear the words -- "Your sins are forgiven." Christ has not lost His cheerfulness in dealing with sinners! You may feel that you are too bad to be saved; -- that it is too late to be saved; -- that it is impossible for you to start over. But Jesus is ready to say to you, dear friend -- if you will only turn to Him in faith: -- "Cheer up! I forgive you!" You can know the joy (the good cheer) of sins forgiven!
2. The second good cheer is -- The Good Cheer of Comfort!
This second good cheer of Jesus is found in Mark 6:50. This good cheer shows how Jesus came to His followers in their time of trouble & distress. When Jesus saw His disciples in trouble -- out on the storm tossed sea -- He went to them immediately! Jesus penetrated the blackness of their terrible storm. There was no boat -- no bridge; -- so Jesus just flung a mighty highway of faith out across the
Multitudes today are still out on a stormy sea of disappointment, sorrow, & temptation. But while they are being tossed about by fears -- Jesus also comes walking upon their sea; -- & in His perfect love & grace -- He calms & quiets their hearts.
Some people have been through so many storms -- that whenever they look up -- all they can see are clouds. Right now you may be going through great affliction & trouble. The storms -- the burdens -- the struggles -- the torments of life strike so quickly you may wonder: -- "Where is God?" The waves seem higher & more dangerous than you have ever before experienced. You are caught in the swirling waters of trouble: -- troubles of physical weakness -- of family problems -- of personal failure. You see no possibility of surviving the storm! You may feel so hemmed in by your problems -- so desperate in your need -- that you wonder if God even exists!
The Bible says: -- "Jesus saw them toiling" -- & furthermore, He felt for them. -- Remember -- "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."
There is nothing that God will not do in order to come to you -- if you make Him your Source; -- if you open your heart to Him in the midst of your circumstances & your fear. Jesus is saying to you right this very moment: -- "It's all right! -- I'm still in control. -- Look to me, for I am your source of strength & grace. -- Be of good cheer: -- It is I; -- don't be afraid! "
Simply trust Him! -- You can know the good cheer of His presence & His comfort & His companionship!
The Norwegian explorer Nansen revolutionized polar travel in his day. By drifting across the
Into this phonograph his wife had sung her sweetest songs -- & their little baby had babbled its childish tones. In the loneliness of the cold arctic midnight -- Nansen would again listen to the familiar tones of those who were dearest to him. In his most discouraging hour -- he had the good cheer of loving voices beckoning him onward to success.
My friends -- those stories of the life of Jesus are a phonograph into which Christ has spoken. When our boat is rocked by the waves -- & the night grows dark -- if we will listen, we can hear Christ saying to us -- as to the frightened disciples so long ago -- "Be of good cheer; -- it is I; be not afraid."
3. The last good cheer of Jesus is The Good Cheer of Victory!
This third good cheer of Jesus shows us that we all can be assured of ultimate victory. -- It is found in John 16:33 -- & it was uttered in one of the closing conversations Jesus had with His disciples -- when they were lonely & sad. Jesus -- meeting with His followers in that Upper Room -- reminded them that while they would in fact have trouble & sorrows in this world -- they may rest assured of ultimate victory in the end! The world seemed so large -- & they were so small. The world was so strong -- & they were so weak. But Jesus said to them: -- "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. -- In the world you shall have tribulation; -- but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Jesus is saying: -- "Cheer up! I have overcome the world & you will too!" He was assuring them of His own triumph over the world -- the flesh & the devil -- & that in the same faith & spirit they, too, shall be more than conqueror!
The Apostle Paul picked up on this theme in the eighth chapter of Romans -- when he says: - "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? -- Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. -- For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:35, 37-39).
Today is a day when Christians here in
I am becoming convinced that the tallest saints of God are often those who have walked in the deepest valleys; -- those who have walked sometimes on the brink of despair!
We shall face tribulation; -- but with God on our side -- who can stand against us? There is a Book full of promises which unlock every gate that stands between you & victory! God is leading us on -- fortifying us for the work to be done -- preparing us & molding us & shaping us. The devil may howl -- but God is the omnipotent Almighty One! May no one here today hesitate for even a moment to become a Christian -- in fear that the world will slay you -- for in the strength of Christ the Lord -- even the weakest may become "more than conqueror." Did you ever look at & study the jewel called an opal? At first an opal seems lusterless -- without life or special beauty? But wrap your hands about that opal -- & let it lie for a moment in your warm palm; -- & all is changed! You will not even find a needle's point of its surface that does not glow with the beauty & splendor of the rainbow. The reason for that is that opal is a sympathetic jewel; -- it needs contact with the human hand to bring out its richest beauty.
In like manner -- we need -- in order to bring out the nobility & strength of our character -- along with the beauty & grace of the soul -- to come into close touch & fellowship with Jesus Christ! Oh, be of good cheer -- for He desires to hold you in the very palm of His hand!
Conclusion: -- Today Christ is giving us a call to a cheerful, happy heart!
There is no voice so full of good cheer as that of Jesus Christ! It is not the voice of a great teacher -- or a philosopher -- or some historical character. -- It is the voice of the Savior, a voice filled with the music of heavenly love!
If today you are God's child -- He promises in His Word: -- "I will not forget you; -- I will not fail you." -- "I will show you what you need to do; -- & I will help you." -- "I will strengthen you; -- I will comfort you." -- "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
We all like to be cheered-up by kind words! Jesus offers us the real source of good cheer; -- the true source of happiness & joy! So listen -- & hear Jesus saying to you even this very moment: -- "Cheer up! -- Your sins are forgiven." -- "Cheer up! -- I am with you always." -- "Cheer up! -- You, too, will overcome this old world."
Some people seek good cheer by trying to bury their sorrows -- drown their frustrations -- & deaden their miseries. Some seek good cheer in selfish glorification. But Jesus taught us to be of good cheer because of Who He is -- & because of what He can do for us & in us! He expresses His loving forgiveness & pardon.
He expresses His never-failing presence & comfort. He expresses His overcoming power & victory. So, my friend -- "Be of good cheer!"
When we put our trust in Jesus Christ -- & experience the blessings of pardon & comfort & victory -- then we can greatly rejoice in the Savior's "three cheers."
A cheerful heart on our part is the best antidote for all the doubts & fears that haunt us today!
A cheerful & singing heart is the best deterrent to temptation.
A cheerful heart fosters a confident step in our walk of faith.
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org