A number of years ago, one of the greatest icons and idols of the sports world died, the Argentine soccer legend, Diego Maradona. Let me give you some perspective on his fame, if you are a lover of basketball, then you recognize the greatness of Michael Jordan. If you’re a lover of rock music, then you’re aware of the esteem of U2. If you’re a lover of food, then you know of the fame of Gordon Ramsey. If you a lover of the chicken sandwich, we all know that Popeye’s is the king…joking, we know it’s Chick-fil-a. Listen, Maradona is revered more than any of those personalities and sandwiches. He was worshipped. He was supreme in the lives of millions.
In fact, upon his death, Argentina had a 3-day period of mourning, where they paraded his casket around the streets of Buenos Aires. Even in Italy, Syria, China and India, people gathered to worship and mourn the loss of this soccer player. If you watched any footage on the news, you would have seen people expressing their grief and loss with hopelessness. Listen, he never held an office. He never brought a group of people out of a desperate situation. He was a man who lived his life without any limits as it relates to substances, lust and prosperity. He was a featured guest in all major Latin socialist countries from Cuba to Venezuela.
Yet, there were people so hopeless after the loss of this man, they were taking their own lives. In 1998 Iglesia Maradoniana was formed, the church of Maradona. You may be thinking to yourself that this was some rinky-dink building and group in the middle of an obsolete city in Argentina, but rather, there are almost 200,000 people who claim to be a part of it from around the world. It even has its own Ten Commandments.
So, when the death of this 60-year-old happened a few weeks ago, the hope people had placed in this man was crushed. Now, having married into a family with Argentine roots, I became aware of the extraordinary veneration of Maradona when we went to Argentina a few years ago for a family wedding. He is more than an icon, but an idol. An idol that has clay feet. An idol that was doomed for failure and death. An idol that could not produce the joy that is everlasting. I’m a sports nut, but just an amateur soccer enthusiast. But watching film of Maradona, there was no question of his greatness on the soccer field. There was no question that he gave people great happiness in his timely goal of the 1986 World Cup, which was coined “The hand of God” goal. But, to make his life an altar was destined for heartbreak. Yet he was supreme in the eyes of millions and their lives were shaken.
We hear stories like that, and some of us think, “wow, how crazy; how misappropriated; how lost.” But oftentimes when our lives are shaken, we experience some of the same hopelessness or joylessness when our idols die. We may not react with as much intensity as some of these fans do. But, when our entitlement to comfort is taken away; or our family traditions aren’t the same any longer; when our dream job is eliminated; or our health is taken from us; or our children move out…Our joy challenged. Because what we make supreme determines our security. And, therefore, affects our joy.
Christmas is a reminder that everlasting joy is not only available but offered freely. And defiant joy is simply choosing joy regardless and despite of the circumstances. But here’s the thing: Joy isn’t discovered by just thinking happy thoughts or getting yourself into a new environment. Joy is found in Jesus. And when we rest in Christ’s supremacy, we can enjoy life securely.
If we make family supreme or our job supreme or our traditions supreme, when those are shaken…and they will be, we often find ourselves insecure, joyless, like we’re walking around in the dark, looking for a door to walk through. But resting in Christ’s supremacy lets us enjoy life securely.
Take a look at Luke 2.8-14, and you’ll find the essence of the Christmas story and the cornerstone of our joy. Hear the tender but majestic voice of the angel saying, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Notice the context of verses 10-11 in that “joy” is talked about not merely as an emotion, but as a person. Christ, the Savior is joy. And we experience his joy when we make Him supreme. Resting in Christ’s supremacy lets us enjoy life securely. So, here’s what this means for you and me.
Joy is a gift, not a claim. Joy can’t be manufactured or earned. We can’t wake up and decide that we will experience the fullness of joy. Defiant joy is choosing joy over our circumstances, but that is only for those who know Jesus, the Savior. Joy is a gift to us from knowing Jesus. Here’s the problem: The intended desire for us to experience joy routinely and consistently was taken away in the garden, when Adam and Eve sinned. Now that stain of sin is a part of all humankind. As cute and amazing as young children are, we don’t have to teach them to sin, they disobey without prompting. But this is a chasm for all of us. This sin creates a gap between us, a sinful person and a holy God. So, God sends his son, Jesus, to bridge the gap, and to restore the fullness of life that provides the totality of joy, there had to be a once for all sacrifice that was worthy for God and necessary with man.
And here enters joy: The joy is knowing that nothing else is necessary to bridge the gap between a sinful people and a holy God. Christ was the sacrificial lamb that appeases the wrath of God and provides a loving relationship between us and a faithful God. We don’t have to live with anxiety or fear. We don’t have to approach life and relationships by walking on eggshells. The sin of our past is forgiven and, therefore, shame is shamed. Death has lost its sting, so our eternal destiny is secure in heaven. Again, our joy is not dependent on our circumstances. Our joy doesn’t ebb and flow based on what life throws our way. Even in the grief, loss and sadness of what we experience walking through life, joy can still rule the day, because our security is found in Jesus.
And note, true joy takes on the attribute of the One True God…it’s unshakable, eternal, ever-present all the time. Even in our uncertainty, we can be joyful, because God is the ever-present, unshakable and eternal reality that rules the world…and does it with our good in mind. So, resting in Christ’s supremacy lets us enjoy life securely.
So, in our tension, friction, financial troubles and change, there is one thing that never changes…God never changes. He doesn’t adjust Himself to cultural norms. Rather, He continues to be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is. 9.6). Joy isn’t purchased, it is a gift that comes from the salvation of Jesus. Defiant joy is found in Jesus.
Eric’s greatest joy is following Jesus. He’s passionate about loving his wife and two girls. Connoisseur of most sports, coffee and books. He’s had the joy of serving at Lake Church for 20 years.