While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”
The large crowd listened to him with delight.
Mark 12:35-37
There is a small but incredibly powerful statement at the end of this story in Mark 12.
Actually, there’s just one word that caught my attention: delight.
After hearing Jesus teach, we read this summary about the people in attendance:
“The large crowd listened to him with delight.”
“Delight.” What an interesting word!
Delight literally means “great pleasure.”
I looked up other translations of that verse to see what emotion was chosen. As you might expect, all translations use similar phrases:
They “listened gladly.”
They “enjoyed listening to Him.”
Reading that word, I couldn’t help but pause and wonder: when was the last time I—or you—approached God’s Word with genuine delight?
I read the Bible because I want to know how to live. Maybe I’m searching for an answer. Sometimes I read it to study it. Oftentimes, I’m hoping that I’ll hear God’s voice in my life through it.
And there are other times, though I hate to admit, reading the Bible feels more like another item on my daily to-do list. Or something I sit down to do simply because I know I’m supposed to. Or I’m hoping it keeps me in God’s favor.
But here in Mark 12, we encounter an entirely different emotion: delight. The crowds listened to Jesus with great pleasure, with gladness, with joy.
May this small phrase inspire you today as it inspired me. Reading God’s Word is never something to take for granted. The words and teachings of Jesus should amaze us and fill our hearts with great joy.
God Himself speaks to us through Scripture. His very words are water to our souls and bring delight to our hearts and minds.
Today, approach God’s Word with fresh eyes and open hearts. The God who created the universe wants to talk to you! And if that isn’t something to delight in, I don’t know what is.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Word, your love, and your Son. Give me today, delight in your teachings. May your words bring joy, wonder, and deep pleasure to my weary soul. Until we meet face to face and celebrate for all eternity, Amen!