The Gospel – Spreading Joy May 20, 2026

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you likely know that my favorite flower is the Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor). It seeds prolifically, pops up in unexpected places, grows in rough conditions and brings a smile when you see one. It reminds me in many ways of the gospel, bringing joy.

Only God knows how many gospel calls have gone out (He sows prolifically). The gospel is seeded through the words of the Bible. The life of Christians calls people. Our testimony calls people.  The Holy Spirit calls out the good news of the gospel in ways we can only imagine. Like Johnny-jump-up seeds, the gospel is being sown everywhere, bringing joy as it grows.

The gospel takes root in what we might consider the hardest of soils and the worst of conditions. It’s sown into the hearts of the enemies of God, people who love their sin, and people who had no idea that they needed a savior or who at times rejected the concept entirely.

It happens unexpectedly. Even you and I were transformed by the power of the gospel and God’s incredible, unending grace. The Lord died to cover our sins and bring us to life.

When the gospel takes hold, the person is changed forever. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. The newborn is far from perfect yet (what newborn is?), but they are undeniably changed.

A sinner is forgiven. An enemy is now an heir. A former slave to sin is welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

I have to rejoice and smile every time I see or hear of the gospel bearing fruit. I know it isn’t just me. The Lord rejoices and all the angels in heaven do as well.

Yahweh your God is in your midst, A mighty one who will save. He will be joyful over you with gladness; He will be quiet in His love; He will rejoice over you with joyful singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

My Johnny-jump-ups bring temporary smiles and joy. The fruit of the gospel brings everlasting rejoicing.

Let us do our part to sow seeds of the gospel and rejoice when we see what the Lord does with them.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

Be blessed 

Kevin 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

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All contents, “Gleanings From the Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2026 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, “Gleanings From the Word.” All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the Legacy Standard Bible® (LSB®), Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. 

SUMMARY

The Johnny-jump-up becomes a picture of the gospel: spreading unexpectedly, taking root in hard places, and bringing lasting joy wherever God causes it to grow. Just as the flower thrives in unlikely conditions, the gospel transforms sinners through God’s grace and produces eternal rejoicing in heaven and among believers.

KEYPOINTS

·  The gospel spreads widely through Scripture, Christian witness, testimony, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

·  God causes the gospel to take root even in hardened hearts and impossible circumstances, transforming lives completely.

·  Every repentance and changed life brings joy not only to believers, but also to heaven itself.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.