John 15:11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Jesus wanted (and continues to want) all of His followers to have the same joy he experiences. This is the joy which comes from being one with the Father. Verse 11 follows Jesus’ description of the vine and its branches. We are to remain in Jesus through our lives, no matter what comes our way. Jesus makes sure we have what we need, including a relationship with Him, the gift of the Holy Spirit, love for one another and love and obedience to the Father. All of these things working together allow us to experience true joy. I still fall into the trap of looking for something earthly to change, or to appear or to disappear, which will give me joy. But thankfully, more and more often I find joy in my nearness to God, through music or the beauty of nature or the artistic efforts of others. The nearer I feel to God, the more joy I experience.
Holy Lord, I am thankful for the joy you send my way, when the “channels” between us are open. I am thankful for Jesus and for all he has taught me. May I continue to learn and grow, nearer my God, to Thee. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kathy
Friday, September 13th, 2024
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.me
Joy is something I want to experience much more of. Whether it’s joy in times of stress or more delight in the goodness around me. Joy is something everyone welcomes. How do I live with more joy. Jesus promises that he will fill us with his joy when we remain with him (John 15:11). Growing in our relationship with Jesus and experiencing this constant source of joy is an ongoing process and it has taken me years, (with still many more to accomplish) . . One practical move I can make to gro…
John 15:11
I try to imagine what it must have been like for the followers of Jesus to hear these words from Him. They had heard His teaching, seen healings and other wonders and had come to respect and love Him. Now He links them directly to Himself, He as the vine and those who believe as the branches. This gave Jesus joy, joy He wanted His followers to share, joy that we can still have over 2000 years later. In this postmodern age of hyperindividualism and with it, the rejection of absolute truth and the authority of Jesus, it comes as no surprise joy is in short supply. Our faith makes us bearers of that joy in the present…