Full Of Joy!
"These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you, and
that your joy may be full."
John 15: 11
In the New Testament epistles, “joy” or “rejoice” are mentioned
some fifty times. What's surprising is Jesus—in John’s Gospel—
only broaches the subject of joy some ten times, only a half
dozen of which are related to personal joy.
And guess where Jesus raised the subject of joy with His
disciples? In the Upper Room on the night of His betrayal
and arrest (John 13–17).
Why did Jesus focus on joy during His last night with His disciples?
Because He knew what was coming. He knew the tribulation that
lay ahead for Him would tempt the disciples to lose their hope,
to lose their joy.
Before leaving the Upper Room, He said to them, “These things
I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world
you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33). Because Jesus would overcome the world, the
disciples could keep their joy.
Is the world trying to steal your joy today?
Jesus has overcome the world; in Him,
your joy is made full.
"It is His joy that remains
in us that makes our joy full."
A. B. Simpson