That Our Joy May Be Full

-November 16, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

(John 15:11).

Joy in Christ is a wonderful thing. It is one of the fruit of the Spirit that Paul mentions in Galatians 5:22-23). Joy differs from happiness; happiness refers to feelings and circumstances which ebb and flow in life, whereas joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but is based on our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The joy that Jesus gives us remains in us, now and through all eternity. When something remains in us, it lasts, it continues, it abides. In John chapter 15, Jesus uses the word abide or abides nine times. We abide in Christ the Vine, in the Word of God, in His love, and in the Father. Herein lies the true source of our joy.

Joy can’t be manufactured, concocted, or maintained on our own—it comes from Jesus and flows through us to others. Jesus is the Vine, we are His branches. We have nothing in and of ourselves apart from Him. Just as the vine produces the grapes that make wine, so too, His joy comes through the crushing of the grapes. Our pride, selfishness, and self-will must be crushed. In the old days, people stomped on the grapes to make wine. Wine in Scripture is a symbol of joy.

They ran out of wine at the wedding that Jesus, the disciples, and His mother Mary attended in Cana of Galilee. Jesus turned water into wine. He still does this spiritually in our daily lives. Only Jesus can turn our ordinary times into times of joy, even in the most adverse circumstances. Nehemiah says, …the joy of the Lord is your strength” (See Nehemiah 8:10).

Jesus wants our joy to be full to the brim and overflowing. There is a hymn I sung years ago, entitled, “I’ve Got the Joy.” that is so beautiful. The first line says, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in heart; I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.”

May the joy of Jesus flow from our hearts as we walk closely with Him. Be safe and healthy.

The joy in the heart shows on the face, as we travel through life in every place.

Dean