Daily Devotions
John
John 15:1-17 "THE PROMISE OF JOY"
Day 220 – John 15
THE PROMISE OF JOY
Jesus had taught His Disciples profound truths! He had challenged them to be fruitful Disciples. He also promised that they would be able to bear much fruit if they practised what He had carefully explained to them.
At first glance, what Jesus taught might have sounded ominous! How could anyone do all that Jesus had said? Wouldn’t the fear of failure clutch at the heart? Jesus did not think so. Instead, He promised that the Disciples would find fullness of joy if they fully followed what He had taught them!
“These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11
THE JOY OF JESUS
Have you ever wondered how Jesus ministered to the multitudes, and to His Disciples? How did He begin each day? How did He end each day? How did He look to the people as they approached Him?
The text that we have just read gives us an aspect of Jesus that is rare and beautiful. Jesus spoke about the joy that He had in His heart! Let us consider another text that should throw some light on the subject of the joy of Jesus. The Book of Hebrews provides us an important word of confirmation that Jesus was indeed filled with a deep joy.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
Yes, Jesus went about doing His work for His Father with love in His heart and with great joy too!
“THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU…”
Can you speak of having much joy in your heart as you seek to live out your faith in Jesus? Many do not seem to know how to find joy in their faith at all. Many are frustrated. Even more are discouraged! Few seem to have found the joy that Jesus promised.
Did the Disciples find joy in their lives as they served the Lord? Let us look at the testimony of three of the most famous Disciples of Jesus.
1. The Testimony of Peter
Peter in his first general epistle spoke about the joy that came with knowledge of salvation.
“…whom having not seen you love.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing,
you rejoice with JOY INEXPRESSIBLE
and FULL OF GLORY…”
1 Peter 1:8
Peter was able to speak of joy that is found in knowing and loving Jesus. In this text, he confirmed the truth of what Jesus spoke to His Disciples.
2. The Testimony of John
John was closely associated with Peter in the early years of ministry in the Church at Jerusalem. He too found great joy in his faith in Jesus. In his three epistles, the theme of “Joy” is so palpably evident. Let us consider just one text.
“And these things we write to you
that your JOY may be full.”
1 John 1:4
3. The Testimony of Paul
Paul’s spirit of joy was also very real and strong. In his epistle to the Philippians, his sense of joy stood out significantly – and Paul was in prison when he wrote this epistle. His joy is well captured in this text.
“Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again, I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4
FULLNESS OF JOY
Jesus did not want His Disciples to be glum-faced people! That would be an awful testimony of what it really meant to be His Disciples! His Disciples should be characterized by a number of things that He had emphasized. The following may be highlighted:-
1. They must be characterized by Love (John 13:35).
2. They must exhibit Peace in their life (John 14:27).
3. They must prove themselves fruitful (John 15:8).
4. They must show themselves faithfully abiding in Jesus (John 15:1-8).
5. They must also be filled with joy (John 15:11).
THE FRUIT OF JOY
How would the Disciples be able to produce all these things? In themselves they would not be able to do that. However, if they were to abide in Christ, and take to heart all that Jesus had been teaching them, they would indeed find fullness of joy.
Faith in Jesus was meant to bring great fulfillment and joy to the heart! The very words that Jesus spoke to the Disciples could create joy in their soul! The joy that Jesus promised His Disciples was such that despite their weaknesses, their fears and their failures – they would find renewed strength and hope in their hearts!