Joy Remembered

Jesus told me that I’m full of joy. I don’t always feel full of joy. Jesus was not a liar, so my feelings must be lying to me. It seems obvious to trust Jesus and apprehend the joy that he said I’m so full of. All the things that I do, see, hear, know, feel, and experience have nothing to do with my joy. This is not quite true either.

On Jesus’ last day before his crucifixion, he lectured his disciples. This rather long lesson consisted of some new teachings, along with a summary of much of his instruction over the past three years. In John 15:11, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (ESV)

Here to discover and embrace is an absolute truth of the created universe. Jesus spoke to us, he lectured us on “these things,” so that we would be full of joy. We can see Jesus’ words written in the pages of the Bible. We can hear his teachings from those he has chosen to teach. The Holy Spirit Jesus has sent to every believer helps us embrace truths. We can know them for certain in our hearts. In seeking God, what we see, hear, and know of “these things” has everything to do with joy.

Jesus himself was full of joy, but he was not always happy. A wonderful aspect of Christianity is that we are on this life-long trajectory to know Jesus, become like Jesus, and do the things Jesus did. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus’ teachings to us, and we embrace these truths and walk in obedience to Commander Jesus. In John 16:23-24, Jesus said, “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks! (MSG)”

We live in the fallen world. Experiences in it will modulate your happiness. You are building your life on the rock-solid foundation of the teachings of Jesus. As you embrace Biblical truth, you become full and overflowing with joy, no matter what. Good to remember.