Jesus’ greatest passion was–and still is–to fill believers with His joy. In His prayer in John 17 He reflected back to Father God Histrue passion; the reason God created mankind in the beginning. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name….But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:12-14). His kind of true joy often seems foreign to us. Why do we find it so difficult to realize this joy?
RELEVANCE
The greatest invitation ever offered was the invitation Jesus made to His disciples—to abide in His love and be filled with His joy.
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:9-12).
We want so much to be filled with His love and joy. He did leave one little requirement in the equation: “If you keep My commandments.” That’s our biggest challenge. Yet He also said this to encourage us and give us hope:
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
Sometimes we accept a greater burden on ourselves than the LORD would place. He asks us to keep His Word—the spirit of His word—not legalistic interpretations. Isaiah affirmed this with the LORD’s very word; “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words…” (Isaiah 59:21).
REFLECT AND RELATE
When you feel a burden weighing you down trying to steal your joy, ask God to give you the grace to follow the Word He would have for you that will minister peace to your soul. What word comes to mind now?
REFERENCES
John 16:19-24