There is repetition in the Gospel of John begging for our attention. In the thick of the story, pouring all he’s got into his disciples, with his time running out, Jesus repeats a phrase, …that your joy may be full. It was important to Jesus that his followers understood there was a joy to be obtained and it was to be full. He’s not a half-way God. Having only some joy wasn’t acceptable. He wanted/wants our joy to be full.
I hope you can hear Jesus’ passion in these three verses.
- Jesus had just explained to the disciples about abiding in the vine. So good! At the end he says, As the Father has loved me, so have I 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 be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11
A key to Jesus’ joy being in us and being full is abiding in him the same way a branch abides in a vine.
- Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure, pre-comforting them. He is letting them know that they can ask anything in his name and it will be done. …you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you…Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:22-24)
A key to Jesus’ joy being full in us is asking. And, we are promised that it cannot be taken from us.
- The first two times This phrase is mentioned are of Jesus talking to his disciples. But the third time, Jesus is talking to the Father—he is praying for his disciples. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them…But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:12-13
A key to Jesus’ joy being full in us is staying under his covering. Jesus didn’t take any chances about joy. Just in case the disciples (we) didn’t comprehend his words about abiding and asking, Jesus goes to the Father and seals the deal. Plus, he is demonstrating the act of asking. He’s a good, thorough teacher.
Bonus! There’s something else really great about these passages. Intricately woven in these chapters (John 15, 16, 17) is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Who produces the fruit of joy? The Holy Spirit.
So, friends, are we taking Jesus’ words to heart? What’s our joy level? Anything less than full is not what he came for. Are we abiding? Are we asking?
Brave Sparrow 