"EXPERIENCING GOD'S JOY!"

Thursday, May 10, 2007
Reading: John 15:9—11

Whatever Jesus taught he did so for our happiness. We might not think that way sometimes, his teachings might interfere with our present desires and pleasure, but in the long run, when we are in eternity, we will understand. For in heaven there is no one who doubts the wisdom of all that Christ taught. They are all experiencing first hand the fruits of his teachings.
“Live on in my love,” Jesus said. “You will live in my love if you keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and live in his love. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.”

What is this joy of his that Jesus is talking about. His life certainly does not seem to have been very enviable, does it? From what we read of the short life of Jesus, though he had some good moments as we all do, his life seems to have been full of the unpleasant as much as ours, if not a lot more. He had his share of disappointments, frustrations, sorrows, and sufferings. What is he talking about when he says that his joy can be ours if we live as he has taught us.

We’ll never really know until we try it. No, not merely try it, but when we immerse ourselves in the ways of Christ. We will then know first hand what he is talking about. We will then be experiencing some of his joys, and in this life, but the fullness of his joy will have to wait till the next. We’ll all understand, if we do our best to keep his commandments. “All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.”