The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 17:13,
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Prior to his arrest, Jesus encouraged his disciples as he prepared them for what was to take place. In the previous chapter, verse 22, Jesus told his disciples, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Jesus pointed to the joy his disciples would have when they saw him in his resurrected body. Clearly the anticipated joy Jesus spoke of was in his mind as he spoke with his disciples.
In John 17:13, Jesus spoke of joy again as he prayed to the Father. He wanted his disciples to have the full measure of his own joy beating within their hearts. Real joy and rejoicing is something Jesus anticipates within those who are his.
Paul encouraged the Roman believers, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12. Joy springs from that hope we have in the resurrection, the hope that is fueled by setting our hearts and minds on things above, Colossians 3:1. Sometimes we miss Paul's point that the kingdom of God is a matter of "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit", Romans 14:17.
Joy is a natural outcome of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. You might call it a "supernatural" outcome! "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22. We are even admonished to celebrate our joy, "Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!" Philippians 3:1a. In the following chapter, Paul exhorts believers to rejoice, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. In the next verse Paul reminds us, "The Lord is near."
Peter tells us, "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9. If we are lacking in our joy, the fountain is found here... reflecting on our Savior and the salvation of our souls!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3. As we fix our eyes on Jesus we find a joy within ourselves that mirrors the full measure of his joy!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Prior to his arrest, Jesus encouraged his disciples as he prepared them for what was to take place. In the previous chapter, verse 22, Jesus told his disciples, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Jesus pointed to the joy his disciples would have when they saw him in his resurrected body. Clearly the anticipated joy Jesus spoke of was in his mind as he spoke with his disciples.
In John 17:13, Jesus spoke of joy again as he prayed to the Father. He wanted his disciples to have the full measure of his own joy beating within their hearts. Real joy and rejoicing is something Jesus anticipates within those who are his.
Paul encouraged the Roman believers, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12. Joy springs from that hope we have in the resurrection, the hope that is fueled by setting our hearts and minds on things above, Colossians 3:1. Sometimes we miss Paul's point that the kingdom of God is a matter of "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit", Romans 14:17.
Joy is a natural outcome of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. You might call it a "supernatural" outcome! "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22. We are even admonished to celebrate our joy, "Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!" Philippians 3:1a. In the following chapter, Paul exhorts believers to rejoice, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. In the next verse Paul reminds us, "The Lord is near."
Peter tells us, "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9. If we are lacking in our joy, the fountain is found here... reflecting on our Savior and the salvation of our souls!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3. As we fix our eyes on Jesus we find a joy within ourselves that mirrors the full measure of his joy!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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