Cultivating a Deeper Prayer Life - A Theology of Prayer

Study 17

Text: John 17; John 15:11

IN SEARCH OF THE JOY OF JESUS

Are you intrigued by what Jesus said as He prayed for his Disciples? He prayed that they might have the same joy that He had (John 17:13). Let's try and trace this idea of Joy in John's Gospel.

Let's consider an important statement that Jesus once made to His Disciples.

"These things I have spoken to you,
that My Joy may remain in you,
and that your Joy may be full."
John 15:11

The way Jesus described "joy" suggests that He distinguished the Joy that He gives from what we may normally derive in life. Thus He spoke of joy as "My Joy…" and by so saying distinguished and set apart this joy that was peculiarly His.

There are many things that we experience in life that bring some delight or joy to the heart. Parents find joy in their children. Students feel joy when they have done well in school. People find joy in friendships. There must be hundreds of valid sources of joy.

Yet, we may speak of the Joy of Jesus as being different and distinct from the normal human joy that we derive in life.

"THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU THAT MY JOY MAY REMAIN IN YOU…" John 15:11

There is a special joy that is directly associated with the things that Jesus taught! This is what distinguishes the joy that Jesus gives! He is not negating the validity of the sources of joy that God has given to all who live on earth. Nevertheless, there is a special sense of joy that is directly and closely associated with the teachings of Jesus.

It is this joy that we must search for. It is this joy that we must seek to discover. If we want to find that special Joy that Jesus spoke of, then we must obviously seek to find it in His teachings. The Teachings of Jesus were meant to give us joy. Have you found that Joy of Jesus yet?

The joy found in the world is often so short-lived! Human love seems so short-lived too. Parents find joy in their children as long as they are "good." When children become naughty, rebellious etc then that human joy tends to fade.

People find joy in human friendship and love, only to discover that that joy does not seem to last for too long. Disappointment and hurt take away the joy originally found in a special relationship.

The Joy of Jesus was different. Jesus spoke of His joy as something that would "remain" or "abide." The joy that He gives was meant to last! Have you found this lasting joy- in the teachings of Jesus?

"THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL…" John 15:11

Here is another quality associated with the joy that Jesus gives. He spoke of how His Joy may well be described as "full."

This concept of "fullness of joy" is something that the world cannot offer. No matter the kind of joy felt in the heart, that joy is never full!

What a challenge it is to discover that we can have a heart that is filled with the joy of Jesus! Let us be challenged to pray for this joy that Jesus gives.

WHEREIN IS THIS FULNESS OF JOY TO BE FOUND?

Let's take a quick look at the context of John 15 where this concept of Fulness of Joy was mentioned.

This special joy must begin with the fact that we are true branches of the Vine (John 15:1). There must be genuine faith in Jesus. There are many things that could rob us of joy. God has to do a work of pruning our life before we can experience the fullness of joy that Jesus mentioned (John 15:2-3). Cleanness of life is essentially related to the finding of fullness of joy.
The fullness of joy is surely related to fruit-bearing. When a person's faith is such that it brings forth much fruit, joy would ensue (John 15:2-4, 8)
Fullness of Joy is certainly associated with abiding in Christ. There can be no fullness of joy when we do not abide in our faith in the Lord (John 15:5-6)
Abiding in Jesus is well qualified in this context. If we speak of abiding in Jesus then we must also speak of abiding in His word (John 15:7).
Abiding in Jesus also means abiding in the Love of God. His love must envelope us (John 15:9-10).

These were the things that Jesus spoke to His Disciples (John 15:11). If we abide in these teachings of Jesus, He promised that we would find His Joy.

Let us be deeply challenged to discover this special Joy of Jesus. Let us seek the Lord in prayer till we find this special joy.

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~