Greater joy

I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (John 15:11 NAB).

There is a greater joy, a mysterious joy unseen. It comes from heavenly realms, not earthly places. The world offers us snippets of happiness, but true joy has a divine source. Jesus told us that His joy is complete joy. A greater joy. The Master’s joy! Receive it!

“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in the small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your Masters’s joy.” (Matthew 25:21) Jesus had just shared with the disciples the parable of the talents. His “well done” promises us the talents he entrusts us with, if offered and used faithfully for His kingdom, are rewarded with the sharing in His joy. Being faithful pleases Jesus, prompts Him to give us more, and extends to us a ticket to greater joy. Be faithful. Earn it.
 
In John 15, Jesus paints a picture of Israel as a vineyard, relating that He is the vine and we are the branches. He asks us to remain close to Him, connected to our life-giving source. More specifically, Jesus invites us to become His disciple, bear fruit, keep the Father’s commandments, and remain in His love. If you’re weary, and the tiny snippets of earth-bound happiness leave you lacking, draw near to the True Vine so your joy can be made complete. This is the way to greater joy. Connect to it.
 
John continues his thoughts on joy: “And if you do as I say in this letter, then you, too, will be full of joy...” (1 John 1:4 LBCE) John testifies he has seen Jesus, heard the words He spoke, and encourages us to share the fellowship he has with the Father and the Son. His letter asserts that entering into that fellowship is the path to gain greater joy. Enter it.

Karen Pourbabaee
​info@grace-lines.net