“These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11

It was a strange time to speak of joy, of delight, gladness, and exultation! In half an hour, maybe less, Jesus would be in Gethsemane. In fact, He was on His way to that garden being accompanied by his disciples. It was while on the way there that He uttered the words of John 15:11. Only our Lord knew what awaited Him in the garden of sorrows.

One of the most remarkable facts connected with the Master is that, so far as the sacred writings are concerned, the only time Jesus spoke of His joy was when He was approaching Gethsemane. There are two deductions which may be drawn from this notable fact: First, His joy must have been altogether unique, differing absolutely from the world’s joy, if it still remained with Him in His hour of darkness. Second, if Jesus was joyful now, in the time of His greatest sorrow, our Lord’s former life must have been a life of joy.

Christian people can have and maintain the joy of the Lord. Remember reading in John 15, verse 11 “…my joy remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Christian joy in unabashedly a Christ-like quality. Therefore, it should characterize our whole life and conduct. “Rejoice in the Lord always”.

– Mike Crowley –