September 24I nto Jesus’ Joy

Luke 24:52-53 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
 
With Great Joy – Part 4
 
WE have seen Jesus joyfully praise the Father for the salvation of 72 disciples. Let’s look at two other texts to see how Jesus relates his joy to his disciples’ salvation. First, he prays for his disciples’ joy in John 17: 13-16 “But now I come to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.”
    Do you see it? Jesus said, “My joy fulfilled in themselves…They are not of the world.” He is praying his joy will fill his disciples’ hearts and minds because they are no longer linked to the world but connected forever with Jesus. Then he continued: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Jesus prayed they would live joyful lives the remainder of their days on earth. He didn’t pray, “Take them out of the world, so they will find joy.” No, he knew they needed to stay in the world to display the Lord’s love and joy. But as they would be in the world, they would not be “of the world”. He prayed they would know God’s protection and experience his joy – that deep sense of well-being in the Lord – even as they faced severe trials and would die for their faith in him. His prayer was to link them into his joy amid a troubled world, not into a life of ease.
    Can you have joy amid trouble, sorrow and dark days? You will if you are linked with Jesus.
    Joy, too, comes in obeying Jesus’ commands: John 15:10-11 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (New Living Translation)
    Gloriously, in the midst of the dark night in Gethsemane, Jesus shines joy’s light right into his disciples’ fearful hearts. How? “Obey my commands.” Have you thought about that? Obeying Jesus’ commands is not drudgery, but delight. Jesus’ commands are to form us to be more as he is. Drawing closer to Jesus, our joy will be complete.  
    Yes, our joy can be complete in Jesus because of the awful cross. Is joy linked to the cross? Yes, it is! To receive Jesus’ joy in your salvation is not possible without Jesus’ death. The cross has made joy real for all Jesus’ disciples through time unending. The cross has unlinked us from the world and intimately linked us to the risen Lord’s overflowing joy. Think about that. (Go ahead. Think about it.) Without the cross, you would have no reason for joy. Do you know your reason now? You will if you mind your mind to God’s great sacrifice for your eternal soul.
    Who do you know who needs joy? Be a joyful disciple. Lift up troubled souls to know eternal love from the God who doesn’t change.  
 
Prayer: From Psalms 5:11-12 Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12 For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Amen.