The Completion of Our Joy

December 19, 2020

The Completion of Our Joy – John 16:22

Bo Nelson

So also, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. –John 16:22

Over 2000 years ago joy entered into the world. Not a joy that is fleeting, that waivers, or that is limited, but an eternal joy. It was a great joy for all people. But the sad reality is most have refused this joy, because they find more joy in their love for sin than they do in the eternal joy of God.

The only way for anyone to have true and abiding joy is to have an intimate relationship with the God of joy, namely Jesus Christ.

In the context of the verse above, the disciples had begun to lose their joy because Jesus has told them that “A little while, and you will see me no longer” (John 16:1). He proceeds to instruct the disciples that they would “weep and lament, but the world will rejoice” (John 16:20) and equates the sorrows to come with a woman who was going into labor. He was preparing them for the difficulties that would be coming upon them because of their allegiance to Christ (John 16:1-4).

What brought about a greater sorrow for the disciples than that of the pains to come was the leaving of their teacher. They expected Him to restore the kingdom to Israel and they expected to sit with Jesus and rule. But now the One they had been following is talking about His departure, and this must have been a great moment for sorrow.

But Jesus doesn’t leave them in this despair but nurtures and reminds them that they will see Him again and they will rejoice with a joy that cannot be taken from them. Their joy will be made full since they will be in the presence of their joy for eternity. And since Jesus is their joy, no one will be able to take Him away.

We too have that same promise of a permanent joy because of Christ’s offering for us. If you have been bought by the blood of Christ, you too have this hope in you to have your joy perfected in the presence of Christ, our King. This is an occasion to rejoice in the confident hope of His return to make our joy full.

Life Application

Jesus will perfect our joy at His return. Do you longingly anticipate His coming for His children? Do you actively encourage the saints with this hope that we have in Christ of a permanent joy at His return?

How should this hope shape the way you live your days here and now?

Prayer