Jesus: Source of Complete Joy

Chuckle: "A preacher visited a young couple he had married. He found the young wife crying. He asked her why she was crying. She replied, 'My husband's gone to shoot craps and I don't know how to cook 'em.'"

Quote: "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." --Mark Twain

"We are telling you about what we have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our Joy will be complete" (I John 1:3-4 NLT).

What, or who, is it that brings you the greatest and most complete joy? In this materialistic age, it may be a new car, a new boat, a new house, or other material things. Maybe your greatest joy comes from your loving family relationships: spouse, children, grandchildren, etc. There are many things and relationships that bring joy to our lives. However, my question was "What is it that brings you the greatest and most complete joy?" In my own experience as a Christian, there is no joy that can compare to the joy that comes from sharing God's plan of salvation with someone and seeing that person pray to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and then enjoy fellowship with God himself and with other believers.

John writes about having fellowship with other believers and with the Father and Jesus. He points out three principles necessary for true Christian fellowship: First, our fellowship is grounded in the testimony of God's Word. Without this underlying strength, fellowship is impossible. Second, fellowship is mutual, and dependent on the unity of all believers. Third, it is renewed daily through the Holy Spirit. True fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction, and is possible only through a relationship with Christ.

John's main purpose in this writing was to bear testimony about what he had seen and heard while in the presence of Jesus, so that others would accept Him and experience the same fellowship with Him that John enjoyed. He was sharing the love of Christ with his readers so that his joy would be made complete by their becoming believers.

Jesus desired that all His followers have joyful hearts. The Bible never suggests that Christians should be depressed or pessimistic. One of the goals Jesus had in mind as he taught his disciples was for them to experience His joy. "I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy" (John 15:11 NLT).

What was the joy that filled Jesus' soul? It was the completion of our salvation. ". . . He (Jesus) was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward" (Hebrews 12:2 NLT). Likewise, our joy is based on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Our salvation and our joy are inseparable. This contagious and unspeakable joy becomes complete when we share our faith with others.

Love, Jerry & Dotse