>>>
John 17:13 - Joy In Jesus.

John 17:13 - Joy In Jesus.

John 17:13 (NIV) I say these things while I am still in the 
world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.  

WORD STUDY

JOY 5479: Joy is the second of the graces of the Spirit listed 
by Paul (Gal. 5:22). True joy is not found in noisy laughter or in 
giddy excitement caused by the world's shallow pleasures. The 
Christian finds his joy in resting in the love of Christ, in victories 
won, and in unselfish service for humanity. Joy will reach its 
highest realization in the world to come, but a high degree of joy may 
be experienced here and now by those who abide in Christ. [SDA 
Bible Commentary re John 15:11] 

CONTEXT

John 17:6-19: Jesus Prays for His Disciples.

   As Jesus was entering into the last days of his life on 
earth, he prayed for his disciples and for all disciples to come.  His 
petitions were for union with the Father, joy, protection, and usefulness. 
 The sequence of those petitions is significant (Joh.17:11-17) 
   Friendship with Christ is the first priority and is basic for 
the qualities that follow.  Out of that intimate, love relationship, 
joy is a logical consequence.  Jesus knew, as he prayed for his 
disciples, that if they did indeed come into fellowship with him and 
exhibit the kind of full-fledged joy that he gives, there would be 
opposition from the world, and so he prayed not that his disciples would be 
protected from the world or taken out of it into a kind of insulated, holy 
huddle, but that they would be protected from anything that would 
destroy that union and joy.  Then, out of that dynamic partnership, 
usefulness would naturally flow. 
   The more I know Him, the more I experience that deep inner 
well of joy that is not dependent on external circumstances.  This 
joy is present even in the midst of suffering and sorrow; it is a 
motivating power even in discouragement and dismay.  [Jeanie Miley; Time 
with God devotional SB] 

COMMENTARY APPLICATION

   If there is anything that ought to characterize the life of a 
Christian, it is joy! Jesus spoke many times to His disciples about His joy 
being complete and full in them. His disciples were filled with joy as 
they realized who they were: children of God and joint heirs with 
Christ (Ro 8:16-17). They had been dead in their sins but were now made 
alive in Christ (Ro 6:4). They had once been helpless victims of 
death, but now death had no hold over them (1Co 15:55-58). With such a 
marvelous salvation experience with Christ, how could the disciples be 
anything less than joyful? 
   Don't deny yourself that which is your birthright as a child 
of God. Don't be satisfied with a joyless life. There ought to be 
in every Christian a deep, settled fullness of the joy of Christ 
that no circumstance of life can dispel. This comes as you allow the 
Holy Spirit to express Himself in your life. One of the fruits of the 
Spirit is joy (Gal. 5:22). This joy is unlike any happiness that is 
produced by the world. It fills you and permeates everything you do. 
   Jesus did not pray that you would merely be happy or even 
that you would escape grief. He prayed that you would have the same 
joy that the Father had given Him: a divine joy, a joy that comes 
from a deep and unwavering relationship with the Father. It is a joy 
that is grounded so firmly in a relationship with God that no change 
in circumstances could ever shake it. This is the kind of joy that 
Christ is praying will be in you. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry 
and Richard Blackaby] 

"My Joy ... Your Joy"
   What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused 
with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the 
word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His 
absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father--the joy of doing 
that which the Father sent Him to do--"... who for the joy that was set 
before Him endured the cross ..." (Hebrews 12:2). "I delight to do Your 
will, O my God ..." (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might 
continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I 
allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me? 
   Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily 
health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in 
the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and 
oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that 
will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too 
much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, "... the cares of this 
world, ... choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). And 
before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our 
cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold--He wants us 
to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim 
who Jesus is. 
   Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, 
and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). Be a 
fountain through which Jesus can pour His "living water." Stop being 
hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live "your life ... hidden 
with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right 
relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. 
The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives 
of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a 
blessing. [My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers re John 15:11] 

EXAMPLE

   Coming to know the Lord at thirteen was a turning point in my 
life. The adolescent years were filled with deep grief and turmoil for 
me as our family faced life with my father, who was an abusive 
alcoholic. Each day as I was learning everything I could about a heavenly 
Father, I had to face my worldly father. There were times when the 
alcohol and abuse seemed too much to bear, and those days of trial and 
tribulation were extraordinarily difficult. 
   One day while reading my Bible, I came upon John 16:33. I 
remember weeping as I experienced a sense of the Lord's presence. At that 
very moment, God revealed to me that through him I could have peace 
in all things and that although we live in a fallen world, I could 
have joy through him because the world has no power over God. He has 
overcome the world. He is the conqueror, defeater, and deliverer, and he 
reigns over all things. That Scripture verse carried me through my high 
school days until I left home to find healing. God used it to give 
peace to my heart during my toughest days. 
   Oh yes, and this is no small thing: My earthly father now 
serves the God who reigns over the world. He never misses church. 
   Tina Samples is a music therapist, worship minister, speaker, 
singer-songwriter, pastor's wife, and mother of two boys. [The One Year Bible Live 
Verse Devotional re John 16:33] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Happiness Come And Goes
Joy Comes And Grows

LINK TO A MUSICAL SPECIAL ON JOY:

Joy In My Heart by Karen Peck, New River, and Joy Gardner: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvuWE4pYrC8