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As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  John 15:9-11

Where does your joy come from?  Many of us confuse the terms happy and joyful.  Happiness depends on circumstances, and 2020 has taught us well how quickly circumstances can change.  If our happiness depends on uncertain circumstances, our happiness will always be uncertain.  However, joy remains assured and hopeful despite changing circumstances. 

In John 15, Jesus is preparing His beloved disciples for his departure.  Soon, Jesus will be arrested and crucified.  The disciples are perplexed and anxious.  So much uncertainty exists about what their futures hold.  Where is Jesus going?  How can they get there?  When can they go too?  So, Jesus gives them assurances that everything will be okay.  He instructs them on how to handle his departure, and what they should do next.  He tells them so they will be filled with joy no matter the circumstance.  What he tells them is applicable to you and me today. 

We must abide in His love (9).  This is the command for us.  We are to remain, or dwell, in the love of Jesus.  Jesus loves us with an unconditional and sacrificing love like the Father’s love.  The love shared between Father and Son is the same love the Son shares with us. This love is demonstrated unconditionally to us, even in our sin.  His love is sacrificial as the Father gave His one and only Son for us.  We can rest with assurance in the love of Christ, but don’t think that we can be idle in it.  Jesus tells the disciples essentially that abiding in His love is synonymous with obedience to his commands.  In other words, to abide in the love of Jesus is to live as he lived.  We abide in His love as we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  We abide in His love as we love one another as ourselves, and as we make disciples of all nations.  We abide in His love when we love our enemies and when we serve the least of these. 

Jesus reminded His disciples to do these things and more, especially after His departure.  Jesus said these things so that the disciples would have the joy of Jesus and their joy would be complete.  Joy doesn’t come from mere accumulation or earthly successes, but rather from abiding in the love of Jesus evidenced in obedience to His commands. 

Over the next several weeks through the holidays, will you have joy?  Is your joy dependent on your circumstances, or on the firm assurances of Jesus’ love and hope?  Only in Jesus will your joy be complete.