13 But now I am coming 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 because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Back in John 17:11–12, Jesus began this section of His prayer by asking God the Father to protect believers in His name. And Jesus continues that line of thinking in our text today, asking that believers have His joy in themselves. He’s leaving. He has spoken His Word to them. Jesus has given His word to us. And He is asking God to give His joy to them in order to protect them.
This means that joy is essential. Jesus’ joy in us is how God protects us in the midst of tribulation. This is a major way in how God protects our faith as we go through trials like Covid, like cities burning, like family breakdown, like whatever else you can fit in this category of tumult and tribulation. Like Jesus said in John 15:11, His Joy overflows to us through His Word and the Spirit gives us His joy. And this joy is what Jesus says now that might protect us.
Have you prayed like this today? Or ever? That Jesus’ joy would protect us, guard your church, keep your faith. Have you said, “Oh Lord, let your word dwell in me richly (Colossians 3:16), so that your joy be in me, and you would sustain and grow my faith!”? Expand my capacities to love and trust you no matter my circumstances. Do that through your holy word and the Holy Spirit that your joy be in me and my joy full. Protect me with your joy!
And remember, the world will not like this. The world says, circumstances bad, you should not look to God for joy. This sovereign joy from Christ is hated by the world. But this is the light that shines out from us. We rejoice and are glad and shine as lights in the world (Matthew 5:11–16; Philippians 2:12–15).
John 17:13-14
John 17:13–14
13 But now I am coming 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 because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Back in John 17:11–12, Jesus began this section of His prayer by asking God the Father to protect believers in His name. And Jesus continues that line of thinking in our text today, asking that believers have His joy in themselves. He’s leaving. He has spoken His Word to them. Jesus has given His word to us. And He is asking God to give His joy to them in order to protect them.
This means that joy is essential. Jesus’ joy in us is how God protects us in the midst of tribulation. This is a major way in how God protects our faith as we go through trials like Covid, like cities burning, like family breakdown, like whatever else you can fit in this category of tumult and tribulation. Like Jesus said in John 15:11, His Joy overflows to us through His Word and the Spirit gives us His joy. And this joy is what Jesus says now that might protect us.
Have you prayed like this today? Or ever? That Jesus’ joy would protect us, guard your church, keep your faith. Have you said, “Oh Lord, let your word dwell in me richly (Colossians 3:16), so that your joy be in me, and you would sustain and grow my faith!”? Expand my capacities to love and trust you no matter my circumstances. Do that through your holy word and the Holy Spirit that your joy be in me and my joy full. Protect me with your joy!
And remember, the world will not like this. The world says, circumstances bad, you should not look to God for joy. This sovereign joy from Christ is hated by the world. But this is the light that shines out from us. We rejoice and are glad and shine as lights in the world (Matthew 5:11–16; Philippians 2:12–15).