Episode Extra: Love Causes Joy

Sometimes for the sake of brevity we have to skim over details when we write the Word Go Project episodes. We think this blog is a great place to elaborate a bit when there wasn't time to do it there!

In the Bible study (and in the song) we mentioned this statement that Jesus made:

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11 ESV)

When I listen to the episode, I immediately think, "WHAT things, Jesus? What were you talking about?" Let's backtrack a few verses and see what "These things" are.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2 ESV)

Well, THAT doesn't sound very joyful. Actually, that sounds a little bit ominous! I certainly don't want to be the branch that gets thrown away, and being "pruned" to bear more fruit seems like an unpleasant experience, too. What did He say next?

"Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:3-5 ESV)

Okay, so what Jesus was saying was that He is the source, and we need to live our lives connected to Him. It sounds like the pruning thing was not necessary because His disciples had heard Jesus' words and let themselves be cleansed by them. Cool!

"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:6-7 ESV)

Wait, WHAAAT? "Whatever"? Like, anything at all? Well, actually, I think maybe you can ask whatever you wish because if you are "abiding in Jesus", so close that you think like Him, the things you ask Him for are going to be things He desires to provide anyway. This is great stuff!

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 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 15:8-11 ESV)

And there we are, back to our joy being full. So, our joy is full because we have connected ourselves to Jesus, which allows us to bear lots of fruit for Him. It's also because when we are connected to Jesus, we are directly connected to, and living within, His love. What is the main thing that causes your joy to be full?

God's love!