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)
The game can be so cruel, at times… or most of the time. So, when those moments of joy arrive, it’s hard to contain the celebration that a significant moment delivers.
Many of these moments we’ve witnessed while watching professional golf. A few may come to your mind. Here are a couple, and if you don’t recall them, watch them on YouTube:
Justin Leonard’s winning putt secured the 1999 Ryder Cup for the United States.
Phil Mickelson’s leap after making an 18-footer on #18 to win the 2004 Masters
Amy Alcott’s 1988 leap into Poppy’s Pond after winning the Dinah Shore Nabisco, now one of the LPGA’s most celebrated traditions
What’s the most joyful moment you’ve ever had on the golf course? Is it a spectacular shot, a tournament victory, or a treasured round with someone you loved? Even thinking about it now must bring a smile to your face. We love the joyous moments the game can provide.
A simple definition of joy is a profound emotion of great delight, happiness, and contentment that arises from positive experiences, success, or well-being.
The most common Greek word for joy in the New Testament appears 59 times. Several of those occurrences are in John 15. Here, Jesus is in the midst of what is called His Farewell Discourse, in which He gives His disciples final instructions the night before He will be betrayed and crucified.
In the majority of the chapter, Jesus gives an allegory of the vine (Him) and the branches (His disciples). The branches apart from the vine do not survive (vs.1-17). He is their sole reason for survival. They are utterly dependent on Him. He then says in v.11,
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
To experience joy in this life, one must be connected to Him. Biblically, joy is rooted in knowing Christ (1 Peter 1:8). He is the source of joy. Without Jesus, there can be no true joy.
Before Christ, we were incapable of joy because joy doesn’t reside in the dead (see Ephesians 2). Joy is possible only through the Spirit, who produces the fruit of joy in the life of a believer (Ligonier).
John Piper describes joy as a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.
There is no greater joy in this life than receiving eternal life through faith in Christ, by the grace of our Heavenly Father. Nothing can ever surpass the joy of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Today is a good day to be reminded of the joy that you possess in knowing Christ. And even when the struggles of life mount, the heartbreak grows, and the disappointments dominate; NOTHING will ever change the uncontained joy of being connected to the Father, through His Son, and His accomplished work on the cross, and victory over the grave.
As Jesus said, His joy is in us and is full.
Prayer: Father! I look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is seated at the right hand of your throne (Hebrews 12:2). Amen.