By Revd Hayley Edmondson, Presbyter, Cumbria Circuit
Reading: John 15 v. 11
Notes:
Today’s verse ‘‘I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete’ (NRSVA) comes after two verses which describe how God loves Jesus and how Jesus passes this love on to his disciples. The key word in the verse is joy, and joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. Jesus says that if we remain in his love, his joy will be in us. He offers us the gift of joy through a close relationship with him.
Sometimes joy can be short lived. We might feel joy when things are going well, but when hardships come, we can sink into despair or depression. Joy that is complete is a profound sense of satisfaction that transcends the rolling waves of our current circumstances. This kind of joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with his, we can walk through adversity without sinking into despair and enjoy the good times without moving to deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ every day, keeps us steady and level-headed, no matter how high or low our current situation.
Wonder:
Where do you find joy in your life?
Is your relationship with Christ consistent?
Are you spending enough time with Jesus for your joy to be complete?
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for offering us the gift of joy through a close relationship with your son, Jesus. Through our faith in him and our commitment to living his way cultivate in us a deep and abiding joy. May we always remain connected to Christ, growing and developing in his love and relying on his strength. This Advent, help us to share the light of our joy with others, enabling them to come to know Jesus and to develop a relationship with him. Amen