Friday, November 12, 2021https://kuc.org/wp-content/uploads/joy-44.jpg

Katie Snipes Lancaster

Scripture
I have told you this
so that my joy
may be in you
and that your joy
may be complete.
John 15:11

A Look at Joy
John 15 Verse 11 seems misplaced in a passage that deals primarily with Jesus’ departure and impending death. Yet, in the midst of this and because of this, joy is possible. Chapter 16 [of the Gospel of John] will also speak about joy being fulfilled, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete” (John 16:24). What is joy doing here? What is its place in the Gospel? Why now? Answering these questions, we might recall that the Greek words for “grace” and “joy” share the same root. Joy may very well be a feeling of grace, the emotion of grace, even the response to grace. Joy is that indescribably sense when you find yourself experiencing abundant grace.

(From Karoline M. Lewis: “Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries, the Gospel of John”).

Prayer
O Deep Love,
Make grace filled joy complete,
Within and between us.
Amen.