Joy: Day 13
Jesus Joy at Christmas and Always
By Dave Mudd
“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.”
John 17:13 NLT
During Christmas we are reminded that there are things this world has to offer and there are things that God has to offer. If it’s God’s, then it’s good. If it’s the world’s, then it’s typically a counterfeit version of a kingdom truth.
Joy is definitely one of those things the world defines differently than God does. In our world, joy is often dependent on our circumstances and whether our expectations and desires are being met. More often than not, our expectations and desires don’t match God’s.
What does it look like to have “Jesus Joy” versus a worldly version of joy? To have Jesus isn’t just to have real Hope, but also real Joy. I’ve capitalized Joy because I’m talking about a person. Jesus is the only one who can give us true Joy because He is true Joy.
In John 17:13 Jesus is praying to the Father on behalf of His disciples — not just for those who were with Him, but also for those who would later believe in Him. Jesus said to His Father, “I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.”
Our joy as followers of Jesus is linked with what He told His disciples while He was here on earth.
For instance, in John 16:33 Jesus says to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We won’t be able to avoid trouble in this world, yet Jesus says that even in the midst of that trouble, we can be at peace because He has overcome the world. You will have trouble, but you will also have Jesus, and that is an opportunity for great Joy because you know He has overcome — and that means so have you.
What if this Christmas we go through the gospels and focus on discovering the “many things” Jesus said and how they lead to us being filled with His Joy? Jesus Joy.
Pray
Father, I am grateful for Jesus. I struggle at times to trust in who You are and what You have done and will do; past, present and future. Help me to trust You more and discover in a fresh way what it is You have said about who You are and what You are doing in our world and in my life. I’m really good at wanting what I think I need. Instead, help my list of needs match Your list of needs for me. Help me crave Your will over mine because I know in trusting You, understanding what You have said about me, and submitting to your will, I will know this Joy that is Jesus Joy. Amen.
Act
Before paying at the store, buy a gift card, then turn around and hand it to the person behind you (or to the cashier!).
Pray for members of the US military who are away from home this Christmas.
Family Application
Tell your child how you shared the good news of their birth (or arrival in your family) with others. (Luke 2:9)