The Advent of Joy Overflowing (12/18/2022)

The Advent of Joy Overflowing (John 15:11)

Joy and Jesus are inextricably connected. Jesus says knowing him, remaining connected to him results in our experience of overflowing Joy. We are to keep our focus on Him. Hebrews tells us it was joy awaiting Him, that he endured even the cross. What kind of Joy is enough to make you endure such suffering? Overflowing Joy! (Hebrews 12:1-12, specifically v2.) So keep your eyes on Jesus! Isaiah described the Messiah as pouring out a joyous blessing (Isaiah 61:3). No one has more joy—the bible calls it the oil of joy. And it is true—one of the themes of Jesus' teaching was joy. In one of the most familiar passages (Luke 15), Jesus tells three stories that result in Joy: lost sheep, lost coin, lost son. All three stories end with a joyful celebration. When Jesus comes—we will finally and fully see and experience JOY! 1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that all that we see and know right now is broken and fragile, but there is a day coming when we will fully see—and what we will see when we see Jesus, is JOY!