Good morning people who receive the joy of Jesus through the clarity of His Word.

John 17:13 NIV “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

Now, this is an interesting verse. So, what is Jesus saying.

Let’s start with the second part.

The desire of Jesus is that we may have the full measure of His joy within us. Now that’s nice!

The fruit of God’s Spirit in Galatians 5:22 puts joy in second place right after love. We are told in Psalm 16:11 that there is fullness of joy in God’s presence.

Miserable Christians are not God’s plan or desire! Joy-filled Christians is what Jesus actually prayed for! And not joy that is generated from ourselves, nor is it focused on the absence of challenges. Not at all.

True joy comes from God and is found when our focus is on Him being ever-present.

Now let’s look at the first part of this verse.

Jesus is talking about His disciples having the full measure of His joy within them, and He does so just after He has said that He is leaving them to go back to His Father in heaven.

Hang on a minute! I thought that the fullness of joy is found in His presence; in His present-ness?

It is, but we must understand the full story of God’s narrative. Remember, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit will come, and this will be even better for His disciples than Him staying! That’s wonderful!

Jesus is making His plan clear to His disciples – “I’m leaving and the Holy Spirit is coming” – and this clarity of His intention releases joy. Yes, there was a sadness, but there was also a joy from Jesus that was released in this prophetic word.

May the Spirit of God speak to you what He needs you to hear right now.