Jesus’ Remedy for Joy on the Tough Days
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I have been fighting for joy lately. What about you?
I started thinking about my need to have joy, no matter what circumstances I might encounter after reading Philippians 1:25, where Paul mentions that one of his ministry goals for the Philippians was to see them make progress and have joy in the faith. The Philippian church was encountering persecution, trials, and suffering. They were experiencing conflict within the body. They also needed to guard against false teachers infiltrating and wreaking havoc from among the people. It’s no wonder Paul desired to see his friends make progress and have joy in their faith.
Jesus made similar statements as He prepared His disciples for His death. In John 15:11, Jesus told His followers, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Jesus desired to prepare His followers for the distresses and suffering they would soon experience, yet preparation wasn’t His goal—joy was.
Jesus teaches us that we can live joyfully in the midst of trial, uncertainty, sorrow, even persecution, if we think rightly. If we aren’t careful to monitor our thoughts or fill our minds with the truths of Scripture, we will not find the joy that Jesus desires us to have.
In John 15:1-11, we find Jesus’ list of things to know and think about to have joy. These truths were important for His weary and sorrowing disciples to know. And they are just as important for us today. Many are weary. Many are sorrowing. Many are distressed and wondering how to respond well. Jesus has given us the answer. In John 15:1-11, we see Jesus’ remedies for joy and will discover bedrock truths to keep our hearts at rest and able to rejoice, even when life is difficult, chaotic, and unsettling.
Jesus begins His list of reasons for joy by explaining in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” There is such comfort in the truth presented here. Jesus states His identity. He is the true vine. We aren’t attached to a fake vine, so trusting in the Lord Jesus is not a false hope. We can count on Him. Surely, that is reason to rejoice—that we know the truth. It reminds me of what Jesus taught in John 8:31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” He is the true vine.
He also teaches us essential truths about Himself and our Father. If we are attached to the true vine, then our Father, the vinedresser, will oversee our growth and care. Here again, is more reason for rejoicing for our Father, the vinedresser, knows exactly what we need to grow and produce much fruit. There’s much cause for rejoicing in knowing that our Father, who is our vinedresser, knows exactly what is essential for our growth. We may prefer an easier, less painful way to grow, but the Vinedresser always knows what is best for His precious vines. We can trust Him as He watches over and cares for us. Knowing the Lord Jesus is reason for joy.
Jesus’ next reason for joy is given in John 15:2, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” Many of us fear the process needed for fruitfulness, yet great fruitfulness will not come in any other way. Our loving and wise Vinedresser knows just where to prune to produce godliness. Even in this somewhat uncomfortable truth, there is cause for rejoicing because the Vinedresser oversees every cut and snip. Knowing that God has purposed our fruit-bearing is further reason for joy.
Jesus next teaches in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” The Greek words for prunes from verse 2 and clean here in verse 3 have the same root and carry a similar meaning. The pruned branch is made “clean” and ready for fruit-bearing through the Word of God—“the word which I spoke to you.” God’s Word convicts us of sin and defilement. It purifies our heart and mind. When we hear God’s Word faithfully proclaimed and spend time in it ourselves, our lives are changed—made clean. Knowing that God’s Word cleanses and prepares our heart for fruitfulness is great reason for joy.
In John 15:4 Jesus gives all believers their marching orders. He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” To abide means to dwell, stay, live. He is our home. He goes on to explain that no branch will ever bear fruit on its own. Every branch, belonging to the true vine, lives in vine and bears fruit. It’s a given. Knowing that Jesus is our true home lies is reason for joy.
Jesus adds new detail to His teaching in John 15:5. He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We can’t manufacture fruit. Our growth in godliness happens as a result of abiding in Christ. We can’t “make” our fruit happen. When we try, it only produces a counterfeit, soul-sapping version of God’s total heart transformation. Knowing about God’s fruit-producing work in us is reason for joy.
Jesus soberly informs us in John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” Those who don’t abide are cast away because they were never attached to the true vine in the first place. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 and 20, “You will know them by their fruit—or lack of it.” Knowing that God judges sin God’s righteous judgment and great mercy is reason for joy.
Jesus makes an amazing comment in John 15:7 when He tells us, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” When you abide in Christ, you love and dwell upon the Word of God, leading you to pray in line with God’s will. Abiding in Christ means your desires are His. What joy to know your prayers are aligned with God’s will.
Jesus tells us how we can give God glory in John 15:8, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” Our fruitfulness shows our relationship to Christ, giving God much glory. Knowing that God is glorified in your life is reason for joy.
Jesus teaches His manly disciples something life-changing in John 15:9, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Jesus wants us to know He loves us. “Yes, Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so” isn’t a truth just for little children. We need to know it too which is why Jesus made sure to tell us that His love is unswerving, devoted, and magnanimous in nature. Each day should be framed in the knowledge of Jesus’ great and abiding love for us that led Him to give His life for our sake. Remember, knowing that Jesus loves you is reason for joy.
Jesus tells us in John 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” When we abide in Christ, we obey Him. Disobedience, unbelief, and rebellion hurt the fellowship we enjoy with Him. When we repent of our sin and selfishness, the breach we instigated by our sin and willfulness is healed. We have reason for rejoicing when we obey the Lord and enjoy ongoing fellowship with Him.
And finally, Jesus tells us the last reason for joy in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” And it gives Him great joy to see it in us. Jesus wants us to know these truths so our hearts will be at peace, even when life and the world around us is less than peaceful.
Consider what you’re meditating upon, what you’re reading, and listening to. Do those choices bring comfort and steadfast rejoicing or do they cause further agitation and unease? Jesus has given us His tried and true method for discovering joy—even on the toughest of days. Will you trust Him and spend time thinking on and praying through His remedy for you?
