
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).
“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” (John 17:13, NIV).
The first of these two statements, Jesus made directly to His disciples the evening He was betrayed. The second one, He made in prayer to His Father about these men, that same evening. In those moments, He was staring directly into the face of the worst, torturous pain any human being would ever experience… to befall Him beginning that very night. And yet, He was thinking, talking, and praying about peace and joy.
He knew He was about to purchase supernatural peace and joy for us by His death. It was urgently on His heart, in his last intimate moments with His friends, to make sure they knew this. He also urgently wants you and me to know this. Especially in our most difficult moments.
In Jesus, you may have peace.
Within you, you may also have the full measure of His joy.
Not just a few drops of it or an ephemeral inkling of it that shows up in special moments. No, the full measure. How much joy does Jesus have? That’s how much you may have.
Do you see the verb phrase these two verses have in common? “You may have…” “They may have…”
Joy and peace. Within reach. Entirely possible. Yours. In full. Do you need them?
You may have them.
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Is there someone in your life that sticks out as an example of peaceful and joyful living? If so, how do you think they got to be that way?
Yes, peace and joy that don’t depend on our circumstances. I don’t know if blessings can get any better than that!
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Aaaamen, thank You Jesus! 😀
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