Beautiful scene from Washington state

Peace, Love, Joy 

John 15, part two 

If you abide in me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and It will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 

In chapter 14, Jesus said, My peace I give you. In our passage today, Jesus adds to our abundance and says He will give us His love and His joy. My peace; My love; My joy; I give to you. These He gives of Himself to us. 

• MY PEACE 
• MY LOVE 
• MY JOY 

Jesus continues to teach His disciples and prepare them for His departure and their extensive ministry to come. When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, He told Peter I don’t need to wash your whole body because you are already clean. Now in 15:3 He says, you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  

Judas is now gone and there are eleven that remain. These eleven have heard His word and have been saved, forgiven and are secure in Christ. They are truly “clean” because of faith in Christ. The proof of their true transformation and fruit of their salvation will be seen in the months to come as they go forth and Jesus extends His works through them. They will stumble (Peter denying Jesus) but the pattern and direction of their lives will be to bear fruit. 

The power that will drive the disciples to endure hardship and take the gospel around the world is HIS Peace, HIS Love and His Joy. These three attributes of Jesus, planted by Him as seeds in your heart, will bear fruit and be expressed by you as well. Wherever you go and in any whatever circumstance you find yourself, Jesus has poured His peace, joy and love into you for you to experience and display, for His glory. 

William Carey (1761-1834) was born into a humble family in Northamptonshire, England. William became a shoemaker. A simple village cobbler. Jesus gripped his heart as a young man but the stale and dead churches of his day suppressed his passion. At a minister’s meeting in 1787, Carey raised the question of whether it was the duty of all Christians to spread the Gospel throughout the world. He was rebuked. The response was: “Young man, sit down; when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid and mine.” 

Carey could not be suppressed. The love of God planted within his heart would not be repressed. Three years later he published a landmark treatise on the obligation of Christians to take the gospel to the remotest parts of the world. His most famous statement was “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Carey defied the odds, persisted through opposition and went forth and became a missionary in India. Through his pioneering work, he is today known as the ‘father of modern missions.” 

A simple shoemaker used by God. Just like the men of humble means that Jesus chose as his disciples.  Jesus promised they would do great works and He empowered them with His peace, love and joy to drive them and sustain them. This power works through us as well. Peace that surpasses understanding; unconditional love that gives beyond measure; joy unspeakable! Whisper a prayer to Jesus right now to fill you with these abundant attributes. 

Lord, you have planted seeds of peace, love and joy within us. Guide us and empower us to water these seeds and nurture these seeds to grow and be expressed through our actions and our lives. Amen!