In John 15, Jesus begins in the chapter to use the allegory of the Vine and branches to establish both His help to His disciples, and their responsibility to faithfulness and fruitfulness.
In verse 11 of the text, he explains why He told them these things. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Two things to note here. First, Jesus has a great deal of joy to share. “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns” (Isaac Watts). His entire advent on earth was to do what was necessary for man’s reconciliation with God. This joy, if we abide in the Vine, is available to us!
Second, our joy can only be full if we have such a relationship with Him. Men fool themselves into thinking a life lived without our Lord can be a life equally full of happiness and joy. That is the devil’s lie! How can a life lived without God have the same value and joy? The very purpose of life, as established by wise Solomon, “Let us here the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
In John 17:13, Jesus prayed to His Father, “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
