Did you know that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus experienced joy? Yes, he was in deep emotional pain. But His joy was perfect.
“It is surely very wonderful that the occasion on which Jesus manifests so intense an anxiety about his disciples having enough of joy–and of his own joy–should be the eve of his last agony. Is it really with him a time of joy? Are the bloody sweat and the cry as of one forsaken by his God the signs of joy? Is that the joy–his joy–which he prays they may have fulfilled in themselves? At all events, his joy, whatever it may be, must be of such a nature that it can be compatible with experience as dark as that. For his joy must be, like himself, ‘the same yesterday, today, and forever.’ It cannot be fluctuating and intermittent. It cannot be merely one of many emotions, alternating or taking its turn with others, fitfully swaying the mind at intervals, according to the shifting breezes of the outer atmosphere. His joy must partake of his own unchangeableness, as the eternal Son of the Father. It is true that in his human nature and in his earthly history he is subjected to the impulses and influences of this chequered human and earthly scene. He meets with what may move, at one time to tears, at another time to gladness. Nor is he unsusceptible of such impressions. But beneath all these his real joy must be deeper far; a fathomless, infinite ocean, whose calm repose the wildest agitations of the upper sea cannot reach or ruffle. ‘My joy,’ he says to the Father, my joy in and with thee, I would have to be theirs, through their fellowship with thee and me. Such, in substance, is the Lord’s own desire, as expressed to his disciples and to his Father. And such is his beloved apostle’s aim in his teaching–‘that your joy may be full.'”
– “1 John,” by Robert Candlish. Banner of Truth Trust, 1973, pp. 18-19.
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I am presently reading Robert Candlish’s commentary on 1 John for both study and devotion. I chose to share the above excerpt in a blog post because it reminded me of the only true source of joy–Jesus Christ. My joy must be found in and rest with Christ.
It amazes me to think that as Jesus sweat drops of blood–so great was His anxiety–He also experienced perfect joy. As Condlish wrote, “For his joy must be, like himself, ‘the same yesterday, today, and forever.'” Beneath his undescribable anxiety was “a fathomless, infinite ocean [of joy], whose calm repose the wildest agitations of the upper sea [the tossing waves of anxiety] cannot reach or ruffle.”
So, in that moment of indescribable anxiety–an anxiety no one else will ever endure–an anxiety He endured for the love of His Father and the elect people promised to Him by His Father–could it be that Jesus drew from that deep and perfect well of joy when He said these words: “Not My will, but Your will be done” (Luke 22:42)?
In anxious moments, it will encourage me and give me hope to remember the deep ocean of joy eternally availed to the Son is now availed to me, for I am His and He is mine.
Be encouraged.
Eric says
Hello Tony,
Is this joy the same as the peace of John 14:27,
“27“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Jamie Francis says
Wow, thank you brother! This is very encouraging!