John 15:9-11 (NLT)
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Jesus commands consistently come back to love. Love one another. Love yourself. Lay down your life for a friend. Love. Love. Love. After again giving a command of loving one another he speaks these words. It’s not arbitrary what he is telling us to do but he is saying when we live in love and embody love, we will be filled with joy. Joy is the outcome of love. Joy is made complete in Jesus. In the same way he is the everlasting, ever-present, never-failing one, so is his Joy. The eternalness of Jesus allows for our joy to be made eternal. To not be flickers or just feelings, but real, in-the-depths of who we are, stuck-to-our-ribs kind of joy. How often are you living in this joy? Do you experience it daily? Weekly? Is it something you would recognize?
Lectio Divina Practice
As you walk through the Lectio Divina today, read the scripture above and meditate on it, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you.
Family Moments
Read John 15:11 together. Jesus is always telling us to love other people. Do you know why? He says when we love other people we will be filled with joy! Can you think of some ways that you love other people? How does it make you feel? Spend some time as a family praying for some of those people you brainstormed together.