Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

LESSON SUMMARY

Do you know what Jesus was like when he was on earth?

Jesus has more joy than anyone else

When Jesus was on earth, he was full of joy and life. Many people would invite him to go to their houses and even mothers would bring their children to see him. Hebrews 1:9 says that God has anointed Jesus with the oil of joy above anyone else.

Jesus had joy even during the most difficult time

We know that Jesus was badly beaten before he was nailed on the cross. His flesh was torn, he lost so much blood, he was so badly beaten that he didn’t look like a human being anymore. Soldiers made fun of him and told him to save himself.

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame because of the joy set before him. He took all the beating, the shame and humiliation because of the joy he had knowing that because of what he did on the cross, He will have us and we will have Him forever.

We have joy because we have Jesus

Before Jesus was arrested, during his meal with his disciples, he told them, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

Jesus knew that he would leave his disciples soon, but yet he said they will have joy. Didn’t he know that they will feel sad because he was going to die on the cross?  But before Jesus told them that they will have joy, he said that He was the vine, and they were the branches (John 15:5). This was the secret to their joy! They will have joy because they had Jesus’ life in them, just like now, anyone who has received Jesus as their Savior has Jesus’ life in them.

Because Jesus is in us, we can have His joy — even though we are facing a situation that is sad, scary or we don’t know what to do. So when you are feeling down, look at Jesus, remember you have His life in you and so you can have His joy, no matter what situation you are in.