It was the night before he would be cruelly murdered. He knew it, but they had no idea. To them what Jesus did was unheard of. He washed their smelly, grimy feet, a chore traditionally performed only by slaves. Peter was so shocked he almost refused it. But this sacrificial act of service began a demonstration of Christ\u2019s love which would culminate with the sacrifice of his very life the next day.<\/p>\n
After his betrayer left, Jesus said, \u201cA new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n Later that night, as he made his way to the garden of tears, he unveiled his love in words, \u201cAs the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.\u201d[2]<\/a><\/p>\n He went on to explain that if we love others with the same sacrificial love he demonstrated towards us, we would remain in his love. This establishes the great cadence of the Christian life, receiving Christ\u2019s love and giving it away. After all, we only love because he first loved us.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n Then Jesus makes a connection between love and joy, \u201cI have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n Jesus wrote these very important things about love for the purpose of our joy. He\u2019s basically telling us that if we focus on loving others as he\u2019s loved us, we\u2019ll have the joy our hearts crave.<\/p>\n As with our physical hearts, our spiritual hearts are vital to our health. We get our word \u201ccourage\u201d from the French word for heart \u2013 \u201ccour\u201d. Without a vibrant inner heart we become \u201cdis-couraged\u201d and life becomes drudgery.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the key to a healthy spiritual heart?<\/p>\n Consider the ancient proverb, \u201cA joyful heart brightens one\u2019s face, but a troubled heart breaks the spirit.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/p>\n Our hearts were designed to run on joy. When we\u2019re joyful, our inner core[6]<\/a> is bright, otherwise, our spirits are broken.<\/p>\n Whether we realize it or not, we\u2019re all searching for joy. We were designed for it.[7]<\/a> But sustained joy can\u2019t be found in worldly affections or smooth circumstances. Lasting joy, producing a vibrant, \u201cen-couraged\u201d heart, can only be found in nearness to God.<\/p>\n David wrote of God: \u201cin your presence is fullness of joy\u201d[8]<\/a><\/p>\n Joy is more than a \u201cnice to have\u201d add on to life. It\u2019s fuel for the soul. Jesus wants us to have complete joy. It\u2019s essential to our spiritual health and vital for the courage we need to face the moments of our lives.<\/p>\n Do you want joy?<\/p>\n Jesus tells you how to stay connected with his love and how to have his joy:<\/p>\n love others as he\u2019s loved you.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cfor the joy of the Lord is your strength\u201d Nehemiah 8:10b<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [1]<\/a> John 13:34 (NIV)<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> John 15:9 (NIV)<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> I John 4:19 (NASB)<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> John 15:11 (NIV)<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Proverbs 15:13 (CEB)<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> From the Latin for heart \u2013 \u201ccor\u201d<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Ecclesiastes 3:11<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Psalm 16:11 (ESV)<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> John 15:12 (NASB)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was the night before he would be cruelly murdered. He knew it, but they had no idea. To them what Jesus did was unheard of. He washed their smelly, grimy feet, a chore traditionally performed only by slaves. Peter was so shocked he almost refused it. But this sacrificial act of service began a … Continue reading Joy – Nectar for our Hearts<\/span>