John 17:13 And now come I to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I. WHAT THIS JOY IS THAT CHRIST WOULD ESTABLISH. 1. For the kind of it — "My joy;" not a worldly joy, but heavenly; not corporal, but spiritual. It ill beseemeth Christians to set their hearts on earthly things, or suffer the world to intercept their joy (Philippians 4:4). 2. In what manner He would have it received — "fulfilled in them." The joy is full because the object is infinite; we can desire nothing beyond Him (Acts 13:52). 3. It is inward for the quality of it; it is wrought in the midst of afflictions; like the wood that was thrown in at Marah, it maketh bitter water sweet (Exodus 15:25; 1 Peter 1:6). II. REASONS WHY CHRIST WAS SO SOLICITOUS ABOUT THIS MATTER. 1. Because of the great use of it in the spiritual life, to make us to do and to suffer (Nehemiah 8:10). This is as ell to the wheels. Sorrow maketh us serious, joy active. This is sweet, when a man, out of the refreshings of the Spirit, can go about the business which God hath given him to do with delight (Acts 20:24; Acts 8:39). Not like slow asses that go by compulsion, but like generous horses, that delight in their strength and swiftness. 2. To mar the taste of carnal pleasures. The soul cannot remain without some oblectation; it delighteth either in earthly or in heavenly things. Now God will give us a taste of pleasantness in wisdom's paths, that we might disdain carnal pleasures. It is not a wonder for a clown, that hath not been acquainted with dainties, to love garlic and onions; but for a prince, that hath been acquainted with better diet, to leave the dainties of his father's table for those things, that were strange. 3. It is for His honour. Nothing bringeth reproach upon the ways of God so much as the sadness of those that profess them. You darken the ways of God by your melancholy conversation. Religion should be cheerful, though not wanton and dissolute. We are to invite others (Psalm 34:2). Otherwise thou art as one of the spies that discouraged the children of Israel, by bringing up an evil report upon the land of Canaan. 4. Because He delighteth to see us cheerful (chap. John 15:11). III. SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING JOY. 1. God's providence to all the creatures doth aim at their joy and welfare. 2. Spiritual joy ariseth more from hope than possession (Romans 12:12; Hebrews 3:6; Romans 5:2). Some birds sing in winter. Though we have not an actual possession of glory, yet there is a certainty of possession. 3. This joy is more felt in adversity than prosperity (1 Peter 1:6; Romans 5:3). (1) Partly from God Himself; He proportioneth His comforts to our sorrows, and then sheddeth abroad His love most plentifully (2 Corinthians 1:5). (2) Partly from the saints; they rejoice most in afflictions, because they taste in them what evil they are freed from in Christ. (3) Partly because of sweet experiences. 4. Those have the highest feeling of joy that have tasted the bitterness of sorrow (Isaiah 57:18; Jeremiah 31:18, 20). Unutterable groans make way for ineffable joys. 5. The feelings of this joy are up and down, yet when the joy is gone, the right remaineth, and this joy will be fulfilled (chap. John 16:22). IV. USES. 1. To show us the goodness of God, who hath made our wages a great part of our work, and our reward our service. 2. To take off the slander brought on the ways of God, as if they were dark and uncomfortable, as if we should abandon and renounce all delight. Oh! that wicked men would but make experience! 3. Let us despise the dreggy delights of the world. We are empty by nature, and worldly joy filleth not but with wind. 4. Reproof of two sorts — (1) To those that are always sad. Christians do not live up to that care and provision which Christ hath made for them (1 Thessalonians 5:16). They live as if God had said, Weep evermore. It is verily a fault, however disguised; in some it deserveth pity; in others chiding and rebuke. (2) The other loft are those that would rejoice, but do not provide matter of joy. "My joy." 5. To raise your minds to the exercise of this joy, I shall show — (1) What reason a Christian hath to rejoice. (a) The remembrance of his past estate (1 Peter 2:9). No man looketh on the sea with more comfort than he that hath escaped the dangers of a shipwreck. (b) His present interest, sense, and feeling (Romans 8:37). (c) His future hopes (Hebrews 3:6). We are heirs-apparent to the crown of heaven. (2) By what means it is maintained. God hath appointed for this end. (a) Graces; faith, hope, and obedience. (b) Ordinances: The Word, prayer, sacraments, meditation. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. |
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