“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

Jesus was about to die and He took time to prepare His disciples for their ordeal. He never spoke of His death without referring to His resurrection. He wanted His disciples to have confidence in His ultimate victory that would sustain them when they faced the tragedy of His crucifixion.

Jesus’ intent was that His disciples would know that their joy was not dependent on temporary circumstances. Their joy, and ours, is founded on eternal realities. We may face disappointment and sorrow for a moment, but our joy is not build on immediate events. It is established in who God is and is an unchangeable gift.

Paul captured this truth when He told us to rejoice in the Lord. No matter what we experience here our joy is in the Lord. He is still the Lord no matter what we go through and He is the source of our joy.

Jesus was crucified. He warned His disciples that it was going to happen. But, He also rose again. He knew that His victory over death was certain even when He spoke of His death. He doesn’t just give us momentary joy. He gives us joy that is founded on the certainty of His ultimate triumph. The joy God gives us is joy that lasts forever. It is both complete and unending.