It Starts Small

5 I have come to my garden—my sister, my bride.
I gather my myrrh with my spices.
I eat my honeycomb with my honey.
I drink my wine with my milk.

Narrator

Eat, friends!
Drink, be intoxicated with caresses!

Songs 5:1

The final verse in this exquisite sequence transcends mere poetry – it erupts as a bold proclamation! After the sacred consummation of love between the Groom and bride, the scene radiates outward with exuberance. “Eat, friends!” The Groom joyfully beckons, embodying a moment that is far from private; it is a glorious, shared feast! Love, in its richest essence, is never intended to be confined; it exuberantly overflows. This brilliant display mirrors the heart of the Gospel. Christ’s union with the church is profoundly personal – yet it reaches out, universally redemptive. His joy over us is anything but selfish; it is a magnificent joy that passionately invites others to the table. Just as the father of the prodigal son threw an extravagant feast upon his son’s return, so too does Christ rejoice not only in our return but fervently invites others to bask in that same boundless joy.

⁷ Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory,
because the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has prepared herself.
⁸ She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure.

For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.

⁹ Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.”

Revelation 19:7-9

Theologically, this celebration passionately points forward to the ultimate union—the magnificent marriage supper of the Lamb depicted in Revelation 19. It vibrantly speaks to the profound reality of Christian community here and now. Communion, both the sacred sacrament and the beautiful shared life of believers, is a resounding declaration of joy in Jesus. It’s a table where healing flows freely, where forgiveness is the rich wine that invigorates our souls, and love is the everlasting bread that never runs dry.

¹¹ “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

In this vibrant vision, the church transforms from a mere witness to joy into an impassioned vessel brimming with it! A church that intimately knows Christ’s love must boldly fling open its doors wide, overflowing with hospitality, compassion, and jubilant celebration!

Psychologically, shared joy is one of the most exhilarating and transformative experiences in the human condition. When we immerse ourselves in joy within a safe, loving community, it powerfully reinforces our sense of security, trust, and meaning. It whispers to our hearts: “You belong. You are cherished here.” Neuroscience passionately confirms that these joyful connections ignite the brain’s reward centers, flooding our systems with dopamine and oxytocin. These powerful neurochemicals not only create and deepen emotional bonds, but also enhance our physical connections. Constant shared joy weaves a vibrant tapestry of lasting relationships that fortify us against stress, depression, and the pangs of isolation.

In a world besieged by loneliness, overwork, and anxiety, a table of genuine celebration—deeply anchored in Christ—emerges as a powerful revolution. It is both healing and prophetic, a vivid reminder to the world that life transcends mere performance or suffering—there exists love, warmth, and boundless joy waiting to be embraced.

So today, don’t simply be a guest at the banquet; rise up and become the host! Extend a heartfelt invitation to others, inviting them to taste and witness the goodness of the Lord! Allow your story, your healing, and your deep connection with God to flow abundantly. Celebration is not merely the conclusion of the journey—it is the vibrant fruit that springs forth from it. It is designed to multiply, to spread joy and inspiration far and wide!

Journal Prompt:

• Where has God turned your mourning into Joy?
• Who in your life needs a place at the table?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Plan a celebration of some kind this week or month – small or large- and center it on God’s goodness.
2. Write a thank you note to someone who helped you experience joy during a hard season.
3. Read Revelation 19:7-9 and meditate on your place at the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Deeper Introspection:

Read John 15:11.

¹¹ “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete,” is a powerful verse that speaks to the connection between abiding in Christ, obeying his commands, and experiencing a full and complete joy. Here are some journal prompts to help you reflect on this passage.

Prompts on the source of joy

Jesus makes it clear that the ultimate source of joy is found in him and in abiding in his love and commands.

• Reflect on the difference between happiness and joy. The world often pursues fleeting happiness, which is dependent on external circumstances. Jesus offers a deeper, more enduring joy that is rooted in a relationship with him. Journal about a time when you experienced joy despite difficult circumstances. What was the source of that joy, and how did your faith play a role in it?
• Ponder the contrast between Jesus’s joy and worldly desires. C.S. Lewis famously said, “God finds our desires not too strong but too weak”. Reflect on this idea in the context of joy. Where have you settled for lesser joys in life instead of pursuing the lasting joy found in Jesus?
• Biblical example: The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength. In Nehemiah 8:10, after the Israelites had heard the law read, they were commanded not to mourn or weep, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Reflect on how this biblical example connects to Jesus’s words in John 15:11. How can drawing on the joy of the Lord be a source of strength for you today?

Prompts on the path to full joy

According to the context of John 15, the path to experiencing this full joy involves abiding in Christ and keeping his commandments.

• Journal about the practice of “abiding.” The image of the vine and branches in John 15:1–8 illustrates what it means to abide in Christ. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain connected to the vine. Write about what “abiding” looks like in your life. What practical steps can you take to more intentionally let Jesus’s words and presence dwell in you?
• Connect obedience and joy. Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Reflect on the connection between obedience and joy. Is it hard for you to see obedience as a path to joy rather than a burden? Why or why not?
• Biblical example: The wise man and the foolish man. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus tells the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his on the sand. The wise man’s house withstood the storm, symbolizing a life built on obedience to Jesus’s teachings. Reflect on this parable. In what ways has obedience to Jesus’s commands provided stability and joy in your life during a storm?

Prompts on the overflow of joy

The joy Jesus offers is not just for our own benefit; it is meant to overflow into our relationships and serve as a witness to the world.

• Reflect on joy as a testimony. Jesus’s disciples were eyewitnesses to his joy, even in the face of his impending crucifixion. Consider how the joy you experience in Christ can serve as a powerful witness to others. When have you seen someone else’s joy in difficult circumstances and been impacted by it?
• Connect joy with loving others. The command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12) immediately follows Jesus’s words about having full joy. Journal about this connection. How does experiencing the fullness of Jesus’s joy empower you to love others more deeply and selflessly?
• Biblical example: The early church’s witness. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42–47, was marked by its joy and generosity, and as a result, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Reflect on this example. What might your faith community look like if the members were overflowing with the full joy Jesus promises? What is one step you can take to help cultivate this kind of environment?

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