“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (Jn. 17:13).
On Thursday we celebrated Christ’s Ascension to the “right hand of the Father”. That means, of course that Christ is King. Our role, as followers, is to know and obey His commands. I believe it is healthy that Christ’s kingship should fill us with “holy fear”. If you worshiped on Thursday you’ll understand when I say that this “fear” is like the fear a loyal soldier feels toward a decorated General.
This “holy fear” is not the life-sapping fear of dread and condemnation. It is a life-giving fear because the King loves us. As Paul writes “Christ Jesus, who died… who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Ro 8:34-35, c.f. Heb. 7:25).”
What intercessions, we might wonder, does Christ offer on our behalf? Jesus’ prayer recorded in John’s gospel (Jn. 17) gives us a glimpse into Christ’s praying heart. There we see Christ’s desire: “that they may have the full measure of my joy within them”.
There is not greater joy than living in loving obedience to the King.
God Bless,
Sean