John makes a rather incredible claim in the little book of 3rd John. He asserts that of all the joys in the Christian life, the greatest for him is when he sees his disciples walking in the truth. From the Gospels, we can conclude that John was a very excitable young man, full of emotion. He kept a extra close relationship with Christ during His earthly ministry and was actually called, "The disciple He loved." (John 13:23) I'm sure he derived much joy from his personal walk with Christ and his ministry over the years, which makes this claim even more bold. He was finding real pleasure in the knowledge that his disciples were doing well in the Lord. This should not come as any particular surprise to us when you consider that he heard Jesus promise the following:
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. “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. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (NASB95. Jn 15:8-11)
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (NASB95, Jn 15:16)
Jesus promises us that as we abide in Him we will bear fruit, and that fruit will remain. There is incredible joy in this. There is the joy of being chosen and blessed by God. There is the joy of seeing Him work through us. There is joy in fruit bearing. There is the joy of bringing glory to the Father. And finally, there is the simple joy of seeing our disciples, in whom we have invested, continuing to walk closely with Christ.
One particular year in ministry did not seem so fruitful for us. My wife and I were doing evangelism and discipleship at a public high school nearby. Her girl's group was doing great. Not so for my guys. I only had two seniors in the group and they seemed quite lukewarm. I continued my ministry in their lives but, frankly, was not too hopeful of the outcome. Now several years later I received an instant message on Facebook. One of these guys reached out to me. He shared how much he appreciated me, especially the example I had demonstrated as a Christian husband and father. I was shocked. That year was tough. We lived in a small one bedroom apartment, had one young child and another on the way. I had no office space, and the ministry seemed unfruitful. I'm not sure what kind of example I could have been. I remember being irritable much of that year. Nonetheless, this young man, now grown, reaches out with these kind words of encouragement. He must have seen something in me I was unaware of. Now many years later he is walking with the Lord, active in church, leading his family as Christian husband and father.
There is indeed great joy when we see our children walking in the truth.
Amen
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