No Greater Joy

Alba 11-3-2024

NO GREATER JOY

III John 1-4

Have you ever been surprised by joy? Something happens when you least expect it, even in the midst of otherwise sad feelings or grief, and joy comes, at least for a moment? That feeling was expressed by William Wordsworth, one of the most renowned British writers of all time.

He penned “Surprised by Joy” which speaks of joy and pain in such compelling terms so as to gain the hearts of many readers. By the time Wordsworth wrote this particular poem, he had experienced immense pain and suffering in his life , including the death of his daughter. Given the painful occurrences in his life, the title of this poem is fitting. Wordsworth was, indeed, surprised to experience joy in the midst of grief.

And C. S. Lewis, well known for his “Chronicles of Narnia” series, wrote a book titled “Surprised by Joy”. It is a partial autobiography that describes Lewis' conversion to Christianity. While he does describe his life, the principal theme of the book is Joy as he defined it. This Joy was a longing so intense for something so good and so high up it couldn't be explained with words.

He speaks of being struck with "stabs of joy" throughout life. He finally finds what it's for at the end.

The book's last two chapters cover the end of his search as he moves from atheism to theism, and then from theism to Christianity. He ultimately discovers the true nature and purpose of Joy and its place in his own life. Interestingly, the book isn't connected with his unexpected marriage in later life to Joy Gresham. The marriage occurred long after the period described, though not long after the book was published. His friends, though, were quick to notice the coincidence, remarking he'd really been "Surprised by Joy".

Joy is something deeper than happiness. And the apostle John speaks of having no greater joy when writing the letter that we know as Third John. Here are the first four verses of this letter:

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Several men in the New Testament share the name Gaius, a common name in the first century. All of these men were involved in the ministry of the apostles in one way or another. Gaius’s name means “happy” or “one who rejoices.” And the men who bore that name in Scripture seem to have known the joy that comes from serving the Lord.

This Gaius was John’s friend who was a member of an unnamed church over which John had the oversight. John calls this man “beloved”, or “dear friend”. Gaius is commended for his hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel; for his faithfulness; for his love; and for his walking in the truth. All of which caused John to have no greater joy.

Now, in these four verses there are three specific things that cause John to experience joy. It is when he sees the people he has brought to Christ continuing to prosper and to be in good physical health and good spiritual health. In fact he makes that his prayer for believers.

1. Prosper

John says that he wants Gaius to “prosper”. It is from these verses that there are those who preach what is called the “Health and Wealth Gospel”. John does pray that Gaius “may prosper in all things.” And so some believe that it is God's intention that His followers will always experience an abundance of material “blessings” in this life. And there are examples in scripture of people of God doing quite well.

Abraham acquired wealth when working all those years under Laban waiting to marry Rachel. Boaz, the man who married Ruth, is described as a man of great wealth (Ruth 2:1). And lets not forget Solomon, the king who amassed great wealth and forged many alliances with other nations.

Still, there are others in scripture like the apostle Peter who did not have money to pay his tax until Jesus caused a fish to be caught that had the right coin in its mouth. Also Jesus praised the widow who only had two coins, but gave them all.

It is true that God wants to bless us; and it might be His desire to prosper us in a material sense. But that doesn’t mean that it will happen. We live in a fallen and sinful world, and things don’t always go according to plan, for Satan is loose in this world. For example, Job was materially prosperous, but Satan took all of that away. But hopefully we will be like Job and declare in such a time, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). That leads to the second thing in John's prayer.