Making Joy Complete

Day 340: 2 John 1:1-13

“Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made complete.” - ‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Have you felt this same desire as history pushes forward digitally? Technology has made it harder for some to communicate when they see others in person. We send text messages, are on video calls, and use social media, but it is a far cry from face-to-face. In this way, our hearts are connecting with Elder John.

He writes that if and when he can see his letter recipients in person, hopefully before his exile in Patmos, their joy would be complete.

John's Greek word for joy here is chara, which is similar to the term used in the New Testament for grace (charis). It can also translate as delight or gladness. This is the same word used to describe the Magi when they saw the star that would lead them to toddler Jesus (Matthew 2:10). They “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!”

John also writes that their joy would be complete when they finally see each other face to face. This is the word pleroo, and it also means to make full. This means that there is something that falls short until we rejoice together in the same physical space.

I pray that in an increasingly technological world that we will always value personal connection. It will never go out of style or lose its value.

This will be especially true when we finally see the face of Jesus in the New Heavens and New Earth. Check out the following passage:

“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” - Revelation 22:3-4 ESV