Joy, peace and happiness result from following Jesus Christ, together with the hope of being like him and with him in heaven. This is anticipated in the OT, which stresses the importance of obedience to the LORD.
Blessings result from obedient discipleship
Luke 11:28 See also Proverbs 8:32; Matthew 7:24–25 parallel Luke 6:47–48; John 13:17, John 14:21; James 1:25
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Joy results from discipleship
John 15:10–11 See also Psalm 119:14; Acts 13:52, Acts 16:34 the Philippian jailer; Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit; Philippians 1:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 1:8; Jude 1:24
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
Peace results from discipleship
John 14:27 See also Numbers 6:26; Psalm 4:8, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 37:11; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 11:28–29 Jesus Christ promises rest for the weary; Luke 2:14 the angels' greeting to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus ChristLuke 24:36; John 20:19 John 16:33, John 20:21, John 20:26; Romans 2:10, Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
True happiness results from discipleship
Happiness flows from doing God's will
Psalm 1:1, Psalm 119:1–2 See also Psalm 94:12, Psalm 112:1, Psalm 128:1; Proverbs 29:18
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
Disciples are truly happy
Matthew 5:3–12 parallel Luke 6:20–23 See also Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:14
Disciples are abundantly recompensed in this life
Mark 10:29–30 parallels Matthew 19:29, Luke 18:29–30 See also Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 16:8; Matthew 7:7–11 parallel Luke 11:9–13; John 8:12, John 10:27, John 12:26; Romans 8:31–39; 1 Timothy 6:6
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life.
Disciples are blessed by being united with Jesus Christ in the family of God
Matthew 12:46–50 parallels Mark 3:31–35, Luke 8:19–21 See also Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19, Ephesians 3:15
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Disciples will be blessed with eternal life
Matthew 19:29 parallels Mark 10:30, Luke 18:30 See also Matthew 25:46; Romans 2:7; Galatians 6:8; 1 John 1:2, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:20
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Disciples have the hope of being like Jesus Christ and being with him in heaven
1 John 3:2 See also John 12:26, John 14:3; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Peter 1:4
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.