Nehemiah 8:9-12 + John 15:9-17 Scripture Study
By Pastor Chris Simmons – Trinity Lutheran Church, Paso Robles CA
A reinforcement/supplement study to our Sunday service meant for “Building up the body of Christ… the manifold Wisdom of God made known” (Ephesians 4+3)
For Sunday, September 28, 2025
“Obedience and joy go hand in hand” is the phrase every parent has wanted to hear… thankfully it is also Biblically true! In John 15:10 Jesus says “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” Even Jesus responded to His Fathers love in obedience… so where’s the Joy you may ask? He continues in verse 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus informs us so our Joy may be complete, our Joy made whole by knowing what it means to remain in Jesus Love… obedience…. It sounds very heavy handed, don't you think? It sounds like if you want Joy, then “you must obey”... We focus on the benefit we receive rather than the product that produces it. Of course we want Joy, but are we clear on what we really want? What is it that produces Joy? Well, Joy is produced by the deep abiding sense of being Loved. Love produces Joy. So, if you keep Jesus' commandments, as Jesus kept the Father’s commands, what do you think those commandments revolve around? “12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” People of Trinity, let’s make some Joy! I pray this time of study is a blessing to you.
Blessings,
Pastor Chris Simmons
Discuss: When you were a child, were you “obedient” or "rebellious”? Why? What was your relationship like with your parents as an adult?
Nehemiah 8:9-12
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
As we build onto our church School theme, we reach all the way back to when the city of Jerusalem was still being rebuilt. When the walls were finally finished, Ezra the priest (the same one whom the book of Ezra is named after) along with the Judean governor at the time Nehemiah (for whom this book is named after) knew it was time to start to rebuild God’s people as well. So, they began to read God’s Word to His people:
“Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:2-3).
As the people are now being rebuilt, they feel convicted by the Law and how they have turned away from God, hence we read For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Feeling convicted in this way can be healthy and good, because it is not simply a “woe is me” and continues to live in sin… this conviction of guilt leads to repentance.
Discuss: 2 Corinthians 7:10 says “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” What are your thoughts on that verse? What does “Godly sorrow” look like? What does "Worldly sorrow” look like?
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
What’s amazing about this section is the word “joy”. This word for Joy in the Hebrew is only used one other time in the Old Testament… 1 Chronicles 16:27… This is when David sings and dances with Joy as they brought the Ark of the Covenant (ornate golden chest which represented and housed God’s presence among the people of Israel) back to Jerusalem… God’s presence was once again among His people, David sang with this Joy:
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place. (1 Chronicles 16:26-27)
You see that same Joy for the exact same reason here in Nehemiah. By His Word and Promises, God is once again present among His people. Although they weep, that is the sign of a repentant heart that has once again turned towards God. Therefore, because out of their obedience in repentance, they should have great joy. The Joy of the LORD is their strength. In repentance, turned towards God, He is now a source of Joy and security from the attacks of others… as soldiers and citizens are inside the newly built walls of Jerusalem. The Joy is a result of God’s Presence.
Discuss: When you hear “The Joy of the Lord is your strength.” What does that make you think of? How do you use this Joy as your strength? How does it “protect you” from attacks? If you are looking for Joy, where can you find it?
John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
This section of John is on the coattails of the famous “Vine and Branches” discourse, and is connected to it in many ways. In fact, the word remain or abide (as it is featured in many translations) is directly linked here in John 15:5 where Jesus says “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” You see that same phrasing here “remain in my love” “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as remain in my Father’s love”. As you see from the Word Joy in Nehemiah, Joy is experienced when you remain in the presence of God, not separated from it. Jesus reminds us that it is obedience to His commands that keep us in His Love. That obedience is so that we remain in His presence, not a Law-oriented way of earning it. To rebel literally means to move in opposition to. When we rebel, embrace sin and desire, we push God’s presence away. When we repent, we welcome obedience and God’s presence in. It’s in His presence we experience His Joy.
So, taking all that into account, let's answer this question… What is Joy?
Combining all we’ve learned so far… let’s say this…
Joy is the response of being deeply Loved.
Discuss: What do you think of that definition of Joy? How have you seen it played out in your life? What has been your response to being deeply Loved? (It could be by parent, grandparent, spouse, friend, or child).
What sort of Love could we be talking about? Well, Jesus of course has the answer. … 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
The laying down of one’s life for one’s friends… the response to that love is Joy.
Maybe this has happened to you to some extent, probably not a literal “laying down one’s life” to the fullest extent of death… but surely there are some smaller things that have been laid down or allowed to “die” to a lesser extent for your sake.
A friend that has given up something so that they could be with you in a time of need?
A parent who gave up on a dream, career, or certain freedoms to provide for you?
Someone who drove cross-country to see you graduate or perform?
A spouse or loved one dear to you who gave up what they wanted so you could have something you desired instead?
Each of these, however small they may seem, are the laying aside of one’s life for you. And in those moments, there is the response “Wow, you would do that for me?” A special feeling of satisfaction, a response to being deeply loved more content than happiness… Joy.
Discuss: Talk about some memories when someone has “laid their life down” for you. Who, What, Where, When, and Why? What was your response?
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11,16-18 (NIV)
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus… Rejoice always… That we remain in His Joy, the response of His deep Love for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Henri Nouwen was a famous Catholic Priest, Theologian, and college professor. He once said “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” How do we choose Joy? That we would remain obedient through repentance. We confess our sins, running to the presence of God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness, rather than rebelling and moving away from God. We repent and remain in the presence of God and the Love of Christ. Only then, can our Joy be complete, remaining in Him we can go forward and Love others as He has Loved us. As Jesus says in John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” We too become a source of joy for others, that leads to the source of that river, where True Joy resides in Christ.
Therefore, our Joy is not one of circumstance or a benefit we pursue. Joy is the source of itself, and the response we have from being deeply Loved by our Savior.
Discuss: As we seek to encourage one another and build each other up, how can you be a source of joy for others? Something you can lay aside this week for someone you know?
Prayer
When in the hearing/reading of God’s Word have you wept (Like the Israelites in Nehemiah)? When in the hearing/reading of God’s Word have you experienced great Joy?
What is the presence of God like in your life now? Is there something between you and God you’re using to keep Him away?
God desires for you to experience Joy from Him. How can the Joy of the Lord be your strength?
Lord God, we rebel plenty. We seek after our own desires and try to get joy out of anything we can. Be it products, people, circumstance, or life's pleasures, we try to replace You, the true source of Joy, with counterfeits that leave us empty. Forgive us Lord, let Your Kindness lead us to repentance. Help us be obedient, seeking to Love others as you have loved us. There we will share in the true complete Joy you have in store for us. Rather than chasing after idols, we can settle in the deep satisfaction and assurance of your love for us. Let us rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for all you’ve done for us.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.