For the Joy Set Before Him

Reading: Ezekiel 27-28:26, Hebrews 12:1-13, Proverbs 19:22-29

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”  

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus was God in human flesh. He experienced everything that we do day in and day out. However he was perfectly sinless. 

Looking at the life of Jesus, he experienced the most intricate pain and hardship one could endure on earth. Ridicule, betrayal from dear friends, and knowing every day he would experience not just death, but a brutal, slow murder on a cross before the very people he came to save. 

I have heard people say their only fear greater than death is having a child pass away first. Jesus may not have had a child on earth but he was one with God. The one true God who gave his only son to die. What an intricate web of painful experiences for our Heavenly Father and his spotless Son. 

How did Jesus live in human flesh yet shoulder the weight of the world and endure the cross that was set before him? 

He handled these impossibly heavy, overwhelming experiences in a perfect, sinless, godly way. He focused on the joy that was set before him! What was this joy? 

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Hebrews 12 explains it better than I could, 

“What it was that supported the human soul of Christ under these unparalleled sufferings; and that was the joy that was set before him. He had something in view under all his sufferings, which was pleasant to him; he rejoiced to see that by his sufferings he should make satisfaction to the injured justice of God and give security to his honour and government, that he should make peace between God and man, that he should seal the covenant of grace and be the Mediator of it, that he should open a way of salvation to the chief of sinners, and that he should effectually save all those whom the Father had given him, and himself be the first-born among many brethren. This was the joy that was set before him.” 

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

This was an amazing joy that Jesus kept before him! This very joy was enough to take Jesus all the way to cross. He did’t back down; He didn’t run away. He focused on the joy and did what God had sent him to do. And just as promised, every joy was fulfilled upon his resurrection from that cold dark tomb! What a story! What a God! 

I pray that the Lord will help keep my eyes on the joys that he has given me. I have not personally experienced many losses but it is an amazing comfort to know that God himself gave me a battle plan for enduring suffering. I have the joy of my salvation, the promise of eternity in a perfect body and everlasting communion with God. I have the joy of knowing Jesus will return and make all things right. I have the joy of knowing satan will one day forever be defeated.  

We can look at this wonderful example given by Jesus Christ. By setting these joys before us, we can accomplish what God has called us to do even in the face of hardships. Set the joys of salvation ever before you. Think on them, believe them, hold them close to your heart. And one sweet day, we will see each of these joys fulfilled! 

I pray you are having a wonderful afternoon ladies! Let’s lean into the sweet joys of the gospel and be filled with tender attitudes of appreciation for all Christ has done for us.

– Emily Wilkerson