Soul Kitchen

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus knew what was coming, what he would have to endure to accomplish God's purpose for his life. I wonder how knowing that affected him daily. Was the anticipation of his impending crucifixion a heaviness that he had to fight? You know how it is when there is something burdensome always at the back of your mind, something heavy that never really goes away. It can really put a damper on things, cloud your outlook, drain your energy, cause you to be weary and fainthearted.

"who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross"

Joy was set before him. Was this a one time thing that happened only just before his crucifixion? Maybe that's one thing that the Father did for him every day as they met - put before him joy. Did the Father remind Jesus of the good results that would come through his suffering, remind him that he was at work, remind him that he had found favor with him, "This is my son, with whom I am well pleased?" Could it be that Jesus needed to have these reminders of joy set before him daily in order to enter into life and do his work with joy, gladness of heart, and wholeheartedly?

It would seem to me that Jesus "endured the cross" throughout his ministry, meaning that he endured the anticipation of humiliation, betrayal, shame, physical pain, separation from his Father, punishment, and death. The only way he could endure it was because the Father set joy before him, reminding him over and over and over again of his love and his sovereign control and that it would be worth it. He needed to see it, hear it, know it in order to get through each day and to do the hard work that he had been called to - showing people who God is, the gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love. In all of it, there was joy, because, I believe, the Father continually set it before him.

How much more do we need that!? I know I do. I need to meet with my Father daily in order that he can set joy before me, reminding me of his love, favor and sovereign control. May you know the joy set before you, as you daily look to Jesus and consider him so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.