Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Every time I read this verse, I am caught by the phrase "who for the joy set before him endured the cross". What joy could possibly make Jesus endure the barbaric beating and the accompanying suffering on the cross? The salvation of mankind. I can't even wrap my brain around that. I have no concept of what type of pain and agony such a death entails, and still I can't grasp the love that it took to keep Jesus on the cross. He was able to see past his horrific circumstance that my sin put him in so that God's joy could be made complete in us through Jesus. This isn't something to take lightly, obviously. The least I can do then is to fix my eyes Him, for there is nothing in this life that can possibly equal the suffering Christ endured. Even if I had to bear the weight of my own sin and seek my own atonement, that would not come close to the weight of the sin of the world, which is what Jesus carried. Some days there are no words for the immense gratitude and love I feel toward my Savior. I have been offered a gift that is more than priceless; it is my very life. We, my friends, are Jesus' joy. Eternity with us is God's joy. Oh, what love! What joy!
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