The Joy Set before Jesus

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Let us run with endurance the race set out for us.  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. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

The journey to the cross was both the simplest and hardest things Jesus did in His life.  From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus knew that he had been born to die for the sins of many, one righteous man among many sinners. That was simple.  He was surrounded by sin, “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb 4:15)” That unwavering stand of holiness in a world and culture that ‘always resisted Holy Spirit’ (Acts 7:51) speaks volumes to how much Jesus depended on God to do His will. That was hard.

We find this resistance exemplified by some of his twelve disciples.  When Jesus began revealing to them His destiny on the cross, Peter “took Him aside and began to rebuke Him…far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” Matt 16:22-25 BSB) Satan even used His young apostles to frustrate Jesus.

Thomas also sarcastically replied “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” (John 11:16 NIV) when Jesus went back to Judea to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead.  He did not understand that raising the dead man was the sign that proved Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

With all these contradictions surrounding Him, how was he able to keep a sharp focus on His cross?  Paul tells us that he focused on “the joy set before Him.”  The words imply that Jesus was looking at something before Him.  To understand what 'the joy' was, we need to interrogate the cross of Jesus Christ and its purpose.

The cross of Jesus was the burden of sin. When Adam fell, sin came unto all men “death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Rom 5:12 NKJV) The penalty of sin is death and it is appointed to all men to die once and afterward to face judgement. There is no hope of return from the grave for anyone who dies in their sin.  Therefore, Jesus died on the cross once and paid the full penalty of sin for all men.

Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to secure the freedom of everyone from the unbreakable shackle of sin.  However, He went a step further and “was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father,” (Rom 6:4 NLT) so that “as a human being could he die, and…break the power of the devil, who had the power of death…(and) set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Heb 2:14-15 NLT) The resurrection is complete proof Jesus has victory over death, and that He will never die, thus as believers, we have the same victory over death.

Thus, ‘the joy set before Jesus’ was the knowledge of every person who would believe in His salvation from the power of sin and death.  The image of you and me freed from its power kept Him focused on the cross.

In the same way, as a Christian, we are to focus on JESUS CHRIST as the ultimate goal for our lives. It is that simple! This vision will help us to fulfill His command to us all, that “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” Matt 16:24 (NLT) Carrying your cross is hard!