THE JOY SET BEFORE US
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
To rightly divide this passage, we must first highlight that there was nothing intrinsically joyful about the crucifixion itself. Scripture clearly separates the joy set before Him from the agony of the suffering He endured. Christ did not find delight in the pain; He endured it. He scorned its shame, fully aware of its weight.
The joy, rather, was found in His willing and delightful obedience—fulfilling His earthly assignment and accomplishing the will of the Father. The deep, covenantal satisfaction of perfect obedience was the joy of our Lord (John 4:34). He looked beyond the cross to the fulfillment of redemption, to the glory of the Father, and to the restoration of all that sin had fractured.
Child of God, the same principle holds true for us. Joy is often found on the other side of obedience. For a heart attuned to the Spirit, disobedience produces a godly sorrow that grieves communion with God, while obedience, even when costly, ushers in peace, clarity, and quiet joy. This joy may not always be immediate, but it is always sure.
The greatest act of obedience was completed in Christ’s sacrifice, yet we must never forget that as He is, so are we in this world. We do not obey to earn approval; we obey because we are already loved. And as we fix our eyes on Jesus, we too are strengthened to run our race with perseverance, knowing that glory follows faithfulness.
Praise Him.
Prayer: My Father, I thank You for the grace that abounds through Christ Jesus, grace that empowers me to obey even when obedience is costly. Teach my heart to fix its eyes on Jesus, to value Your will above comfort, and to trust that joy awaits on the other side of faithfulness. Strengthen me to run my race with perseverance, that my life may bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Isaiah 53:11
• Psalm 16:11
• James 1:12
