1 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, 2 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 12:1-2NIV
Paul tells us that Jesus endured the cross and all that came with it for the joy set before Him. What was the glory set before Him? I never really used to think about it. Before, I always kind of wrote it off as His throne, Glory, title, Heaven, etc. but then the other day, it randomly hit me out of nowhere. Jesus didn’t need to endure the cross for those things. He already had all of those things prior to the cross prior to creation. In fact, He set those things aside for the cross. So, what was that joy set before Jesus that kept Him going and gave Him the willpower to endure the cross? Us. We were the joy set before Him.
Jesus got off of His throne, set aside this Godliness, and willingly endured pain, share, mockery, hatred, refection, and every form of disrespect for us. We were once separated from God. In fact, we were once enemies of God doomed to an eternity apart from Him, but Christ showed His love for us by enduring the cross.
Whenever you feel unloved, rejected, alone, and unwanted, remember Jesus endured the cross for you. He endured the shame, ridicule, and mockery for you. He could have easily taken Himself off of the cross. He could have easily shown them who He is. He could’ve shed that weak, broken, hurting, aching human body and picked back up His Godliness at any moment in time, but He didn’t. One reason and one reason alone, you. You are His joy, and He is ours. The joy of the LORD is our strength. The joy of the LORD is you. He endured everything for you, so lean on that strength, and encourage yourself in the knowledge that the LORD loves for you and will do anything to protect you.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Embrace His Joy.