LEARNING DAILY

Hebrews 12:2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is Friday. Jesus has been arrested, gone through a bogus trial where He was condemned to death. He has been beaten, spit on, humiliated. A crown of thorns has been shoved down on His head, and He was paraded through Jerusalem to be executed on a cross. My friend DC Adkisson wrote yesterday, “We tend to dwell and stay only on the intenseness of the cross and that whole week of ordeal.  But there is more, so I want to just take a few moments and in this week of Jesus moving towards Calvary think of His joy.”

Jesus endured the cross. At Gethsemane, Jesus was determined to carry out the will of His Father. He chose the cross. Read what Jesus prayed there. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). There is never a doubt that Jesus would fulfill the mission given Him. He did this by staying focused on the joy He knew was to come. He knew he would be resurrected and restored to His place of glory which He had from the beginning. He looked forward to the joy of those who would believe on Him and what He had done on this cross. He gave His life willingly to save Believers from eternal separation from God.

1 Peter 1:8, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” On this Friday understand that the faith of a Believer is not about a process or a philosophy. It is not about looking at the world or about improving yourself as a human being. It is about a person; about trusting and trusting Jesus Christ. Peter had seen Him face to face, walked and talked with Him for the years of Jesus’ ministry. What joy he must have found in being with Him.

Have you found the joy that He brings through His saving grace? As I consider what walking with Him for almost fifty years now, I am not sure I have the words to express that joy. Walking with Him has changed me; the changes did not instantly occur with being saved. Knowing what I was before and knowing what I am today – I am just so thankful He never gave up on me. As I consider the future and eternity with Jesus, I am filled with joy that continues to grow as I walk the narrow way with Jesus. That is a daily choice that brings peace and contentment when there are trials and difficulties continually trying to disrupt faith and confidence in Him.

Remember the joy and contentment walking with Jesus brings. Keep your eyes, your focus on Jesus and let your heart be filled to overflowing with the joy and love you find in Him.