Oh but for the Joy the joy that was set before him he endured the cross. Many times I had heard this word ,but the meaning was far from me. It was one of those scriptures that come to life only in time.Today my time has come. I guess I have always known what it meant for some time , but now I 'am living it. I remember asking my self what joy can be found in pain especially on a cross.It is said that the worst death of that time was to be crucified, yet he speaks of joy.Not only was it the worst form of death ,but the Bible says cursed is a man that is hanged on a tree. Yet Jesus was speaking of a joy beyond death, beyond pain, beyond persecution.O but for the Joy that was set before me refers to the ending of a thing rather than the beginning. He knew that the ultimate joy would come through pain. That mankind would be redeemed through the blood he shed on the cross, that was the joy that was set before him the redemption of man.He died for us while we were yet sinners. My Revelation came with my son giving him all that I knew how yet suffering persecution misunderstanding , and open defiance yet looking for the joy that is set before me. Giving of my self in faith, love ,hope praying that my labor will not be in vain yet giving it anyway.
For consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himself, lest ye be weired and faint in your mind
Not long ago, I was reading chapter 12 of the Bible's book of Hebrews where it says, "For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross." I'd read those words many times, but for some reason this particular day, it really caught me. I leaned back in my chair and thought, "What joy? What joy could there possibly have been in an awful, hell-ridden thing like that?" I prayed and prayed, and after the longest time, words rose in my heart; words for me, words for you, words for everyone reading this page and beyond, for He has the same heart, the same hope, the same desire and passion for everyone and for all:
"The joy set before Me was you.
You are My joy.
That the day would come when we would share sweet companionship,
today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.
It is you, My beloved. It is you."
