Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Have you given thought to what the definition of endure is?
verb 1
- put up with something or somebody unpleasant
- face and withstand with courage
- continue to live through hardship or adversity
- undergo or be subjected to
- last and be usable
- persist for a specified period of time
- continue to exist
In order to endure, you have to actually experience something, mentally or physically, feel something, see something or be confronted with something.
Jesus endured the cross. This means He felt the pain physically, He heard mocking words as He carried the cross. He saw the eyes and angry faces of the crowd, the tears of His mother, and the doubt of His followers. Each blow of the whip or swing of the hammer was felt. The weight of the cross, the thorns penetrating His head, and the weight of His body hanging on the cross were all real. Not one physical pain or emotional hurt was skipped over. In the end, He even felt the abandonment of His Father as He absorbed the sin of all mankind.
We, as Christians, walk around with a notion that we are to be insulated from trials, pain or suffering. God never promised this. What He did promise us is He will be with us, strengthen us and provide for us, in the midst of these events. But here is where God becomes even more real. Not only will God help us endure these trials, He takes one more step. Did you notice the key word in the passage? Jesus not only endured, but He did it with the joy set before Him.
Joy in trials? This can only be attributed to God. God says I will give you peace and joy in the midst of your trials. This is transformational should we be able to grasp the magnitude of this concept.
Imagine knowing that you can endure anything in life with a sense of joy and peace. What hold would trials have on you? None! You could walk in confidence, not arrogance, for you will indeed feel the physical and emotional pain the comes with trials. But you will have a supernatural ability, through the Holy Spirit, to see joy in the midst and know you can endure all things through the strength of Christ. The joy that Jesus focused on was the redemption of our souls and the uniting of us with His Father. The joy that will carry us through our trials is to show God how much we love and trust Him.
Now, that is amazing!
#JustAThought
