03/19/2024 – The joy of our salvation
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.
When people picture our Lord Jesus, the image they compose is usually one of sorrow. There is much truth to this. The Bible calls our savior a man of sorrows, experienced in suffering. But despite all His suffering, our Lord also experienced fullness of Joy.
Christ demonstrated that it is possible to suffer and yet to have joy. When you suffer in the will of God, you can have joy in the midst of tears.
To be truly joyful, you have to first learn to rejoice in the right things. Christ teaches His disciples not to rejoice in their own power or achievements. Fullness of joy is the spiritual response to the mercy of God. Christ rejoices in the salvation of the lost, in the mercy of God to the least deserving. The expression reveals a joy that makes someone jump. This is why He was willing to go to the cross. There was joy on the other side
Christ served with joy. He preached with joy. What you do for God you must do with joy, or not at all.