For the Joy of It

When I was in grad school, trying to pursue my interest and develop in my purpose, I had to decide whether to work build a name for myself or to lift up the name of Jesus.

In some ways, the decision was a no-brainer:

When deciding whether to live for Jesus or for OrLando, I believed Christ’ words that His disciple Matthew recorded:

Matthew 6:32–33 (NKJV): 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

When deciding whether to lift of the name of Jesus or work build a name for myself, I believed Christ’ words as recorded by His disciple John:

John 12:32–33 (NKJV): 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

In His death (and resurrection) Christ would reach far more people than I intended to help if I were to build a platform solely for myself.

Moreover, I knew and still know the day will come:

Philippians 2:10–11 (NKJV): 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What I recognize today is that even when the decision to follow Christ and live for God is a “no brainer”—when I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord—the execution of such over time requires a continual commitment.

I have found the lyrics to be true:

“I've had some good days

I've had some hills to climb

I've had some weary days

And some sleepless nights

“Sometimes the clouds hang low

I can hardly see the road

I ask a question Lord

Why so much pain?”

The reality is:

Life is made of good days as well as challenging times.

The darker it gets in life and society the brighter the light of God’s word, the more challenging it can be to face up to the realities we see around us each day.

Jesus was telling the truth when He said to John and His other disciples:

John 16:33 (NKJV): 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Q: How do we make the most of our journey of faith, keep our head above water, walk on top of our circumstances, be encouraged in our walk with Jesus Christ?

Q:Why keep our commitment to God in Jesus Christ when the immediacy of what’s around us can have life be unstable—sometimes we’re up, sometimes we’re down?

Opening Passage: Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV): The Race Of Faith

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.

Topic: For the Joy of it

(pray)

If anyone could talk about changing circumstances it would be Jesus the Christ.

One day the crowd is shouting, “Hosanna”, to praise Him.

The next day/One day the crowd is shouting, “Crucify Him”, to condemn Him.

The man with which Jesus broke bread at His last supper meal would be the same man to betray Him.

The man who spoke to Jesus regarding Christ’ impending/upcoming suffering, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 6:22), would be the same man to deny Jesus three times.

Yet, Jesus knowing all of this, when Jesus’ hour had come for Him to fulfill the will of His Father God for innocent Jesus to die upon the cross for the sins of the world, Jesus paused to acknowledge the cross-roads.

In a most intimate time of anguish Jesus the Son took a moment with God the Father:

In the Garden of Gethsemane, disciple Matthew recounts this moment

Matthew 26:38–39 (NKJV):

Matthew 26:38–39 NKJV

Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Luke says it this way:

Luke 22:41–44 (NKJV):

Luke 22:41–44 NKJV

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

As it is known, Jesus was crucified. He laid down His life for us all.

Q: What did it take for Jesus to stick with God’s plan all of the way through?

Our opening text may give us a clue.

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

The author of Hebrews writes to believers as a team captain might write to their team of athletes.

The message is: before us/ahead of us is a race of faith; let’s us run our race with endurance.

And like a good leader, the team captain identifies a model after which we can patterns our behavior. Jesus.

This is interesting because one chapter before, the author of Hebrews identified by name other examples we might consider: saying…

Hebrews 11:32–38

Hebrews 11:32–38 NKJV

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Even with all of these other examples, there is something about Jesus the author describes that would be of benefit you and me today.

Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

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.

Who is this person, Jesus—our model, our example?

Of what is He an example?

Our team captain says Jesus “authored” our faith.

Jesus pioneered our faith.

Jesus started our faith and we now follow.

The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me as follow Christ” or

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV): 11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The reason Jesus as “author”/“pioneer” is significant is because Jesus is not asking us to do something He hasn’t already done.

You and I can go anywhere with God because Jesus has already been.

Not only did Jesus start our faith. Jesus finished it, too!

Be vigilant of anybody who ask you to go on a journey who doesn’t also know the ending.

Jesus was teaching multitudes who followed Him—teaching them on the cost of discipleship. Jesus said:

Luke 14:28 (NKJV): 28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—”

Jesus’ teaching clarifies for me that we have to know the finish work to be able to cost the cost of finishing and so adequately commit to following Him.

Jesus didn’t just start out in faith, He finished, too.

Jesus didn’t just author our faith; He’s the finisher, too.

Q: And how do we know He finished?

Look at the text:

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV): 2 “….has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Paul taught us

Romans 8:34 (NKJV): 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Q: But I ask for Jesus what I ask for us: what did it take for Jesus to keep His commitment all of the way through? What does it take for us to keep our commitment all of the way through to the end?

In the text, the team captain said about Jesus:

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV): 2 looking unto Jesus…who for the joy that was set before Him…

“…set before Him…”

According to a first-century Jewish historian (Josephus, Antiquities 8:302) prizes often were set before athletes to provide motivation.

In today’s athletics its the trophy, a champion set ring, prize money, bragging rights.

In academics, and entrepreneurship, and career, its the degree, it’s the graduation ceremony, the promotion, the fame, the fortune, the recognition, the successful product and business, the IPO, the big house, the expensive car, the job security, the retirement fund.

In relationships, it’s the commitment, the marriage, the wedding, the friendship, the family, the portrait.

(The problem today, is that if we are not careful, we will put out in front of ourselves goals/prizes that are not worth the pursuit…and we get along in our journey, out in the middle and are tempted to quit because we realize what we are pursing is not worth the cost of the journey. The “show is not worth the cost of admission.”)

But for Jesus the prize ahead of Him was the joy set before Him.

The joy of being reconnected with His Father.

The joy of sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The joy of being Lord and Savior.

The joy of bringing a salvation available to the world.

The joy of everything soon being put up under His feet.

This prize of joy enabled Jesus to initiate the faith.

But importantly, it enabled Him to endure the cross and despise the shame.

When you are trying to figure out how you are going to make it through, look to Jesus.

When Jesus’ disciples and friends forsook Him, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When Judas betrayed Jesus, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When they arrested Jesus without cause, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When they spat upon Jesus and laughed at Him, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When they whipped Jesus and pressed a crown of thorns on His head, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When they hung Jesus high and stretched Him wide, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

When they mocked Jesus on the cross saying if you are the son of God come down, for the joy set before Him, Jesus kept going.

(Is anybody else glad that Jesus didn’t give in to the circumstances around Him, but kept His mind focused ahead on the joy that would soon be His. For we know that Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and on the third day got up with all power in His hand. Conquered death and the grave. What if Jesus would have quit—come down off the cross or avoided it all together?)

The team captain of Hebrews is letting us know, if we are going to run with endurance our race of faith we need to have the right example.

Jesus is our best example because He finished His race and ran it well.

But not only is Jesus our example. Jesus is also our prize (and reward).

What we know is at the end, we will look like Him. (I Cor 13:12)

What we know is at the end, we will be where He is. (Jn 17:24)

What we know is that at the end, there will be no more crying, no more weeping, no more striving, no more sleepless night. (Revelation 21)

What we know is at the end, we win.

1 Corinthians 15:55–58 (NKJV): 55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Big Idea Summary:

Life has good days and challenging days.

It takes a commitment to keep to our journey of faith.

Jesus is the ‘pioneer”/“author” and “finisher”/“perfecter” of our faith

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus as our focal point.

Jesus is both our example and the prize—the source of our joy.

Additional Information and Resources:

I encourage you:

Read the books of Hebrews and Revelation chapter 21 and 22.

Conclusion / Final Thoughts:

Revelation 21:1–4 (NKJV): All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Jude 1:24-25 (NKJV) 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present [you] faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, [Be] glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

I’m reminded of the gospel song renewed for the Civil Rights movement when those who were enduring hardship and protesting injustice needed strength to continue on:

The only thing that we did was wrong

Was staying' in the wilderness too long

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

The only thing we did was right

Was the day we begun to fight

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

Freedom's name is mighty sweet

One day soon we're gonna meet

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

Got my hand on the gospel plow

Won't take nothing for my journey now

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

Keep your eyes on the prize

Hold on, hold on

Write/Journal

To what are you looking froward?

What is the joy you will set before you?

It will help you endure and keep the main thing the main thing.

(Land Learn Launch)

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