Joy of Jesus

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.”

The joy of Jesus - at Christmas we generally think of the joy of the angels who announce to the shepherds :

"but the angel reassured them. “Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring
you Good News that will bring great joy to all people."(Luke 2:1-20)

But this child,
Who was the Son of God, was now also a human
This miracle is greater for us humans,
than any other I can think of~
God was finally going to know what it was like to be human---
Do not fear God is with you.
Do not fear,
God is going to live among you
As one of you and feel pain, sorrow and humiliation
He is even going to die for you
In fact it is only now He can die
because He is a man
And Jesus is going to do it perfectly
Without sin
Live perfectly and die perfectly
Because He is God
and
He is going to fulfill the payment that God demands for our sin
All of our sins, of all men, of all time
He is worth that and so much more
Because He is God’s Son
In fact
Jesus is God
and
He did this
“because of the joy set before Him”
Us, all who come to faith
and
Trust God at His Word
That His Son,
Jesus did it all for us!
Jesus
Emptied Himself of His Godhood
And became a man ~ a baby
And lived a perfect life
Glorifying
God, His Father
Than willingly, suffered shame
And died for you
“because of the joy set before Him”

He rose from the dead - alive!!!
And is now sitting at the right hand of the Father
Because of the joy of us!
To make us sons and daughters
Of the Living God!!!
We are His joy and treasure
When we trust Him
We too can have this joy
And endure hardship
And trails for the joy set before us
The joy of salvation from our sins
The joy of victory over death
Life with God- forever

“We bring you Good News for today is born the Savior who is Christ the Lord”

S. R. Rantala (Armahda)~Christmas2013