LOOKING UNTO JESUS (PART 3)
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, ... " - Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Jesus Christ is eminently the Author and the Finisher of our faith! Like I pointed out in part 1 to this series, there's virtually nothing about the Christian faith that didn't begin with the Lord Jesus Christ! When the Bible calls Him "the Author and the Finisher of our faith", we said it's a perfect description of the One that is worthy to "be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thess 1:10), especially because what He authored, He's well able to accomplish.
As the Author and the Finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus has set for us the path to follow in our Christian walk. In this regard, He has become our perfect Example of how to live the Christian life, so much so that the Bible enjoins us saying:
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." (1 John 2:6).
One of the things we have to emulate the Lord Jesus for is that He endured the Cross for the joy that was set before Him. This is very insightful because of what it entails. For the Lord Jesus, the Cross was never a delightful phenomenon. Aside from the pain of death that embodied it, the Cross was contemptible as well because of the shame that accompanied it. But the Bible says that He endured it for the joy that was set before Him. Now, if I may ask, what was the joy that was set before Him?
The joy that was set before the Lord Jesus was primarily His exaltation at the right hand of Majesty, where angels and authorities and powers are being made subject unto him (1 Peter 3:22). It was something glorious and wonderful to imagine! Besides, I'm sure that the thought of the complete and final liberation of mankind from satanic captivity and oppression formed part of the joy that was set before Him. For that joy, He endured and despised the pain and the shame of the Cross. That set joy kept Him alive, steadfast and hopeful.
Now, how did the Lord Jesus come to know the joy that was set before Him? From Scriptures, of course! He read them, He believed them and He let them to shape His life and His responses to the issues of life that laid before Him. Dearly beloved, do you know what God has said about you? Do you believe His Word about you? Finally, do you let them shape your life and allow them to determine your response to issues that affect your life?
Brethren, like Jesus, this ought to be our way of life. Shouldn't the beautiful promises of God to us in the Bible serve to captivate and charm us to excitement, making us despise the pain and the shame of the cross that we as Christians are called upon to carry daily? ( Mark 8:34,10:21). No matter what you may be going through in life as a Christian, shouldn't the joy that is set before you on earth and in heaven be compelling enough to spur or stimulate your resolve to endure the current pain and shame of living for Christ? (Heb 10:34).
As a Christian, it's advisable most times to fall back to God's promises and the joy that follows their fulfillment as motivation to keep our faith steadfast. What is more, considering the unfailing character of Him who gave us the promises, we should like Abraham receive the necessary impetus to endure patiently in order to obtain the promise. (Heb 6:15).
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I appreciate the joy of salvation and much more that is set before me as Your child. By this, I'm helped in my moments of trials in life, in Jesus name