What Was the Joy Set Before Him
The CHRIST Culture Blog | December 10, 2024 | Rev. Dr. Carole Hulslander
Hebrews 12:1-2; TLV
Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also get rid of every weight and entangling sin. Let us run with endurance the race set before us, focusing on YESHUA, the initiator and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before HIM, HE endured the cross, disregarding its shame; and HE has taken HIS seat at the right hand of the throne of ELOHIM.
During this Christmas season, let’s reflect on the question: What was the “joy set before Him”? What could motivate Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ) to leave His glorious throne as Creator Elohim (God), take on human flesh, endure torture, and face the most agonizing death imaginable?
In Scripture, we find that Yeshua’s first joy was to fulfill the will of His Father, Avi. The Messiah, as God’s chosen one, brought forth the very image of the invisible Elohim to earth (Colossians 1:15), delighting in doing His Father’s will (Psalms 40:8).
The second joy revealed is Yeshua’s life, which exemplifies how to live out Avi’s will. He taught us to love Elohim first and to love others as He loves us (John 13:34-35).
The third joy is found in Romans 5:8: “But Elohim demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us.” This “joy” set before Him was our redemption—our transformation into His children and the promise of eternal life. We are the third joy set before Him!
YESHUA was motivated to leave His heavenly throne to fulfill His Father’s will, to demonstrate His love so that we might also love as He does, and then to offer us redemption as His transformed children.
This Christmas season, let’s consider the joy set before us. What throne can we leave behind? What love can we share as a witness? Who might we offer Jesus’ joy of redemption so they, too, can become His children? Perhaps we can better define our own joy by identifying with His.
This is what CHRIST Culture is all about!
