WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM …

Employ the gift of your imagination today as we consider the words from the writer of Hebrew because every now and again, we ought to have a look back at exactly what the words “endured the cross meant’.

If you thought for a moment that the  crucifixion was fun, you really have to think again.Here is a brief summary: – carrying the weight of that piece of wood for miles after a scourging that had the potential to kill many; supporting ones entire body weight on two seven-inch nails driven through the wrists, the intense pain associated with a severed median nerve, and dislocated shoulders from the excessive weight, alongside overworked lungs and a heart already in a state of near organ failure with the slow but continuous loss of blood.

So when we read “who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross”(Heb 12:2b), it literally means that. There had to be a reason much greater than the pain and shame of the cross to cause Him to endure. Our consideration then is ‘what joy is? set before you, and is that conviction firm enough to birth endurance on the journey?

Unless this is made clear, you are likely to use very simple excuses to throw in the towel.

#sly