Joy and Endurance

This morning in opening my Bible, I turned to Luke 18:31-34 NIV:

[31] "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” [34] The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."

As I read those words, I thought about the great courage Jesus had in His obedience. Jesus knew full well what He was walking into, yet chose freely to continue forward. I was reminded of Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV:

[1] "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

The author of the letter to the Hebrews ascribes joy as the motivation of Jesus as He went to the cross and experienced His passion and death, the mocking, insults, beating and flogging. I was listening to someone recently describing the joy of the Lord as something very powerful, and something that we in the western church often overlook or view with disdain in our efforts toward piety. It was for the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross. Joy was His anchor in the midst of the suffering and beating He endured. Joy was something the enemy could not steal, could not destroy and could not kill. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and with it comes courage and endurance.

Finally as I was looking through some of the verses where Jesus speaks of joy, I saw these from John 16:22-24 NIV:
[22] "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. [23] In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. [24] Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Joy is the natural response to understanding and experiencing the redemption and salvation of Jesus, and walking in intimacy with Him. Joy is the natural response to answered prayer, and seeing God working in our lives, and the lives of those around us. Let us ask the Lord for more joy in our lives, for it is found in very good company, namely endurance and courage, and it strengthens our souls.