…We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2

 

I’m not sure how many times I’ve poured over Hebrews 12 in my life, but in a chance reading of verse 2 while scanning my Newsfeed this week something totally new was whispered to me.

…Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross.

The joy…

My friends, you are that joy.

I am that joy.

Because Jesus knew that you being redeemed was on the other side, he endured. Because he knew that you being restored to who you were created to be was within reach, he endured. Because he knew that no more separation, no more lengthy rituals and no more bloody sacrifices were all on the other side, he endured. Because he knew that the opportunity to provide us deep, abundant, whole, satisfying life was on the other side, he endured. And what’s more, he did it, not begrudgingly, but lovingly. He held those things up in front of his face, set us in front of his eyes and endured.

He is our champion and we, amazingly, gorgeously, are his joy – the prize he wanted and would endure absolutely anything for.

It  doesn’t get better than that. Let it seep down into your heart and all the way down to your toes.

He is our champion and we are his joy.

 

Happy Easter, my friends.  Happy, happy Easter.