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)
Keep the joy in front of you – what is our joy? Is it not life eternal? Is it not our future home with God? Is it not Jesus Christ? We should endure life’s trials the same way Jesus did - focus on the joy awaiting us!
Now, clearly I’m not saying that our struggles are in any way the same or as horrible as those our Lord Jesus went through. In fact, that is the point! Even on my worst day, I can’t compare that to what Jesus suffered in the last 24 hours of His life on earth.
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. (Hebrews 12:3-4)
Has any of us been beaten, had our beard hair torn out, spit on, whipped, had large spikes driven through our hands and feet, and finally hung up like a piece of meat until we die a slow and agonizing death? We complain when the WIFI is down!
It shames me to think that I can complain about the minor inconveniences of this life, when my Lord underwent the most inhumane suffering imaginable. Further, any bad things that have happened to me in my life were still much less than I deserved. Yet Jesus went through all of this - not because of anything He did, but to take the punishment that I had earned!
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)
That, my friends, should be a source of never-ending joy!
#LoveMatters