For the Joy That Lay Before Him

FOR THE JOY THAT LAY BEFORE HIM HEB 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 11 said to be God’s “hall of faith” – Listing of many of the faithful throughout the ages. So many truths are tucked away, one hardly knows were to start. Let’s just mention a few for our study today. We are studying this book in our Sunday morning bible class. WE ARE COMPASSED ABOUT Heroes in this chapter represent a great “cloud of witnesses” This does not affirm these characters are looking down at us. Merely suggest that their faithful endurance are like a cheering crowd. They are urging us toward victory. LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT Like ancient runners who shed “all” to avoid any hindrances. The child of God is to lay aside “all” distractions, especially sin. Which so easily besets us – or encompasses us. Mostly the sin of “unbelief” – but any sin can have the same hindrance. Earlier in this book the writer had emphasized: Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. AT Robertson, a Baptist said it was the “sin” of “apostasy from Christ” Quite a concession from one who believes “once saved always saved”. LET US RUN The inspired writer urges us to keep running – “present tense” Which translates a continuous activity – “keep on running” Running what ? – The race set before us ! As we run, we are to be “looking unto Jesus” – present tense participle Looking suggest turning “the eyes away from other things” Fixing them on Jesus – Like a horse with blinders – only one direction Obtaining the goal of heaven requires the utmost of concentration A haphazard attitude is not conducive to eternal salvation. THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF THE FAITH Christ is the “author and finisher of the faith” Jesus is the source or originator (author) of the faith – the gospel system.

Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed.

1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Christ is the author of “the faith” – No one has the right to “add to”, “subtract from”, or “modify” the New Testament doctrine.

Rev. 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. I don’t know how much plainer it can be: Do not add, do not subtract, from the words of Jesus Because he is “the author and finisher of the faith” FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM The most power part of this verse is the affirmation that Christ endured The cross “for the joy” that lay before him. Can you just imagine that statement – before Jesus went to the cross. FOR THE JOY Key word in the statement – “for” – meaning “instead of”

Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. This thought suggest that Jesus “chose” to come to earth To endure the agonies of Calvary – ( the Passion ) Instead of staying in heaven. Now that’s a real powerhouse thought. That show the tremendous sacrifice he made while we were yet sinners. 2 Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Do we remember Pat Tillman – show on the front page of the “Parade” in the Fresno Bee on October 2, 2004. A Scots-Irish professional football player how gave up a multimillion dollar contract to serve his country in the war in Iraq and paid the ultimate price. Could anyone questions his love for his country, to pay the ultimate price But Jesus left heaven – and for the “joy” ! This powerful word “for” can also mean “in exchange for” in the sence of “to obtain”. This meaning is he Lord willingly endured the shame of the cross while anticipating the coning joy of bringing salvation to those he loved. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We understand this a little when we give up something for our children. We have “joy” in a little suffering knowing that our children will benefit. Can we fathom the depth of the love Jesus had for the lost, for each of us. The horrors of Golgotha meant nothing to Jesus compared to what he was doing for those he loved. Salvation for all mankind. Think of the “Passion”. For the “joy”. Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; How selfish is our level of dedication compared to what Jesus did. HE ENDURED THE CROSS On account of his incomparable love, Christ “endured” the cross. The word “endured” comes from two Greek words: From the Greek word “hupomeno” “meno” means to “abide, remain”, while “hupo” is a preposition attached as a prefix to strengthen the term, meaning to “bear up under” Considering the six hours on the cross he was willing to “endure” When he could have called legions of angels to take him down. But he chose to “abide, remain, bear up under” the cross for me ! DESPISED THE SHAME Not only was the cross an awful death but the Savior, “despised the shame” – connected to the cross. What does that really mean to us – to “despised the shame” Was Jesus ashamed to go to the cross ? Absolutely not ! It was the association of the cross with “SIN” that the Bible says Jesus “despised the shame” As one author said: “His holy soul recoiled at the idea of being involved with the shame of man’s rebellion against God”.

Galatians 3:10-13 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. [11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. [12] And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. [13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: “Curse” hints of the fitting doom of which sin is deserved.

Philip. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. We humans can hardly appreciate the magnitude of this matter. HATH SAT DOWN Finally, as Christ won the victory (having sat down on the throne) We also shall be in heaven by his victory. This passage sets forth in our minds the example of Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Has Jesus done all this for nothing, if you have not been willing to confess Jesus as the Christ, buried with him in baptism, rise to walk in newness of life.