For the Joy set before Him

We come together this morning, rejoicing with great joy because of the work of God in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Joy is a central theme to Easter Sunday. We recognize that in the colors we wear, in the celebrations we take on, in the egg hunts and meals and gifts we give. Joy is something which marks this day as special, as a holiday. It was joy that motivated Christ to endure the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

When we look at our world, we don’t see a lot of joy, do we?

We see people unsatisfied at work, stuck in homes trapped in cycles of entertainment … or we see them wandering the streets, whether they be hooked on addictions or kicked out of their homes because of financial hardships. There’s a stark lack of the enjoyment of the fullness of life that God has given to humanity. The world of sin is not a joyful one. In fact, sin leads to death, which is the separation from God’s joy.

Death separates us from living joyfully

Think about death for a moment. Death is a separation. Once a person dies, they’re gone. You can’t talk with them any more, you can’t hang out with them. You can try, but you’d be delusional if the dead body ever spoke back to you or did anything. There’s no more enjoyment of that person’s presence. We know from scripture that the wages of sin, the payment for sin, our sin, is death. And not just physical death: we’re talking about eternal death — eternal separation from a loving God who has intricately crafted each and every person on this planet and who holds the power of the universe together at the command of his word.

I think of Psalm 6:5, which reads,

Psalm 6:5 ESV

For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?

When a person is dead, they are separated and cannot give praise.

Which makes the reason for Christ entering death and separating himself from living for God’s glory and for joy all the more unfathomable.

Yet Christ took death upon himself, separating himself from the joy of God, so that at the end of all things praise may yet be given.

The work of Christ was joyfully carried out

For the joy set before him … Christ endured the cross and despised the shame.

That means there was something that Jesus went to the cross for.

And let me make one point clear: When Jesus went to the grave, you weren’t worth the price of the eternal, perfectly obedient, perfectly loving and truthful and kind Son of God. It wasn’t something inherent within you that made him endure the flogging, the spit and mockery, the weight of the cross, the nails in his hands and side, the shame of being put up on display and put to death in the manner which befit the worst of criminals. Sometimes we think we can demand of God whatever we want and he’ll give it to us. No. We’re just not worth it in the grand scheme of things. From dust we have been made and to dust we shall return. We — you and I — we deserve death. We are corrupt, defiant, repulsive. Our sin hurts ourselves, God, and those around us. Yet while we were still sinners, while we rejected God, Christ died for us. We were not worth dying for, but he gave his life for us.

It was a death Christ didn’t deserve or earn. But he saw a purpose, a joy in following out the will of God so that even though the payment for our sin and the sin of the world is far greater than we could ever imagine, we might rejoice in life instead of remain silent in the grave.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Why would God, in all his wisdom and counsel within the three persons of the Trinity, send Christ the Son to die for the sins of the world?

It was because God knew of the joy that lay in store. The rejoicing and the hope and the healing and the restoration that would come through the Son, and the new life that would be ushered in because of his sake.

What is the price of joy?

God saw the price of joy as valuable enough to send his only son to take care of sin and death and to release mankind from their lack of praise to Him.

For the joy that was set before him — there would be new life. And if you think about it … sin leads to death, and in death there is no rejoicing. But why didn’t Jesus remain in the tomb? It’s because Jesus had no sin. He had no cause to be silent before the Father. So the Father was faithful to raise Jesus from the grave. Death could not contain Jesus because Jesus did not fit there and Sheol itself could not contain him. So he burst free! He broke free with resurrection power and was raised to newness of life and his image was transformed, putting off the old flesh and taking on the glorified body which was granted to him on the third day.

This resurrection is not only for him, but all of those who would be saved through him.

We can participate in the joy of the Lord

God has made it clear that the only way to new life is through faith, through belief, in him.

And when you believe in Jesus Christ, you join yourself to him. You take up the cross, just like Jesus did. Your sins die with him on that tree. You are placed into the grave. There you remain dead, until the power of God breaks through the waters of Sheol and you are raised to new life through him.

Death is a separation from God. While dead, no one can praise the Lord.

But life … now there’s something to take celebration in. Life is a gift. It is a gift from God to you that you might live and rejoice and have your being and participate in the work of His kingdom and in his world.

Jesus saw the value of this life. Not only for himself, but for all of mankind.

He endured the separation so that we wouldn’t have to. You will never depart from God, nor He from you. That is the joy … the union between God and man, the departure of sin, and the enjoyment of God’s presence. All because of Christ and his suffering. Let us sing and rejoice with great joy because of this great mystery of God’s love in kindness toward us.