The Joy of the Holy Spirit

Sermon: The Joy of God the Holy Spirit                                                        Feb.3, 2008

THE JOY OF JESUS

Luke 10:21

Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 1:9

THE JOY OF THE CHURCH

Acts 2:26-28: _______________________________________

Acts 2:46 __________________________________________

Acts 5:41 __________________________________________

Acts 8:39__________________________________________        

Acts 11:23 _________________________________________       

Acts 13:48 _________________________________________       

Acts 13:52 _________________________________________       

Acts 14:17 _________________________________________       

Acts 15:3 __________________________________________       

Acts 15:31 _________________________________________       

Acts 16:34 _________________________________________

JOY ROBBERS:

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WHAT (WHO) GIVES YOU THE GREATEST JOY?

Sermón: El Gozo de Dios el Espíritu Santo

EL GOZO DE CRISTO

Lucas 10:21

Hebreos 12:2

Hebreos 1:9

EL GOZO DE LA IGLESIA

Hechos 2:26-28: _______________________________________

Hechos 2:46 __________________________________________

Hechos 5:41 __________________________________________

Hechos 8:39__________________________________________   

Hechos 11:23 _________________________________________  

Hechos 13:48 _________________________________________  

Hechos 13:52 _________________________________________  

Hechos 14:17 _________________________________________  

Hechos 15:3 __________________________________________  

Hechos 15:31 _________________________________________  

Hechos 16:34 _________________________________________

LADRONES DE GOZO:

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¿QUE (QUIEN) TE DA TU MAYOR GOZO?  

THE JOY OF JESUS

            Where did it come from?        What made him joyful?

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.  (RVR) En aquella misma hora Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu, y dijo: Yo te alabo, oh Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque escondiste estas cosas de los sabios y entendidos, y las has revelado a los niños. Sí, Padre, porque así te agradó.  (VP) En aquel momento, Jesús, lleno de alegría por el Espíritu Santo, dijo: “Te alabo, Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque has mostrado a los sencillos las cosas que escondiste de los sabios y entendidos. Sí, Padre, porque así lo has querido.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (RVR) puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, el cual por el gozo puesto delante de él sufrió la cruz, menospreciando el oprobio, y se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios. (VP) Fijemos nuestra mirada en Jesús, pues de él procede nuestra fe y él es quien la perfecciona. Jesús soportó la cruz, sin hacer caso de lo vergonzoso de esa muerte, porque sabía que después del sufrimiento tendría gozo y alegría; y se sentó a la derecha del trono de Dios.

Ps.16:11 You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (NVI) Me has dado a conocer la senda de la vida; me llenarás de alegría en tu presencia, y de dicha eterna a tu derecha. (rvr) Me mostrarás la senda de la vida; En tu presencia hay plenitud de gozo; Delicias a tu diestra para siempre. (vp) Me mostrarás el camino de la vida. Hay gran alegría en tu presencia; hay dicha eterna junto a ti

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (RVR) Has amado la justicia, y aborrecido la maldad, Por lo cual te ungió Dios, el Dios tuyo, Con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros.  (VP) Has amado lo bueno y odiado lo malo; por eso te ha escogido Dios, tu Dios, y te ha colmado de alegría más que a tus compañeros.”

Psalm 45:6-7 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.  (RVR) Tu trono, oh Dios, es eterno y para siempre; Cetro de justicia es el cetro de tu reino. 7 Has amado la justicia y aborrecido la maldad; Por tanto, te ungió Dios, el Dios tuyo, Con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros.  (VP) Tu reinado, oh Dios, es eterno, y es un reinado de justicia. 7 Amas el bien y odias el mal. Por eso te ha escogido Dios, tu Dios, y te ha colmado de alegría más que a tus compañeros.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (RVR) cómo Dios ungió con el Espíritu Santo y con poder a Jesús de Nazaret, y cómo éste anduvo haciendo bienes y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. (VP) Saben que Dios llenó de poder y del Espíritu Santo a Jesús de Nazaret, y que Jesús anduvo haciendo bien y sanando a todos los que sufrían bajo el poder del diablo. Esto pudo hacerlo porque Dios estaba con él,

Acts 2:25-28 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ (RVR) Porque David dice de él: Veía al Señor siempre delante de mí; Porque está a mi diestra, no seré conmovido. 26  Por lo cual mi corazón se alegró, y se gozó mi lengua, Y aun mi carne descansará en esperanza; 27 Porque no dejarás mi alma en el Hades, Ni permitirás que tu Santo vea corrupción. 28 Me hiciste conocer los caminos de la vida; Me llenarás de gozo con tu presencia. (VP) El rey David, refiriéndose a Jesús, dijo: ‘Yo veía siempre al Señor delante de mí; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer. 26 Por eso se alegra mi corazón, y mi lengua canta llena de gozo. Todo mi ser vivirá confiadamente, 27 porque no me dejarás en el sepulcro ni permitirás que se descomponga el cuerpo de tu santo siervo. 28 Me mostraste el camino de la vida, y me llenarás de alegría con tu presencia.’                                                                    WHAT DISTINGUISHED KING DAVID’S JOY? Joy in the midst of great problems

Psalm 16

WHAT DISTINUISHED KING JESUS’ JOY? Victory over death and the devil

Acts 2:22-33

Acts 2:46  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (RVR) Y perseverando unánimes cada día en el templo, y partiendo el pan en las casas, comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón (VP) Todos los días se reunían en el templo, y en las casas partían el pan y comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón.                                                                                           WHAT DISTINUISHED THEIR JOY? Unity and growth of the (spiritual) family (2:41-47)

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (RVR) Y ellos salieron de la presencia del concilio, gozosos de haber sido tenidos por dignos de padecer afrenta por causa del Nombre. (VP) Los apóstoles salieron de la presencia de las autoridades muy contentos, porque Dios les había concedido el honor de sufrir injurias por causa del nombre de Jesús.                                                

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Joy in Suffering for Christ

v.18 jailed

v.33 threatened with death

v.40 “flogged”

Acts 16:22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 37  But Paul said to the officers: “They “beat” us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

Acts 22:19 ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Acts 8:8 So there was great joy in that city. (RVR60) así que había gran gozo en aquella ciudad. (VP) Por esta causa hubo gran alegría en aquel pueblo                                                      

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Changed lives…..restored & healed

Acts 8:39  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. (RVR) Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu del Señor arrebató a Felipe; y el eunuco no le vio más, y siguió gozoso su camino. (VP) Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu del Señor se llevó a Felipe, y el funcionario no lo volvió a ver; pero siguió su camino lleno de alegría.                                           

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Personal Salvation, obedience to His command                                        v.35 the good news about Jesus

Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. (RVR) Este, cuando llegó, y vio la gracia de Dios, se regocijó, y exhortó a todos a que con propósito de corazón permaneciesen fieles al Señor. (VP) Al llegar, Bernabé vio cómo Dios los había bendecido, y se alegró mucho. Les aconsejó a todos que con corazón firme siguieran fieles al Señor.           

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Changed lives

            v.19 the message

            v.20 the Good News about the Lord Jesus

            v.23 the evidence of the grace of God

Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (RVR) Y ellos salieron de la presencia del concilio, gozosos de haber sido tenidos por dignos de padecer afrenta por causa del Nombre. (VP) Al oir esto, los que no eran judíos se alegraron y comenzaron a decir que el mensaje del Señor era bueno; y creyeron todos los que estaban destinados a tener vida eterna.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? God’s plan to give them the message of salvation ( they previously felt excluded)

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (VP) Pero los creyentes estaban llenos de alegría y del Espíritu Santo. (RVR) Y los discípulos estaban llenos de gozo y del Espíritu Santo.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Progress of the gospel (in spite of rejection)

Acts 14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (RVR) si bien no se dejó a sí mismo sin testimonio, haciendo bien, dándonos lluvias del cielo y tiempos fructíferos, llenando de sustento y de alegría nuestros corazones. (VP) nunca dejó de mostrar, por medio del bien que hacía, quién era él; pues él es quien les manda a ustedes la lluvia y las buenas cosechas, y quien les da lo suficiente para que coman y estén contentos

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? They knew source of who gave them their provisions, it came from God himself

Their joy was more in the Blesser than the Blessing

Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way and as they traveled through Phoenicia & Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. (RVR) Ellos, pues, habiendo sido encaminados por la iglesia, pasaron por Fenicia y Samaria, contando la conversión de los gentiles; y causaban gran gozo a todos los hermanos. (VP) Enviados, pues, por los de la iglesia de Antioquía, al pasar por las regiones de Fenicia y Samaria contaron cómo los no judíos habían dejado sus antiguas creencias para seguir a Dios. Y todos los hermanos se alegraron mucho con estas noticias.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? The news of the kingdom growth, esp among the least likely

Acts 15:31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. (RVR) habiendo leído la cual, se regocijaron por la consolación. (VP) Cuando los hermanos la leyeron, se alegraron mucho por el consuelo que les daba.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? A message of encouragement (sound doctrine, salvation by grace, a call to holiness)

Act 16:34  The jailer brought them into his house & set a meal before them; he was filled w/ joy because he had come to believe in God—he & his whole family (RVR) Y llevándolos a su casa, les puso la mesa; y se regocijó con toda su casa de haber creído a Dios (VP) Los llevó después a su casa y les dio de comer, y él y su familia estaban muy contentos por haber creído en Dios 

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Family Salvation

            v.27 he drew his sword and was about to kill himself

v.30 what must I do to be saved?

v.31 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved – you and your household

JOY ROBBERS: (DEVIL)

WHAT (WHO) ROBS YOU OF YOUR JOY? 

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (RVR) El ladrón no viene sino para hurtar y matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia.

* People – hurtful, difficult
* Physical problems – flogging,
* Places – prison (uncertainty, feel trapped, hopeless, etc)

* Poor Choices – Ananias and Sapphira

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WHAT (WHO) GIVES YOU THE GREATEST JOY?  

            JESUS……NOT a CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.  (RVR) En aquella misma hora Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu, y dijo: Yo te alabo, oh Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque escondiste estas cosas de los sabios y entendidos, y las has revelado a los niños. Sí, Padre, porque así te agradó.  (VP) En aquel momento, Jesús, lleno de alegría por el Espíritu Santo, dijo: “Te alabo, Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque has mostrado a los sencillos las cosas que escondiste de los sabios y entendidos. Sí, Padre, porque así lo has querido.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (RVR) puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, el cual por el gozo puesto delante de él sufrió la cruz, menospreciando el oprobio, y se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios. (VP) Fijemos nuestra mirada en Jesús, pues de él procede nuestra fe y él es quien la perfecciona. Jesús soportó la cruz, sin hacer caso de lo vergonzoso de esa muerte, porque sabía que después del sufrimiento tendría gozo y alegría; y se sentó a la derecha del trono de Dios.

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.  (RVR) En aquella misma hora Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu, y dijo: Yo te alabo, oh Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque escondiste estas cosas de los sabios y entendidos, y las has revelado a los niños. Sí, Padre, porque así te agradó.  (VP) En aquel momento, Jesús, lleno de alegría por el Espíritu Santo, dijo: “Te alabo, Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque has mostrado a los sencillos las cosas que escondiste de los sabios y entendidos. Sí, Padre, porque así lo has querido.

BKC- (3) Jesus’ rejoicing in the Spirit (10:21-24; Matt. 11:25-27). 10:21-24. Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit (the joy of the 72, v. 20). Luke frequently mentioned the Holy Spirit’s ministry in Jesus’ life. The three Persons of the Godhead are clearly seen: Jesus the Son was doing the Father’s will in the power of the Holy Spirit. Each had a specific function (vv. 21-22). se regocijó mucho en el Espíritu Santo. El pasaje combina dos temas importantes en Lucas: el gozo mesiánico y la interdependencia entre Jesús y el Espíritu Santo. Padre.  “At that time” here indicates “at the time of the return of the seventy-two and the report they brought.” By mentioning the fact that Jesus rejoiced greatly “in the Holy Spirit” Luke means that this Spirit, by which the Savior had been anointed (4:18), was the cause and originator of his joy and thanksgiving. one of the many things which Luke and Paul have in common is their stress on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Filled, then, with the Holy Spirit, and rejoicing because of the report brought by the seventy-two, Jesus lifts up his heart and voice to his Father, and says, “I praise thee Father,” etc.Jubilation (vv. 17–24). There is a threefold joy here: the joy of service (Luke 10:17–19), the joy of salvation (Luke 10:20), and the joy of sovereignty (Luke 10:21–24). We can well understand the joy of the Seventy as they returned to report their victories to Jesus. He had given them power and authority to heal, to cast out demons, and to preach the Word, and they were successful! In the midst of their great joy, they were careful to give God the glory (“in Thy name”). They had seen individual victories from city to city, but Jesus saw these victories as part of a war that dethroned and defeated Satan (Isa. 14:4–23; John 12:31–32; and Rev. 12:8–9). As believers, we are weak in ourselves, but we can be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10ff). Each victory is important to the Lord, no matter how insignificant it may seem in our eyes. Satan will not finally be judged until Jesus casts him into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10), but God’s people can today claim Christ’s Calvary victory by faith (Col. 2:15).But the enemy will not give up! Satan would certainly attack Christ’s servants and seek to destroy them. That is why our Lord added the words of encouragement in Luke 10:19. He assured them that their authority was not gone now that the preaching mission had ended, and that they could safely tread on the “old serpent” without fear (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:9). The Lord cautioned them not to “go on rejoicing” over their victories but to rejoice because their names had been written in heaven. (The verb means “they have been written and they stand written.” It is a statement of assurance. See Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:12–15.) As wonderful as their miracles were, the greatest miracle of all is still the salvation of a lost soul. The Greek word translated “written” means “to inscribe formally and solemnly.” It was used for the signing of a will, a marriage document, or a peace treaty, and also for the enrolling of a citizen. The perfect tense in the Greek means “it stands written.” But our highest joy is not found in service or even in our salvation, but in being submitted to the sovereign will of the Heavenly Father, for this is the foundation for both service and salvation. Here we see God the Son rejoicing through God the Holy Spirit because of the will of God the Father! “I delight to do Thy will, O my God” (Ps. 40:8). Jesus was not rejoicing because sinners were blind to God’s truth, for God is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). He rejoiced because the understanding of that truth did not depend on natural abilities or education. If that were the case, most of the people in the world would be shut out of the kingdom. When the Twelve and the Seventy were preaching, they did not see the “wise and learned” humbling themselves to receive God’s truth and grace, but they saw the “common people” trusting the Word (Luke 7:29–30; 1 Cor. 1:26–29). In His sovereign will, God has ordained that sinners must humble themselves before they can be lifted up (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6). Christ’s ambassadors were indeed privileged people. They were able to see and hear things that the greatest saints in the Old Testament ages yearned to see and hear but could not. The Messiah was at work, and they were a part of His work! 10.21 La exitosa misión de los 70 hizo que Jesús dejara escapar una manifestación espontánea de alabanza en el Espíritu (el término griego sugiere «alzando la voz y gesticulando con gozo»). También expresó gratitud porque la revelación de Dios es dada a los sencillos, y no a aquellos, particularmente los escribas, que se consideraban a sí mismos sabios en cuestiones religiosas. * 21. As has become the rule, Jesus is found praying at an important event, and he rejoices through the Holy Spirit, signifying that the following prayer was inspired by the Spirit. The content of his thanksgiving, however, is not what might be expected. The Father has hidden these things from the wise and learned. This may suggest that God has intentionally kept his revelation through Jesus from those considered to be wise and educated. However, it is more likely that Jesus simply means that the so-called wise of the world rejected Jesus because of their self-sufficiency and arrogance. Luke has shown and will continue to show the powerful, the rich, and the proud opposing Jesus. The focus of the prayer is that God has revealed the message of the kingdom to little children. The term “little children” is used figuratively here to mean those who are humble (see 9:46–48), those who are not highly regarded according to the standards of the world. In other words, Jesus is praising God for his plan which uses humble people who have servant hearts in order to make known the coming kingdom in which these very characteristics will be most highly valued. The reversal of fortune between the proud and the humble, prophesied by Mary in 1:51–53, has begun. 22a. Jesus then reiterates in different words what he has said concerning the relationship between his followers and him and the one who sent him. When Jesus says, “All things have been committed to me by my Father,” he makes a much stronger claim than he has made to anyone in the story thus far. First, he calls God “my Father” and shortly thereafter refers to himself as “the Son.” He wants his followers to know now that he is not simply a Son of God as a number of exceptional men have been called throughout the centuries. He is Son in a unique sense, so that he can talk about “my” Father. Second, he claims that God has given him “all things,” implying that he has all power and authority, which he then can give to whomever he wills. This is why the seventy-two had a successful mission. * Cuando los setenta y dos volvieron con muy buenas noticias y muy entusiasmados sobre los resultados de su gira de evangelización, le comentaron al Señor que hasta los demonios se les sometían en su nombre. Esta alegría contagiosa también se expresó en Jesús cuando les habló de la victoria que veía sobre Satanás en las esferas celestiales al decirles: “Yo veía a Satanás caer del cielo como un rayo”. Jesús les reafirmó la autoridad que les había dado sobre serpientes y escorpiones y para vencer todo poder del enemigo, pero eso no era lo verdaderamente importante, sino el hecho de que sus nombres esté inscritos en el libro de la vida. Jesús, que estaba lleno de alegría por el Espíritu Santo, la Biblia declara que Jesús era lleno del Espíritu Santo, ofreció una alabanza a Dios el Padre por haber dado esas bendiciones a la gente sencilla, a los que son como niños y no a los sabios y entendidos que justamente por su propia sabiduría o entendimiento no podían acceder al conocimiento de las cosas espirituales. Otra vez el árbol del bien y del mal, impedía a mucha gente acceder al conocimiento de Dios. La decisión de haber dispuesto las cosas así ha sido por la buena voluntad del Padre. * Vv. 17—24. Todas nuestras victorias sobre Satanás son logradas por el poder derivado de Jesucristo, que debe tener toda la alabanza. Cuidémonos del orgullo espiritual que ha causado la destrucción de tantos. Nuestro Señor se regocijó en la perspectiva de la salvación de muchas almas. Era apropiado que se tomara nota detallada de esa hora de gozo; hubo muy pocas, porque era varón de dolores: en esa hora en que vio caer a Satanás y oyó del buen resultado de sus ministros, en esa hora se regocijó. Siempre ha resistido al orgulloso y ha dado gracia al humilde. * 21, 22. Jesus … said, &c.—The very same sublime words were uttered by our Lord on a former similar occasion (Mt 11:25–27); but (1) There we are merely told that He “answered and said” thus; here, He “rejoiced in spirit and said,” &c. (2) There it was merely “at that time” (or season) that He spoke thus, meaning with a general reference to the rejection of His gospel by the self-sufficient; here, “In that hour Jesus said,” with express reference probably to the humble class from which He had to draw the Seventy, and the similar class that had chiefly welcomed their message. “Rejoice” is too weak a word. It is “exulted in spirit”—evidently giving visible expression to His unusual emotions; while, at the same time, the words “in spirit” are meant to convey to the reader the depth of them. This is one of those rare cases in which the veil is lifted from off the Redeemer’s inner man, that, angel-like, we may “look into it” for a moment (1Pe 1:12). Let us gaze on it with reverential wonder, and as we perceive what it was that produced that mysterious ecstasy, we shall find rising in our hearts a still rapture—“Oh, the depths!” * The seventy-two disciples returned, full of joy at what God was doing (10:17). Jesus shared this joy and praised God, for he could see God decisively at work—the effective ministry of the seventy-two disciples underscored this fact. Jesus praised God, his Father who was also Lord of heaven and earth, for making spiritual truth available to the little children. Those who willingly submit themselves to God and do not depend upon their own wisdom will have the truth revealed to them. While many of life’s rewards seem to go to the intelligent, the rich, the good-looking, or the powerful, the kingdom of God is equally available to all, regardless of position or abilities. Yet so often the wise and learned in this world refuse to submit themselves to God. They may not see their need for him, or they may think that their wisdom and learning have placed them in a separate class. These words of Jesus reveal God’s sovereignty and initiative regarding who will receive divine truth. God has chosen to hide it from those who refuse and reject it (see 8:10), and instead reveals it to those who may not seem wise

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (RVR) puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, el cual por el gozo puesto delante de él sufrió la cruz, menospreciando el oprobio, y se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios. (VP) Fijemos nuestra mirada en Jesús, pues de él procede nuestra fe y él es quien la perfecciona. Jesús soportó la cruz, sin hacer caso de lo vergonzoso de esa muerte, porque sabía que después del sufrimiento tendría gozo y alegría; y se sentó a la derecha del trono de Dios.

Ps.16:11 You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (NVI) Me has dado a conocer la senda de la vida; me llenarás de alegría en tu presencia, y de dicha eterna a tu derecha. (rvr) Me mostrarás la senda de la vida; En tu presencia hay plenitud de gozo; Delicias a tu diestra para siempre. (vp) Me mostrarás el camino de la vida. Hay gran alegría en tu presencia; hay dicha eterna junto a ti

1-2. The life of faith has been amply attested by this great cloud of Old Testament witnesses. (This does not mean that they watch believers today.) Hence believers ought to run with perseverance (hypomonēs; 10:32, 36; 12:2-3, 7) the race marked out in their Christian lives, setting aside whatever hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (euperistaton, “ambushes or encircles”). Their supreme Model for this continued to be Jesus, however admirable any OT figure might be. He is both the Author and Perfecter of our faith. The word “author” (archēgon) was used in 2:10 and suggests that Jesus “pioneered” the path of faith Christians should follow. He also “perfected” the way of faith since He reached its end successfully. He kept His eye on the joy set before Him, the “joy” alluded to in 1:9 wherein He obtained an eternal throne. The believers’ share in that joy must also be kept in view. After enduring (hypemeinen, the verb related to the noun hypomonē in 12:1; vv. 3, 7) the cross and scorning its shame, Jesus assumed that triumphant position at the right hand of the throne of God (1:3; 8:1; 10:12) which presages His and the believers’ final victory (1:13-14). 12:2 looking. They were to fix their eyes on Jesus as the object of faith and salvation (11:26,27; Acts 7:55,56; Phil. 3:8). author. See 2:10. The term means originator or preeminent example. finisher. See 5:14. The term is lit. “perfecter,” having the idea of carrying through to perfect completion (John 19:30). the joy. Jesus persevered so that He might receive the joy of accomplishment of the Father’s will and exaltation (1:9; Ps. 16:9–11; Luke 10:21–24). right hand. See 1:3. 12:2 Looking here means “fixing one’s eyes trustingly.” We need to consistently focus on Christ instead of our own circumstances. finisher: Christ has done everything necessary for us to endure in our faith. He is our example and model, for He focused on the joy that was set before Him. His attention was not on the agonies of the Cross, but on the crown, not on the suffering, but the reward. 12:2 puestos los ojos en Jesús. Así como el corredor se concentra en la meta, también el creyente debe concentrarse en Cristo Jesús, porque seguirle a El es la meta de la vida cristiana (Fil 3:8, 10, 13, 14). autor y consumador. Como autor, Jesús es quien abrió el camino a la presencia del Padre. Como consumador, El es el guía y el que completa la fe del creyente. El cumplió la obra de la redención mediante su muerte, resurrección y ascensión. el gozo puesto delante de El. Jesús aceptó los sufrimientos de la muerte en la cruz (Fil 2:5–8) porque contaba con el gozo que le esperaba al cumplir la obra de redención. El escritor da el ejemplo de Cristo para que sus lectores sigan el ejemplo de la fidelidad de Jesús, y para que resistan la tentación de desanimarse en sus corazones (vers. 3) y apartarse del Dios vivo (3:12). menospreciando la vergüenza. De igual manera que Cristo, la humillación de los que sufren por causa del evangelio no tiene comparación con la seguridad de la gloria futura (11:26; Mt 5:10–12; Ro 8:18; 2 Co 4:17; 5:1, 10).        Baker - The main emphasis in this verse lies in the opening clause. All the other clauses describe Jesus in respect to his work, endurance, and position. Notice that the author introduces the name Jesus so the readers will concentrate on his earthly life. a. “Fix our eyes on Jesus.” As contestants engaged in running the race, we have no time to look around. We must keep our eyes focused on Jesus and must do so without distraction. The writer of Hebrews does not place the name Jesus among those of the heroes of faith; he gives him special recognition, for he calls him “the author and perfecter of our faith.” Jesus is “the author of [our] salvation” (2:10), who as forerunner has entered the heavenly sanctuary (6:19–20) and has opened “a new and living way” for us that leads to this sanctuary (10:20). He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 1:17; 21:6; 22:13). And he whom God perfected through suffering (Heb. 2:10) perfects his brothers and sisters who have placed their trust in him. As originator and perfecter of our faith, Jesus has laid its foundation in our hearts and in time brings faith to completion. He can do this because he is able, and he will do this because he is our brother (Heb. 2:11–12). In a similar vein, Paul encourages the Philippians when he says that God “who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6). Therefore, “turn your eyes upon Jesus.” b. “Joy set before him.” How do we interpret the word joy? Does the writer mean that Jesus exchanges heavenly joy for earthly sorrow? Or does he mean that because of the joy awaiting Jesus after his death, Christ willingly “endured the cross”? Some scholars think that Jesus chose death on the cross in place of the joy of heavenly bliss he enjoyed in the presence of God (II Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6–7). They are of the opinion that this is what the author means to say. Other scholars disagree. They believe that the intent is to convey this message: To obtain the joy God had planned for him, Jesus obediently suffered the agony of death. The evidence appears to favor the second interpretation. The context in general and the phrase set before him in particular support this approach. That is, God destined the path of suffering for Jesus (Isa. 53:4–6) and afterward filled him with joy (Ps. 16:11; Acts 2:28). The clause “for the joy set before him” seems to point to the future. It relates to Jesus’ exaltation when he was glorified after his death on the cross. c. “Endured the cross.” In his epistle the author seldom speaks directly about the earthly life of Jesus. In fact, this is the only time he mentions the word cross. That term, together with the verb endured, mirrors the entire passion narrative of Jesus’ trial and death. Jesus stood alone during his trial before the high priest and before Pontius Pilate. Jesus endured the agony of Gethsemane alone. And he alone bore the wrath of God at Calvary. In his suffering Jesus visibly demonstrated his faith in God. In obedience he sustained the anguish of death on the cross. d. “Scorning its shame.” The Jews who demanded Jesus’ crucifixion wanted to place him under the curse of God. They knew that God had said, “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under [my] curse” (Deut. 21:23; see also Gal. 3:13). They wanted Jesus to experience the utmost shame. He took the curse upon himself to set his people free and to experience with them the joy God had set before him. Indeed, the author and perfecter of our faith triumphed when he sat down at God’s right hand. e. “And sat down.” With a few strokes of his pen, the writer provides an account of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The crowning point, of course, is Jesus’ enthronement at the right hand of God. That place of honor belongs to him and will be his for all eternity. The author repeatedly quotes and alludes to Psalm 110:1: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (1:13). He develops a definite progression of thought. Jesus accomplished his task on earth, assumed his place in heaven, and now assures the believer of divine assistance in the race marked out for him. Note these verses:

Wiersbe - Look at Jesus Christ! (vv. 2–4) He is “the author [originator] and finisher of our faith.” It was in “looking to Him” that we were saved, for to look means “to trust.” When the dying Jews looked to the uplifted serpent, they were healed; and this is an illustration of our salvation through faith in Christ (Num. 21:4–9; John 3:14–16). “Looking unto Jesus” describes an attitude of faith and not just a single act. When our Lord was here on earth, He lived by faith. The mystery of His divine and human natures is too profound for us to understand fully, but we do know that He had to trust His Father in heaven as He lived day by day. The writer of Hebrews quoted our Lord saying, “I will put My trust in Him” (Heb. 2:13). (The quotation is from Isa. 8:17.) The fact that Jesus prayed is evidence that He lived by faith. Our Lord endured far more than did any of the heroes of faith named in Hebrews 11, and therefore He is a perfect example for us to follow. He endured the cross! This involved shame, suffering, the “contradiction [opposition]” of sinners, and even temporary rejection by the Father. On the cross He suffered for all the sins of all the world! Yet He endured and finished the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). Though the readers of Hebrews had suffered persecution, they had not yet “resisted unto blood” (Heb. 12:4). None of them was yet a martyr. But in Jesus’ battle against sin, He shed His own blood. What was it that enabled our Lord to endure the cross? Please keep in mind that, during His ministry on earth, our Lord did not use His divine powers for His own personal needs. Satan tempted Him to do this (Matt. 4:1–4), but Jesus refused. It was our Lord’s faith that enabled Him to endure. He kept the eye of faith on “the joy that was set before Him.” From Psalm 16:8–10, He knew that He would come out of the tomb alive. (Peter referred to this messianic psalm in his sermon at Pentecost, Acts 2:24–33.) In that psalm (16:11) David speaks about “fullness of joy” in the presence of the Father. Also, from Psalm 110:1, 4, Jesus knew that He would be exalted to heaven in glory. (Peter also quoted this psalm—Acts 2:34–36.) So “the joy that was set before Him” would include Jesus’ completing the Father’s will, His resurrection and exaltation, and His joy in presenting believers to the Father in glory (Jude 24). Throughout this epistle, the writer emphasized the importance of the future hope. His readers were prone to look back and want to go back, but he encouraged them to follow Christ’s example and look ahead by faith. The heroes of faith named in the previous chapter lived for the future, and this enabled them to endure (Heb. 11:10, 14–16, 24–27). Like Peter, when we get our eyes of faith off the Saviour, we start to sink (Matt. 14:22–33). Since Christ is the “author and finisher of our faith,” trusting Him releases His power in our lives. I could try to follow the example of some great athlete for years and still be a failure. But if, in my younger days, that athlete could have entered into my life and shared his know-how and ability with me, that would have made me a winner. Christ is both the exemplar and the enabler! As we see Him in the Word and yield to His Spirit, He increases our faith and enables us to run the race. 12.2 puestos los ojos, aphorao; Strong #872; De apo, «lejos de», y horao, «ver». La palabra significa atención no divida, alejar la mirada de todas las distracciones, con el fin de contemplar un objeto. Aphorao, en Hebreos 12.2 es poner los ojos en Jesús y no en ningún otro. * 2. La clave del éxito en la carrera, 12:2, no podría ser más clara. a. La atención necesaria en Jesús, y no en los héroes de la fe del capítulo once. Solo en El se ejemplificó plenamente la vida de fe. Otros triunfaron en algunas áreas de su vida, pero no en todas. El verbo que se traduce “puestos los ojos”, implica además apartar la mirada de todo lo demás que podría distraernos o desanimarnos. Notemos el nombre que se le da: Jesús, y no Cristo o Señor. Así se da énfasis a su humanidad y humillación. Este nombre se relaciona en especial con su vida sobre la tierra, su experiencia como hombre sirviendo a Dios en un mundo hostil. Como hombre, como nuestro representante, Jesús demostró a la perfección el poder y el principio de la fe. Si nuestros ojos estuvieran puestos en otros, o peor aún en nosotros mismos, habría sobrados motivos para desalentarnos; pero es en el Señor que tenemos que fijar nuestra atención. El es, según se nos revela aquí: b. El autor y consumador de la fe, es decir quien da el primer impulso a nuestra fe y la lleva a la madurez final, a su forma completa. “Autor” es la palabra que se emplea también en He. 2:10 donde implica el que va adelante abriendo el camino. Podemos por tanto afirmar confiadamente: “Yo sé a quién he creído, y estoy seguro que es poderoso para guardar mi depósito para aquel día” (2 Ti. 1:12), o bien “El que comenzó en vosotros la buena obra [autor], la perfeccionará hasta el día de Jesucristo [consumador]” (Fil. 1:6). c. La actitud transformadora, “por el gozo puesto delante de El … menospreciando el oprobio.” ¿Cuál era ese gozo? Aquel que había dicho “Vengo para hacer tu voluntad” (He. 10:7), anticipaba gozosamente el momento cuando la completaría y podría decir “consumado es”. Era el gozo de pensar en todos aquellos hijos que podría llevar a la gloria mediante la obra de la cruz (He. 2:10). Era el gozo de anticipar aquel día cuando sería coronado con gloria y honor. Más aún, gozarse de antemano en el momento cuando se reuniría de nuevo con su Padre en los cielos. Jesús estaba mirando no lo temporal sino lo eterno. Las aflicciones que soportaría y sobrellevaría durarían sólo un instante, y serían superadas por el fruto espiritual. “Sufrió la cruz”. No la despreció ni la menospreció, pues era el propósito de su vida terrenal. En cambio menospreció el oprobio. No es que no haya sentido oprobio, ignominia, y vergüenza, sino que menospreció eso porque, comparado con el gozo propuesto, no era nada. d. La autoridad reconocida, “se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios”. Esto no podía decirse de ningún otro héroe de la fe. Se sentó allí para disfrutar de la gloria que ahora es suya. También el final de nuestra carrera será en la gloria de las alturas. La fe nunca deja de ser recompensada.  * FOCUS! (V. 2) Focus on Jesus Now, stripped bare of any weights or sin and running with perseverance, we are given the focus that will ensure our finishing well—and that is, of course, Jesus: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (v. 2a). By insisting that we focus on Jesus, instead of the name Christ, the writer is calling us to focus on Jesus’ humanity as we saw it here on earth. Jonathan Edwards remarked beautifully concerning this that we are to “take notice of Christ’s excellence which is a… feast.”  And so it is! We are to focus on him first as “author” (archegos—literally, “pioneer”) of our faith. Jesus is the pioneer and author of all faith in both the Old and New Testaments. He initiates all faith and bestows it (cf. Ephesians 2:8–10). But, still more, he is the “perfecter of our faith.” His entire earthly life was the very embodiment of trust in God (2:13). He perfected living by faith. He lived in total dependence upon the Father (10:7–10). It was his absolute faith in God that enabled him to go through the mocking, crucifixion, rejection and desertion—and left him perfect in faith. As F. F. Bruce has said, “Had he come down by some gesture of supernatural power, He would never have been hailed as the ‘perfecter of faith’ nor would He have left any practical example for others to follow.”  But the sublime fact is, he endured everything by faith, and thus he is uniquely qualified to be the “author and perfecter” of the faith of his followers.Do we sense the need of faith to run the race? Then we must “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” That is, as the Greek suggests, we must deliberately lift our eyes from other distracting things and focus with utter concentration on him—and continue doing so. This is fundamental to a life of faith and finishing the race! Focus on Jesus’ Attitude Along with this we ought to focus on Jesus’ attitude—“who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (v. 2b). Some people wrongly imagine that because Jesus was a divine man, the physical and spiritual sufferings of the cross were somehow “less” for him. What wrongheaded thinking, as John Henry Newman so brilliantly explained: And as men are superior to animals, and are affected by pain more than they, by reason of the mind within them, which gives a substance to pain,… so, in like manner, our Lord felt pain of the body, with a consciousness, and therefore with a keenness and intensity, and with a unity of perception, which none of us can possibly fathom or compass, because His soul was so absolutely in His power, so simply free from the influence of distractions, so fully directed upon the pain, so utterly surrendered, so simply subjected to the suffering. And thus He may truly be said to have suffered the whole of His passion in every moment of it. So we must let the full force of the text’s statement here in Hebrews—he “endured the cross”—sink into our souls. The physical pain he endured was absolute. But the spiritual pain was even greater because his pure soul, which knew no sin, became sin for us, inducing a heretofore unknown pain. And we must also absorb the fact that he “endured the cross, scorning its shame.” That is, he thought nothing of its shame—he dismissed it as nothing. How and why could he do this? Because of “the joy set before him”—which was rooted in his coming super-exaltation when he “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (v. 2c). His exaltation, with all that it means for his people’s shalom and for the triumph of God’s purpose in the universe, was “the joy set before him” We can list some specific aspects of his joy. There was the joy of his “reunion,” as it were, with the Father. What an exalted thought—Heaven’s homecoming! Imagine the joy! David’s words suggest the idea: “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). Then there was the joy of being crowned with honor and glory and having all things put under his feet (2:6–8; cf. Psalm 8:4–6). There was also the joy before him of bringing many sons to glory—making us part of his joy (2:10). Our blessed and glorious Lord lived his earthly life in faith’s dynamic certitude. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for [future certitude] and certain of what we do not see [visual certitude]” Our blessed Lord fixed his “eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18)—and thus his joy was the “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17). Now on this matter of focus, understand this: even though the great gallery of past saints witnesses to us, our central focus must be Jesus—sola Jesu! Focus on him as the “pioneer” and originator of faith. Focus on him as the divine human “perfecter” of faith. Focus on the joy that enabled him to endure the awesome agony of the cross and dismiss as nothing the shame. Focus on his joyous exaltation—and the fact that you are part of the joy. *Wuest - (12:2) Having presented a catalog of Old Testament witnesses to the efficacy of faith, the writer now speaks of Messiah, the Jehoshua of the Old Testament, the Jesus of the New, God Himself incarnate in human flesh. He uses Him as the supreme example to which his readers should look as they run life’s race. The word “looking” is aphorao (ἀφοραο) “to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.” The word also means “to turn one’s mind to a certain thing.” Both meanings are applicable here, the spiritual vision turned away from all else and together with the mind, concentrated on Jesus. What a lesson in Christian running technique we have in that little preposition “off, away from,” which is prefixed to this verb. The minute the Greek runner in the stadium takes his attention away from the race course and the goal to which he is speeding, and turns it upon the onlooking crowds, his speed is slackened. It is so with the Christian. The minute he takes his eyes off of the Lord Jesus, and turns them upon others, his pace in the Christian life is slackened, and his onward progress in grace hindered. Messiah is called the author of our faith. The word “author” is the translation of archegon (ἀρχεγον). Vincent says that the Authorized Version is misleading and narrows the scope of the passage. The word is made up of ago (ἀγο) “to lead,” and arche (ἀρχε), “the first.” The compound word means “the chief leader, one that takes the lead in anything and thus furnishes the example.” In our passage it describes Jesus as the One “who in the pre-eminence of His faith far surpasses the examples of faith commemorated in chapter 11” (Vincent). The word “faith” has the article before it in the Greek text. It is the faith of which the writer is speaking as exhibited in the examples of chapter eleven and in the Lord Jesus. It is not the Christian Faith as such, but faith absolutely. Christ is the archegon (ἀρχεγον), the chief leader of this faith in that He “furnished the perfect development, the supreme example of faith, and in virtue of this He is the leader of the whole believing host of all time.” He is also the finisher of the faith spoken of in these chapters. The word is teleioo (τελειοο) which means “to carry through completely, to finish, to make perfect or complete.” Our Lord in His life of faith on earth, became the perfect or complete example of the life of faith. Thayer speaks of our Lord as “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.” The words “who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross,” are usually interpreted as meaning that the Lord Jesus endured the cross in order that He might obtain certain joy which was placed before Him as a reward for His sufferings. But this interpretation is based upon an erroneous use of the preposition “for.” The Greek preposition is anti (ἀντι), the predominant use of which in the first century was “instead of.” It is so used in Luke 11:11 where we have, “If he asked a fish, will he for (anti (ἀντι), instead of) a fish give him a serpent?” The word “set” is the translation of prokeimenes (προκειμενες) literally “lying before.” Vincent says, “The joy was the full, divine beatitude of His preincarnate life in the bosom of the Father; the glory which He had with God before the world was. In exchange for this He accepted the Cross and the shame. The contrast is designed between the readers (v. 1), and the joy which was already present to Christ. The heroic character of His faith appears in His renouncing a joy already in possession in exchange for shame and death. The passage thus falls in with Philippians 2:6–8.” He despised the shame attendant upon a death by crucifixion, namely, the fact that that kind of a death was meted out upon malefactors. The words “is set down” are in the perfect tense in the Greek text, the idea being that He, after His work of providing a salvation was finished, sat down, and remains seated. He need never arise and repeat His work on the Cross for sinners. It is a finished work. He is not only seated, but He occupies the position of preeminence, at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (RVR) Has amado la justicia, y aborrecido la maldad, Por lo cual te ungió Dios, el Dios tuyo, Con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros.  (VP) Has amado lo bueno y odiado lo malo; por eso te ha escogido Dios, tu Dios, y te ha colmado de alegría más que a tus compañeros.”

Psalm 45:6-7 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.  (RVR) Tu trono, oh Dios, es eterno y para siempre; Cetro de justicia es el cetro de tu reino. 7 Has amado la justicia y aborrecido la maldad; Por tanto, te ungió Dios, el Dios tuyo, Con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros.  (VP) Tu reinado, oh Dios, es eterno, y es un reinado de justicia. 7 Amas el bien y odias el mal. Por eso te ha escogido Dios, tu Dios, y te ha colmado de alegría más que a tus compañeros.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (RVR) cómo Dios ungió con el Espíritu Santo y con poder a Jesús de Nazaret, y cómo éste anduvo haciendo bienes y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. (VP) Saben que Dios llenó de poder y del Espíritu Santo a Jesús de Nazaret, y que Jesús anduvo haciendo bien y sanando a todos los que sufrían bajo el poder del diablo. Esto pudo hacerlo porque Dios estaba con él,

Isa. 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

1:7-9. In a pair of contrasting quotations, the author juxtaposed the servanthood of the angels (v. 7) and the eternal dominion of the Son (vv. 8-9). It is possible that, in line with one strand of Jewish thought about angels (2 Esdras 8:21-22), the writer understood the statement of Psalm 104:4 (quoted in Heb. 1:7) as suggesting that angels often blended their mutable natures with winds or fire as they performed the tasks God gave them. But in contrast with this mutability, the Son’s throne is eternal and immutable (v. 8).The quotation found in verses 8-9 is derived from Psalm 45:6-7 which describes the final triumph of God’s messianic King. The writer extended this citation further than the previous ones, no doubt because the statements of the psalmist served well to highlight truths on which the author of Hebrews desired to elaborate. The King the psalmist described had loved righteousness and hated wickedness. This points to the holiness and obedience of Christ while He was on earth, to which reference will be repeatedly made later (Heb. 3:1-2; 5:7-8; 7:26; 9:14). And though this King thus deservedly enjoys a superlative joy, still He has companions in that joy. The reference to “companions” is likewise a significant theme for the writer. The same word metochoi (“companions or sharers”) is employed in 3:1, 14 of Christians (it is also used in 12:8). Since the King has attained His joy and dominion through a life of steadfast righteousness, it might be concluded that His companions will share His experience by that same means. This inference will later become quite clear (12:28).     Macarther - 1:8,9 He says. Quoting from Ps. 45:6,7, the writer argues for the deity and the lordship of the Son over creation (v. 3). The text is all the more significant since the declaration of the Son’s deity is presented as the words of the Father Himself (Is. 9:6; Jer. 23:5,6; John 5:18; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20). It is clear that the writer of Hebrews had the 3 messianic offices in mind: Prophet (v. 1), Priest (v. 3), and King (vv. 3,8). Induction into those 3 offices required anointing (v. 9). The title Messiah (Christ) means “anointed one” (Is. 61:1–3; Luke 4:16–21). 1:9 companions. The term is used only in Hebrews (3:1,14; 6:4; 12:8) and in Luke 5:7. In this occurrence, it might refer to angels or to other men who were similarly anointed for their offices: the OT prophets, priests, and kings. If the “oil of gladness” is the same as “oil of joy” referred to in Is. 61:3, the reference would clearly be to those who had mourned in Zion but who would one day be clothed with praise and called “trees of righteousness”—references to men, not angels. No matter how noble such men were, Christ is superior. * 1:9 Companions comes from a word that means “close associates” or “partners.” The concept of believers being companions with Christ is key in Hebrews (3:1, 14; 6:4; 12:8). The term refers to those who will be participants with Christ in His reign. * Baker The divine kingship could not be assumed by any Israelite monarch; only the Son of David, Jesus Christ, fulfilled the words of the psalm. He has loved righteousness and hated wickedness, as he demonstrated during his earthly ministry. The question, however, is whether the words of the quotation can be applied to a particular event or period in Jesus’ ministry. We ought not limit the verse to designating any particular moment in the life of Christ, but rather understand it as a description of his nature. Jesus loves righteousness and desires that the people in his kingdom also love righteousness and hate wickedness. Righteousness is the foundation of his kingdom. Thus he exhorts his followers to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). It is because of Christ’s love for righteousness that God has anointed Jesus with the oil of joy. Obviously, Jesus Christ is the Anointed of God from eternity to eternity. There is no particular moment at which Jesus began his love for righteousness and after which he was anointed. We do well to understand the phrases scepter of righteousness and oil of joy as Hebraic idioms that were translated literally into Greek. a. Thus, the phrase scepter of righteousness actually means that the king holds in his hand a scepter, which symbolizes royal authority. The king can hold out the scepter to invite someone to approach his throne, or he can sway his scepter to demand silence. By means of this instrument the king rules. How does the king execute his rule? Justly! b. Likewise, the phrase oil of joy is not a symbolic description of either the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River or his ascension and session at the right hand of God; rather, it describes the constant administration of his just rule. The application of his justice fills him with joy and happiness, and constitutes his anointing. It is the anointed Son who, set above his companions, shares his happiness with them (Isa. 61:3). c. The word companions implies that the companions of Jesus share in his righteousness and joy. The word is used not of angels but of Jesus’ followers, who “share in the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1). “Hence he is the Christ, we are Christians proceeding from him, as rivulets from a fountain.” Therefore Jesus is not ashamed to call his companions brothers (Heb. 2:11). They, too, “have an anointing from the Holy One,” says John in his first epistle. And he continues, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you” (I John 2:20, 27). * Wiersbe When Christ ascended and entered the heavenly glory, He was anointed for His heavenly ministry with “the oil of gladness” (Heb. 1:9). This probably refers to Psalm 16:11, which Peter referred to at Pentecost: “Thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance” (Acts 2:28). What a joyful scene that must have been! Psalm 45 is a wedding psalm, and our Lord today is the heavenly Bridegroom who experiences “the joy that was set before Him” (Heb. 12:2). Angels praise Him, but they cannot share that position or that joy. Our Lord’s throne is forever, which means He is eternal God.  *College He rules with righteousness not with might. His kingdom is “not of this world” as he told Pilate (John 18:36) and the Jews (John 8:23). It is not a kingdom at all in the ordinary sense of the word. There are no plush palaces, no visible royal regalia, no elaborate political negotiations with other kingdoms. Yet in some special way he rules in the hearts of his people more thoroughly than any earthly king rules his subjects. He rules with righteousness. He loves righteousness. He hates wickedness. If the principle of physics is true also in the moral realm, one could expect that for every force there would be an equal and opposite force. He hates sin with the same strength with which he loves righteousness. He pushes as hard in one direction as the other. That is a harsh thought in a world that does not even like to think about sin.

Because of this scenerio (διὰ του̂το, dia touto, i.e.,“on account of this”, “therefore”) in which Jesus loves righteousness and hates wickedness, God has set him above his companions. Outside of Hebrews, the word “companion” (μέτοχος, metochos), occurs in the NT only in Luke 5:7 of fishing- partners. Hebrews 12:8 uses it of the physical fatherly discipline in which all of us are participants. The other uses in Hebrews are religious. We become companions of the Holy Spirit at our conversion (6:4), participants in the heavenly calling (3:1), and remain so by continuing to be faithful (3:14). Hebrews 1:9 alone applies the designation to Christ. He is honored above (παρά, para) his companions as his exalted name is above (para) that of the angels (1:4). This leaves unclear whether the word “companions” is intended to signify angels or men. The whole force of the first chapter points toward angels. Anointing. The adjective χριστός (christos, “anointed”) appears so frequently with the name Jesus that BAGD can write of “certain passages in which χριστός does not mean the Messiah in general (even when the reference is to Jesus), but a very definite Messiah, Jesus, who now is called Christ not as a title but as a name” and then list dozens of passages used “as a personal name.” Jesus applied Isaiah 61:1 to himself in Nazareth at the beginning of his ministry.  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, … (Isa 61:1–2) Peter told Cornelius (Acts 10:38  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him) that after he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, Jesus then went around doing good and healing those oppressed by Satan. His words may imply that the anointing happened at Jesus’ baptism. God certainly reassured Jesus of his mission at that time by means of the voice and the dove. On the other hand, the anointing may have occured in heaven before Jesus came to earth. He was “chosen before the creation of the world” (1 Pet 1:20). He was the lamb “slain from the creation of the world” (Rev 13:8; see Rev 5:6, 12). It is possible that the whole terminology is not intended to tell the time but the fact of the matter. There is something wonderfully refreshing in the image of joy as the medium when Jesus was “anointed with the oil of joy.” We are not surprised to find Jesus “full of joy through the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21), nor to find the seventy-two “return with joy” from a victorious mission for him (Luke 10:17). The happiness surrounding his birth anticipated the joy of his ministry. Like Mary (Luke 1:47) and the angels (Luke 2:10), the pre-born forerunner (Luke 1:44) rejoiced at his coming. He announced his ministry with a message of joy from Isaiah 61 (Luke 4:16–22). His parables reminded people of the joy of receiving his message (Matt 13:20, 40) and the joy of finding a lost sheep, a lost coin or a lost son (Luke 15:6, 9, 20–24). Even heaven rang with joy at earth’s victories (Luke 15:7 and 10). He promised the disciples that their grief at his death would soon be turned into joy (John 16:20, 22). It was (Matt 28:8; Luke 24:41, 52). The joy he promised for their faithfulness (Matt 5:12; Luke 10:20), he pictured for their helpfulness when he would return and say, “Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt 25:21, 23. See 25:34). He intended that his followers’ joy would be complete (John 16:24). As he said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11. See 17:13). Though he was “a man of sorrows” (Isa 53:3), sorrow was certainly not the only feature of his person and ministry. He is also called “God,” a name customarily reserved for the Father. Compare Isaiah’s description of him in Isaiah 9:5–6. Also note that Jesus is called “Lord” in verse 10. Several passages attribute divine names to Jesus, for example, John 8:58; Acts 2:36 and Philippians 2:11. Jesus suggested that some OT passages ascribed divine names to him when he asked about whose son the Christ was (Matt 22:41–46). His own reply shows that David called him “Lord,” i.e., Greek κύριος (kurios), where the OT had the Hebrew word for “Lord,” אדני (adonai, Ps 110:1). This Psalm will be used repeatedly throughout the book of Hebrews. Psalm 110:1 is used in 1:3, 13; 8:1 and 10:12; while Psalm 110:4 is in Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:3, 11, 15, 17 and 21. John 12:37–41 says the “Lord” (adonai) of Isaiah 6, who was high and exalted, seated on a throne, was actually Jesus.

Acts 2:25-28 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ (RVR) Porque David dice de él: Veía al Señor siempre delante de mí; Porque está a mi diestra, no seré conmovido. 26  Por lo cual mi corazón se alegró, y se gozó mi lengua, Y aun mi carne descansará en esperanza; 27 Porque no dejarás mi alma en el Hades, Ni permitirás que tu Santo vea corrupción. 28 Me hiciste conocer los caminos de la vida; Me llenarás de gozo con tu presencia. (VP) El rey David, refiriéndose a Jesús, dijo: ‘Yo veía siempre al Señor delante de mí; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer. 26 Por eso se alegra mi corazón, y mi lengua canta llena de gozo. Todo mi ser vivirá confiadamente, 27 porque no me dejarás en el sepulcro ni permitirás que se descomponga el cuerpo de tu santo siervo. 28 Me mostraste el camino de la vida, y me llenarás de alegría con tu presencia.’

WHAT DISTINGUISHED KING DAVID’S JOY? Joy in the midst of great problems

Psalm 16 A miktam of David. Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (VP) ¡Cuida, oh Dios, de mí, pues en ti busco protección! 2 Yo te he dicho: “Tú eres mi Señor, mi bien; nada es comparable a ti.” 3 Los dioses del país son poderosos, según dicen los que en ellos se complacen, 4 los que aumentan el número de sus ídolos y los siguen con gran devoción. ¡Jamás tomaré parte en sus sangrientos sacrificios! ¡Jamás pronunciaré sus nombres con mis labios! 5 Tú, Señor, eres mi todo; tú me colmas de bendiciones; mi vida está en tus manos. 6 Primoroso lugar me ha tocado en suerte; ¡hermosa es la herencia que me ha correspondido! 7 Bendeciré al Señor, porque él me guía, y en lo íntimo de mi ser me corrige por las noches. 8 Siempre tengo presente al Señor; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer. 9 Por eso, dentro de mí, mi corazón está lleno de alegría. Todo mi ser vivirá confiadamente, 10 pues no me dejarás en el sepulcro, ¡no abandonarás en la fosa a tu amigo fiel! 11 Me mostrarás el camino de la vida. Hay gran alegría en tu presencia; hay dicha eterna junto a ti.

WHAT DISTINUISHED KING JESUS’ JOY? Victory over death and the devil

Acts 2:22-33 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (VP) “Escuchen, pues, israelitas, lo que voy a decir: Como ustedes saben muy bien, Dios demostró ante ustedes la autoridad de Jesús de Nazaret, haciendo por medio de él grandes maravillas, milagros y señales. 23 Y a ese hombre, que conforme a los planes y propósitos de Dios fue entregado, ustedes lo mataron, crucificándolo por medio de hombres malvados. 24 Pero Dios lo resucitó, liberándolo de los dolores de la muerte, porque la muerte no podía tenerlo dominado. 25 El rey David, refiriéndose a Jesús, dijo: ‘Yo veía siempre al Señor delante de mí; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer. 26 Por eso se alegra mi corazón, y mi lengua canta llena de gozo. Todo mi ser vivirá confiadamente, 27 porque no me dejarás en el sepulcro ni permitirás que se descomponga el cuerpo de tu santo siervo. 28 Me mostraste el camino de la vida, y me llenarás de alegría con tu presencia.’ 29 “Hermanos, permítanme decirles con franqueza que el patriarca David murió y fue enterrado, y que su sepulcro está todavía entre nosotros. 30 Pero David era profeta, y sabía que Dios le había prometido con juramento que pondría por rey a uno de sus descendientes. 31 Así que, viendo anticipadamente la resurrección del Mesías, David habló de ella y dijo que el Mesías no se quedaría en el sepulcro ni su cuerpo se descompondría. 32 Pues bien, Dios ha resucitado a ese mismo Jesús, y de ello todos nosotros somos testigos. 33 Después de haber sido enaltecido y colocado por Dios a su derecha y de haber recibido del Padre el Espíritu Santo que nos había prometido, él a su vez lo derramó sobre nosotros. Eso es lo que ustedes han visto y oído.

NOTES: Quote from psalm 16 which is a celebration of the joy of fellowship that David realized comes from faith in the Lord. The psalm may have been written when he faced great danger in the wilderness or opposition in his reign. Whatever its occasion, David was convinced that because he had come to know and trust the Lord as his Portion in life, he could trust Him in the face of death. The Lord is his Portion in life (16:1-8) 16:1. In verses 1-8 David reviewed how he had come to know and trust in the Lord. Verse 1 seems to summarize the entire psalm: Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. Then David developed the idea of his having taken refuge in the Lord.16:2. David announced his exclusive trust in the Lord. His statement of faith was, You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing (cf. 34:10; 84:11).16:3-4. Based on his commitment to the Lord, the psalmist described the society of friends with whom he was identified. He delighted in godly people (saints) in the land, whom he considered to be the noble (glorious) ones. God had called His people to be a holy nation (Ex. 19:6), and God’s servant recognized that such were his company. They were the faithful who served the Lord. The others, those . . . who run after other gods, will face sorrows and difficulties. David would not endorse their actions, or help them with their vain worship, or even mention the names of their gods. His loyalty was with righteous believers.16:5-6. In direct address to the Lord, the psalmist extolled His blessings. David compared the Lord to a portion (cf. 73:26; 119:57; 142:5) allotted to him by inheritance. The Lord was all he needed to satisfy his heart in life. Besides his portion and his cup, the Lord had assigned him a delightful inheritance. The boundary lines . . . in pleasant places speak of portions of land measured by line and distributed by lot. In other words he compared God’s blessings to the best inheritance a person could receive. The Lord had given him a wonderfully full life.16:7-8. As a result of all this bounty, David praised the Lord because He counseled him at night (as well as in the daytime) and because He guided him safely. (Praise is lit., “bless,” which means “to speak well of.” This is the first of about two dozen times in the Pss. where the Lord is said to be “blessed,” usually trans. “praised” in the niv.) Because of this David knew that he would not be shaken (cf. comments on 15:5b) from his walk of integrity and enjoyment of the blessings he had in the Lord. The Lord will preserve him (16:9-11) 16:9-11. David was assured that the Lord would preserve his life in the face of death. He rejoiced because God enabled his body to rest securely even when confronted with death. The reason he could rest is that God would not abandon him to the grave, nor . . . let His holy one see decay. This verse refers to David, who describes himself as God’s “holy one,” that is, one of God’s saints (cf. v. 3). He took comfort in the fact that God would not, at that time, allow his body to die and decay in the grave. In fact God had caused him to know the path of life so he anticipated experiencing further joy in God’s presence (v. 11). Verses 8-11 were cited by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28) and Psalm 16:10b was quoted by Paul at Antioch (Acts 13:35-37) in reference to Christ’s resurrection. So the words of David are also typological; they transcended his own experience and became historically true in Christ. Preservation from the decaying grave is the idea behind both David’s and Jesus’ experiences, but with David it came through a deliverance from death, whereas with Jesus it came through a resurrection from death. Death posed no threat to David because he enjoyed great blessing and fellowship with the Lord. God would not permit death and the grave to interrupt that marvelous fellowship. So in a fuller sense this is true of believers today, who having the full revelation about the doctrine of resurrection, can say that even when they die, God will not let death destroy that full fellowship they enjoy with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). This expression of faith is possible because Christ conquered death (Luke 24:6) and rose to become the firstfruits of all who sleep (1 Cor. 15:20). WIERSBE - Psalm 16 This is a very personal hymn of joy that focuses on the goodness of the Lord. The personal pronoun “my” is used over a dozen times (my trust, my goodness, my cup, etc.). David’s joy (vv. 9, 11) is expressed in words like “delight” (vv. 3, 6), “pleasant” and “pleasure” (vv. 6, 11), and “glad” (v. 9). David finds his delight only in the Lord and confesses that everything good in his life has come from God. This psalm may have been written shortly after the Lord gave His gracious covenant to David and assured him of an enduring throne (2 Sam. 7). That covenant was eventually fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Luke 1:32–33). The style of David’s response to the covenant (2 Sam. 7:18–29) matches that of Psalm 16, a combination of joy, praise to God, humility, and submission to the divine will. This is the first use of Michtam in The Psalms; it is repeated in the inscriptions to 56–60. Students don’t agree on the meaning of the word: engraved in gold, to cover, secret treasure, a poem containing pithy sayings. All six of the Michtam psalms end on a happy and triumphant note. This is also a Messianic psalm, for in his message at Pentecost (Acts 2:25–28), Peter said it referred to Jesus, and so did Paul in his sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:35). As he praised God for His grace and goodness, David presented three descriptions of the Lord, and all three may be applied to Jesus Christ today. The Lord of Life (vv. 1–8) “Preserve me” (“Keep me safe,” niv) doesn’t suggest that David was in trouble or danger, as in Psalms 9 and 13. It simply means that he needed God’s constant care and oversight so that he might honor the Lord and enjoy all the good things that only God could give him. God alone is good (Matt. 19:17), and apart from Him, we have nothing good. A good relationship (vv. 1–2). The Lord is our highest good and greatest treasure (73:25, 28), the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). To know Him through Jesus Christ is the highest privilege in life. If we have anything that we think is good, and it doesn’t come from God, it isn’t good. God meets us with “the blessing of good things” (21:3, nasb), and His goodness follows us until we reach the Father’s house (23:6). When Jesus Christ is your Savior (refuge) and Lord, you experience God’s goodness even in the midst of trials. Our relationship to ourselves, our circumstances, other people, and the future depends on our relationship to the Lord. A good companionship (vv. 3–4). We don’t live the Christian life alone, because we’re part of a great spiritual family and need each other. As in previous psalms, two groups are depicted: the believing remnant (“saints”) and the unbelieving worshipers of idols (10:8–10; 11:2–3; 12; 14:5–6). The saints are those who trust God and obey His covenant, those who are set apart for the Lord. They take seriously God’s command, “Be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 19:2; 20:7–8, 26; 21:8). Israel was a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6) and a holy nation, just as the church is today (1 Peter 2:9). David called them “the majestic ones” (nasb), a word that carries the meaning of excellence, nobility, and glory. In spite of our faults and failures, believers are God’s elite, His nobility on earth. We must all love one another and use our God-given abilities and resources to minister to the family of God (Gal. 6:1–10). Like David, we must not compromise with those who disobey the Lord and worship idols (money, success, fame, etc.) but should seek to lead them to Jesus Christ, the source of all that is good and lasting. Multiplied gods only bring multiplied sorrows. David didn’t even want to speak the names of the false gods of those in Israel who forsook the covenant (Ex. 23:13; Josh. 23:7). We are not to be isolationists, for the Lord has left us in this world to be salt and light; but we must be careful not to be defiled by their sins (James 1:27; 4:4; Rom. 12:2). No church is perfect, because no believer is perfect; but let’s still give thanks for the people of God and seek to encourage them all we can. A good stewardship (vv. 5–6). After Israel conquered the Promised Land, each tribe except Levi was assigned a special inheritance (Josh. 13–21). Because they served in the sanctuary and ate of the holy sacrifices, the priests and Levites had the Lord as their special inheritance (Num. 18:20–32; Deut. 10:8–9; 14:27–29; Josh. 13:14, 23), and David saw himself in that privileged position. “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup” (v. 5, nasb). To possess great wealth but not have the Lord is poverty indeed (Luke 12:13–21), and to enjoy the gifts but ignore the Giver is wickedness indeed. If Jesus is the Lord of our lives, then the possessions we have and the circumstances we are in represent the inheritance He gives us. The measuring lines marked off the inheritance of the tribes, clans and families in Israel, and then each individual lot was marked with a “landmark” that was not to be moved (Deut. 19:14; 27:17; Prov. 15:25; 22:28; 23:10–11). David rejoiced that God had caused the lines of his inheritance to fall in pleasant places, and that he had a “delightful inheritance” (niv). He wanted to be a good steward of all that the Lord had given him. A good fellowship (vv. 7–8). David’s personal fellowship with the Lord was his greatest joy. This was when God instructed and counseled David and told him what to do and how to do it. David even went to “night school” to learn the will of God. (See 17:3; 42:8; 63:6; 77:2, 6.) “Night” is plural, suggesting “dark nights” or “night after night” learning from God. The word “instruct” carries with it the idea of discipline and chastening, for David learned many lessons when God’s loving hand chastened him (Heb. 12:1–12). The Lord at his right hand suggests God as his advocate and defender. (See 73:23; 109:31; 110:5; 121:5; 1 John 2:2; Acts 2:33; 5:31.) With the Lord as his guide and guard, he had nothing to fear; he would not be moved (10:6; 15:5). The future is your friend when Jesus is your Lord. The Conqueror of Death (vv. 9–10)To delight in the Lord and His goodness and then lose all these blessings at death would be a great tragedy. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:19, nkjv). But in His death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered death, and through faith in Him we have a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3ff). When David wrote “My body will rest secure” (v. 9, nasb), he was referring to Messiah and not to himself. Using these verses, Peter proved that Jesus had been raised from the dead, for it’s obvious that David was dead and his body had decayed in his tomb (Acts 2:22–31). But Jesus did not see corruption! When He arose from the dead on the third day, He had a real and substantial body, but it was a glorified body that could ingest food (Luke 24:36–42) but was also able to appear and disappear (Luke 24:28–31) and pass through locked doors (John 20:19–29). David could face death with a glad heart and soul, and could rest in the grave in hope, knowing that one day, he, too, would have a new glorified body. Paul used this same text to prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Acts 13:26–39). The full light of revelation about death and resurrection had not yet been revealed in Old Testament times, although there are hints in verses like 17:15 and 73:24–26, but through Jesus Christ, God had brought “life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). The Joy of Eternity (v. 11) The noted philosopher and Harvard University professor Alfred North Whitehead once asked a friend, “As for Christian theology, can you imagine anything more appallingly idiotic than the Christian idea of heaven?” But the focal point of heaven is not gates of pearl, streets of gold, or even angels and glorified saints. The central glory and joy of heaven is Jesus Christ (Rev. 4–5). The path of life that He shows us on earth today will end in even greater life when we enter heaven. Then we shall be in His presence and experience fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. A foolish caricature of heaven shows white-robed saints with halos and harps, resting on little white clouds; but the Bible gives no such description. In our glorified bodies, we shall be like Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20–21; 1 John 3:1–3), and we shall worship and serve Him forever. The pleasures of heaven will be far beyond any pleasures we have known here on earth, and as we enjoy the Lord and serve Him, we will not be restricted or encumbered by time, physical weakness, or the consequences of sin. So magnificent are the glories of heaven that the apostle John had to ransack human language to find words to describe it (Rev. 21–22). Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? Have you accepted your inheritance and are you making the most of it for His glory? Do you anticipate being with Christ in glory? Is He the joy of your life today; for if He isn’t, when will you be prepared to enjoy Him for all eternity?

Acts 2:46  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (RVR) Y perseverando unánimes cada día en el templo, y partiendo el pan en las casas, comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón (VP) Todos los días se reunían en el templo, y en las casas partían el pan y comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón.

WHAT DISTINUISHED THEIR JOY? Unity and growth of the (spiritual) family (2:41-47)

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (RVR) Y ellos salieron de la presencia del concilio, gozosos de haber sido tenidos por dignos de padecer afrenta por causa del Nombre. (VP) Los apóstoles salieron de la presencia de las autoridades muy contentos, porque Dios les había concedido el honor de sufrir injurias por causa del nombre de Jesús.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Joy in Suffering for Christ

v.18 jailed

v.33 threatened with death

v.40 “flogged”

Acts 16:22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 37  But Paul said to the officers: “They “beat” us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

Acts 22:19 ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

δέρω [dero /der·o/] v. A root word; GK 1296; 15 occurrences; AV translates as “beat” 12 times, and “smite” three times. 1 to flay, skin. 2 to beat, thrash, smite. 1194. δέρω dérō; fut. deró̄, 2d fut. pass. daré̄somai, aor. édeira, 2d aor. pass. edárēn. To skin, flay (Sept.: 2 Chr. 29:34 2 Chronicles 29:34 The priests, however, were too few to skin all the burnt offerings; so their kinsmen the Levites helped them until the task was finished and until other priests had been consecrated, for the Levites had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves than the priests had been). In the NT, to beat or scourge so as to take off the skin (Matt. 21:35; Mark 12:3, 5; Luke 20:10, 11; Acts 16:37; 22:19). In John 18:23 we have the question of Jesus to the high priest, “Why smitest thou me?” This verb corresponds to the rhápisma (4475) of John 18:22, the blow with the open hand. Therefore, dérō in verse twenty–three must be translated to “hit or slap me with the palm” (a.t.). In 2 Cor. 11:20, “If a man smite you on the face,” means if a man treats you with contempt. In Luke 22:63 dérontes is the pres. part. attached to the principle verb enépaizon, the imperf. of empaízō (1702), to mock, deride. They were mocking Christ, but how? The answer is dérontes, by smiting Him either on the face or on His body. Such was the treatment received by our Lord prior to His crucifixion. In Acts 5:40 the same verb is used about the treatment received by the disciples from the Sanhedrin. The verb deírantes here, however, is in the aor. part. This indicates an act or a series of acts within a time frame and not the pres. part. dérontes as in Luke 22:63 which characterized the treatment of our Savior. In Acts 5:40 it is “and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,” which was a characteristic act of intimidation to cause them to quit witnessing for Christ. In the pass., it is daré̄sesthe, “You will be smitten in synagogues” (a.t. [Mark 13:9]). Whenever there were several synagogues in an area, representatives of these synagogues gathered together to form the sunédrion (4892), a joint session of an official body constituting a tribunal. In such cases, the tribunal was made of twenty–three members. If, however, there was only one synagogue in the area, then it was a local body of officials made up usually of seven, called the elders of the Jews (Luke 7:3) or the rulers (árchontes [758]); see Matt. 9:18, 23; Luke 8:41. These elders or rulers exercised a wide jurisdiction. For minor offenses the penalty was scourging (mastigóō [3146], whipping; Matt. 10:17; 23:34). Scourging (mastízō [3147], the verb of mástix [3148], a whip) was one method of dérō, to smite, as indicated in Acts 22:19. This smiting, however, was not to be confused with the Roman penalty of scourging (Matt. 20:19; John 19:1 [cf. 2 Cor. 11:24]) and administered in the synagogue. Excommunication was the punishment for offenses which were thought to imperil the stability of the Jewish community (Luke 6:22; John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2). The verb dérō is also used in the parable of the faithful and the bad servants in Luke 12:35–48. The first observation we must make is that this is a judgment of service and not of salvation. Those servants who proved faithful in the execution of their master’s investment in them will be rewarded accordingly, and those servants who did not take their responsibility seriously will be dealt with accordingly. This is proof that not all believers are going to enjoy heaven equally. The entrance into heaven is due to the acceptance by faith of the work which Christ did on the cross, but the enjoyment of heaven will depend on how faithfully a servant honored Christ on earth and the trust that Christ was able to put in him. Both rewards and punishments are graded according to the servant’s faithfulness and fruitfulness. Deriv.: dérma (1192), skin. 1.     DERŌ (δέρω , (1194)), from a root der—, skin (derma, a skin, cp. Eng., dermatology), primarily to flay, then to beat, thrash or smite, is used of the treatment of the servants of the owner of the vineyard by the husbandmen, in the parable in Matt. 21:35; Mark 12:3, 5; Luke 20:10, 11; of the treatment of Christ, Luke 22:63, R.V., “beat,” for A.V., “smote;” John 18:23; of the followers of Christ, in the synagogues, Mark 13:9; Acts 22:19; of the punishment of unfaithful servants, Luke 12:47, 48; of the beating of apostles by the High Priest and the Council of the Sanhedrin, Acts 5:40; by magistrates, 16:37. The significance of flogging does not always attach to the word; it is used of the infliction of a single blow, John 18:23; 2 Cor. 11:20, and of beating the air, 1 Cor. 9:26. The usual meaning is that of thrashing or cudgelling, and when used of a blow it indicates one of great violence.

Acts 8:8 So there was great joy in that city.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Changed lives…..restored & healed

Acts 8:39  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Personal Salvation, obedience to His command

            v.35 the good news about Jesus

Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Changed lives

            v.19 the message

            v.20 the Good News about the Lord Jesus

            v.23 the evidence of the grace of God

Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? God’s plan to give them the message of salvation ( they previously felt excluded)

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? The progress of the gospel (in spite of rejection)

Acts 14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? They knew source of who gave them their provisions, it came from God himself

Their joy was more in the Blesser than the Blessing

Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way and as they traveled through Phoenicia & Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? The news of the kingdom growth, esp among the least likely

Acts 15:31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? A message of encouragement (sound doctrine, salvation by grace, a call to holiness)

Acts 16:34  The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
WHAT DISTINGUISHED THEIR JOY? Family Salvation

            v.27 he drew his sword and was about to kill himself

v.30 what must I do to be saved?

v.31 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved – you and your household