Pastor Peter shared from the verse Hebrews 12:2 on
Sunday, 14 Feb.
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God…”
I must confess that I don’t always pay full attention when I read the Bible. I must have read or referred to this verse countless times, but yet I have not noticed that to have the word “joy” in the same sentence as “endured the cross” is oxymoronic. How can the cross, with all its blood, sweat, tears, pain and shame have anything to do with joy? And yet, that is the measure of Jesus’ love for us. He looked beyond the immediate challenges and focused on the outcome, however painful those immediate challenges
were. He considered the pain and suffering he had to go through as nothing compared to the joy of being the salvation plan for all of us.
Therein lies the blueprint for all of us believers who are going through the trials and temptations of this mortal life. None of us will have the “good fortune” of going through life without our fair share of troubles and pain. What God reminded me from the sermon is that when we are walking
with Him, we can always be assured that the outcome of the trials we are going through will always be filled with joy. Perhaps that is why James 1:2-4 says this:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Michael Teo
