For the Joy Set Before Him

Prior to His betrayal and arrest, Jesus stopped with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to commune in prayer with His heavenly Father. Jesus was keenly aware of what was about to occur to Him, and it is in this scene where we get a glimpse of the very intense agony that He had.

As they settled into the Garden, Jesus expressed His dread, saying that His soul was “exceedingly sorrowful, even to the point of death.” He then prayed to the Father, face down on the ground, sweating drops of blood—asking if there were another way. And having received the answer, Jesus then submitted His human will to that perfect will of God, and rose to face His betrayer.

Now despite all of this distress, Jesus did not begrudgingly suffer and die for you. No, we are told by the author of Hebrews that He went to the cross “for the joy thatset before Him.”  He went to the cross, eyes wide open, face set like flint, and with a heart of unrelenting joy—even in the midst of true terror and sorrow.  

And so as we partake of this meal, consider Christ’s joy.

He had joy—for by His shame, there would be made peace between God and man.

He had joy—for by His suffering, there would be salvation offered to sinners like you and me.

And He had joy—for by His death, He was receiving the nations as His reward—He was receiving you into His kingdom. 

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.