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For the Joy


fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

            Today’s passage takes us beyond the ones that say “He came,” but it still provides a reason that He came: for the joy set before him. What was that joy? Some folks will say quickly, “It’s me. It’s you.” You and I are undoubtedly part of that joy. The sharing of eternal life with us is part of it, but it’s not the whole, just as yesterday’s list showed that He came for more than one reason that is, at the same time, all one reason.
           Another joy He had before Him was the opportunity, tough as it was, to prove His love was perfect and complete. The Son loves the Father. The Father loves the Son. Both love mankind and are willing to make ultimate sacrifices for the sake of that love. Sure, both the Father and the Son knew they could make those sacrifices, and neither has to prove anything to anyone, but they were both willing to make what they knew an actuality. They are both humble and confident enough to do what They know They can do, enduring the cross and scorning its shame in order to make their joy complete and they love true and not hypothetical.
            This, to me, is the biggest reason why Jesus came – to make His love complete and real, not just an idea.

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