Thar's snow on that thar mount'n. Yes indeed, knoxville is snug as a bug in a rug while the wolves are chattering their teeth out. A good blast of cool weather put 3-6 inches of fresh fallen snow on evelations above 3000 ft. Cades Cove was clear but the mountains around it was snow capped. We had a cool 27 degrees this morning 3/24. Hope your weekend will be wonderful. Thanks again to Jeoff Mabe in turning our thoughts to the emotions of Jesus at the Lectureship. - KIRK
The Emotions of Jesus Heb. 12:1-3
The short of it:
I. Intro:
II. Joy is defined as: “The emotion of great happiness” Emotions come in response to stimuli.
Design a product that "looks so cool and is such a joy to interact with, that you want your neighbors to come over and see it," says Charles Jones of Whirlpool. In other words, they wanted appliances that would actually make people happy.
As Christians, should we not radiate with a joy that would be inviting to our neighbors? Have we not discovered that our unchurched neighbors knows the difference between a social smile and real happiness.
There is a secondary meaning of the word Joy. Heb. 12:2 “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross...” Jesus was pliable to the will of his Father.
In likemanner when we delight in the Lord we become pliable to his will. Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you....
So this kind of joy I am speaking of is not merely being joyful or having a cheerful attitude. It is an incredible emotion that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit.
Paul spoke of it in Romans 8:16, 17 This joy is inexpressible. You cannot adequately explain it to people. It is full of the glory of God. It is the recollection of all the spiritual blessings which are found in Christ (Eph. 1:3). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
Why would this knowledge make one emotionally elated?
Because Eph. 2:12 describes the human condition without a relationship with God. It is pictures a man as being DEPRIVED - without Christ, DISPLACED person - alien, DISASSOCIATED - strangers of promise, DESPAIRED - without hope, DEBASE - without God, DESOLATE - all alone in the world. What a DISTRAUGHTFUL condition! But when one finds Christ v. 13ff, those at a DISTANCE are drawn near, eyes are DRIED - peace, DIVISION rectified - united, and hostility DESTROYED.
So delight yourself in the Lord. Yield yourself to his will in a way that bring glorious delight to your emotional state of mind.
The disciples joy was not based upon feelings, it was based upon the fact that Jesus, God’s son, came to earth, loved them so much that he gave up his life for them, and defeated death. Now there was no enemy they could not face. Now there was no evil or hurtful situation that would be permanent. If God’s love gave his son for them, how much more freely would he give them all things?
THE LONG OF IT.......
Emotions of Jesus #2
Heb. 12:1-3
I. Introduction
A. Last time we talked about Jesus and his emotions we observed that:
1. He was no cardboard person as paintings portray him - emotionless.
2. Capable of zealousness whether in anger (cleansing the temple) or right behavior.
3. Noted his compassion as he wept over Jerusalem & with Lazarus’ friends.
4. Touched by his Anxiety as he was Troubled or greatly disturbed (in the garden).
a. And how knowing these help us in becoming conformed to his image.
B. Today we will conclude the emotions of Jesus emphasizing two of his greatest attributes.
1. His Happiness or joy (Jn. 17:13).
2. His Love (Jn. 13:34).
II. Joy is defined as: “The emotion of great happiness”
A. Emotions come in response to stimuli.
1. The stimuli can come from any of our five senses or it can come from our thoughts. The mind certainly plays a significant role in our feelings. It interprets what we see, touch, hear, feel, or smell and think.
2. Sensory Logic of St. Paul, Minn., studies videotape of people's facial reactions -- to products and commercials -- in increments as fleeting as 1/30th of a second. In measuring happiness or fulfillment, the company's staffers look for the difference between, say, a true smile (which includes a relaxation of the upper eyelid) and a social smile (which occurs only around the mouth). The company also measures the "micro-smile," which uses less than half the face and indicates "just a slight glimmering of buy-in," says Dan Hill, company president.
3. (a couple years back KW) Whirlpool used Sensory Logic to test reactions to a yet-to-be-launched generation of Duet washers and dryers, the company's premier line. The goal: Design a product that "looks so cool and is such a joy to interact with, that you want your neighbors to come over and see it," says Charles Jones of Whirlpool. In other words, they wanted appliances that would actually make people happy. "Scientists probe sources of contentment, bliss -- mostly to sell us stuff" JEFFREY ZASLOW, Wall Street Journal as found at the “Charlotte Journal” website.
B. Some passages which describe this kind of Joy.
1. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:10-11. "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 "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." Hebrews 1:9
2. As Christians, should we not radiate with a joy that would be inviting to our neighbors? Have we not discovered that our unchurched neighbors knows the difference between a social smile and real happiness.
C. There is a secondary meaning of the word Joy. In Psalm 37:4 one reads, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
1. ‘Delight’ is the English word used to translate the Hebrew word aònag (aw-nag'). It is to be effeminately soft and pliable. It has a sense of yielding to a lover in a way that brings glorious delight.
2. A clear understanding of this kind of joy is seen in Heb. 12:2 “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross...” Jesus was pliable to the will of his Father. Whatever Father God required of him, regardless how pleasant or how difficult, Jesus exercised each task with great joy.
a. The joy Jesus spoke about as “his joy” came from being honored by his Father for his obedience. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, God the Father honored his obedience at his baptism (Matt. 3:13-17). On the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father again spoke of his pleasure in his Son (Matt. 17:5). Only one thing motivated Jesus; that was pleasing his Father (John 8:29). In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus laid down his own will to submit to his Father’s will. He did this looking beyond the cross to his Father’s pleasure in his obedience. He looked forward to his Father exalting him for his obedience. He certainly was not disappointed. After Jesus’ ascension, God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every other name Phil. 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...”
3. In likemanner when we delight in the Lord we become pliable to his will.
a. Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
b. 1 Pet 4:12, 13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
4. Romans 14: 17…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is the pinnacle of the Kingdom.
a. You can have righteousness without peace or joy (Pharisees). You can have peace without joy (Settle wrongful death suit brings closure but won’t bring loved one back). You can have joy without righteousness and peace (Greedy, unholy people). So to have a delightful joy, a biblical joy, a Christ centered joy, one must embrace obedience. Psa. 1:1, 2.
5. So this kind of joy I am speaking of is not merely being joyful or having a cheerful attitude. It is an incredible emotion that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit.
a. Paul spoke of it in Romans 8:16, 17 This joy is inexpressible. You cannot adequately explain it to people. It is full of the glory of God. It is the recollection of all the spiritual blessings which are found in Christ (Eph. 1:3). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
b. Why would this knowledge make one emotionally elated?
c. Because Eph. 2:12 describes the human condition without a relationship with God. It is pictures a man as being DEPRIVED - without Christ, DISPLACED person - alien, DISASSOCIATED - strangers of promise, DESPAIRED - without hope, DEBASE - without God, DESOLATE - all alone in the world. What a DISTRAUGHTFUL condition! But when one finds Christ v. 13ff, those at a DISTANCE are drawn near, eyes are DRIED - peace, DIVISION rectified - united, and hostility DESTROYED. So delight yourself in the Lord. Yield yourself to his will in a way that bring glorious delight to your emotional state of mind.
III. To preach the cross LOVE must be involved.
A. So lets talk about the love of Jesus and how it brings joy to our life.
1. Hearing that Jesus loves me may warm the heart. Knowing that he sacrificed his life for my sins offers hope to my spirit. But the resurrection of Jesus brings joy unimaginable.
2. Dawn makes everything beautiful. The rising sun bursting through the sky touches the common scene and transforms it into something splendid and beautiful.
The love of Jesus is like the dawn. The rising cross on the horizon brightens and warms the most common life and transforms that life into something splendid and beautiful.
As the reflection of the rising sun upon the most desolate scene is beautiful to behold, the love of the crucified risen Christ, is even a more spectacular view.
B. When Jesus told his disciples about his impending death it brought them great distress.
1. Recognizing their fear and pain he said, “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (Jn. 16:22).
2. Peter writes, “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8, 9).
3. When Jesus sent the seventy out on the first ever Christian missionary tour he gave them power to heal and cast out demons, they returned rejoicing in their labor. Jesus responded to their joy by saying, “in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven - in that hour Jesus rejoiced greatly in the spirit” (Lk. 10:20, 21). Here we see Jesus leaping and laughing with his disciples because they were bring lost souls to the Christ!
C. The salvation of souls brings Jesus great joy and it is by his great love we are saved.
1. The wise preacher once said, “He that wins souls is wise (Prov. 11:30).
2. In Lk. 15 we find great rejoicing in the teachings of Jesus conserning things which was lost but were found.
a. There was the lost sheep - It was lost, knew it was lost, but could do nothing about it unless someone came and helped.
b. There was the lost coin - It was lost, didn’t know it was lost, but prompted an entire house cleaning before it was reclaimed.
c. Then there was the lost son - Who, was safe, but became lost, came to his senses that he was lost, and did something about his lost condition.
3. At the conclusion of each of these stories, Jesus reveals the demonstration of joy by the shepherd, woman, and the father as they hosted a great party.
4. In the telling of the stories he leaves the door of heaven ajar which allows you and me to sneak a peek at what’s happening inside. And what do we see? A great angelic party going on every time a sinner repents. Fascinating!
5. The disciples joy was not based upon feelings, it was based upon the fact that Jesus, God’s son, came to earth, loved them so much that he gave up his life for them, and defeated death. Now there was no enemy they could not face. Now there was no evil or hurtful situation that would be permanent. If God’s love gave his son for them, how much more freely would he give them all things?
D. Someone might respond, “Well I don’t feel too happy right now. If you knew what all I was going through you’d be crying too.”
1. I am not saying that we never feel pain, that we are never burdened, that our feelings don’t get hurt. And yet, I don’t think Jesus was smiling when Judas kissed him. I can’t see him grinning from ear to ear as Pilate parades him before the crowds beaten and humiliated. I can’t imagine him laughing as they were placing the crown of thorns upon his brow or scourging him nearly to death. Neither did we hear a giggle come forth as they drove the nails in his hands or feet but the text says, “who for the joy that was set before him,” not the cross, not the pain, but the glory he would receive after his resurrection.
2. That’s what his joy was all about.
3. The Psalmist writes, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” Psalm 30:5.
a. Would it surprise you to discover that joy and sorrow are very often linked in God’s Word? It is almost as if sorrow digs the well and joy is the sweet water that fills it.
b. Could it be that in the time of sorrow we can be so occupied with our weeping and peering into the darkness that we do not notice our back is to the dawn? Turn around. Behold the love on the cross! Cling to every precious promise until the light breaks through.
4. It’s not a healing we may receive that makes us happy. It’s not riches, pleasure or freedom that brings fulfillment to our lives and joy to our hearts. It’s knowing how our life’s story is going to end - safe in the loving arms of Jesus!
Let us rejoice that our names are written in heaven!
CONCLUSION
There is great strength in seeing the emotions of two of Jesus’ greatest attributes, his joy and his love.
knowing about the joy of Jesus gives us strength to persevere when everything about us seems to be falling apart.
Knowing about the love of Jesus gives us joy in this life through the knowledge that we serve an everlasting King, and that king is full of grand rewards.
So great is our joy as we await His appearing. “…in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalms 16:11. What a beautiful dawn…what a glorious day! Jesus is the joy of living!
But if you are still dead in your trespasses and sins, you cannot rejoice as do the saint. Will you not respond this hour to his great love and receive this joy unimaginable that no man can take away!
Be conformed to the image of his son through experiencing the joy and love of Christ.
Those who are truly happy can sing..... Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing his mercy and his grace.....
The Emotions of Jesus Heb. 12:1-3
The short of it:
I. Intro:
II. Joy is defined as: “The emotion of great happiness” Emotions come in response to stimuli.
Design a product that "looks so cool and is such a joy to interact with, that you want your neighbors to come over and see it," says Charles Jones of Whirlpool. In other words, they wanted appliances that would actually make people happy.
As Christians, should we not radiate with a joy that would be inviting to our neighbors? Have we not discovered that our unchurched neighbors knows the difference between a social smile and real happiness.
There is a secondary meaning of the word Joy. Heb. 12:2 “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross...” Jesus was pliable to the will of his Father.
In likemanner when we delight in the Lord we become pliable to his will. Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you....
So this kind of joy I am speaking of is not merely being joyful or having a cheerful attitude. It is an incredible emotion that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit.
Paul spoke of it in Romans 8:16, 17 This joy is inexpressible. You cannot adequately explain it to people. It is full of the glory of God. It is the recollection of all the spiritual blessings which are found in Christ (Eph. 1:3). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
Why would this knowledge make one emotionally elated?
Because Eph. 2:12 describes the human condition without a relationship with God. It is pictures a man as being DEPRIVED - without Christ, DISPLACED person - alien, DISASSOCIATED - strangers of promise, DESPAIRED - without hope, DEBASE - without God, DESOLATE - all alone in the world. What a DISTRAUGHTFUL condition! But when one finds Christ v. 13ff, those at a DISTANCE are drawn near, eyes are DRIED - peace, DIVISION rectified - united, and hostility DESTROYED.
So delight yourself in the Lord. Yield yourself to his will in a way that bring glorious delight to your emotional state of mind.
The disciples joy was not based upon feelings, it was based upon the fact that Jesus, God’s son, came to earth, loved them so much that he gave up his life for them, and defeated death. Now there was no enemy they could not face. Now there was no evil or hurtful situation that would be permanent. If God’s love gave his son for them, how much more freely would he give them all things?
THE LONG OF IT.......
Emotions of Jesus #2
Heb. 12:1-3
I. Introduction
A. Last time we talked about Jesus and his emotions we observed that:
1. He was no cardboard person as paintings portray him - emotionless.
2. Capable of zealousness whether in anger (cleansing the temple) or right behavior.
3. Noted his compassion as he wept over Jerusalem & with Lazarus’ friends.
4. Touched by his Anxiety as he was Troubled or greatly disturbed (in the garden).
a. And how knowing these help us in becoming conformed to his image.
B. Today we will conclude the emotions of Jesus emphasizing two of his greatest attributes.
1. His Happiness or joy (Jn. 17:13).
2. His Love (Jn. 13:34).
II. Joy is defined as: “The emotion of great happiness”
A. Emotions come in response to stimuli.
1. The stimuli can come from any of our five senses or it can come from our thoughts. The mind certainly plays a significant role in our feelings. It interprets what we see, touch, hear, feel, or smell and think.
2. Sensory Logic of St. Paul, Minn., studies videotape of people's facial reactions -- to products and commercials -- in increments as fleeting as 1/30th of a second. In measuring happiness or fulfillment, the company's staffers look for the difference between, say, a true smile (which includes a relaxation of the upper eyelid) and a social smile (which occurs only around the mouth). The company also measures the "micro-smile," which uses less than half the face and indicates "just a slight glimmering of buy-in," says Dan Hill, company president.
3. (a couple years back KW) Whirlpool used Sensory Logic to test reactions to a yet-to-be-launched generation of Duet washers and dryers, the company's premier line. The goal: Design a product that "looks so cool and is such a joy to interact with, that you want your neighbors to come over and see it," says Charles Jones of Whirlpool. In other words, they wanted appliances that would actually make people happy. "Scientists probe sources of contentment, bliss -- mostly to sell us stuff" JEFFREY ZASLOW, Wall Street Journal as found at the “Charlotte Journal” website.
B. Some passages which describe this kind of Joy.
1. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:10-11. "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 "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." Hebrews 1:9
2. As Christians, should we not radiate with a joy that would be inviting to our neighbors? Have we not discovered that our unchurched neighbors knows the difference between a social smile and real happiness.
C. There is a secondary meaning of the word Joy. In Psalm 37:4 one reads, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
1. ‘Delight’ is the English word used to translate the Hebrew word aònag (aw-nag'). It is to be effeminately soft and pliable. It has a sense of yielding to a lover in a way that brings glorious delight.
2. A clear understanding of this kind of joy is seen in Heb. 12:2 “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross...” Jesus was pliable to the will of his Father. Whatever Father God required of him, regardless how pleasant or how difficult, Jesus exercised each task with great joy.
a. The joy Jesus spoke about as “his joy” came from being honored by his Father for his obedience. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, God the Father honored his obedience at his baptism (Matt. 3:13-17). On the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father again spoke of his pleasure in his Son (Matt. 17:5). Only one thing motivated Jesus; that was pleasing his Father (John 8:29). In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus laid down his own will to submit to his Father’s will. He did this looking beyond the cross to his Father’s pleasure in his obedience. He looked forward to his Father exalting him for his obedience. He certainly was not disappointed. After Jesus’ ascension, God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every other name Phil. 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...”
3. In likemanner when we delight in the Lord we become pliable to his will.
a. Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
b. 1 Pet 4:12, 13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
4. Romans 14: 17…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is the pinnacle of the Kingdom.
a. You can have righteousness without peace or joy (Pharisees). You can have peace without joy (Settle wrongful death suit brings closure but won’t bring loved one back). You can have joy without righteousness and peace (Greedy, unholy people). So to have a delightful joy, a biblical joy, a Christ centered joy, one must embrace obedience. Psa. 1:1, 2.
5. So this kind of joy I am speaking of is not merely being joyful or having a cheerful attitude. It is an incredible emotion that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit.
a. Paul spoke of it in Romans 8:16, 17 This joy is inexpressible. You cannot adequately explain it to people. It is full of the glory of God. It is the recollection of all the spiritual blessings which are found in Christ (Eph. 1:3). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
b. Why would this knowledge make one emotionally elated?
c. Because Eph. 2:12 describes the human condition without a relationship with God. It is pictures a man as being DEPRIVED - without Christ, DISPLACED person - alien, DISASSOCIATED - strangers of promise, DESPAIRED - without hope, DEBASE - without God, DESOLATE - all alone in the world. What a DISTRAUGHTFUL condition! But when one finds Christ v. 13ff, those at a DISTANCE are drawn near, eyes are DRIED - peace, DIVISION rectified - united, and hostility DESTROYED. So delight yourself in the Lord. Yield yourself to his will in a way that bring glorious delight to your emotional state of mind.
III. To preach the cross LOVE must be involved.
A. So lets talk about the love of Jesus and how it brings joy to our life.
1. Hearing that Jesus loves me may warm the heart. Knowing that he sacrificed his life for my sins offers hope to my spirit. But the resurrection of Jesus brings joy unimaginable.
2. Dawn makes everything beautiful. The rising sun bursting through the sky touches the common scene and transforms it into something splendid and beautiful.
The love of Jesus is like the dawn. The rising cross on the horizon brightens and warms the most common life and transforms that life into something splendid and beautiful.
As the reflection of the rising sun upon the most desolate scene is beautiful to behold, the love of the crucified risen Christ, is even a more spectacular view.
B. When Jesus told his disciples about his impending death it brought them great distress.
1. Recognizing their fear and pain he said, “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (Jn. 16:22).
2. Peter writes, “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8, 9).
3. When Jesus sent the seventy out on the first ever Christian missionary tour he gave them power to heal and cast out demons, they returned rejoicing in their labor. Jesus responded to their joy by saying, “in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven - in that hour Jesus rejoiced greatly in the spirit” (Lk. 10:20, 21). Here we see Jesus leaping and laughing with his disciples because they were bring lost souls to the Christ!
C. The salvation of souls brings Jesus great joy and it is by his great love we are saved.
1. The wise preacher once said, “He that wins souls is wise (Prov. 11:30).
2. In Lk. 15 we find great rejoicing in the teachings of Jesus conserning things which was lost but were found.
a. There was the lost sheep - It was lost, knew it was lost, but could do nothing about it unless someone came and helped.
b. There was the lost coin - It was lost, didn’t know it was lost, but prompted an entire house cleaning before it was reclaimed.
c. Then there was the lost son - Who, was safe, but became lost, came to his senses that he was lost, and did something about his lost condition.
3. At the conclusion of each of these stories, Jesus reveals the demonstration of joy by the shepherd, woman, and the father as they hosted a great party.
4. In the telling of the stories he leaves the door of heaven ajar which allows you and me to sneak a peek at what’s happening inside. And what do we see? A great angelic party going on every time a sinner repents. Fascinating!
5. The disciples joy was not based upon feelings, it was based upon the fact that Jesus, God’s son, came to earth, loved them so much that he gave up his life for them, and defeated death. Now there was no enemy they could not face. Now there was no evil or hurtful situation that would be permanent. If God’s love gave his son for them, how much more freely would he give them all things?
D. Someone might respond, “Well I don’t feel too happy right now. If you knew what all I was going through you’d be crying too.”
1. I am not saying that we never feel pain, that we are never burdened, that our feelings don’t get hurt. And yet, I don’t think Jesus was smiling when Judas kissed him. I can’t see him grinning from ear to ear as Pilate parades him before the crowds beaten and humiliated. I can’t imagine him laughing as they were placing the crown of thorns upon his brow or scourging him nearly to death. Neither did we hear a giggle come forth as they drove the nails in his hands or feet but the text says, “who for the joy that was set before him,” not the cross, not the pain, but the glory he would receive after his resurrection.
2. That’s what his joy was all about.
3. The Psalmist writes, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” Psalm 30:5.
a. Would it surprise you to discover that joy and sorrow are very often linked in God’s Word? It is almost as if sorrow digs the well and joy is the sweet water that fills it.
b. Could it be that in the time of sorrow we can be so occupied with our weeping and peering into the darkness that we do not notice our back is to the dawn? Turn around. Behold the love on the cross! Cling to every precious promise until the light breaks through.
4. It’s not a healing we may receive that makes us happy. It’s not riches, pleasure or freedom that brings fulfillment to our lives and joy to our hearts. It’s knowing how our life’s story is going to end - safe in the loving arms of Jesus!
Let us rejoice that our names are written in heaven!
CONCLUSION
There is great strength in seeing the emotions of two of Jesus’ greatest attributes, his joy and his love.
knowing about the joy of Jesus gives us strength to persevere when everything about us seems to be falling apart.
Knowing about the love of Jesus gives us joy in this life through the knowledge that we serve an everlasting King, and that king is full of grand rewards.
So great is our joy as we await His appearing. “…in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalms 16:11. What a beautiful dawn…what a glorious day! Jesus is the joy of living!
But if you are still dead in your trespasses and sins, you cannot rejoice as do the saint. Will you not respond this hour to his great love and receive this joy unimaginable that no man can take away!
Be conformed to the image of his son through experiencing the joy and love of Christ.
Those who are truly happy can sing..... Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing his mercy and his grace.....