Joy Defined
Who or what gives you happiness in your life? My guess is the answers to that question are varied. Your happiness may be defined differently based on age, gender, ethnicity or any circumstance you may find yourself in. I found happiness in certain television shows when I was 10 that I no longer enjoyed at 15 and the same could be said now at 41. My prayer is that your happiness and ultimately your joy starts and ends with Jesus Christ.
The Author
The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 names Jesus as the author of our faith. That makes sense because Jesus spoke all things into existence (John 1:1-3) but there is also the aspect of initiation. From time to time, I ask my students if Christianity is a “Man to God” or “God to Man” religion. Most of them say that it is a “Man to God” religion. This makes sense because of all the things we do in regards to following God but then I ask “How do we even know to do those things?” Then it becomes clearer that God is the initiator. He created all of this and then if that isn’t enough to point us in his direction (Romans 1:20), he then reaches out to those mentioned in Hebrews 11 and tells them/us how to be acceptable in his sight.
The Finisher/Perfector
The writer of Hebrews not only gives us a glimpse of the beginning of the journey but the end as well. It shouldn’t be any surprise that the eternal Jesus is at the finish line too. Not only does Jesus call all mankind unto himself but he helps us finish well. As any human being that has started a process or an activity, we know the completion of that activity is a strong motivator. As an author it was the thought of being finished with the book that often pushed me forward when it felt like absolute drudgery to sit down and write more. God’s presence in the lives of those mentioned in Hebrews 11, those who would write the New Testament and our lives can get us through the most difficult days.
The other aspect of Jesus’ role as the finisher is what some versions render “perfector”. Not only does he initiate and finish but he comes along for the ride. As a runner of 5k’s, the beginning and end are the easier parts of the event. It is the moments and decisions in between that define the outcome. One of the awesome aspects of running for St. Jude are the cheerleaders alongside the road. Several of our team members mentioned during their half-marathon run that people were along the path with “power up” posters for runners to hit for encouragement to keep going. That certainly has some spiritual meaning as well considering the author of Hebrews mentions that “great cloud of witnesses” but God (as He usually does) goes a step further. When you’re tired, physically/spiritually and you don’t think you can’t take another step, he does it for you. God has always longed to be in the presence of his people but until Jesus that was not possible without strenuous precautions due to the sinfulness of mankind. Why did Jesus endure the cross because of the joy of being in the presence of his people through the Holy Spirit. How does Jesus define his joy? You. Jesus’ definition of joy is being with you through it all. I believe you can read Hebrews 12:2 and put your name in the place of “joy” and it means the exact same. “for Ben he endured the cross for Will he despised the shame, and for Whitney he is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Try it out. Put your name in those promises and you get why Jesus did what he did.
Our Response
The author of Hebrews wanted the Christians who read his letter to understand there was no going back to their old way of life. Jesus is better than the old sacrificial system. Jesus is better than the tabernacle, temple and all of their furniture. Jesus is unchanged by the circumstances. Jesus is joy and has shown us how to have it in the most dire of situations. As Hebrews 13:8 states “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” It means He can be trusted to be there when no one else seems to be. We have a choice in who we find our joy, Jesus made his choice a long time ago.
Travis