Resources/Articles
The Joy of Discipleship
The Hebrew Christians are reminded in Hebrews 12.1 of a host of witnesses who, by their faith, gained God’s approval (cf. Hebrews 11.2,4-5,39). These witnesses’ faith and hope were in Jesus and the resurrection through which they would, one day, obtain a better resurrection (Hebrews 11.35), and the promise of eternal life (Hebrews 11.39). That Jesus had risen from the dead, as prophesied, is seen from Hebrews 11.40: “…apart from us they should not be made perfect.” Why is this statement important? Paul explained it as follows: “If Christ hath not been raised…ye are yet in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15.17). Simply put, there would be no “us” (Christians). For this reason, we read of Jesus: “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12.2).
It takes the proverbial eye of faith to see the unseen. To “see” by faith is to comprehend or understand why physical pain and suffering are connected to an incorruptible crown of life. It is known only through wisdom and understanding provided in God’s word (cf. 1 Corinthians 2.9-10).
The joy set before Jesus enabled him, in the flesh, to endure the cross. Do you know that you and I were that joy? Jesus deemed the value of our souls well worth the shame of the cross. He looked beyond the physical suffering and physical death to the resurrection. His joy was to make that possible for us. His resurrection is our hope and assurance for a resurrection to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15).
What of our joy? In view of this great love for us, does it not renew our spirits within us? Let us encourage one another, lest we become weary. The Lord has provided the means to address that very thing: assembling. This is the path to joy: “…not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10.25). In this, the saying is fulfilled, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27.17).
