“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
We have a race to run. And we are to run it with patience and endurance. I like to say to have endurance is to take a “licking and keep on ticking.”
Let’s consider our example, Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured….” In other words, even when He was on the cross, instead of thinking about the agonizing pain and suffering the shame, He was looking at the reward He would get.
You may ask, “Do you mean Jesus received a reward?” Yes He did. You probably thought rewards could only be given to man, or that Jesus couldn’t be given a reward because, after all, He’s God, and God already has everything.
Well, first of all, you need to understand that Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He operated in the earth as man anointed by the Holy Spirit, which is why He said the works that He does we could do too. So, you and I can produce the works of man anointed by God simply because we too are anointed by God; but we cannot produce the works of God.
Furthermore, Philippians 2:7 tells us, “He made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” In others words, He emptied Himself of all heavenly privileges and humbled Himself as a man and became obedient unto the death of the cross.
Now because of His obedience, He was highly exalted and given a name that’s above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, in earth, and things under the earth and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
He is our Lord because He was obedient unto death and defeated Satan. His obedience also ensured that He would no longer be the only begotten Son of God, but that He would become the first born of many brethren.
You see, Jesus saw you and me while He was on that cross, and it gave Him joy to know that He was paying for us our penalty for sin. Looking at the end results, the reward, helped Him to endure the death of the cross.
Jesus endured. So can you. Seeing the victory before you have it will help you endure in the race that is set before you. So rejoice now, your blessing shall come to past.
Scripture References: Philippians 2:5-11; Ecclesiastes 9:11
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).