1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always (ESV)
This verse is coming at a time when God is really questioning me about my Joy. Even now as I am writing this I am reminded of the message I shared with the my teens on Sunday. I asked them if Christ was burdened carrying the cross down Calvary road? If he was grumbling and complaining as his open flesh was rubbing against the wood of the cross. We know that he wasn’t, because we are told “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). When I read that I am definitely challenged but at the same time moved. Looking at what is truly being said, that he endured the cross, he lasted, continued in the same state without perishing, he remained; he abided in the perfect will of the Father. He bared with patience, he bared without opposition, he didn’t sink under the pressure, he “despised the shame”. This kind of endurance we see mentioned 26 times in Psalm 136, in reference to the steadfast love of the Lord which endures forever. Its one thing to do all of this, but to do it with joy, with passion. A passion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. The rational prospect of possessing what Christ loved or desired. Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. We are Jesus’ crown, we made the sacrifice of his blood worth it.
Christ had the focus of a marathon runner. He ran the race with endurance, and didn’t give up at the end. A marathon runner grows tired, they wear out, the wont to stop and give up. But an Olympic runner runs the hardest mile the last mile. They don’t drop their shoulders, slow down and give up. The proudly run, shoulders straight and head high through the finish line. I think of that last mile of a marathon kind of like Christ’s final moments before getting to the cross. He was beyond worn out, he was beyond tired, he was beaten to a pulp, and yet he carried that cross with his head held high. He carried it proudly, knowing his crown was in heaven, as he looked up and said “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). I want my life to get to that point, where I can look up and glory in the thought of my eternal dwelling. Holding my head high, walking in joy, for “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
We can truly learn so much from the life of Christ. We look at a man like Paul, who knew what it meant to live in the love of Christ, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No solider gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:3-6). Paul knew who enlisted him and the reason for his service. It was more then the civilian pursuits, it was about the will of his heavenly Father. He knew that, “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it was the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Just as Christ did, we are to walk daily in the will of the Father, leaving to glorify and please him, picking up our cross daily and the power within. When we pick up our cross we are picking up the power of the resurrection, the power to liberate heal and bind the broken hearted. We are picking up the joy set before us, enduring in pure joy through every trial that comes our way.
Application:
I know joy is a fruit of the spirit, something I cannot fake but can only receive through a genuine relationship and acceptance of the Spirit of God. I will pray this week for the fruits to be evident in my life, and endure in remaining in this prayer.
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