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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Devotionals / Pilgrim's Journal Welcome Guest
    Pilgrim's Journal
          The On-Going Saga of a Pilgrim on His Journey to the Celestial City

    Sun, Dec 23rd - 8:56AM



    Jesus’ Greatest Joy

     

    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  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.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  Heb. 12:1-4

     

              The Man of sorrows had joy set before Him.  The Author of faith finished it.  His finished work was His joy, and His joy is what has been contested.  The enemy hoped to bring such sorrow into His life that He would perish before He broke through all opposition into everlasting rest.  He endured the contradiction of sinners without becoming weary or faint.  They declared that He was not what He professed to be.  If we could know fully what those religious sinners wanted Him to be, in order that He might please them, we would know what they were in their hearts. 

              The long, wearing process of having to go contrary to the course of this world has been too much for many.  People have perished in the storms on the sea, in the deprivations and hardships on the desert, or by being lost on the plains or mountains.  But humanity itself, largely speaking, is set to make it impossible for one to be true to God while he lives in this world.  The Author of faith resisted unto blood.  He committed Himself to God without failing or breaking away.

                The place at the right hand of God was reserved for the One who could put all opposition under His feet.  He found joy in what he set out to do.  He came to find us and to put into us the very power of His life.  He came through in triumph, that we might triumph in Him.  The joy of completely removing sin from our hearts was to be not only His joy, but ours also, for His joy included our joy in being His.  He lets it cost us the loss of all which we have selfishly claimed that the nature which went astray should perish.  Our whole inner being can be filled with power to please Him.  He did not choose some pleasure of His own, aside from perfecting redemption, and when we are born of His Spirit, our only pleasure is to have His redemption perfected in our hearts.

              Jesus shall have the love of those hearts that are made pure by their taking the way which crucifies the flesh, with its affections and lusts.  We are chastened to set us against what grieves God.  Jesus died without failing, and if we do not fail Him, sin must perish.  All of our self-claimed life must be yielded to death before He can fully claim us.

              There is a straight path to the appointed goal.  We travel beyond the shame which we must bear from the opinions of men.  Keeping peace with God leads us into holiness of heart.  That is the joyful fulfillment of God’s purpose.  We shall behold the beauty of the Lord through His redeeming grace.  His joy is ours, and that is joy in it’s fullness. 

     

     

    E.A. Gafford in “Devotional Readings on the Book of Hebrews.”  pp.271-2

    Note:  If anyone on this site knows how to get a different font on my page than the few that are available through the site, please let me know and tell me how to do it!  Before the change came about several months ago, I was using Comic Sans, but that seems unavailable now, and when I write on my own "Word" program in Comic Sans or anything other than the six fonts available here, and transpose it here, it automatically goes to one of these.  I don't necessarily want a fancy page, but would like a few options for making it a little more attractive.  Thanks!



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    About Me

    Name: W. Michael Clark
    ChristiansUnite ID: pioneer
    Member Since: 2006-02-18
    Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
    Denomination: Attend a Mennonite Church
    About Me: I am a man who has been corrected by the rod of his chastening. Though I've walked in this pilgrim way for many years now, I've only begun to learn the fuller measure of God's grace in obedience and holiness.

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