Joy is what allowed Jesus to endure the cross. His circumstances were overshadowed by the truth of what was to come. We can experience the same outcome when we exercise our gift of faith.

The joy Jesus looked forward to was the seat at the right hand of God. We are told Jesus received that honor because He obeyed, and did the will of His Father.

Joy is the product of joining awareness and truth by faith. Faith is the adhesive that links the two together. The Lord invites us to come and eat at his table. To listen to Him. To discover the truth and believe the truth. It is a meal set for joy.

Jesus’ perspective of joy is an example for us to follow. We have the opportunity for the same joy by “fixing our eyes on Jesus” and following his example. When we follow the example of Jesus, we can experience a joy that transcends the emotion of circumstance. Not that it disregards emotion, Jesus grieved greatly as He went to the cross. But neither was He inhibited by His emotions.

The same perspective of faith is available to us, and with it a bottomless well of joy.

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
– Hebrews 12:2