When I set out to do this joy-themed advent, one of the first verses I wrote down to look at was Hebrews 12:2. Then, in fear of being too heavy, I tossed it. Then, Jesus changed my mind.
I think one of the best things about joy is that it can be eternal. There are a lot of temporary joys in life. They are great in the moment…especially in the form of dark chocolate. Am I right? But, when we accept the invitation provided by Jesus, we get eternal joy that outweighs every temporary pleasure known to man — the good and bad ones.
Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who FOR the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
I’m going to be a nerd for just a minute. There are two ways Hebrews 12:2 can be translated**. In the Greek, the word FOR is a little ambiguous. From my understand and studies, both interpretations are legit. It’s a matter for the interpreter at hand, and there is scholarly support for both applications. And, both ways of looking at the scripture are in agreement with the rest of scripture. Here they are.
- The first application is to say that because of the Joy set before him, Jesus looked past the temporary shame and suffering of the cross and endured. In other words, we were the joy before him. The result of the cross was the joy before him. (We’re the apple of his eye, Psalm 17:8, Zechariah 2:8)
- The other application is to say that instead of the joy set before him, Jesus endured the shame and suffering of the cross. In other words, Jesus resisted the temptation of temporary joys and completed the work of the cross. (He was tempted in every way yet remained without sin, Hebrews 4:15)
Here’s the deal, either way you look at the verse, Jesus chose eternal joy over temporary anything. By doing so, he also extended an invitation to us for eternal joy. Jesus both made a way for us and set an example for us when it comes to choosing eternal joy. Which makes total sense, he is, after all, the author and perfecter of our faith.
**For your enjoyment, here are two translations of Hebrews 12. Each one using a different application.
Hebrews 12:1-2, PHILLIPS, …and let us run the race that we have to run with patience, our eyes fixed on Jesus the source and the goal of our faith. For he himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering; and he is now seated at the right hand of God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:1-2, MOUNCE, …and let us run with endurance the race that is prescribed for us, fixing our gaze upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who rather than the joy set before him endured a cross, disregarding its shame, and has now taken his seat at the right hand of throne of God.
Brave Sparrow 