Hebrews 12:1-3, John 17:13, John 16:24

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and 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.”

Song: O Praise His Name by Hillsong United 

Over the last few weeks, we have seen rejoicing in many forms. From God’s blessing, joy in suffering, joy in God’s character, joy in worship, and now we see Jesus’ joy. 

His joy was in the manger. 

His joy was on the cross. 

His joy was in an empty grave. 

His joy was in salvation. 

The sufferings of the world are weighty in our view. It’s easy to look at Moses, Deborah, David, and Mary singing songs of praise and think that can’t be us now. We are waiting in a broken world. 

Jesus lived out the tension of trial and rejoicing. Jesus watched His people doubt, suffer oppression, and turn towards sin. Yet, Jesus had joy because His joy was not of this world. His joy is eternal and gives us that same eternal joy through His word and Spirit. It is God’s Word that points us to eternal hope in Christ and it is the Spirit’s leading in truth that we can have assurance in God’s eternality. 

It is this very joy we have right now. This is the season we remember the joy of the world. It is the season we rest with rejoicing souls because our King has come. The joy of the birth of Jesus is the start of Hebrews 12:1-3, that Jesus came, endured and resurrected for the joy set before Him. We often can lose sight of the ending joy, but let Christmas be a time of joy of the fulfilled promises and the promises to be fulfilled. 

What does it look like to have the joy of Jesus? What does it look like to give up the worldly happiness we so desperately crave and look like Jesus to heavenly joy?