FOR THE JOY

Time with Jesus - Friday, 30 November 2012

Hi all,

What fascinates you most about Jesus the man? No I’m not discounting the fact that He is God. That will always be true. What I’m referring to is the way He lived life as a man. For me, His life was filled with joy. No doubt it was a reflection of the inner peace and joy He would have known as the Son of God. This joy overflowed into every part of His life. I love His glorious sense of humour. All this in spite of His knowing that He was destined from the cross. Hebrews informs us ² 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. Heb. 12:2 ESV

For me there is a sense in which His entire life expressed the joy that was before Him. I get the impression that every morning when He woke up He would say to His Father something along the lines of, “What good things will today bring”?  Today’s meditation looks at His life and presents it to us as “for the joy that was set before Him”

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 30 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	FOR THE JOY
Back in the early 1960’s, all I really knew much about was the Methodist Church. Which means I “cut my teeth” on the hymns of Charles Wesley and many of the wonderful hymns in the 1936 version of the Methodist Hymn Book. I loved those old hymns and still do. My favourite back then was “And can it be that I should gain an interest in My Saviour’s blood? Died He for me who caused such pain? For me who Him to death pursued? Amazing Love, How can it be, that Thou My God should die for me?” On reflection I must admit that most of my theology came from singing these great hymns of faith. There were a few choruses doing the rounds. They were fun to sing, but their spiritual depth was almost negligible. There were one or two “classics” but not all that many. It may have been different in some of the other churches. They must have been. I remember singing choruses at the Billy Graham Crusade in Manchester in 1961. (I think) For me, choruses “took off” with those written by Dave and Dale Garrett and their “Scripture in Song” series. I loved the fact that we sang Scripture. It helped me get it into my spirit! Incidentally, this couple are still ministering in song but have focused on indigenous music. Since they are New Zealanders, the music has a distinct “Maori” flavour. Their latest production is a DVD called, “Let My People Go”. One of the best known choruses of all time must be “The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength”. Originally from the book of Nehemiah it is a wonderful call to follow the Lord joyfully. 10 And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Neh. 8:10 NLT Hebrews tells us; 2 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. Heb. 12:2 ESV For our meditation today, I’ve expressed the entire life of Jesus Christ “For the joy that was set before Him”. We know that He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy that was before Him. Since He was slain before the foundation of the world, it makes sense that His entire life comprised “For the joy that was before Him”. This was the example He set for us. The question for us, is whether or not we are equally prepared to do whatever it takes for the joy that is before us? What does that demand from you and me? Historically, it’s meant martyrdom. The pages of history are littered with the blood of the saints. What about ours? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3 And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. Romans 5:3 NIrV 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 1 Corinthians 15:19 NLT 12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT 10 We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 NIrV 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. Acts 5:41 ESV 13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT 17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT	For the joy that was before Him, He left His Father’s throne. For the joy that was before Him, the earth became his home. For the joy that was before Him, He nursed at Mary’s breast. For the joy that was before Him, His life was filled with zest. For the joy that was before Him, to Jerusalem He went. For the joy that was before Him, some time with priests was spent. For the joy that was before Him, He grew to be a man. For the joy that was before Him, He followed Father’s plan. For the joy that was before Him, He went and was baptised. For the joy that was before Him, He defeated Satan’s lies. For the joy that was before Him, He taught His favoured flock. For the joy that was before Him, He said Peter was a rock. For the joy that was before Him, He was physically transformed. For the joy that was before Him, The apostles were informed. For the joy that was before Him, He told them He would die. For the joy that was before Him, He watched Judas say good bye. For the joy that was before Him, He walked to Gethsemane. For the joy that was before Him, He prayed for you and me. For the joy that was before Him, He was taken for a trial. For the joy that was before Him, He answered without guile. For the joy that was before Him, He said “I’m the Son of God!” For the joy that was before Him, He was beaten with a rod. For the joy that was before Him, He endured the Jewish jeers, For the joy that was before Him, He refused to shed His tears. For the joy that was before Him, He endured the Roman lash. For the joy that was before Him, they treated Him like trash. For the joy that was before Him, He carried His own cross. For the joy that was before Him, He let Satan think he’s boss. For the joy that was before Him, He was nailed upon the tree. For the joy that was before Him, He died for you and me. For the joy that was before Him, He is risen from the grave. For the joy that was before Him, He is powerful to save. For the joy that is before you, will you let them do to you; For the joy that is before you, anything they want to do? For the joy that is before you, endure your suffering? For the joy that is before you, shine His light on everything? For the joy that is before you, will you give your life away? For the joy that is before you, will you serve the Lord today? Jim Strickland  Written 30th November 2012