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,
2 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.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:1-3
There’s so much revelation here I do not know where to begin. We will be keeping to the title subject of joy. The Greek definition stems from the root word ‘chara’. ‘Chara’ means to joy, rejoice, rejoicing, great gladness. It comes from the Holy Spirit who causes us to joy no matter what. A tidbit of fact here this is also the root word where we get the gifts of the Holy Spirit (charis) and also charismatic. I bet you didn’t see just how joyful the Holy Spirit is!
To the noun subject matter – Jesus. Here in this scripture set, we are admonished to lay aside all sin especially the ones that keep us down and occupied in order to allow this joy of the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives. The opposite is true too: there’s no joy in sin. Jesus kept so focused on the Father’s will, that despite all the odds stacked up against him, he persevered. Joy doesn’t mean being happy, no! Joy is attached to the will of the Father and is given to us of the Holy Spirit as a confirmation of being on the right course.
You could say that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit by joy as a guide to the will of the Father, in this case, it was death, even death by the cross. Metaphorically, we too can be led to our own cross in doing the will of the Father and experience the same joy that Jesus did when He walked the Earth. Happiness unfortunately is temporary, fleeting from one experience to the other. It’s impossible to be happy 24/7, but it is possible to be joyful. Because you know you’re in the father’s will who knows all. That’s peace of mind.
So, you might ask, how to get this joy? I wish I can say it is easy, and to a degree it is, in theory, but it does mean you’ll have to give up something in order to receive something. It starts seeking the father’s face – namely to know AND do his will. Next, Holy Spirit will show you what to give up in order to do the Will of God. Lastly, be obedient to all Holy Spirit shows you and do not play around, this is very serious business. Remember as you walk (one act of obedience to another) hand in hand with the Father, Holy Spirit will begin to fill your heart and then life with the same joy as Jesus had.
Well, this is all for now, I hope this has blessed you. Thank you for taking time to read these blogs. Wishing you and your family a very Joyful Holiday Season. God Bless!
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