The Joy of His Heart

“He (Jesus) was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.”

(Paul - Hebrews 12 2 NIV)

 “For God (The Father) was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.”

 (Paul - 2 Corinthians 5:19 - NLT)

What future joy could possibly be worth the incredible suffering and ignominy of death by crucifixion? There was no joy in heaven that Jesus did not already know – so this statement must mean something other than his anticipation of returning there. There can be no doubt therefore that the joy that Jesus and the Father anticipated - was you!

Can that really be true? It seems so incredible! But we are already told that as the poor woman rejoiced over the coin she had lost - “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10 - NIV)

In the love song of the Old Testament we read these words - “My King-Lover, dressed and garlanded for his wedding, his heart is full, bursting with joy! (Song of Songs 3:11 – TMB). This is a picture of the joy in the heart of God as he anticipates you!

We are of incredible worth to the Father, so your reconciliation brings incredible joy to his heart. So valuable are you that Calvary was, as far as He is concerned, worth it all. You are precious beyond words!