Jesus Courageously Leaned Into What He Knew Was Coming

10/9/2025

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”(Hebrews 12:1-13)

Jesus’ life was not taken from Him, but He actively and courageously leaned INTO what He knew was coming. “Who, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross.” I came across this “song” (more like talking put to music), again recently, and wanted to pass it along. I think it captures an attitude, a disposition, and a grateful response that are appropriate for such a great gift He has given us! “Take up your cross” is not a burdensome command, but an amazing invitation to shout, “Thank you, my Bridegroom!”

Prologue - At Last

“Father, I desire that they also,

whom you have given me,

may be with me where I am.”

This is what the cross was to Jesus:

Not a duty

that must be fulfilled,

but a Divine Vow

that He anxiously desired

and earnestly longed to give

He did not go

through life dreading it

but rather longed for it

Knowing that it was His calling

and purpose in life as a man

on earth at that time

To betroth a fallen harlot

back to Himself

I knew that He wanted me

to express this to His beloved

How He joyously yearned

to get to the cross,

looking forward to it

as a bridegroom longs

for His wedding day

And that upon spilling His blood

in recompense it was,

in every sense,

His greatest testament

and vow of love to us

Now He asks that we

would make a vow

of like kind

That His love

would not be scorned,

but rather joyously returned

We are the joy set before Him,

and now we must set Him

as the JOY before us

So take up your cross

and make your vow

For justice carries mercy,

and mercy acts in love

And love is what defines

the means by which

the justice does

And thereby I have come here,

that true love might be known

For JOY is set before me:

and at last the Day has come!