Beautiful Word Devotional #359

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1–2

Did you realize that joy compelled Jesus through the crucifixion? As this passage reminds us, Jesus foresaw joy, and that future picture helped him endure the greatest suffering known to man.

What was that future joy? It was the beautiful picture of forgiven humanity reconciled to a holy God because of Jesus’ sacrificial death. Essentially, the joy was you and everyone else who calls on his name to be saved.

When Jesus uttered “It is finished” on the cross, he declared that he had accomplished God’s will.

Having created the opportunity for you to be in relationship with God, Jesus can rightly be called the pioneer and the perfecter of your faith.

Lord, the only way I can thank you for enduring the cross, for being the initiator and the completer of my faith, is to honor you with my life. Please help me do so, amen.