The path to joy is a very hard road – it was hard for Jesus, and it will be hard for us. But it is worth it.
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with reflections on this Good Friday.
You know the Bible verse; you’ve heard Hebrews 12:2 many times: “For the joy that was set before him, [Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Wow. You know, right there, in the span of one verse, there’s the agony of the cross, yet the ecstasy of heaven. And friend, it’s a pattern for you and me. Living as long as I have in this wheelchair, I’ll tell you flat out that the path that leads to joy is a very hard road. It was hard for Jesus, and that means it’s going to be hard for us. But oh, oh, oh, Jesus thought it was worth the suffering. For when he endured the cross, Jesus had the joy of regaining his glory, experiencing pleasure at the right hand of God; he found joy in defeating Satan and releasing us from the power of sin. He found joy in gaining an eternal chorus of worshipers. Yes, the cross cost Jesus’ life, but it sure was worth it, for he was crowned with glory and honor, with all his divine rights restored. And you know, we could go on and on, recounting a thousand joys that helped Jesus when he set his face like flint and pressed on, through the agony of the cross.
But what about us? Did Jesus enter into his joy only to leave us in misery? Not at all. John Piper puts it this way; he says, “Before he died, [Jesus] made the connection between his joy and ours. He said to his followers, ‘These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.’ [And] We who have trusted in him will rejoice with as much of the joy of Jesus as finite creatures can [possibly] experience. But the road will be hard. Jesus warned us [that], ‘In [this] world [we would] have tribulation.’ And [as] a disciple [we’re] not above [our] teacher… but, oh, [it is] so worth it. For in the same way that the hope of joy enabled Christ to endure his cross, [the] hope of joy empowers us to suffer with him. Our reward will be to enjoy God with the very joy that the Son of God has in his Father.”
Again, that’s from John Piper. And you know, when I read that, I am struck that if Jesus had not gone to the cross, neither he nor I could be happy – eternally happy. And so, you know what? On this Good Friday, I am more than happy to reckon that the sufferings of this world are not worth comparing with the glory that one day will be revealed to us. True, life is hard; it is painful and disappointing. But it was the same for Jesus. And because he was victorious on Good Friday, I am assured – you are assured – that a full force of joy is about to sweep us off our feet. It's going to sweep me off my feet and out of my wheelchair. And I will not risk diminishing that joy. Weeping might endure for the night, but joy’s going to come in the morning.
I hope these reflections inspired by Dr. John Piper’s book “Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die” have inspired you to read more about it today. And so, I’m offering you this book. It’s a gift from us at Joni and Friends, because we know that life is hard, and yet, the joy and the glory that’s about to be revealed, oh! So, go to joniradio.org today and ask for “Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.” Our team will get it off to you right away. And finally, thank you for journeying with me this Easter Week, as we have reflected on all that Christ secured for us that day on Calvary. Oh, thank you, Lord, for Good Friday! May we all be happy to reckon that the sufferings of this world aren’t worth comparing to the glory about to be revealed. Thank you, Jesus.
© Joni and Friends