Courageous Hope

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the Joy set before him.

2 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.

Jesus knew what his sacrifice was going to cover, what it was going to accomplish, what it was going to redeem. Jesus knew that his blood would bring freedom to the captives, healing for the sick, restoration to the broken, and beauty for all the ashes. It was such joy he saw ahead of him.  He had joyful anticipation of what was before him. Of the love that was getting ready to tear the veil between God and his people, of the love that was going to restore relationship and bring justice.  He never lost sight of where he was headed, or what he was accomplishing. He clearly saw his seat at the right hand of the Father. This is what it looks like to have heavenly perspective. Heavenly perspective in the midst of violent torture, flesh ripping, gut wrenching pain… is joy.

JOY!

We learn from Jesus how to walk as one in human flesh with the Spirit of the Living God inside of us. Here we see how we too can have heavenly perspective… JOY before us.  I heard Bill Johson say, “We will always reflect the nature of the world we are most aware of.” Jesus was most aware of heaven and heaven’s kingdom and that is reflected in everything he did. When we are most aware of heaven we reflect heaven.  The perspective of heaven always sees the redemption, the love, the JOY. One who reflects heaven knows their identity, their purpose and their destination. Being most aware of heaven is looking beyond the earthly perspective to live from a place of hope, faith, power,  love, peace and joy!

Oh Jesus impart to us your heavenly perspective! Rend the heavens and rain down your JOY!