MONDAY May 4, 2026

The Joy of Eternity

...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.
Hebrews 12:2

During our earthly race, Paul’s words encourage us to keep our eyes looking toward Jesus. We must keep looking at Him! Keep your eyes straight ahead! When an athlete takes their position at the starting line, they have in mind what their trainer has told them, “Don't look back; let nothing distract you; keep your eyes on the finish line!”

With our eyes fixed on Jesus, Paul causes us to behold Him as an example of endurance. Why was Jesus able to endure the Cross? He could see the finish line! After the sorrow of the Cross, He was looking forward to the joy of eternity––to His former glory in heaven––and the reunion of being with His Father. Oh, for the joy set before Him!

I would like us, for a moment, to behold Jesus when He prayed to His Father, because it gives insight into what He was anticipating: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:1-2). His hour of suffering drew near. The Cross was before Him. Eternal life would be made available to mankind.

Although Jesus knew He would be enduring great suffering and sorrow, what was the joy that kept Him focused? What was He looking forward to? He looked to His future glorification with His Father: “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5). Jesus endured the Cross and the shame, knowing two things: He would finish the work of our redemption, and He would sit down at the right hand of the throne of God.

There is the joy of one’s own salvation. I thought, when I first tasted that, it was the most delicious joy I had ever known, and that I could never get beyond it. But I found, afterward, there was something more joyful that, namely, the joy of the salvation of others.
~D.L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!