Look for the Joy — Like Jesus

Last Sunday, we saw the joy set before Jesus in John 17:5, the night before he went to the cross. He prayed, aloud, for us to hear:

“now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

Jesus mentions other motivations for going to the cross in chapters 14–17: glorifying his Father, first and foremost, but also defeating Satan, and that in saving his people from their sins.

And last Sunday we made quick mention of Hebrews 12:2 which says Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. What was that joy in particular? 

John 17:5 and Hebrews 12:2 both mention Jesus himself being glorified, exalted, in his sitting down, with his work accomplished, with his Father, and enjoying with him the glory they enjoyed with each other before the foundation of the world. So, what got Jesus to the cross was looking to the reward.

The exhortation this morning is simply, Let’s live like that. Let’s live our Christian lives, like Jesus did, by consciously looking forward to God’s promised rewards. Cities Church, it is not sinful, but profoundly holy, to look forward to God’s promised rewards and endure life’s trials and discomforts with joy. 

So, whatever your challenge this morning, or in this season of life — however weary you feel, whatever annoyances or obstacles get in your way from doing what God’s called you to do (from the small to the big) — don’t just grit your teeth and do your duty. Pause. Rehearse God’s great promises of reward. Do some spiritual calculus. Look to the reward he promises and endure with joy. Like Jesus, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross. Let us pray.

Prayer of Confession

Father in heaven, oh what promises we have from you: To the weary, you say: don’t give up, for in due season you will reap (Galatians 6:9). To the reviled, you say: rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:11–12). To those facing trials, you say: remain steadfast and you will receive the crown of life (James 1:12), and I will provide you a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). And on and on.

You have given us a Book full of your promises to do us good, and make us eternally, enduringly happy, and lavish us with gracious rewards. Yet, we are so quick to forget, if not ignore or outright reject your promises for our joy. We often do not believe your promises that are almost too good to be true. 

Sadly, we are far too easily pleased, and we are responsible for it as sinners. We repent for not taking you at your word when you promise us joy in your Son beyond our wildest dreams. And so we pause now, and acknowledge our evil. We confess the sin of unbelief in your promises, as we confess to you our other failings now in the quiet of this moment…