“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
—Luke 15:7
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
—Hebrews 12:1-2
The reference at the beginning of Hebrews 12 to a great cloud of witnesses might remind us of the multitude of angels that appeared to the shepherds in the announcement of the birth of Jesus. In both cases, the great number didn't come into existence just for that moment. They were simply unseen by human eyes.
Both passages speak of the beginning of something. A new life begins for those who believe in the Son, whose ministry on earth began in Bethlehem.
Many lessons on Hebrews 12 encourage faithfulness and endurance in following Jesus, and rightly so. But some commentators have observed something curious about the phrase: “the joy that was set before Him”. The Son had already been with the Father. He “emptied Himself” to inhabit flesh and blood for a time. So what joy was before Him?
One answer comes from the words of Jesus Himself. He came to bring joy to others.
The good news was offered to all people. And the great joy was both joy to those who would receive Him and joy to the very throne room of heaven.
Joy in Heaven
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
—Psalm 107:21-22
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted.
—Isaiah 49:13
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
—Luke 15:7
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
—Hebrews 12:1-2
The reference at the beginning of Hebrews 12 to a great cloud of witnesses might remind us of the multitude of angels that appeared to the shepherds in the announcement of the birth of Jesus. In both cases, the great number didn't come into existence just for that moment. They were simply unseen by human eyes.
Both passages speak of the beginning of something. A new life begins for those who believe in the Son, whose ministry on earth began in Bethlehem.
Many lessons on Hebrews 12 encourage faithfulness and endurance in following Jesus, and rightly so. But some commentators have observed something curious about the phrase: “the joy that was set before Him”. The Son had already been with the Father. He “emptied Himself” to inhabit flesh and blood for a time. So what joy was before Him?
One answer comes from the words of Jesus Himself. He came to bring joy to others.
The good news was offered to all people. And the great joy was both joy to those who would receive Him and joy to the very throne room of heaven.
Reuniting heaven and earth.