Sometimes I forget how powerful that statement is. "For the joy set before him." What was a joy that Jesus didn't already have before he came to earth? He was God, he had everything! Except for a reconciled relationship between himself and his bride. That, he did not have. But through the cross, he made that renewed relationship possible. That is why he endured the cross. that is why he prayed "Not my will but yours Father" when he reached one of his weakest moments at Gethsemane. For the joy set before him! For the incredible joy of being able to pursue and be pursued by his great love, me and you, with no barrier in between!
How amazing is that! We are his joy! We are why the experiences of pain, of abandonment, of betrayal, of suffering, were so so worth it Jesus. We are his prize, his reward, his gift.
He died for us. Not only in the sense of "instead" of us, but also meaning "in order to obtain" us. It was the beautiful combination of mercy and love. He died in our place and to make us his own. Wow:)
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