"The Joy Set Before Him"
Overview
The Joy Set Before Him
Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us one of Scripture's most striking glimpses into the heart of Christ: "Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." What was that joy? It was the joy of finishing the work the Father gave Him and being exalted to glory. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prays, "I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed" John 17:4-5. The cross was endurable because exaltation lay on the other side of it.
The "therefore" of Hebrews 12:1 points back to the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11—Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and others—an imperfect list of forgiven sinners whose lives testify to the reliability of God. Their witness frames three exhortations for the church. First, lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. A weight is not necessarily sinful in itself (even something good like hard work can entangle us), but "the sin" with the definite article points to the opposite of faith: unbelief. Second, run with perseverance the race that is set before us. The Christian life is no sprint but a marathon—what the ancient Greeks called an agon, from which we get the word agony. Paul echoes this endurance language in Acts 20:24 and Philippians 3:13-14. Third, look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith—the One who gives us something to believe (a finished atonement, an empty tomb, a reigning Christ) and who keeps us in that faith until the end Philippians 1:6.
Crucially, these three exhortations are not the means by which we earn heaven. The wreath has already been placed upon every baptized child of God. Christ has already secured our place; the Father has already called us His own and given us faith. The exhortations, then, are for those anticipating their elevation to glory. Like Paul at the end of his life—"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7-8—we run because a joy is set before us: the same joy that sustained Christ, the joy of being brought home.
So run, church. Lay aside what entangles. Persevere by God's grace. Fix your eyes on Jesus. The joy that carried Him through the cross is the very joy now set before you—Jesus's joy, our joy.
Transcript
Let's open our Bibles, please, to the Book of Hebrews this morning. 2s
Hebrews the 12th chapter for our study. 8s
This is sermon number three in a series that we have simply entitled Joy. 11s
And during this span of 12 weeks, Pastor Malamec and I are exploring just wonderful text 19s
from Holy Scripture that address the topic of Joy. 26s
The sermon series is divided into several different parts. 31s
We've dealt with the first part in terms of the joy of revelation. 35s
In other words, the joy that we have of holding God's very word in our hands. 40s
Last week, we began the second section of this series. 47s
Examining the joy of God. 51s
In other words, what brings God joy? 54s
We studied that the joy of Jesus attributes of that focused on the inner-trainitarian 60s
fellowship, how he was loved by the Father and how he was obedient to what the Father had 70s
called him to do. 76s
We saw how God calls us into fellowship with him. 79s
That we are dearly loved by God and that because of what Christ has accomplished on the cross, 83s
God looks at us and sees the perfect righteous obedience of the Lord Jesus. 91s
In other words, Jesus's joy is our joy. 98s
Well, we continue today in this second section of this series talking about the joy of God. 104s
What is it that brings God joy? 112s
And that brings us to Hebrews the 12th chapter. 117s
To begin with, I'd like to focus on that second verse that so helps to characterize the theme of the sermon. 122s
Look with me, please, at verse 2 of chapter 12. 132s
Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him 136s
endured the cross, disregarding its shame and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 150s
That little phrase there, in verse 2, 162s
who for the sake of the joy that was set before him. 167s
So what was the joy that was set before Jesus? 175s
This book of Hebrews is such a fascinating, fascinating book. 185s
One of the elements that makes it so fascinating is that we don't know who wrote it. 190s
We certainly know as the book authenticated itself to the people that this belongs in Holy Scripture. 198s
But there's no reference to who actually wrote it. 205s
Luther had a guess that it was a teacher by the name of a Pallos. 211s
That's probably a really good guess. 214s
So perhaps a Pallos was the author. 219s
But while we don't know who wrote it, who God used to record these words, what we do know is that the book of Hebrews offers advice and 223s
encouragement to the early church. 235s
So let's pick up in verse 1, chapter 12 of this fascinating book of Hebrews. 241s
There we read this. 248s
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. 251s
When the first word of this new chapter is therefore, it tells you that they've come to a conclusion or the author has come to a conclusion of the argument. 261s
So it has come before. 274s
Whoever wrote Hebrews inspired by God himself, whoever wrote Hebrews, was lifting up in chapter 11. 277s
What's called the Hall of Faith? 286s
In other words, examples of people of faith. 291s
But what's really interesting is this is certainly not a perfect list. 296s
They were sinners like all of us. 303s
For example, Noah is listed in the Hall of Faith. 307s
And yet Noah, when the ark landed, planted a vineyard and got himself drunk. 312s
Abraham is listed in the Hall of Faith. 320s
And yet scripture records how Abraham lied twice about his wife, leaving her to fin for herself in the harem of foreign rulers. 323s
Moses is listed in the Hall of Faith. 335s
And yet Moses was guilty of murder. 338s
Ray have is listed in the Hall of Faith. 340s
And yet before Ray had became a believer, she was a prostitute. 344s
This is certainly not a perfect list. 351s
It couldn't be because they were human beings. 354s
And all human beings are sinners. 358s
But what chapter 11 reflects is that God has wiped the slate clean through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 361s
So back to chapter 12, therefore, since we're surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 375s
and this is examples given in chapter 11, then it goes on. 383s
But let's pause here and dig a little bit more in this first part of verse 1. 391s
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. 397s
That doesn't mean that those that are mentioned in chapter 11 are somehow hovering over the people who are earthbound. 403s
And no, but it's the testimony of their witness recorded in Holy Scripture. 412s
Their witnesses, or can be translated here, testifiers, testifying to the reliability of God. 421s
So we've got that phrase about the joy that was set before Jesus. 432s
But the chapter starts out with this conclusion statement. 438s
Therefore, which points us back to chapter 11. 443s
What's given then are three exhortations. 450s
Three exhortations before you get to that reference of the joy. 455s
Here's the first one. 462s
Second part of verse 1. 464s
Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. 467s
So in other words, as people of faith are selves, let us lay aside the weight and the sin that can entangle us, 477s
let that clings so closely. 488s
There's a distinction between weight and the sin. 495s
The distinction between those two. 502s
Something in and of itself can very well not be sinful. 507s
And yet it can become a weight that can entangle us as we live out our life of faith. 513s
For example, hard work in and of itself is not a sin. 525s
But yet if hard work takes one away from responsibilities with the family, from worship of the Lord, 533s
then that which in and of itself is not sinful, hard work can become a weight. 546s
So let us lay aside every weight and then the Scripture says, and the sin that clings so closely. 555s
Remember every word in Scripture is precious. 571s
Every word of Holy Scripture is inspired by God breathed out by Him. 577s
So notice the definite article, the sin. 584s
Well what's that? 592s
Well, chapter 11 talks about people of faith, the whole of faith. 594s
The church now is being exhorted and encouraged in terms of their life of faith. 601s
So what's the opposite of faith? 609s
The opposite of faith is unbelief. 612s
So the first exhortation here, the first exhortation is to lay aside the weight and the sin. 618s
Here's the second exhortation. 631s
To run with perseverance the race of faith, we pick back up in verse 1, last part. 635s
And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. 648s
The race of faith is not 100 yard dash, is it? 658s
But it is a race that is set before us. 665s
It is that race that endures. 668s
Paul puts it this way in Acts chapter 20. 672s
But I do not count my life of any value to myself. 678s
If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I receive from the Lord Jesus to testify to the good news of God's grace. 683s
Finishing the course. 695s
Or he writes in Philippians the third chapter. 699s
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 703s
This is perseverance. 720s
This is continuing. 723s
This is an exhortation to the church. 725s
Keep going. 728s
Keep running. 732s
Keep on. 734s
Press on. 736s
So the first exhortation. 739s
Lay aside every weight and the sin. 742s
Second exhortation. 746s
Run with perseverance, the race. 749s
And here's the third exhortation. 753s
Look to Jesus. 757s
Look to Jesus. 759s
Very next verse. 762s
Verse 2. 764s
Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 766s
I prefer to translate pioneer as author. 776s
I think that's a better translation. 781s
Looking to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. 783s
The Lord Jesus Christ has given us something to believe in. 791s
The wonderful news that our sins have been a tone for on the cross. 796s
The wonderful news that the sacrifice for sin has been accepted. 800s
The wonderful news that the tomb is empty. 805s
The wonderful news that Christ is reigning and Christ will come again. 809s
The wonderful news that through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ that severed relationship 815s
because of sin has been restored. 822s
He's the author of our faith. 826s
He gives us that which is to be believed. 828s
And he births that faith in us. 834s
What a wonderful and gracious word. 840s
And not only is he the author of our faith. 843s
He's the perfecter of it. 848s
In other words, he will keep us in the very gift of faith 852s
that he has given us and carry us to him on that day when he takes us home. 857s
Paul says this in Philippians the first chapter. 867s
I'm confident of this. 872s
That the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 875s
So chapter 12 starts with therefore that points us back to chapter 11, 889s
The church then as they live out their faith are exhorted to live out that faith with three exhortations. 897s
Lay aside, wait and the sin run with perseverance, 906s
the race of faith and look to Jesus who's the author and the perfecter of our faith. 912s
Then then comes that phrase. 924s
Verse 2 again, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 931s
Who? 941s
For the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding a shame, 944s
and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 956s
Who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the shame of the cross? 964s
So what was the joy? 978s
What was the joy that was set before him? 983s
What was that joy? 989s
In ancient Greece there were games that were called the Isthmian games. 998s
These were races and games that athletes would play. 1006s
And at the end of a race there would be a pedestal and oftentimes on the pedestal would be the prize. 1012s
And the prize would oftentimes be a reef. 1021s
These were what were called agon games, agon games. 1027s
When you take the Greek and you move it over to the English, you would spell it in English, Ag, O, and can you guess what word we get from that? 1033s
Agon? 1048s
We get agony. 1050s
Agony. 1052s
So these races were not run simply for the joy of running. 1054s
These races were not one because they were just exhilarating to do. 1060s
This wasn't taking a jog because you just feel like taking a jog. 1067s
No. 1073s
These were marathons. 1075s
These were races of agony. 1077s
And what the competitors looked for is they looked for that pedestal. 1083s
They looked for that prize. 1089s
They looked forward to the end of the race. 1092s
So what was the joy that is spoken about in verse 2? 1104s
Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was said before him. 1114s
What was that joy that he looked forward to? 1126s
What was a joy? 1138s
Let's turn, please, to the gospel of John chapter 17. 1141s
The gospel of John chapter 17. 1148s
And we'll pick up in verse 4. 1152s
Remember last week I had mentioned that the gospel of John contains the farewell discourses. 1157s
And there are three farewell discourses. 1163s
You've got the discourse and association with holy communion. 1166s
Then you've got the discourse and association with going to get the seminary. 1169s
And then you've got the third final discourse, which is chapter 17 of the gospel of John. 1173s
And that's Jesus' high priestly prayer, where he's praying for his disciples and the disciples to come. 1180s
So we pick up then in the third of the final discourses, chapter 17, verse 4. 1190s
And we read here. 1198s
I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 1202s
So now Father, glorify me in your own presence, 1211s
with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 1217s
I want to read that again because this is the key. 1226s
Verse 4 again, chapter 17. 1231s
I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 1235s
So now Father, glorify me in your own presence, 1240s
with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 1246s
The joy, the joy that awaited the Lord Jesus. 1258s
The joy that awaited Him was His exaltation, 1266s
His elevation to heaven. 1272s
The joy of finishing His course and what's referred to here is peaking ahead 1278s
to when He would say on the cross it is finished, 1284s
where the sins of the world were atone for. 1288s
The joy of finishing His course and being elevated to heaven, 1291s
His exaltation. 1299s
That was the joy that was set before Him. 1303s
That's why He endured the shame of the cross, 1310s
faithful to why He came and the joy of being elevated, 1316s
elevated into heaven itself. 1325s
Now, listen to what the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy chapter 4. 1330s
The Apostle Paul writes this. 1341s
I have thought the good fight. 1344s
I have finished the race. 1348s
From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, 1356s
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, 1362s
and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His a period. 1368s
The joy that awaited Paul. 1378s
The joy that characterized His life. 1384s
The joy that awaited the Apostle Paul was His exaltation one day. 1389s
His elevation into heaven. 1397s
The joy was looking forward to that which would come. 1402s
His elevation. 1411s
The exhortations, the three exhortations beginning chapter 12 of Hebrews. 1417s
The three exhortations are not means whereby we attain the prize of heaven. 1424s
No. 1433s
Because baptized child of God, the gift of heaven is already yours. 1435s
God has called you His own in the waters of baptism. 1441s
God has given you faith. 1444s
You see, those exhortations are not ways to attain heaven. 1448s
No, the Reath has already been placed upon you. 1452s
Those exhortations at the beginning of chapter 12 are for those who are anticipating the day when their elevation into heaven will come. 1459s
A joy that characterizes all of our days this side of heaven. 1478s
Run church, run, persevere by the grace of God in faith. 1494s
Run. 1504s
And as you run, know the joy that is set before you, the joy of your elevation one day. 1504s
Jesus' joy, our joy. 1527s