Isaiah 53:1-12

Recurrent Thought

The Joy of Jesus stemmed in his deep understanding of his assignment, relationship and trust of the father. These foundations of Joy are essential to emulate

The life of the Son of God is such an amazing subject to behold and study. He was a man focused on his mission and he drove himself to finish it well. His Mission was to die for humanity in order to counter the debilitating effect of the sinful nature unleashed by the entry of Sin through the action of Adam & Eve. When he came to perform the most earth shacking and one-in-eternity experience, Jesus did it with Joy.  Biblical Joy is that character of happiness rooted on firm relationship and trust in God. His life was characterized by Joy. He once said: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” John 15: 11. He once prayed for his disciples that they may be fashioned by the same type of Joy. In John 17, he prayed, “Now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17: 13) Jesus was a joyful person.

Here are five fundamental elements that framed His Joy.

1. Relationship with the Father
   • He delighted to depend on the Father for Direction (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49)
   • He delighted in setting the father as First (Acts 2:2).
2. Delight in His Fathers Will
   • The Will of the Father began in Eternity Past (Rev 13:8),
   • The Will of the Father allowed him to be born as a Human being (Phi 2:5-11) He voluntarily never exercised the powers of Deity (Kenosis).
   • This was tough assignment. His Joy was to finish it despite its pain
   • Delighting in the Father’s will was not an emotional impulse but a loyal obligation
   • His Main Will was for the Son to Give his Life as a ransom for many
   • As he trained and sent his disciples on Mission, he demonstrated to be joyful in the will of the Father (Luke 10:21-22)
   • Luk 10:21  In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  Luk 10:22  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him
3. Satisfied with the Cross
   • Jesus did not oversimplify his Death; he knew the implication
   • He accepted his assignment. It was heavy but he knew it fully
   • He was to be the substitute for Us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 vicarious Sacrifice
   • He was to be morally impacted. He died a vicarious death
   • However, knowing that the only way to redeem mankind was by a vicarious death, Jesus was satisfied. Isaiah states clearly out the anguish of His Soul he shall see and be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11)
   • Isa 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
4. Salvation of Souls
   • The last week of Jesus, known the passion week, was painfully unpredictable
   • Anticipating the persecution did not necessarily diminish the pain from the encounter. He went through hell! As this night rolled on he was so troubled and he said: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Math 26: 37-38)
   • The last night, the Thursday into the Friday was pure rabid comedy: his friend betrayed, the closest disciple denied him, the rest ran away, tried by corrupt rulers, mocked and scourged
   • by godless soldiers, exchanged for a thief and crucified in public. How did he endure: He had a joyful outcome?
   • Isa 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
5. Sustained by the Throne
   • Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Heb 12:2
   • The text is very clear that he after enduring the shame he would be set on the throne. Could it be this was the bigger and grandeur finishing line?
   • He was encouraged that finally, everything will soon be over and he would re-unite with the Father. He set his face on the throne. Not in the bad sense but to wrap up defeat that which was evil and scandalous
   • His incarnation, coming into human life and dying, would not make sense if there is no glorification, his changing in the Immortal, only Wise God,
   • And because of His death we come to the father as Paul in Colossians 1:12 states

Conclusion

We are joyful for he came and died for us. We carry the same joy of redemption to others