Joy Beyond the Cross

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:1-3 (ESV)

Knowing what the next few hours held for Him, Jesus prayed to the Father. Before Him, were the betrayal, the illegal trials, the slaps, the spitting, the mocking, the scourging, the nails pounding into His hands and feet, the sins laid upon the Perfect Sacrifice, the wrath upon those sins.

“Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.”

The release of His Spirit, the tomb, and the resurrection after three days.

This was His hour … the hour that would give eternal life to all people that God had given to Jesus. Life knowing God and Jesus.

This was the hour that God would glorify His Son, Jesus. This was the hour that Jesus would take away sins, paying the price that you and I owe. This was the hour that Jesus would redeem us … the hour that would bring forgiveness … that hour that would conquer death.

As He prayed about His hour, Jesus turned His thoughts to His disciples and you and me.

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:18-21 (ESV)

Jesus prayed for you and me, that we would be sanctified in truth, one with each other, and one with the Father and Jesus. So that the world may believe that God sent Jesus.

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Jesus prayed for you and me, that we would be sanctified in truth, one with each other, and one with the Father and Jesus.

Why? So that the world may believe that God sent Jesus.

The hour of consecration that we may be sanctified in truth.

Jesus’ heart desire. You and me one with Him. You and me one with God. You and me knowing the Father and Jesus forever. You and me one with each other.

But for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross for you and me. But for the joy of being one with you and me, Jesus endured the shame, the sin, the moment of God’s wrath, the death, the burial.

Resurrection is coming! Three days later. Death conquered!

Father, thank You for sending Jesus into the world so that He would sanctify us in truth, and we would become one with You and Him. Lord, we cannot imagine the suffering of Jesus. He gave His all for us. What manner of love is this? Our holy and righteous God, Creator of the Universe, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings, shed His glory for a season to walk this evil world in flesh. Jesus, thank You for freeing us from our sins and sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. What joy, what peace, what freedom You have given us! Thank you. Amen.

Freedom from sin and death! Joy with Jesus!