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Joy

The writer to the Hebrews tells us...

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV).

Where did the writer to the Hebrews get such an idea about Jesus’ attitude? Well, John records that NINE times Jesus uses JOY/REJOICE in the upper room discourse...

“I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete”   (John 15:11, NIV).

“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world REJOICES. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to JOY. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her JOY that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will REJOICE, and no one will take away your JOY. In that day you will no longer ask me any- thing. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your JOY will be complete” (John 16:20-24, NIV).

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my JOY within them” (John 17:13, NIV).

There are time when it would be easy to “grow weary and lose heart.” But Jesus did not because of the JOY in his heart and mind! May He do the same in and through us as we look ahead!









Derrah Jackson
Regional Field Director
International Students, Inc.