Jesus is so happy to
see his offspring!
(a Particular Baptist reflection)
Hebrews
12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated
at the right hand of the throne of God.
The
bright center of the death of Jesus Christ for our sins is that he knew exactly
why it was happening, and he knew it would be completely effective. He knew it was not suffering in absurdity. He knew it was not random, or “just a part of
life.” He did not have a vague hope that
some good would come out of all his suffering. No, he knew that his suffering would
accomplish God’s decreed intended purpose.
See this beautiful truth taught in Isaiah 53: 10 - 11.
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.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall
see and be satisfied;
by
his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted
righteous,
and
he shall bear their iniquities.
In
verse ten it says that at the time that he makes his guilt offering he will see
his offspring and prolong his days. This
is saying that while he was dying he knew that he was being perfectly
effective. He saw his offspring. It was
worth it! He brought many sons to
glory! He could see the big group of his
offspring worshipping him forever in joy because of his work. When it says he will prolong his days it is
surely only to be understood in the resurrection. Jesus Christ knew that his death would pay
the ransom, that the payment would save “his offspring,” and that he himself
would rise to enjoy the victory. The
Resurrection is about VICTORY!!
The
will of the LORD certainly prospers in his hand. Compare Hebrews 2:10 “For it
was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many
sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through
suffering.” The will of God is
perfect. The suffering of the Son of God
perfects the plan of God for Christ, the Church, and, all things. No wonder Jesus had joy before him as he died
on the cross. The cross perfected Jesus Christ.
It completed his purpose. He had
to know this real experience. Isaiah 53:
11 “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see
and be satisfied;” Yes he had a
knowledge of anguish, yes he was obedient to the cross, but he saw the results
out of that anguish, and was satisfied.
Two weeks ago my son
and daughter-in-law gave us a beautiful grand-daughter. There is no question that childbirth can be
extremely painful, but the result is amazing.
It is always so amazing to hold a precious newborn and to look into her
eyes with wonder. She is precious. The pain, I am sure my daughter-in-law would
say, was worth it!
In very much the same
way the Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ was willing to go through all that
trauma, because he was certain about the outcome. He was satisfied with the results even while
he suffered.
I suggest three responses to this Biblical
teaching.
1) Worship God for his marvelous works!
2) The joy of Jesus is the foundation for our peace. Enjoy the peace!
3) Understand that all of our afflictions are likewise planned and useful.
Let us commit ourselves
to God, and trust him. As we suffer in serving him, let us be convinced that
the outcome in God’s purpose will be perfect and worth our faithful obedience.
“Therefore, my
beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)
