“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
A short time ago, I discovered this contrast of joy and shame which surprised me. I would have opposed shame with honor. And to me, the antonym of joy is something like sadness, grief, or anger. But God didn’t ask me to write the letter to the Hebrews!
Yet there’s Old Testament precedent for this pairing. Consider these two verses from the Psalms:
“May those be ashamed and altogether humiliated who rejoice at my distress; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor.” – Psalm 35:26 (NASB)
“While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice.” – Psalm 109:28
God’s people cry out to Him to punish their enemies and reward the righteous. The blessings of the Lord for His servants will upset the wicked, foil their plots, and defeat their evil intentions. Their shame will burn while the vindicated will rejoice.
Isaiah picks up on this theme, too.
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” – Isaiah 61:7
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.’” – Isaiah 65:13
“Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: ‘Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, “Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!” Yet they will be put to shame.’” – Isaiah 66:5
Of these three verses, the latter two reflect the mindset of the psalmist. Isaiah 61:7 introduces something else: the experience of shame and joy by the same person. In this verse, God promises those whom He’s punished that their shame will end. And things won’t go back to the way they used to be. God has something better–a double portion and unending joy!
The double portion represents favoritism, whether by right of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17) or by affection (1 Samuel 1:5). It’s the opposite of rejection. Those Jews punished by God must have questioned their standing with Him. They were ashamed of themselves. But this promise in Isaiah removes all doubt about God’s attitude toward them. His provisions prove His commitment.
Now back to Hebrews 12! When you contemplate the cross, what do you think about? It’s common for preachers to stress the physical pain Jesus suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers. Up all night, flogged, thorns pressed onto His head, His beard ripped off His face, nails pounded through His hands and feet, and agonizing thirst.
All this is true, but the writer of Hebrews doesn’t mention them. Instead, verse 2 points out that Jesus scorned the shame of the cross. The Greek verb for scorn (kataphroneo) means to despise or disrespect and I can see why. It’s comprised of two words: “to think” and “against.” So Jesus thought the opposite of what the cross signified. He despised the hatred thrown at Him; He disrespected the hurled at Him by the mob.
Jesus accepted His execution but rejected the meaning attached to it. Far from being a guilty criminal, He was the spotless Lamb of God. And as the book of Hebrews emphasizes, He fulfilled the role of priest, except that unlike the Levites, He offered Himself as the sacrifice.
What, then, was the source of Christ’s joy? What did He look forward to? The Christian calendar identifies Easter Sunday as the signature event. Somber reflection on Good Friday yields to celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. Jesus has triumphed over death!
But remember that in last week’s post, we learned the writer of Hebrews doesn’t stress the resurrection of Jesus. Instead, he highlights Christ being seated at God’s right hand (see Hebrews 1:3, 10:12, and 12:2). If so, this would be “the joy set before Him.” The cross is the worst judgement the world could render. The throne is the greatest accolade the Father could award. In doing God’s will, Jesus defeated the hostility and degradation that destroy lives. Through His resurrection and ascension, He receives the honor due Him.
Does this pattern apply to followers of Jesus? Yes, it does!
“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” – Acts 5:41 (NASB)
The Jewish Council warned the apostles to stop preaching about Jesus. They even scourged them to drive home the point. Serve Jesus and suffer the consequences.
And the reaction of the apostles? Joy! They felt honored to suffer public shame for Christ. They had the outlook Jesus had about the cross. He didn’t see it the way the world did. In the same way, the apostles dishonored the dishonor heaped on them. They had something greater and lasting.
Today, we must recognize the cost of allying with the Lord Jesus in a culture drifting further from God. But the indignities we encounter pale beside the joy God gives us now and the glory that awaits us. Christ’s joy will sustain us as we live out our loyalty to Him.
