#509 The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
“…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. 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.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
How the chief leader and finisher of our faith demonstrated this faith to drink the Cup:
Who for the joy set before him: In the midst of the challenge he remembered the joy.
*The joy of glorifying the Father, and returning to His Heavenly Home: “I will tell of THY name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I WILL PRAISE THEE.” Psalm 22:22 “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that The Son may glorify Thee…and now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” John 17:1-5
*The joy of nourishing and strengthening us—his followers throughout the Gospel Age through his faithful fulfillment of the will of his Father:
“From Thee comes my praise in the great assembly; I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him will praise the LORD.” (NASB) “Always be of good cheer.” (Tanakh) Psalm 22:25-26
I want my joy to be their joy! John 17:13
*The joy of blessing all the weary, groaning families of the earth:
“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will worship before Thee. For the Kingdom is the Lord’s, and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:27-28; Isaiah 53:11
Endured the cross: he remained on the cross: He accepted the Cup without resisting.
Despite the physical and emotional agony his determination and purpose remained strong.
“I SHALL PAY MY VOWS before those who fear Him.” Psalm 22:25; See also John 12:27; 18:11; Psalm116:12-13;
Disesteeming the shame: he put the shame into perspective.
“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: ‘He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.’ Psalm 22:6-8 Matthew 27:43
Right after this experience of accusation in Psalm 22, this is recorded: “Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb; Thou didst make me trust when upon my mother’s breasts. Upon Thee I was cast from birth; Thou hast been my God from my mother’s womb.” Psalm 22:9-10 The power to disesteem the shame is shown as he called to mind when he was a defenseless child and how His Heavenly Father made sure he was protected and cared for. He claims this protection and LOVE, and the mighty power of His God as he hung defenseless, vulnerable and accused on the cross. He trusted and claimed the perspective of the Father, not taking on the accusations or the labels of others. Isaiah 50:7-8
His response to repeated accusation and cruelty: he kept entrusting himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:22-23
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