The joy set before us.

"Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:2

We all long to live with constant joy!
So we pray for financial security, satisfying relationships, and healthy bodies.

But the months keep being bigger than the pay-cheques, the sister is still not talking to us, and the constant cough has become lung cancer.

So where do we find this joy?

According to his verse, Jesus had joy.

Did he have financial security? No, he lived off charity during His three years of teaching.
He was surrounded by disciples who did not understand Him and His mission.  He washed the feet of the man whom He knew would betray Him.
We don't know about sickness during His teaching years, but we do know that He endured beatings, crucifixion, thirst, and more pain than we can imagine on the day of His death.

All for the joy that was set before Him.

His focus was not on having a well-paying job, fixing Judas, or compromising His convictions so there would be less pain.
His focus was to do the will of the Father, to please Him in obedience. That gave Him joy!!

Jesus lived through horrendous pain.
Jesus endured the cross and died.

Is that what we can expect in our lives: pain, the cross, death?
How do we find joy in that?
We can find joy for the same reason as Jesus. He lived to please the Father, and we, too will experience joy through our obedience to the Father.