I don’t have the foggiest idea who God used to write the book of Hebrews. It is the pepper-upper letter for Jesus’ followers.

The original audience lived at a time distant from the ascension of Jesus. The elephant in the room was the question of Jesus’ return. Why is He taking so long? Was I duped?  Will He really descend to earth again to take us to heaven?

The readers see anew the power of the gift of God’s son, the significance of the cross, Jesus washing clean their sin, the power of church, and the assurance all Christ followers have of heaven.

My key to receiving all of this is stick-ability. The message of Hebrews is God’s glue stick for me.

The message of the letter is in the first three verses of Chapter 12:

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,fixing 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.Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Most of the above I understand. Yet, there is one eye-catching phrase: “For the joy set before Him he endured the cross. What’s this all about? What sort of future joy would make a cross bearable?

God show me the joy in a cross.

Was it the joy Jesus found by doing the Father’s will? Was it His joy in being a player in the restoration of humankind? Could it possibly be the joy of assembling cleansed people into His body the church? Could it be the joy of returning to His appropriate place at God’s right hand?

Is it possible a portion of Jesus’ anticipated joy is to have me with Him in heaven? Wow, now that’s a humbling thought.

Through the cross and the church, Jesus anticipated the joy that would exist when He, God, the Holy Spirit, and creation were united.

Now for my unity take away.

At time like this when I remember again the big picture—at least as big of a picture as my pea-size brain can grasp—I am ashamed of the times when I am so little and find myself participating in insignificant gnat picking that harms the unity of Christ’s church.

I have a feeling if I could stay out of the way, God might show me a glimpse of the Joy Jesus could see beyond the cross.

Stay tuned.

Gary J. Sorrells reflecting on God’s Cross Church.