This is what makes Jesus happy

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “What the world needs now”

Our Bible verse for today: “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “This is what makes Jesus happy”

Recently a good friend made me aware of a great devotional book by Dane Ortland called, “Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers.” It’s a helpful study of the heart of Christ specifically intended for those who are suffering in some way, or who are struggling with guilt and just can’t let it go. Ortland’s intent is to help the reader understand the tender heart of Christ for those who are hurting.

In one section, Ortland asks us to consider Hebrews 12:2 and the phrase, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross …” What joy was it that lay before Jesus? What was it He was looking forward to that brought joy to His heart? Surely not the cross itself. That was going to be an unspeakably evil and awful experience. The joy that lay before Him, the joy that He was looking forward to so much was what would be true after the cross. He would be at the right hand of the Father in heaven interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34) – being there for those who are hurting and suffering and struggling with guilt – the source of our comfort and relief (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus wants you to bring all your pain, grief, and woundedness to Him. It brings Him joy to forgive you, to comfort you, and to heal you. It’s why He suffered and died and then rose again. Understand this please: Jesus wants to minister to you. He wants to heal you. He wants to bring joy into your life because doing so brings joy to Him. This is what makes Him happy. Ortland describes it this way: “Christ’s “own joy, comfort, happiness, and glory are increased and enlarged by his showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving, and comforting his members here on earth.”

Certainly, much of the healing and helping ministry of Christ to us takes place in our own quiet times of prayer and devotions with Him. But much of it also takes place when we are gathered with our brothers and sisters. Jesus often ministers to us through each other. You are surely familiar with the old phrase, “Church isn’t a country club for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners.” Church is where we come to get well. Dr. Jesus is there, along with His multiple assistants, to lovingly attend to, comfort, and nurse back to health those who are sick at heart, those who have been wounded, those who need to heal.

Today is Friday. Sunday is coming. You need to be in church and you need to bring it all to Jesus. It will put a smile on His face. It will make Him happy. He suffered so that you don’t have to. He took your guilt so that you could let it go. This is why He came to us and it is why He wants us to come to Him. This is what makes Him happy.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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