Hebrews 12:1-3

A while ago, a friend of mine was speaking to me of his 7 year old son’s loose tooth.  The child was looking forward to the empty space in his mouth where a permanent tooth would soon be but did not want to endure the possible pain that it would take to pull the baby tooth.  Everyone that has ever lost a baby tooth has experienced that dilemma.  It is always with great joy that my students come to me and show me a loose tooth or the empty space where it once was.  I promise, however, that he/she did not want the experience of the tooth being pulled.

Today’s passage speaks of the same dread that comes with the anticipated joy - though not as simple as a child’s loose tooth.  The author of Hebrews says, “…who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame….”  The author and perfecter of our faith endured the cross because it brought him great joy to offer us salvation.  Remember the scene in the garden where Jesus expressed to His Father the pain at that moment of anticipated suffering he would have to endure?  See the holes in his hands, feet and side?  See the joy that it brings him to have endured the pain of crucifixion so that we might live?  Look to him during your times of pain, sorrow, victory and joy.  Can we endure the pain for a little while for the victory that only Christ can give?

--Melissa Vincent