“…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2b
A Cross. A Crown. A Joy Set Forth.
Coming through the opening, he lifted up his eyes.
Before him was a feature he did not at first recognize.
His struggle had been rough, and his experience was strained.
Now, at the end of his journey, he could see how it was gained.
For much of his life, he had been mostly lost.
He could readily recall the memories and could even measure the cost.
But now, at life’s end, he sees how he was molded.
It wasn’t by an easy way that his path had unfolded.
A moment in time and a picture to show;
His life had flashed before his eyes, and the light, a new passage, did bestow.
From that point on, and until his journey ended,
there was joy unspeakable, a fractured life now mended.
Nevertheless…
The trials…they did not cease.
The pain…it did not subside.
Yet upon him was inexpressible peace.
A new Helper, with him, did abide.
So, while the tempests upon him, they did roar;
It was a new faith and vision that led him to endure.
A joy set forth, notwithstanding crosses to bear,
Yet for the inexpressible beauty upon his head, a crown he will one day wear.
And so, he pressed on, forgetting what lay behind;
He steadily plodded, no longer to his old ways confined.
Each bump on the road and every rough patch;
With each step forward from his old life, he did detach.
Onward toward glory and with him many crosses he did sustain;
Yet, in his new life, a facile Christian, he could no longer feign.
For the joy that had been set before him, this Christian did endure;
How could he not follow his Master, who had faithfully trodden the path before?
And so…
As he makes his way closer, the mysterious figure comes into view;
Assuredly toward him, he sees that it is nearing.
Overwhelmed by love’s transcendent goodness, which his life does imbue;
A crown of righteousness falls upon his head and for all those who have loved His appearing.
He turns now and sees Him, his Master, to display;
A crown too upon his head, but not one he would envision.
His eyes lowered as he saw Him and he fell into dismay.
Yet, a touch came upon his chin and heard a gentle voice at once say, “My child, it must be this way, for this is My provision.”
It was an ignoble and gnarly crown made of many a thorn;
That provided the priceless gift from His sacrifice in blood, which for us all, He did pay;
Ridiculed, betrayed, beaten, and mocked, He was led to die in scorn.
Nevertheless, He did not falter, for before Him a joy was set forth, an incalculable cost for us, He did weigh.
His own crown of beauty now takes a whole new meaning;
For it was a cross on one hill, a despised shame intervening.
It was from a substitutionary sacrifice and the propitiation of God’s wrath;
That had made a way for the wearing of many crowns proceeding from His well-worn path.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Press on, weary traveler. Press on. There is a joy set forth. And so, we press on.
— March 16, 2023