Have you noticed how people will do crazy, torturous things if they perceive the rewards to be attractive enough? Jesus endured the despicable treatment in Passion week because He looked from a different perspective than the average person. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2, ESV).
No normal, healthy female would go through the agony of giving birth to a child if she didn’t first anticipate the joys of having a child of her own. The Bible uses the word “travail” to describe all that goes into having a baby AND raising that child to be a respectable adult. It is the perspective that makes travail endurable—even joyful satisfaction.
The Bible (King James Version) used that word describing Jesus when He died to give birth to a new creation of humanity. The New Living Translation puts that verse this way; it was the LORD’s [God’s] good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:10-11 (NLT2) These profound words would require far more time and words to more fully understand, so I will only highlight a few of them.
Jesus saw all His anguish accomplished and was satisfied! Keep in mind, His anguish was NOT limited to the cross. Every parent has learned that parenting doesn’t stop with giving birth! It is a far deeper pain when parents, after having given boundless love, to then watch their child make a horrible choice or reject them. I deeply regret the anguish I repeatedly put God through each time He assigned me a task because I had a different perspective than He had. I did not think my gifting fit the assignment. Has He had to agonize with your independence and disrespect after He has given so much to you?
Try to imagine God’s anguish after providing so much for the Hebrews, yet they rebelliously served other gods. The prophet Hosea described God’s response saying, “Ephraim mixes [to become one with the world’s culture/lose most essential distinctions in the mixing] with other nations. Ephraim, you are like a half-baked loaf of bread (Hosea 7:8 (GW)! It is no wonder Paul warned us don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2, NLT2). Ask yourself, Lord, am I like Ephraim, an unfinished product, a disgrace to Your name, an unstable man who cannot seem to make the grade? Or, can You display me as proudly as You did Job when You said, have you considered my servant Job? (Job 1:8). Do you need to look at yourself from a different perspective so that you can bring pleasure to God as your children bring pleasure to you?