The Meaning of the Cross, Day 15

Welcome to Day 15 of our “40 Days of the Cross” series. Each day we are taking just a few minutes to look at a word which will help us better understand the meaning of the cross. 

Today’s word is joy. When we think of the cross, the word “joy” may not leap to mind. The day was dark, filled with horror and pain. Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the great messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. Isaiah describes the suffering servant of God, like a lamb led to the slaughter. Look what it says in Isaiah 53:10,“Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt…” This hardly seems like a joyous situation. How can the cross be associated with joy? 

Well, for one reason, Isaiah 53:10 continues, “…he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” Who are the offspring of Jesus on the cross? We are. We are children of God as a result of what Jesus did for us on the cross. The cross was the signing of adoption papers to make us God’s offspring. 

Despite God’s sorrow at seeing his one and only Son cruelly crucified on the cross, there was also joy in God’s eyes, for He saw the results of the cross at the same time. He saw men and women, boys and girls, coming to Him as children to be loved, cared for, and nurtured. And God knew that the cross was only temporary. The days of His Son are eternal and what Jesus puts His hand to prospers. 

Even Jesus endured the cross because of joy. Hebrews 12:2 says, “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Jesus foresaw the joy that would come when people accepted His gift of forgiveness and that joy was worth the suffering of the cross. 

Although we rightly look upon the cross with horror, we can also look at the cross with joy. For it is through the cross that we are able to have salvation. And it is that relationship with God that brings us joy unspeakable and full of glory. We’ll talk more about glory on Monday. 

Let’s pray together: Heavenly Father, I ask that you help us to see the joy that comes from suffering, especially the suffering of Your Son on the cross. Let us see the cross as an opportunity for joy. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, amen. 

Thanks for reading today. Please take some time to pray and meditate on how the cross brings joy.  Continued