For the Joy That Was Set Before Him

He endured the pain,
Received the rejection,
Slap after slap upon His face...
He suffered with each blow, each whip, each lash upon His body
As His skin ripped and bleed.
He was mocked, ridiculed
As He held His hands out to receive the piercing of the nails,
And they were pounded into His hands and feet.
He hung there forlorn and forsaken
Yet He uttered not a word of offense.

But instead, He blessed His enemies...

How God, How,
How could You endure all this,
Yet not sin with a word of offense, or thought of bitterness?

Then I heard Him whisper His answer...
"It was because of the joy that was set before me."
"My precious one, I set you before My eyes...
 I saw your chains drop,
 I saw you forgiven and free,
 I saw you healed,
 I saw you happy, prospering, and whole...
 It was worth it just for you, precious one." He whispered.

Because of the joy that was set before Him...
Lord, is this how I can keep the offenses from prospering in my soul?
Blessing the offender, thanking the Lord and believing the best about the indiviual,
Seeing in my spirit my offender transformed and something good coming from it all...

Only with your Spirit within me is this possible, Lord!

Thank you Jesus for leading the way with such radical love!!!