He Endured
Freda Rawlings

“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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

(Hebrews 12:1-3, ESV)

My Bible notes share these thoughts on despising the shame: “crucifixion was so shameful a form of execution that it was forbidden to be inflicted on Roman citizens…”  And Galatians 3:13 tells us that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Christ was determined to fulfill this promise for us. “He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus did not resist the shame and immense suffering. He knew the cross was the only way to redeem us back to His Father in heaven. Also, it was the means to receive the joy that was set before Him; He could see our redemption in view. But shame came first, and He despised it. “Shame was stripping away every earthly support that Jesus had: his friends gave way in shaming abandonment; his reputation gave way in shaming mockery; his decency gave way in shaming nakedness; his comfort gave way in shaming torture. His glorious dignity gave way to the utterly undignified, degrading reflexes of grunting and groaning and screeching”. (What Does it Mean for Jesus to Despise Shame, John Piper, 2013)

Jesus endured this suffering and shame from -- and for -- sinners like us. He allowed this hostility to batter and break Him. The perfect lamb of God took on the sin of the whole world making it possible for each of us, and anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord, to be saved.  He suffered our rejection, our rebellion, our hatred, and ran the race with endurance to win our salvation. He rose from the grave! He is seated at the right hand of God the Father forever interceding for us.

 

He is Risen Mary Magdalene, Mary, & Salom walking up to the bright empty tomb of Jesus Christ early Sunday morning, Showing Golgotha in the background. empty tomb jesus stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

 

The women at the empty tomb attested to Jesus’ promised resurrection. They ran to testify that His promise was fulfilled. “He has risen!”

May I encourage you to not run the race of life aimlessly and out of focus with Jesus, but discipline yourself for the joy that is set before you to be one day united with Him who endured for us. We too must endure.

 

 

SPRING 2024 ~ WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Ladies, my ongoing hope and prayer for our strength and growth in endurance is to have “Every Woman in the Word.” To help us with this endeavor we have these wonderful Bible studies for women:

Wednesday Mornings

  • Studying: I Samuel, meets in Classroom 7
  • Studying: The Epistles of John, meets in the Conference Room
  • Studying: Isaiah, meets at the Fireplace in Fellowship Hall

Wednesday Evening (meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays)

  • Studying: Hebrews, meets at the home of Nyla DiGiorgio

Thursday Evenings (meets every Thursday in the Conference Room)

  • Studying: Exodus until March 28th
  • Studying: “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer -- beginning April 11th

Upcoming Events:

  • Women 2 Women, March 18th
  • “Going Beyond” -- Live Conference event with Priscilla Shirer, April 20th
  • Senior Women’s Luncheon “Heart and Hands in Harmony” ~ Harpist, Caitlin Mehrtens, May 29th

 

2024q2.07. RETURN women