~ written by Connie Dunmyer
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~ Hebrews 12:1-2
I am no theologian, but I am a thinker.
For at least 60 years of my 65 years, I heard and read "For the joy set before him he endured the cross . . ." and casually thought that "the joy set before him" was sitting down "at the right hand of the throne of God."
But in the past couple of years as I was thinking about this, I received this thought - this revelation, if you will. The joy set before him was not the throne.
Jesus came FROM the throne. Jesus CAME from heaven and Jesus created all things. The throne was not his prize.
"I" AM THE PRIZE.
"YOU" ARE THE PRIZE.
We ARE His Prize! WE are the JOY set before Him. Put your name in there. "Your Name" IS the prize. Say it out loud! I am the prize. I am the joy.
And what’s more, I’m not just a "prize" to just anybody down the street … I am the joy, the prize, the gift to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Now I figure, I’m a pretty good prize to my husband – maybe even his joy. And I think my kids and grandkids still look at coming to Gramma’s house as a prize and full of happy times. But I doubt the King of England would consider me such. And as much as I might like President Trump, I seriously doubt he looks at me with that great of affection. BUT JESUS DOES!!
Everything that was ever done from the day Adam and Eve sinned … Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, David, the prophets, the sacrifices, the exile, the good times, the bad times, the virgin birth, Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the miracles, the fishermen, Judas … all of it was done to lead us (every single one of us) to a single intersected moment of time – Jesus on the cross.
And why would God do that … aaaaallllll of that?
Because I was the prize. To make it possible for me to be the joy that would be set before him.
Why would Jesus leave heaven – the throne – to become dust, to be ridiculed, to be beaten, to be rejected and betrayed, to die a sinner’s death?
Because I was the prize. He did it so that I could be His joy!
This is the season we celebrate His birth. But we must never forget nor take for granted that He did not come to “be a good guy”, “to be a prophet”, or even “to be a healer”. He came for one reason – to die. And I was the reason for His death. You were the reason for His death.
WE are the Reason.
We often say Jesus is the Reason for the Season. And that IS true. But may I be permitted a small change. If the "joy" is US - then perhaps WE are the Reason for the Season. Not to celebrate us. NO - God forbid!! But WE are the REASON that Jesus was born as a human being in the first place.
So what gift do you have to give Jesus for His birthday? May I suggest that you give him what He came for - the Joy set before Him - Yourself.
Whether you’ve been a Christian for a long time or have never yet asked Jesus into your heart – the gift to Him is the same. It’s You. It’s Me.
It's easy to do. Just say "Jesus, I believe you came to the world for me. I believe you died on a cross to save me. I know I am a sinner and that I do not deserve Your love. But I accept your love and ask that you forgive me. Come into my heart and life. Make me into the JOY You created me to be."
If you prayed that prayer or something similar and have chosen to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are now born-again. You now belong to Him - you ARE the Joy set before Him. The one He came to save. Begin your new life with Jesus by listening to His words. Do this by reading the Bible. I suggest beginning with the Book of John in the New Testament. If you ever have questions - that's ok. I always have questions. It’s ok to ask Jesus to explain things to you. You’ll be surprised at how well He does that, even though we cannot see Him. The walk with Jesus is amazing. It's not always easy. Sometimes other people won't understand you or agree with you. But that's ok too. You are living the life of Joy now… HIS Joy! And Jesus will never EVER leave you.
This Christmas season – as you wait in long lines or are stuck in traffic – spend those minutes thinking about how Jesus is smiling over you. You are what He wanted all along. From the beginning of time.
And when you can’t find the scotch tape or the scissors, or your ribbons and bows look more like wilted lettuce, or the dog just knocked over your Christmas tree . . . think of these words from The Grinch:
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
That “more” is Jesus – that “more” is you – that “more” is me.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Think on these things this Christmas season. And remember – Jesus did all this for His joy, His prize – US!!
Find More "Yield" Articles | Get Future "Yield" Delivered to Your Inbox
© 2025: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.