This is my Happy Jesus video. It was the first video I ever made (we used it for Easter 2002 at East Lake, and the music wasn't canned, the band played it live). People were saved through this, did you know that? People didn't know what Jesus looked like, and after this, they did. And I don't mean, "they didn't know he looked like a sunny white guy from Texas," because probably he didn't. I mean, they didn't know that he looked like he actually WANTED to save them. Normally, he looks all pissed off about having to come get us, right? But what if he wasn't like that? What if everything he did here was marked by incredible joy (NOT HAPPINESS - don't be stupid), even in the hard stuff, because of the JOY he knew would be his afterwards when his people were reconciled to him. I mean, look at Hebrews 12, and all the instructions he gives us after telling us about he lived, knowing about the JOY that would be his afterwards. Shouldn't we be the same? How THEN should we live, knowing the joy that we will be ours after here? (Well, and let's just be real. The Kingdom has spilled over here now so this joy is ours now in part!).
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. 3Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. 4After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
5And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children."[b]
7As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? 8If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. 9Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever[c]?
10For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. 11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. 13Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.
2 comments:
yeah, that Jesus guy--gotta love him. I absolutely loved when the movies of THIS Jesus came out. I was absolutely craving to own them. I wanted everyone to get that Jesus wasn't this awful tyrant or cranky old man. He was a magnetic person--and like you said being joyful is magnetic.
I LIKE you! Nicely said. Hebrews 12 is one of my favorite chapters.
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