At the end of the Passover Supper, Jesus prayed aloud to Father God.  Although Christ’s suffering was just hours away, Jesus’ mind and heart were not dominated by the shame and pain to come.  He was consumed by the glorious prospect of fulfilling the Father’s commission and then being reunited with Him.  The work of salvation could only be completed by His death which would prove to be the most glorious proof of God’s love to the world.  It would enable sinful people to have eternal life, and share fellowship with God for ever in His glory.

Jesus is the Son of God.  Before the world began, God the Father and God the Son shared in a glorious unity with God the Holy Spirit, in heaven.  That intimate unity was intentionally but temporarily disrupted so that the Son could become the Passover Lamb and take away the sins of the world.  Dreadful though it would be, Jesus endured the cross because He saw the glory to come.  His example is the model for every believer who suffers: Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “… 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 that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

For Jesus everything paled into insignificance compared with the anticipated joy of sharing in the glory of God.  For the disciples and all who subsequently believed the gospel, knowing Christ has the same impact (Philippians 3:8).  Interestingly, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing both the only true God and Jesus Christ as the ‘sent One’ from God.  All those who honour and share in Christ’s sufferings will also share in His glory (Romans 8:17).  

Jesus’ goal, and the goal of every believer, is not limited to this world, but to be in God’s presence for ever.  That prospect is the only wise reason to endure suffering and to keep going despite many difficulties (Philippians 3:10-14).  Even though we can do nothing to win our place in heaven, those who believe in Jesus will share His glory because they belong to Him.  What a wonderful prospect!  If Jesus’ heart was filled with those thoughts as He entered His darkest day, they should sustain us through our troubles too.  Keep looking ahead to that day when you meet Jesus!