Hebrews 12:1-2

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.

From Background Notes [BN] for March 1st& 2nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

With this material as background, Paul sees in Jesus the Messiah, or as he calls him, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the coming joy.

What Israel awaited at the "end of days,” had now dawned in Paul's own time. As Paul traveled throughout the Roman Empire, proclaiming the message of Jesus the Messiah to the Gentiles, he was, in effect, issuing the invitation for all nations to come to the Messianic Feast. In do doing, Paul was filled with "joy" and this joy sustained him in his work. To the Philippians he writes the same encouragement: "rejoice in the Lord,” using the Greek present imperative to emphasize the ongoing and consistent practice of being joyful. [BN,4]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am