The Joy of Our Redeemer!

Christ being made a curse for us not only redeems us from our sins, brings us forgiveness, and sanctifies us to God, but it also results in the high exaltation of Jesus!

But the consequence to Christ goes much further!

Because Christ was made a curse for us, He is now filled with exceeding great joy!

Recall that Jesus Himself taught us, that His Father loves Him, because He laid down His life to rescue His sheep. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep.

But no shepherd is expected to do that. Sheep are expendable, but shepherds are men whose lives are more valuable than sheep.

No shepherd dies for his sheep. But our Good Shepherd did! He cares for His sheep, and He is determined never to lose a single one of us!

While certainly not the only reason for the Father's love for Jesus, Christ is clear that it is a very important reason. The Father loves Christ because He laid down His life for His sheep.

Christ was faithful to pay all the horrible price for our rescue, to save us from God's wrath for our sin, to save to the uttermost the sheep that His Father had given Him for safekeeping.

Christ's joy first surfaces when He exultantly greets His disciples on the way from the empty tomb: All Hail! Jesus says to the lady disciples there.

Think of it! Jesus is greeting His old friends, His faithful disciples, who thought Him lost forever.

But Jesus is happy to greet them there, knowing that He has redeemed them forever!

Jesus was the first to know that he had rescued His loved ones. He always knew that He would.

But now Christ has the joy to begin to disclose to these dear ladies His glorious victory for Himself and for them!