For the majority of the weeks during the church season of Lent, I will share a few thoughts on some of the various approaches Christians might take at this time of the year when we reflect upon the suffering Jesus endured in order to redeem us.  There are many appropriate actions and reactions for a believer as he or she contemplates Jesus’ crucifixion … and thankfully also his resurrection.

These posts during Lent will form the basis of our Wednesday evening worship discussions.  I pray they provide wonderful food for thought, and blessed encouragement to all of us!

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Of all the Lenten responses I’ve shared in previous weeks, the one in this week’s post is perhaps the least likely to come to believers’ minds in this traditionally somber season.  Repentance, reflection, renewal, and rededication all seem appropriate in light of our suffering and dying Savior.

But rejoicing?  That isn’t quite as obvious.

How can we be happy when Jesus seemed so burdened and sorrowful?  How can we rejoice as we hear of Jesus’ abuse?  How can we be joyful at the piercing thorns, the vicious tearing of his flesh, the unbearable burden of the cross on his flayed shoulders and back, the agony of nails driven through his wrists and feet, and the excruciation of the crucifixion?

Where is our glee in the ridicule of the Son of God?  In the mocking and rejection and outright hatred of the One who loved perfectly?

How can any believer find happiness in Jesus’ abandonment by the Heavenly Father as the Son experienced the full extent of the horrors of hell?

Typically reflecting on all that Jesus endured because of the immensity of our transgressions fosters sorrow.  How could it not for anyone even somewhat conscientious; who understands the spiritual cause and effect of sin laid out in the Scriptures?

There is no escaping the root cause of Jesus suffering.  My disobedience and yours necessitated it all.  And this does not … cannot! … produce rejoicing in sorrowful sinners.

However, the hymnist, Kurt Eggert, urges us to view Jesus’ passion from a different perspective in his hymn, “Oh, Come, My Soul.”

Oh, come, my soul, your Savior see
Nailed to your cross on Calvary.
Your pains he bears; your thorns he wears
That yours a crown of life might be.

‘Tis yours, my soul, the sin, the shame,
The cross, the nails, the thirst, the pain;
In agony His blood runs free
To write in heaven’s book your name.

And note how he concludes the hymn!  Here’s the next and final stanza:

Oh, sing, my soul, sing endlessly
The wondrous love that sets you free;
His dying breath brings life from death,
Makes heav’n your home eternally.

In other words, don’t focus on your sins that put Jesus there; focus on your salvation that Jesus secured while there.  This produces joy!

In fact, while Jesus as true Man did dread the agony that awaited him (Mk. 14:32-36), Jesus as true God actually rejoiced at being the Instrument to save sinners.  The Scriptures show us this astounding truth: “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

If Jesus rejoiced at what he accomplished for us on the cross, then surely we can too!

Elsewhere in the Bible, and repeatedly, the Holy Spirit urges God’s people to rejoice in all that God has done.  I’m confident we can agree that one of the greatest wonders God has performed is reconciling us to Himself through the extraordinary sacrificial efforts of Jesus. 

While the following words of Isaiah are referring to heaven, they certainly also describe the significance of Mount Calvary, without which the heavenly “mountain” would never be possible.

“On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:7-9)

Considering Jesus’ cross through the lens of what was accomplished there instead of what necessitated his being there changes everything.  No, we dare never forget the reason.  (Our sin!).  But we dare never forget the result either.  (Our salvation!)

When viewed from this angle, it actually does make the season of Lent a season of rejoicing.  Great rejoicing even!

“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’  I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” (Psalm 118:15-17)

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Psalm 9:1-2
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

(Philippians 4:4)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.