WHAT IS THE JOY OF OUR LORD? by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 23, 1869

WHAT IS THE JOY OF OUR LORD?

By Dudley Marvin Canright

At the last day, Jesus will say to all who have been faithful, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matt. xxv, 14–30. They are to share with him in his joy, and this is granted them because they have been faithful, and have done well. Jesus suffered all that he did that he might have this joy for himself and for others. “Who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame,” &c. Heb. xii, 2. What was this joy that was set before him, for which he endured so much? It must be something that he did not possess before, or else he would not have had it set before him as an object to be attained by suffering. Then it was not immortality, for he had that before; nor health, nor riches, nor honor, nor holiness, nor the blessing of God, for all these he possessed before. He was the only begotten Son of the God of all the universe. He lacked nothing of all these things. There was something beyond all these that led him to endure the cross.

Jesus saw man lost, hopelessly lost. By suffering, and dying, and interceding for man, he could save some from destruction, and bring them to purity, happiness, and immortality. Could he do that, what joy, deep, full, and unspeakable, would fill his great and benevolent soul as he looked over the multitudes saved by his sufferings? Here would be joy more sweet than all else. This, I think, was the joy that was set before him, and for which he suffered so much. Angels will share this joy with Jesus, for they too have aided in the great work of saving men. Heb. i, 13, 14. They have acted an important part in the work of salvation, and they feel the deepest interest in seeing men saved. They partake in this joy of their Lord even now. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke xv, 10. So at last, Jesus will say to those who have done well, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” How can they do this? As they see others saved through their efforts, or example, or suffering, they will feel the same joy that fills the heart of their Lord. Their joy will be one. Paul so understood it when he wrote to his brethren—his children in the Lord—“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thess. ii, 19. So will it be with all the saints.

If in all the hosts of the saved there should be one selfish soul who had passed his life in caring and providing for self, without doing others good, or seeking to save them; one who had never sacrificed to help

others and aid them in overcoming—if there should be such a one, how could he enter into the joy of his Lord? It would be impossible. His heart must forever be a stranger to the joy that fills the heart of Jesus, the angels, and the saints who have “done well.” To be able to enter into that joy then, we must enter into the sacrificing and laboring now. God help us to realize this now. Would we lay up joy to ourselves in the future life, we must do good to others here, we must follow the example of our Lord who went about doing good. D. M. CANRIGHT.