TODAY IN THE WORD
For the ancient church, the anchor symbolized hope. Archaeologists have found depictions of anchors on believers’ graves as far back as the late first century. The writer of Hebrews said of God’s redemptive purposes, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Heb. 6:17–20). There is also a story from about A.D. 100 about an early church martyr, Clement, whom the Roman emperor Trajan ordered to be executed by tying him to an anchor and throwing him into the sea. According to legend, the water receded to reveal Clement’s tomb, built by angels. The anchor was thus transmuted from an instrument of death into a symbol of hope and joy.

Joy motivates us, as it did Christ Himself, to endure suffering and discipline. Today’s verse is the key: The focus of our faith is Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross” (v. 2). What was the “joy set before him”? It was the joy of obedience and subsequent vindication by God. Sent by the Father, He perfectly completed His mission of redemption. He submitted unto death and then triumphed over it, undoing and transcending the Fall. Upon completing His atoning work, He now sits at God’s right hand as our great High Priest and Savior forever. There is no pretense that the cross was anything but shame and suffering, but it was not the end of the story. His suffering pales in comparison to the glorious salvation He accomplished through His obedience. The “joy set before him” was and is a joy rooted in eternal life and love!

Given that Jesus was the Son of God on a unique mission of salvation, how can we imitate His example? What is the joy set before us? It is the joy of His work of redemption being fulfilled in our lives. One day, because of what He did, we will be made perfect! It is the joy of our own obedience in the face of suffering. Our impurities are being purged and our shape hammered into what He intends (vv. 5–11).

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Based on Hebrews 12, what are the characteristics of believers who imitate Christ? First, we have a sense of history and of the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us. Second, we pursue holiness and struggle against sin. Third, we have perseverance; we’re in it for the long haul. Fourth, we exercise all-out effort—there are no cruise control settings in the Christian life. Fifth, in faith, we need to fix our eyes on Christ. And sixth, we have a close relationship with God, our loving Father who guides our every step.

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