The Exaltation of Jesus

ḥâp̱êṣ:  to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with…. 

Big Idea:  Godly pleasure is found only in unselfish purpose…. 

1.  It was God’s will to crush Jesus.

Isaiah 53:10a, Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; 

Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

2.  It was God’s will to advance salvation.

Isaiah 53:10b, ….the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 

1st Timothy 1:15, The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

3.  It is God’s will to change us.

Isaiah 53:11-12, Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Notice God’s will presented in the birth announcements of Jesus:  

Matthew 1:21, She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Luke 2:10-11, And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:29-32, Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.

Next Step:  I pray that God will give me a heart that delights in His will.

Psalm 37:4, Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.