It was the joy of Jesus...

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

"What was that which made Jesus speak like this?—"For the joy that was set before him." Beloved, what was the joy? Oh, 'tis a thought must melt a rock, and make a heart of iron move; that the joy which was set before Jesus, was principally joy of saving you and me. I know it was the joy of fulfilling his Father's will—of sitting down on his Father's throne—of being made perfect through suffering; but still I know that this is the grand, great motive of the Saviour's suffering, the joy of saving us." - C.H. Spurgeon

I never really understood what brought Jesus joy in going to the cross, but this quote from Spurgeon makes it clear. Jesus died for us because it gave Him joy to save us. I don't know about you, but joy is the LAST thing I would be thinking about if I were asked to die for someone. My mind would be on the suffering and the pain. And yet, Jesus bore our sin because saving us made him happy. To know that Jesus saved me while I was still in sin is wonderful, but to know that it brought Him JOY to save me while I was still in sin is almost incomprehensible. We offend Him and He happily draws us to Himself. Wow. And this is MY God! :)