For the joy set before him our Savior went to the cross. What joy could that possibly have been? Why would our Savior be willing to be mocked, spat upon, whipped, hung naked to the cross? What hoped-for joy could have encouraged him to do this? You. You are the cause of that joy. We are the cause of that joy. The joy of presenting us before his Father without spot or blemish. Only the shed blood of Jesus can do this.

Deacon Cindy Hamilton preaches from the Maundy Thursday gospel text of John 13:1-15.