The Bible tells us that for the joy set before Him Christ endured the cross. That joy is eternal fellowship with us. It amazes me that God can find joy in miserable sinners, but that is the transformative power of the cross. Not our works, not to please Mary or any other creature. Just the power of the cross. We are made worthy by His act of redemption and He finds joy in it. Does that sound like a stingy impassive judge? By no means. He rushes to smother us with the riches He has earned for us. What an amazing Savior!