Pain with a Purpose. (John 16:17-24)
I asked several friends what their most difficult, painful experience in life had been. Their answers included war, divorce, surgery pain, and the loss of a loved one. Each person indicated that looking back, they considered the pain joyful because it had a big purpose.
Just before Jesus went to the cross, He told His followers they were about to go through a time of great pain and sorrow. The Lord compared their coming experience to that of a woman during childbirth when her anguish turns to joy after her child is born (John16:20-21).
Sorrow comes to us all along the road of life. But Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2), purchased forgiveness and freedom for all who open their hearts to Him. His painful sacrifice accomplished God's eternal purpose of opening the way to friendship and fellowship with Him.
The joy of our Savior outweighed His suffering, just as the joy He gave us overshadows all our pain.
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