I asked several friends what thier most difficult, painful experience in life had been. Thier
answers included war, divorce, surgery and the loss of a loved one. My wife's reply was "the birth of our first child." It
was a long and difficult labor in a lonely army hospital. But looking back, she said she considers it joyful "Because the
pain 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 thier upcoming experience to that of a woman during childbirth when her anguish
turns to joy after her child is born. He says "Therefore now you have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will
rejoice, and your joy will no longer be taken from you.
Sorrow comes to us all along the road of life. Jesus' painful sacrifice accomplished God's
eternal purpose of opening the to friendship and fellowship with Him. The joy our Savior had outweighed His suffering, just
as the joy He gives to us overshadows all of our pain.
Written By: David McCasland
