by Janis Desjardins
Jesus was familiar with the cross and what it would represent.  No one can fathom what He went through before that hour.  No one can fathom what He thought and felt all the times He passed by crosses beforehand.  He knew He would experience that same physical agony other men went through.  But He also knew the burden of all man's sins, past, present and future would be heavy upon His shoulder.  This He would carry not only because He loved the Father, who loved us and did not want even one to perish, but the Father gave us to Him and He wanted to do His will.  His prayer to the Father in that hour before gave us a glimpse of His thoughts.  Not only did He pray for Himself but for His disciples and all believers. (John 17:1-26)

The Father so very much loved us that He gave up His only son, Jesus.  Jesus loved us so much that He gave up His life for us.  Jesus said to His disciples, "Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."  (John 16:22).

Praise God for His great love!  Jesus rose from the dead!  He's alive and as we believe in Him, He lives within us and as He lives in the Father, we do have the most beautiful relationship ever!  We now can look within for our joy and our joy is fortified.  (Fortified means to protect or strengthen against attack...)  A great price was paid for our joy and now our joy is priceless. (John 17:21). 

The gift of the cross and the resurrection - we now have joy and eternal life in Him!
(Scriptures quoted from NKJV)