John 17:20-23 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

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20 Gayunma'y hindi lamang sila ang idinadalangin ko, kundi sila rin naman na mga sumasampalataya sa akin sa pamamagitan ng kanilang salita, 21 upang silang lahat ay maging isa. Gaya mo, Ama, na nasa akin at ako'y sa iyo, sana sila'y manatili sa atin, upang ang sanlibutan ay sumampalataya na ako'y sinugo mo. 22 At ang kaluwalhatiang ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibinigay ko sa kanila, upang sila'y maging isa, na gaya naman natin na iisa. 23 Ako'y nasa kanila at ikaw ay nasa akin, upang sila'y maging ganap na isa upang malaman ng sanlibutan na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin at sila'y iyong minahal kung paanong ako'y iyong minahal.

THAT THEY MAY BE ONE

Jesus begins explicitly praying for the spiritual well-being of those who will come to faith through the ‘word’ ministry of the apostles. This is their overall message of God that includes, the following; the person and ministry of Jesus Christ (John 1:1) and His teachings (John 14:26; Mat 28:19–20]. Just as God the Son, Jesus, was sent into the world to proclaim a message from God the Father (John 10:36–38; 17:6–8), so too are Christian believers sent into the world to proclaim a message given to us by Christ (see v.18).

It's noteworthy that when Jesus transited in this prayer from praying for Himself (v.1–5), to praying for the disciples (v.6–19), to praying for all Christians (v.20), the first thing He addressed to is their unity (Psa 133:1). The basis of their unity must be His union with the Father. Having this unity of purpose and intent, Jesus' words and actions are consistent with the words of God and the will of God. A strong proof that He was sent by God (John 14:11, 31).

Moreover, Jesus has given them the ‘glory’ in a more direct manner, by virtue of salvation. [2 Cor 3:18] This was another reason why He prayed for them to be united. Apparently, loving each other is the primary indicator of God’s people (John 13:34–35). They’re expected to love the unlovable too. It does mean that self-professed Christians are supposed to demonstrate the glory and goodness of God (Mat 5:13–16), thereby helping others come to faith. Indeed, unity is intended to prove that Christians are following God (v.23).

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John 17:14-19 ESV 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. ------ 14 Ibinigay ko sa kanila ang iyong salita at napoot sa kanila ang sanlibutan, sapagkat hindi sila taga-sanlibutan, gaya ko naman na hindi taga-sanlibutan. 15 Hindi ko hinihiling na alisin mo sila sa sanlibutan, kundi ingatan mo sila mula sa masama. 16 Hindi sila taga-sanlibutan, na gaya ko na hindi taga-sanlibutan. 17 Pabanalin mo sila sa katotohanan; ang salita mo ay katotohanan. 18 Kung paanong ako'y iyong sinugo sa sanlibutan, sila ay sinugo ko rin sa sanlibutan. 19 At dahil sa kanila'y pinabanal ko ang aking sarili, upang sila naman ay pabanalin sa katotohanan. 

SANCTIFY THEM IN THE TRUTH 

Since the world hated Jesus, they hated His followers too, particularly His disciples. This was what Jesus has expected. How could a person who loves darkness appreciate light? This conflicting pursuits of either towards truth or error had made the disciples the target of the enemy. In following Christ, there is no neutral ground. Faithful Christians are identified with Christ. That is, they are in the world, but not of the world. Thus, the more Christ-like a believer is, the more an antagonistic world will hate and persecute him. And, God does not promise to take believers out of persecution or hardship. Amidst, the hardships, believers can hope for something greater to follow later. As Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”[Rom 8:18] In keeping with that theme, Jesus reiterates that His prayer is not for God to remove Christians from the world. Instead, He prays for them rather to be strong and endure in faith. Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”[John 16:33] Their witness would only be possible, should the God the Father ‘sanctify’ them. This means to separate something—to set it apart—for an intended purpose. This does not mean a physical distance. It refers to their special purpose and a unique mission. His children are called on to be separated from this this world in spiritual sense (see 1 Cor 5:9–11). However, they must be also active in practical sense for the gospel (see Matt 5:13–16). 

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John 17:11-13 ESV

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

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11 At ngayon ay wala na ako sa sanlibutan, subalit ang mga ito ay nasa sanlibutan, at ako'y papariyan sa iyo. Amang Banal, ingatan mo sila sa iyong pangalan, sila na ibinigay mo sa akin, upang sila'y maging isa, na gaya naman natin na iisa. 12 Habang ako'y kasama nila, iningatan ko sila sa iyong pangalan, sila na ibinigay mo sa akin. Sila'y binantayan ko, at isa man sa kanila ay walang napahamak, maliban sa anak ng kapahamakan, upang matupad ang kasulatan. 13 Ngunit ngayon ay pupunta ako sa iyo. Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinabi ko sa sanlibutan, upang sila'y magkaroon ng aking kagalakang ganap sa kanilang sarili.

KEEP THEM IN YOUR NAME

Jesus knew exactly that the hardships that will follow after His arrest would cause them to be scattered. Self-preservation out of fear and intimidation does result to scattering, doesn’t it? It threatens unity. As the old military strategy says, “Divide and conquer.” Disunity is precursor to fall.

While Jesus was with them, they were one as sheep under Him, the great and loving shepherd. No one was lost except Judas. He kept and loved them unto the end, even beyond. Thus, the reason why He prayed for them – that they will be kept intact or united.

Unity would never be achieved without His people recognizing God’s authority. This is the reason why Jesus pleaded the Father to keep them ‘in His name’. Jesus referring to the use of the Father’s "name" is not a reference to magical spells or incantations. To speak "in the name of" the father is to invoke His authority and power.

In a family, the father is the authority figure. Should every child recognize his authority, there is a proper alignment and harmony in the family. The church with a high view of God would surely be united, where the reverence and love of God permeate.

As a result, Jesus’ ‘joy is fulfilled in themselves.’ That is, Jesus is greatly magnified in and through a loving relationship in His family. As he said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” [John 13:35]

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John 17:6-10 ESV

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

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6 Ipinahayag ko ang iyong pangalan sa mga taong ibinigay mo sa akin mula sa sanlibutan. Sila ay sa iyo, at sila'y ibinigay mo sa akin, at tinupad nila ang iyong salita. 7 Ngayon ay nalalaman nila na ang lahat ng mga bagay na ibinigay mo sa akin ay mula sa iyo; 8 sapagkat ang mga salitang ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibinigay ko sa kanila, at kanilang tinanggap, at totoong nalaman na ako ay nagmula sa iyo, at naniwala silang ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. 9 Idinadalangin ko sila. Hindi ang sanlibutan ang idinadalangin ko, kundi para doon sa mga ibinigay mo sa akin, sapagkat sila'y iyo. 10 Ang lahat ng sa akin ay iyo, at ang sa iyo ay akin, at ako'y naluluwalhati sa kanila.

THEY HAVE KEPT YOUR WORD.

In His prayer, Jesus had manifested [to make something visible, recognizable, or explained, or to declare.] Himself to the 11 disciples. They were given by the Father but were chosen by Christ as well.

Jesus has endeared to call them His very own. Certainly, He was not shy about calling out the disciples for their errors (Mat 8:26; Mark 8:33; Luke 24:25). And yet, He indicated that they have kept God's Word. While all sin is our responsibility (1 Cor 10:13), God also knows that we are not perfect (Heb 4:16). The twelve were no different than us. They were fallible, but their commitment to follow Jesus meant that they were sincerely and truly following God.

The Father owns them and has given them to Jesus. Jesus has entrusted to them His words and was praying for them. Does this grace or favor from God lead them to become complacent? Definitely not. In fact, the opposite should be true. Having the assurance that God is for us, we should prod on faithfully forward.

What does this mean for us today?

The truth of who we are and God’s promises of what we could do should encourage us to do more for God. God couldn’t be wrong in choosing us. Like the disciples, despite of their incompetencies, He chose them in order to become instruments for His glory. Like the disciples, let us just keep His word – nothing else.

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John 17:1-4 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Nang masabi na ni Jesus ang mga bagay na ito, tumingala siya sa langit at sinabi, “Ama, dumating na ang oras, luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Anak, upang luwalhatiin ka ng Anak, 2 yamang binigyan mo siya ng awtoridad sa lahat ng laman upang bigyan niya ng buhay na walang hanggan ang lahat ng ibinigay mo sa kanya. 3 At ito ang buhay na walang hanggan, na ikaw ay makilala nila na iisang Diyos na tunay, at si Jesu-Cristo na iyong sinugo. 4 Niluwalhati kita sa lupa, sa pagtatapos ko ng gawaing ibinigay mo sa akin. 5 At ngayon, Ama, luwalhatiin mo ako sa iyong harapan ng kaluwalhatiang aking tinaglay sa harapan mo bago nagkaroon ng sanlibutan.

I GLORIFIED YOU ON EARTH

After explaining more about the coming of the Holy Spirit and looming persecution thereafter (John 16:4–15), Jesus now begins to pray. Jesus submitted to the timeline given Him by God the Father in His earthly ministry.

Jesus expressed here about His patience until "the hour" when God's ultimate purpose for Jesus' earthly life would be fulfilled. He did not display His power either in the wrong way or at the wrong time (Matthew 4:1–11; John 2:4), did not control the urgings of the people (John 6:15), did manage how and when people should proclaim Him (Matthew 16:20; John 7:6), and even determined His capture by His enemies (John 7:30; 8:20). In other words, He was always subservient to the Father’s will.

His sole purpose was to bring glory to God with His sacrifice enacting the means of salvation by grace through faith (John 12:27–33). This is the only way man can be reconciled to God. He offered eternal life to all but is effectual to “all whom you[Father] have given him.” [see John 6:37] He wants us to know [have an intimate relationship] God the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you[the Father] have sent. But, this knowledge comes only to the truly repentant and has genuine faith.[Eph 2:8]

By claiming “I glorified you on earth’, Jesus has indicated that He's now finished with the work He was tasked to do. This might seem surprising, given that He has not yet endured death (John 18:37). This implies that His determination to endure the cross was undeterred. His humility, indeed, became the basis of His request for exaltation as before. Jesus has this glory ‘before the world existed’, so that, His eternal existence is affirmed. Paul beautifully summarized this remarkable ‘emptying of Himself to become a servant’ that leads to His

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John 16:31-33 ESV

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

31 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, “Ngayon ba ay sumasampalataya na kayo? 32 Narito, ang oras ay dumarating, at dumating na nga, na kayo'y magkakawatak-watak, ang bawat isa sa kanyang sarili, at ako'y iiwan ninyong mag-isa. Subalit hindi ako nag-iisa, sapagkat ang Ama ay kasama ko. 33 Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinabi ko sa inyo, upang sa akin ay magkaroon kayo ng kapayapaan. Sa sanlibutan ay nahaharap kayo sa paguusig. Ngunit lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob, dinaig ko na ang sanlibutan.”

I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD

Pertaining to the hardships ahead, the disciples sounded confident to face them. But, Jesus’ respond appeared challenging, and came as a gentle form of sarcasm, like, “Oh, you really understand, do you? In truth, they must be realistic for an impending time of fear and doubt about to come (John 16:20–22). Just as Peter’s mistake leading to his denial of Christ (John 13:36–38), the rest will initially react to Jesus' arrest in fear and panic (John 16:32, John 18:1–3).

That Jesus will be left alone is prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 63:5), as His disciples were as sheep scattered.[Zech 13:7] Thus, when crisis do arrive, every one will abandon Jesus and flee in terror. (John 18:1–3) Despite being abandoned by His earthly friends, Jesus won’t be alone in true essence. His relationship with God the Father will be the cornerstone of His faith during the anticipated hardship (Mat 26:39–42).

And, in one of the sweetest statements, Jesus asssured them, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” [v.33] A combination of warning and encouragement. The joy held by true believers rests upon knowing that Christ has already obtained His ultimate victory, and nothing in this world can undo that. We are secured in the immutable love of God . Paul said, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Rom 8:38–39)

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John 16:29-30 ESV

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

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29 Sinasabi ng kanyang mga alagad, “Oo nga, ngayo'y nagsasalita kang malinaw, at hindi patalinghaga.30 Ngayon ay nalalaman namin na nalalaman mo ang lahat ng mga bagay, at hindi na kailangang tanungin ka ng sinuman. Dahil dito'y sumasampalataya kami na ikaw ay nagbuhat sa Diyos.”

NO MORE QUESTION ASKED

All the while Jesus has been teaching and showing them who He was. This includes His coming from God (John 6:38), incarnation into the world (John 8:42, 58), His prophesied death (Mark 8:31), and His eventual resurrection (John 2:19) and ascension (John 16:16). However, they didn’t entirely understand until this point.

In these last few moments, we noticed that Jesus has been very blunt to them. But, their state of spiritual understanding that was blurry gradually began to become clear here. They said, “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” In other words, whatever Jesus has said they won’t question anymore because He knows all things.

One line of a song goes this way, “When we don’t understand, trust His heart.” Nothing can be further from this truth. Since Jesus is the truth, nothing comes from His mouth that is false, even though it is hard to understand. [see John 6:60]. The burden of proof lies not in words but in the person who said it. The trust of child to a mother isn’t based on understanding the mom’s words, is it? It is the child’s trust to the mom. In fact, the child has the propensity to believe everything the mom says.

Do we trust Jesus as a child does to his mom? Jesus said that the person who is great in His kingdom is one who has faith like a little child.[Mat 18:3,4] Today, should we have questions in our minds, let’s trust God in our hearts like a little child

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John 16:25-28 ESV

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

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25 “Sinabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito sa paraang patalinghaga. Darating ang oras, na hindi na ako magsasalita sa inyo nang patalinghaga, kundi maliwanag na sa inyo'y sasabihin ko ang tungkol sa Ama. 26 Sa araw na iyon ay hihingi kayo sa aking pangalan, at hindi ko sinasabi sa inyo na ako'y hihingi sa Ama para sa inyo. 27 Sapagkat ang Ama mismo ang nagmamahal sa inyo, sapagkat ako'y inyong minahal, at kayo'y nanampalataya na ako'y buhat sa Diyos. 28 Ako'y nagbuhat sa Ama at dumating ako sa sanlibutan. Muli, iiwan ko ang sanlibutan, at ako'y pupunta sa Ama.”

THE PLAIN TRUTH

Good teachers, like Jesus, know that simple stories need to be explained, in the right context, in order to be applied correctly (see Mark 4:34). Thus, Jesus taught much in parables. Notedly, using parables also deflects those who aren't really interested in the truth, anyway. He said, “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Mat 13:13).

Moreover, He taught using parables because His knew that some of those truth would not be understood prior to His resurrection. However, after He would be raised from the dead, many of these seemingly obscure stories will make sense to them (see John 2:22; 6:60). At that time, when all these various predictions have been fulfilled, He will declare to them in direct, plain language. Then, they should be ready to accept what He is saying without confusion. And, of course, it’s much due to the influence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12–13; 1 Cor 2:14–16).

Jesus said He won’t ask the Father in their behalf. As if He was saying, “I don’t need to tell you that.” But most probably, He means they can ask Him directly. This idea of direct communication with God better fits the way Scripture describes the relationship between a believer and the Father (see Mat 27:51; Heb 9:8–12; 1 Pet 2:9).

Is there a greater privilege for the believer can call God, Abba? Paul said, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”[Rom 8:15,16]

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John 16:21-24 ESV

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

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21 Kapag ang babae ay nanganganak, siya ay nahihirapan sapagkat dumating na ang kanyang oras. Ngunit pagkapanganak niya sa sanggol ay hindi na niya naaalala ang hirap dahil sa kagalakan sa pagkapanganak sa isang tao sa sanlibutan. 22 Kayo sa ngayon ay may kalungkutan, ngunit muli ko kayong makikita. Magagalak ang inyong puso, at walang makakapag-alis sa inyo ng inyong kagalakan. 23 Sa araw na iyon ay hindi kayo magtatanong sa akin ng anuman. Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung kayo'y hihingi ng anuman sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ibibigay niya ito sa inyo. 24 Hanggang ngayo'y wala pa kayong hinihinging anuman sa pangalan ko. Kayo'y humingi at kayo'y tatanggap, upang malubos ang inyong kagalakan.

FULNESS OF JOY

The deep sorrow will be celebrated by their persecutors. However, their intense pain will soon turn into even-more-intense celebration. An analogy like a woman in childbirth. In fact, it's a cliché for mothers to remind their children of their labor pain, if the child is being unruly. The point of Jesus is those painful experiences are immediately overruled by the joy of the newborn baby. Yes, a laboring mother does experience an intense, agonizing, and even frightening ordeal. Yet, for her love of the child, birth pain is relatively short-lived and more easily hurdled in the end.

Push forward, upon seeing the risen Christ, their joy overflowed that even persecution and death cannot nullify or overcome. In Acts 5:41, Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. [see also Acts 8:8; 13:52] The disciples who walked with Jesus at Emmaus road “worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” [Luke 24:52).

At that time, many of their questions will be answered. The issues which confused the disciples will be clear. As a result, they will "ask nothing of" Jesus anymore. Their faith ‘in the name of Jesus’ would be strong to pray. No circumstances could make them feel lacking and helpless. Why? Jesus promised, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” When the time arrived they will ask “in his name” – they will receive, so that their joy will be full.

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John 16:16-20 ESV

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

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16 “Sandali na lamang, at ako'y hindi na ninyo makikita, at muling sandali pa, at ako'y inyong makikita.” 17 Ang ilan sa kanyang mga alagad ay nagsabi sa isa't isa, “Ano itong sinasabi niya sa atin, ‘Sandali na lamang, at ako'y hindi na ninyo makikita, at muling sandali pa, at ako'y inyong makikita’ at, ‘Sapagkat ako'y pupunta sa Ama?’” 18 Sinabi nila, “Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin na, ‘Sandali na lamang?’ Hindi natin alam kung ano ang sinasabi niya.” 19 Nalaman ni Jesus na ibig nilang magtanong sa kanya, kaya't sinabi niya sa kanila, “Nagtatanungan ba kayo tungkol dito sa aking sinabi, ‘Sandali na lamang, at ako'y hindi na ninyo makikita, at muling sandali pa, at ako'y inyong makikita?’ 20 Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, na kayo'y iiyak at tatangis, subalit ang sanlibutan ay magagalak. Kayo'y malulungkot, subalit ang inyong kalungkutan ay magiging kagalakan.

YOUR SORROW WILL TURN INTO JOY

The disciples were puzzled by what Jesus said. They don't have the benefit of hindsight like us. This time, they're baffled, and seem to argue about what these words might mean (see v.17). The phrase "They were saying" is in a tense which implies an ongoing process, perhaps a debate or an argument. Still, they don't directly ask Christ about it.

Without the influence of the Holy Spirit, they won’t grasp these things yet (see v.13). Indeed, the disciples like everyone else have the propensity to only believe if we see so that Jesus’ words were not easily accepted.

Jesus will notice this, however, and offer a helpful perspective. He assured them by saying, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” [v.19,20] This would happen only after Jesus is resurrected (John 20:19). And then, these men will begin to fully understand all that's happening (John 2:22).

The gist of Jesus’ encouragement is that their painful experiences will be relatively brief, and joy that will follow will vastly outweigh the suffering they went through. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”[Psa 30:5] Our perspective of suffering should encourage us to persevere, should it not? Joy follows after pain as in the metaphor of walking through rugged and difficult roads leads to life.

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