From the June 30, 1974 edition of "Reminders", Volume 10, Number 6 published by the Moundsville church of Christ in Moundsville, WV. This article was written by Don Bassett.
The New Testament encourages us to live as Jesus did and develop the attitudes that were so plainly mnifest in His life. But we are discouraged perhaps, by the feeling that Jesus did not do or think as He did out of motives that were anything like ours. And we dispair of ever having the "mind of Christ" though we know we should. (Phil. 2:5)
Now it is true that Jesus' deeds and thoughts were unselfish and noble in every respect. He laid down His life for us out of love and concern for us. (John 15:13-14) Yet He did not do it without some hope of joy beyond the suffering of Calvary. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him edured the cross, despised shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus did not suffer because He enjoyed suffering. He suffered willingly because of His love for us and because He knew it was the only path to honorable, meaningful happiness and joy when torment was over.
Let us learn to suffer if need be, not only out of a sense of duty or from the fear of Hell, but the sake of, "the joy that is set before us." It is Christlike to do so. Jesus knew, and so must we, "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glord which shal be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)
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