As believers, we love to claim Jesus' profound promise, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Abundant Life! Who wouldn't sign up for that?

The problem is, the same Jesus that offers abundant life also guaranteed that in this life we will have tribulation, an old-world term that means not just "trouble" but "great trouble and suffering." Sometimes it is difficult to reconcile these two seemingly disparate concepts. Great trouble and suffering don't exactly equal abundant life... at least not to the 21st century mind.

But Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith went to the cross in obedience to His Father's will. And scripture tells us He did it "for the joy that was set before him." Perhaps it's time we revisit what the call to follow Christ really means.