What would you say was the antithesis of sadness and sorrow? I guess ‘happiness' and ‘joy’ would perhaps be the response of many. In His full identification with the sin of the world, Jesus was certainly a man of sorrows, and yet He endured the suffering of the Cross for the joy that was set before Him. His disciples were no doubt grief stricken at the physical loss of their Rabbi and friend, but their sadness was dramatically turned to joy at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit brought such a transformation of the personality that those who received Him underwent a powerful change in their emotional make-up. Then, as now, those who choose to daily walk and talk with Jesus, and who open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, discover a joy that even the trials and tribulations of life cannot destroy. Joy was a defining characteristic of the early church, manifesting in their worship, fellowship, and daily lives. Despite facing persecution and trials, the believers rejoiced in their faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:46-47 describes how they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Their joy was rooted in their salvation, their daily communion with Jesus, and their unshakeable hope of eternal life.