‘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
I want to say so many things to you! That we got this! To hang in there! That it will all be ok! I want to be positive but I don’t want to send out hollow words. A few days into the stay home order I began to sense the tension mounting as the little things began to become big things in my eyes. The tightness in my shoulders a sure reminder that I had not processed my feelings through the word with Jesus.
So, when I turned to his word I found The Word of God come to me as a challenge and as peace. I went straight to find Jesus direct words. I will be sharing with you how John chapter 16 has set the tone of my day to day in this season. I was given a reason why these phrases have depth. They can be spoken with confidence because of the the Word. Jesus’ words to His disciples in a very uncertain time ring true for us today in this uncertain time.
I found four things Jesus wanted His disciples to know before he asked them to have peace in Him and to take heart.
studying this chapter has given me the confidence to do as David said in Psalm 27: 14
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
I have spent the weeks leading up to Easter in this chapter, I read it frequently meditating on it. How sweet and tender of Jesus to make this chapter come to life for me, during lent. In this time of Lent I follow the timeline of his life as He set his face towards Jerusalem yearly. These words seem to have so much weight and importance because He was heading to His death, He knows what’s to come and continues to prepare their hearts as He goes before them to prepare the way for Salvation.
The first verse that came to mind was John 16:33. Here again from the Amplified version.
‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] Peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]’ John 16:33 AMP
In it of itself this verse can be so encouraging, and it’s been quoted many times, but I didn’t want to take it out of context when I was coming to it daily. I wanted to know What things had He told them?
These are the four things I found He told them.
1. The suffering that would surely come. “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, ‘John 16:1-4.
2.The promise of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15) -He would be in close fellowship with us to help navigate life convicting us of sin and leading us to all truth. Holy Spirit-in greek, is Parakletos which means -called to ones side for help. So Jesus again preparing the way for them promising that the Holy Spirit Would come. In fact from chapter 14-17 He repeats to the it is imperative that I go so that the Holy Spirit can come. What a Savior, He was revealing to them what they didn’t even know they would need yet. And I say that because He first revealed to them the sure promise of the Holy Spirit before reminding them that He would surely die and that He would leave them.
3. He explained to them that He would die and rise again (Jesus death and resurrection foretold) This is The hope on which our faith is founded but it came at a great price.
’So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy. ‘ John 16:22AMP
Hallelujah! And as if that wasn’t enough He also explained to them that He would give himself up so that the throne of God would be accessible to them directly.
4. He instructs them to PRAY: Because now in His name they could approach the father’s throne directly and boldly. And so can we.
‘Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete. ‘ John 16:24 AMP
Do any of these resonate with you? How do you relate to the disciples as they listen to the Lord? Doesn’t it feel like we are in the midst of uncertainty so thick we feel lost? It feel as if we are alone and gripped with fear that threatens to paralyze our entire being. Yet, I hear Jesus’ words reverberating in my being and waking me up from the stupor of shock and grief. I can have peace, perfect peace, because Jesus has overcome and His Victory is abiding and true! Can you hear them, even if they are muffled and seem far away they are still true.
‘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
Will you rise then and take heart? Not because you are strong and can pull yourself up by your boot-straps, no. But you can rise and take heart because your Savior, Jesus, has prepared the way for you to endure suffering with joy, He has fought the battle and the Victory is sure. You are made alive , undaunted, and confident through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.
Surrender your burdens of anxiety and fear to Him. In prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection to strengthen your faith. Seek His presence believing as the young men in Daniel believed, “ Our God will save us, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”” Daniel 3:18 NIV
We will remain faithful to Him and will not bow our knee to anxiety, fear, insecurity or even comfort. Instead we will remain stead-fast as we trust Jesus with our whole lives! Will you pray with me now?
Dear Lord,You are faithful and true you are the Christ, the Faithful Witness and the First born from the Dead. You are the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by your blood, You are the alpha and the Omega, Who is and who was, and who is to come! It is because of your unchanging nature that we are able to come to you in the midst of uncertainty. The trials, tribulations, and pandemics don’t get to have the last word. You do! I surrender to you my anxieties, my desires, the uncertainty, and all that threatens my peace. You have conquered the world and even if these times may seem overwhelming you are bigger. I thank you that You have given me the Holy Spirit to literally come to my side to help me! I am not alone and you have prepared the way for me! I will walk in your way and put my trust in you. Help me to remain faithful to you as you remain faithful to me. Amen
Love you and praying for you,
