[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus was coming to the end of his earthly ministry and was about to go to the cross. This was why He came to the earth in human form, so that the redemptive work of grace could be perfected in Him. He had taken the time to teach His disciples about the principles of His kingdom and what the right course of action was for those who would subscribe and submit to that kingdom. In fact, from chapters 12 to 17, with about 203 verses altogether, Jesus spoke to the crowd first and then substantially to only His disciples, laying down words of encouragement and praying for those who had left alll and followed Him. The principles of God's kingdom have not changed, even with the passing of time. The standards He demands of all who will follow after Him have not been lowered at any time, or for any special person. What He called sin under Adam and Abraham ia still sin under Zechariah or Zacchaeus. He does not demand that I comply with His will or demands by my own strength or wisdom; He is able to supply all that I need for life and Godliness.
Jesus told His disciples what they should expect as a result of their decision to leave all and follow Him. The word of caution in His words was that if you are looking for just earthly comfort, you are in the wrong place and backing the wrong horse. What Jesus is offering is not the kind of calmness the world can buy with money, and is only physical. You can buy high fences and physical security, but you cannot guarantee a sound sleep at night. You can buy influence and clout, yet you do not have access to the true riches of God's grace. You can lay up treasures for yourself down here on earth, but nothing of the earth will go with you into eternity, not even this physical body. I need to be clear about the message of Christ here, so that i can have the right focus as I pursue after the divine and the eternal. Jesus spent quite some time showing His disciples a new way of living, so that they could focus on what was truly important. The same expectation is laid on us today; that is, if we are truly His disciples, and have fully submitted our lives to Christ.
The demand is different if you are not a disciple. In Christ alone is the peace that God has promised; the world cannot give you what it does not have. What the world has to offer is tribulation, because it is the only thing that is natural to its nature. However, in the midst of the depressive and oppressive message of the world, Jesus speaks about victory IN and through Him. I note that you can be in the two places at the same time, but have access to the amazing resources that Jesus has made available. You can be in the physical space called the earth, and be subject to the tribulation that the world has, but you can also have access to the riches of God's grace and mercy. There is a standing guarantee that there is nothing the world brings that will be able to overwhelm the one who is IN Christ. The victory of Christ is already settled before I was born, so there is nothing the world can do to deny or limit its operation, unless I cooperate with the world. Christ has already overcome; I do not need to fight His kind of fight anymore. I walk daily in the victory that His life has secured for me. What of you? God's time of favour is here.
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