John 16:33 AMP
[33] 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.]
At some in the earthly ministry of Jesus, He knew the time for change had come, the end of the earthly phase of His assignment was close, and He needed to fortify His disciples with the right information on what was ahead of them. For four whole chapters in John, it was just Jesus and His disciples, men into whom He had poured Himself, taught them the principles and practices of God's kingdom, and challenged them to focus on both earthly impact and eternal life. It could have been easy for Jesus to avoid hard truths, but the verse above makes it clear that Jesus would have me know what is coming, so I can prepare the right way.
The cross was reaching out to Jesus; the world was mounting pressure on His disciples; there was uncertainty about what was ahead, and all Jesus could do was to again re-emphasize that this world will not get easier. Being in a fallen world means that, as long as I am in the world, it will hate me if I do not conform to its demands and standards. How can I expect the world's system to just stand by and watch me oppose everything it stands for? One great thing that happened here was that Jesus prepared His disciples for all that the world will throw at them. As it was then, so is it today: this world will not get better; only those who are in Christ have something to look forward to.
Jesus teaches me to hold on to Him even when everything around me is falling apart. He encourages me to hold on to His Word even when nothing looks like it is working. The world has more questions than answers, but in Jesus lies all the answers to all the questions that the world may throw at me. The world has tribulation, distress and suffering, but Jesus has perfect peace. You cannot give what you do not, and you cannot sustain that which you did not initiate. Jesus is qualified to offer me peace because He is the Prince of Peace. Satan can only give lies as he is the father of lies. Which of these two options do you want to have as your eternal reality?
Another reason why I have joy is because my eternal hope has been sealed. Jesus makes it clear that I should be courageous, confident and filled with joy because He has overcome the world. How do I know this? It is because I am alive today. It is because there is a joy in me that no situation can take away. It is because the One in me has already conquered death and the grave. His victory is not subject to the whims of the world. His victory is not the type that the world can debate or deny. His conquest is accomplished. His death and life make it possible for me to experience His life too. His victory over death has become my victory too. Is it the same for you? God's time of favour is here.
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