June 17, 2023 -- John 16:31-33 -- The Fact that Jesus has overcome the world matters to you
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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 16:31-33 ESV
The time of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion is at hand. He is giving His disciples His final instructions, preparing them for the trials and sufferings ahead. He does so telling them how far away from Him they will go in the days of suffering. Notice the confidence Jesus has. It is not in His disciples, it is in His Father. Even the Father will abandon Jesus to suffering on the cross and death. How can Jesus endure it?
Jesus knows this is for the glory of the Father. From the foundation of the world the Father had chosen people for Himself, to be elected unto salvation through Jesus.
Jesus volunteered to undertake this work, to be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. In this He brings glory to the Father and the Father’s glory will be reflected in Him and through Him.
Jesus taught His disciples that such suffering is purposeful. For Jesus it would mean the public demonstration that the devil has been disarmed and all of Satan's work and that of all his wicked hosts made a spectacle of scorn.
Jesus has peace to give to His disciples. Peace in the knowledge He is the Victor. Peace in the knowledge that trials and sufferings are purposeful, and short-lived, in view of the fact that the Jesus has overcome the world. And Jesus' victory will carry them to the end of history and into the glory of eternity.
Jesus spoke peace to His disciples, knowing they would abandon Him, but assuring them that when His work is complete, they would be reconciled to the Father through Him by the powerful Spirit. They would have peace that none can ever take away.
Dear fellow believer, sin is real. It is ugly. It is destructive. Acknowledge such things. Confess your sin and your brokenness to the Father. Let today's passage give you confident assurance that our Father in heaven will forgive you because of the accomplished work of Jesus.
When you face trials and suffering, it is not a sign God has abandoned you. He will place you in exactly the right circumstances so that your faith will be tried and stretched, your knowledge of His mercy will expand, and those around you will see the Spirit’s power in your life and believe God the Father has sent Jesus. Jesus has overcome the world. He has victory, even in this great suffering and trouble you are enduring, and you are sharing in Jesus' victory. Your life, even its hardest suffering, testifies to Jesus' power is being focused in you so that in Him you will overcome. Take heart, that is, be encouraged in this.
Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. These words of Jesus, though few, have such a powerful meaning. They carry the weight of eternity in them and it is hard for us to understand the depth of the assurance Jesus. This assurance He gave to His first followers and this assurance is for every successive generation, including our own. Spirit of God wrap us securely in the promises Jesus has given to us in these words. Spirit of the Living God help us to receive this promised peace which is ours in Christ Jesus so we can stand in His overcoming work with the result that our lives will bring honor and glory to our Father in heaven.
https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ "He Will Hold Me Fast" K & K Getty
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