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

Devotion

Jesus tells his disciples they can find peace in him. He warns that in the world we will face tribulation, but reminds us to take heart—or in some translations, courage—because he has overcome the world. Oftentimes, I like to have little pity party moments for myself. When something doesn’t go my way or how I think it should, I whine in my head about how easy it could be if only the situation was different. Currently, I have a 19-month old son who decided sleep is for the weak, and I think to myself, “Why me?” Now this is silly in comparison to what Jesus fulfills later in the book of John. 

I’ve experienced time and time again in my life, whether it’s a lack of sleep or the loss of a loved one, that I am extremely wrong in my perspective. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and think, “Get over yourself, you were not promised an easy life.” Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples, “In me, you have peace. In the world, you will have your dream job, your house will be perfect, you will never have to replace the roof, water heater, etc. In the world, your marriage will be perfect and your kids will sleep all night every night.” 

NO, Jesus reminds his disciples that in the world they will have tribulation. It won’t be perfect; it won't be easy. We will deal with harsh realities, big and small, that the world will throw our way. The road ahead will not be a leisurely stroll, but take heart (or courage) because he has overcome the world. For my Bible nerds or folks who know Greek, the word used for overcome in this passage is nikaō—which means “to conquer or carry off the victory.” I love this because I know Jesus is claiming the victory before his betrayal. Before the disciples scatter he is admitting they will face tribulations, but he reminds them, like a charge before battle, to have courage because he has already conquered the world. And the best part … we can find peace in him. In the midst of our trials and when life is hard, our Savior reminds us that we have peace in him!

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today. Thank you for your Son and the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf. Lord, I also thank you for this decree, that although life will be hard we can have peace and we can draw near to you. Lord, I know there are some readers who may be struggling, and I ask that today, you bring peace over their hearts. It is in your Son’s holy name I pray, Amen. 

Boone VanDover
Student Pastor, Edmond

Resources:

Read Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller. 

Listen to Overcome by Elevation Worship.

Explore other devotions like this one any time at crossings.church/devotions .