Take Heart

John 16:23-33

Jesus is never cruel. He is not a doomsday prepper. He is not shouting the end times are here to get a reaction of fear from the crowds. Throughout John 16, we have heard Jesus warn his disciples. He is building up the disciples a promise of everlasting joy.

In the moments of our greatest tribulation, we forget these words. It can feel that Jesus has abandoned us, forsaken us, and left us to be consumed by a hateful world.

Yes, Jesus does not break his promises, and we find hope in our tribulation.

Paul says it like this:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:1-5).

“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). Jesus is reminding us that whatever this world has to offer it means nothing because Jesus had overcome it. Jesus, it is the hope that never puts us to shame. Jesus is the reason we get out of bed in the morning. He keeps us going because He is our everlasting joy and peace.

Is this actually true of us?

Take a moment to reflect:

In times of suffering, do you cling to the hope of Jesus?

What are you looking for to overcome your tribulation? Jesus or the things of this world?