"THE WEEKLY WORD"

In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

          So, Jesus is going to go through a bunch of seriously bad stuff. He spends quite a bit of time in the book of John telling his closest friends his chosen disciples of this trouble. Yet he says, don’t sweat it! I am telling you all this, so you will have peace. Even though it’s tough for the disciples to hear all that, 

Jesus sets their hearts at ease.

          But I really wanted to focus on the second half of Verse 33, which is why I listed it only as our quote for this week. Jesus does not hold back from telling the disciples, you know, my peace is with you for sure. However, the trouble is most definitely not over. You will face trouble. It’s going to happen! Expect it, appreciate it. You cannot avoid it. However, again, don’t sweat it, Jesus says. I will be with you, and I am better than the world, and therefore, I will help you overcome any trouble you face.

          Now in practice, I’m sure Jesus and his disciples were connected. I’m guessing there was this chain of quiet confidence alive in the room when he was talking to them. However, I fast forward to the idea after Jesus is dead, and now the disciples are facing the persecution of having to minister his gospel to the world. And guess what, there’s all kinds of trouble, people don’t want to hear it!

          My Friends, the trouble is inevitable. We as Christians, try as we might, will never be immune from it.  We will face betrayal from even our friends or family, perhaps even from those supposed Christians we thought we knew. Jesus knew all this. It happened to him too! And yet he continued to say, it’s going to happen, but don’t sweat it. Everything will be okay if you have me in your heart!

          So, somehow friends, may we be assured, Jesus is helping us deal with any trouble we endure. Because he has overcome the world, we can truly know, it is indeed well with our souls! So as much as possible, no matter what you face, be assured. Don’t sweat it!  

To God be the glory

Pastor Brandon