John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.”
Do you have peace? What does that mean to you?
In this scripture Jesus said, “that in Me you many have peace.” Does that mean that Jesus promised you would have peace or that He offered a way for you to have it? Do you know what the peace of Jesus is? Many people may follow Jesus and never know what real peace is and spend their lives denying themselves this peace. We can only gain this peace Jesus offered by finding it in Him. We will never find real peace anywhere else.
This scripture is the triumphant conclusion to Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples and to all of Jesus’ teaching before the cross. This promise was powerful for those disciples. Jesus knew that they would desert Him, yet He assured them of the peace He would give them. He knew they would fall short, yet He loved them for who they were.
We all fall short and I am sure at times we all have felt that Jesus couldn’t forgive us or would not hear our prayers. Sometimes we may feel like we cannot ask Him for this peace because we do not deserve it. In this scripture Jesus was offering them that peace even though He knew that they would betray Him; we have the same offer to us today. But we must seek Him and receive the peace only He can provide. Jesus loves us all and He wants to give us the peace that only He can provide. The offer is within Him and not of the things of the world. No money, possessions or even love can give us the peace that Jesus can.
Did Jesus say we would never have tribulation? No! We must remember that Jesus offers peace but He promises there will be tribulation. As Christians we may think that we should have less problems but that is definitely not true and can even be the opposite. As long as you believe in God and that Jesus is your Savior, the devil will continue his tribulation on you and your life. We all hope for the day when there will be no tribulation but this is not promised as long as we live in this world; yet there is peace in Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Philippians were told to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying over them. be anxious for nothing. The peace of God will protect the mind from external corrupting influences to keep it focused on God’s truth. If we seek Jesus and ask for His peace, God will protect us.
“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
What a proclamation from Jesus; His victory that was to come. This was an amazing statement from Jesus, who was about to be arrested, rejected, mocked, tortured and even executed. At the very moment He was speaking to the disciples, Judas was meeting with His enemies to plot His arrest. But neither Judas, the crowd, the soldiers and not even death could overcome Him. If this was true at that very moment in time, do you not think it’s even more true now? Just knowing that Jesus has overcome the world should bring us peace, good cheer and joy!!! Jesus is always in control and He will not forsake us. He loves us and wants us to have peace that surpasses all understanding! The Victory was His and through Him we can have victory (and peace) too. When we place our trust in God, He can give us peace in the midst of suffering.
If you do not know this wonderful peace that only you can find in HIM, please take time right now to intentionally find it.
Take time to get quiet with Jesus and ask Him to give you this peace. He will listen and He will give you what you need.
Amen!
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