‘Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:31-33(NLT)
‘What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:31-3(NLT)
There are moments and seasons in our life when we can feel utterly helpless, unable to reach out and grab the thing we desire most. Sometimes life has a way of intruding its will upon us without our permission causing conflict, unrest, and pain. The loss of loved ones. The doctors report of sickness. A marriage left in shambles. Not being accepted into this school or job.
In our gospel passage, Jesus is informing His disciples that He is about to leave. He knew that life is going to get rocky for His followers. It will get so difficult that they will feel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This all became a reality for them. They faced their leader being crucified, they were chased down by the Roman government, and suffered persecution because of their faith.
In the midst of all of this, I am sure there were times when they remembered what Jesus said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” What does this mean? How does this apply to us?
The Apostle Paul teaches us that because Jesus has overcome the world, we too as believers can be more than conquerors. If God be for us, who can be against us? Victory is ours through Jesus.
As Jesus said 2000 years ago, we are going to face many trials. But through His power we can survive it. We can be more than conquerors. The loss we have experienced doesn’t have the final word. The doctors report is not the final word. Life does not always unfold the way we desire it to, but Jesus has made a way for us to be more than conquerors.
The Apostle Paul was convinced that nothing could separate us from the love and victory of God found in Christ Jesus. No death, no sickness, or mistake is strong enough to withstand the victory that is offered in Jesus.
Take Heart! Jesus has overcome the world.
Reflection Question:
What part of my life do I need the overcoming power of Jesus to work in?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I don’t understand right now,
I do not feel like an overcomer,
But I will hold fast to your word,
You have overcome the world,
Make me more than a conqueror.
Amen
from REBOOT