John 16 Devotional

Courage from the One Who Overcame

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!””John 16:33 (BSB)

Jesus does not hide what is coming. His followers will be put out of the synagogues, and some who kill them will think they are serving God (16:2). He warns them now so they will not fall away (16:1). Their hearts fill with sorrow at the news that he is leaving, yet he says it is for their good, because if he goes he will send the Advocate (16:6-7). The Spirit will convict the world, lead the disciples into the whole truth, and glorify Jesus by making known what belongs to him (16:8-14).

Then Jesus gives them a picture. A woman in labor has pain, but when her child is born, joy overtakes the anguish (16:21). Their sorrow, too, will become a joy that cannot be taken from them (16:20-22). His last word is that they will have trouble in the world, but they can take courage, because he has conquered the world (16:33). Courage does not come from avoiding hardship. It comes from belonging to the one who has already won.

To think about: What hardship are you facing that looks different when you remember that Jesus has already won?