“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
Jesus spoke these words on the night in which He was betrayed. He wanted to encourage His Disciples to faithfulness knowing the difficulties of all that was about to come. While the followers of Jesus are always at odds with a fallen world, they will not be overcome by it because Jesus has already overcome the world. After these words, Jesus then goes on to offer what is called, “The High Priestly Prayer” and approaches the Father for Himself, His Disciples, and all believers yet to be. It is the contents of John 17 and I would encourage you to read it in its entirety as the topic we began in yesterday’s devotional.
When Jesus begins His prayer, He starts with Himself, praying that the Father may glorify the Son. That is an interesting way to refer to His mock trial, brutal torture, and gory crucifixion. One who observed all that Jesus endured would have a difficult time seeing it all as glorious for it was cruel, unjust, and bloody. Nevertheless, Jesus referred to it as His moment of glory. It was His innocent suffering and crucifixion that would bring forgiveness and salvation to all of humanity. Despite how it looked, it was the completion of the Father’s plan to bring life and victory to all people and triumph over sin, death, and the devil.
It is all somewhat comparable to a sporting event, whether running a marathon, completing a boxing match, or finishing a football game. The victors at the end are tired, torn up, bruised and hurting, even bloody, and yet, and yet, it is a moment of victory. By Jesus’ death, He beat down all of this world’s greatest enemies, even death itself. Despite appearances, it was His moment of victory and triumph, which has now become ours by faith.
When Jesus speaks the verse above, He then moves on to prayer in order that all God’s Children may share in His victory, be encouraged, and have peace.
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian