[The following devotional is a part of our 2015 Easter Season Devotional Book “Passion Road.” We will be posting a devotional each day on this blog between February 18 – April 5, 2014.]
I Have Overcome the World by Jonathan Holmes
Read: John 16:25-33
Jesus had been speaking to His Disciples using figures and illustration, which ultimately left them unclear about what was going to happen. The disciples’ security rested in their ability to understand Jesus’ plans. We see them frantically discussing the conversational bomb He just dropped in the passage before, but here we see that Jesus is speaking to them plainly and now they understand! They felt a sense of security and peace as they understood God’s plans.
Jesus questions them, “Do you now believe?” He watched as His disciples delighted in knowing what was happening and finding peace in their circumstances. Jesus is quick to point out that within one hour all of His disciples, who are now smiling and shaking their heads in agreement, will be running in all different directions and denying that they ever knew a guy named Jesus. They will be so confused with what just happened that they will forsake everything Jesus taught them and refuse to be identified as His followers. The Savior will be left alone, but He reminds us that He is in fact not alone, “Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”
Why is Jesus saying all of this to His disciples? They just began to understand what He had been teaching them and He tells them that in just an hour the circumstances will change and all of them will scatter like cockroaches caught in the light. Why does Jesus take away their peace and confidence? Because it was placed in the circumstances and their knowledge of Jesus, not actually Jesus Himself. He tells His disciples that in HIM they might have peace. In this world you will face trouble – trouble with friends, trouble at work, trouble at school. All of life will be facing trouble. But take heart, take courage, take rest, take peace; Jesus has overcome!
The promise of the Christian life being easygoing or light is bogus. Jesus didn’t buy into that and neither should you. I have gone through tough times of incredible stress and deep sorrow. We all will. Jesus says that we are given His victory, not in our circumstances, but in Him. We are granted peace and security because we don’t have to understand why bad things are happening, but we rest in that our Savior has overcome the world. My peace and security will be in Jesus. Will yours?
Questions:
- How is your attitude affected when trouble comes in your family, job, or friends?
- How can you find peace and security in Jesus overcoming the world and not in your circumstances?
- How can we be followers even when our troubles tell us to scatter?
Prayers for Lent
- Think quietly about the Truth that Jesus has overcome the world.
- Ask God for a renewed gift of security and peace that only comes from Him.
Mark, I have enjoyed these devotionals. Thank you. I am amazed at the wise young man you have become.
Thanks for the kind words Mike