John 16:29-33: a reflection

29His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. 30Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”

On the night before he dies, Jesus prepares his disciples for the trouble that is coming. He tells them plainly that they will be scattered, that they will leave him alone; yet, he adds, I am not alone, because the Father is with me. And then he gives them a word to hold onto: I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world.

Notice the honest realism and the deep hope Jesus holds together. He does not pretend his followers will be spared trouble; in the world, he says plainly, you will have trouble. But he does not leave them there; he offers peace in himself, and courage grounded in his victory: take heart, I have overcome the world. The trouble is real, but it is not the last word, because Christ has overcome the very world that troubles us.

That word steadies us in our own troubles. Jesus does not promise his followers a life free of trouble; he promises trouble, in fact, but also peace in himself and courage in his victory. When trouble comes, as he said it would, we are not to be surprised or overwhelmed, as though something had gone wrong; we are to take heart, because Christ has overcome the world. Find your peace not in the absence of trouble, which he never promised, but in him, who has overcome the world that troubles you. When trouble comes, do not lose heart; remember his word, in me you may have peace, and take courage that the Christ who has overcome the world is with you in the midst of it.

Lord Jesus, on the night before you died, you told your disciples plainly that in the world they would have trouble, but you gave them peace in yourself and courage in your victory: take heart, I have overcome the world. Steady me with that word in my own troubles. You do not promise me a life free of trouble; you promise trouble, in fact, but also peace in yourself and courage in your triumph. When trouble comes, as you said it would, keep me from being surprised or overwhelmed, as though something had gone wrong; help me take heart, because you have overcome the world. Help me find my peace not in the absence of trouble, which you never promised, but in you, who have overcome the world that troubles me. When trouble comes, help me not lose heart, but remember your word, and take courage that you, who have overcome the world, are with me in the midst of it.