Today’s reading: John 15:18-18:18
My selection: John 16:31-33
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
My reflections: Jesus shows His tender and forgiving love toward His disciples, unreliable as they are, and His confidence in the presence of the Father as He faces the cross. He has no illusions about the twelve. They will abandon Him, but He continues to reassure them by His promises of peace in the world where they will experience tribulation.
The Lord also reveals the depth of His unity and dependence on the Father. The world is against Him. His disciples will abandon Him. He remains steadfast, trusting His Father to be with Him.
My challenge: None of us will ever face the suffering which Jesus faced, but believers face tribulation in the world. Do not think you can completely escape it. Do you believe that the Father is with you? Not only is that true for the Christian, but Jesus has promised that He will be with His own and that the Spirit will be with His people (Matthew 28:19-20; John 16:4ff). Believer, know that though your trials and suffering are great, the Triune God is with you, that Christ has overcome the world, and He has plans to bring you into His glory (17:24). Though you are weak and unreliable, His plans cannot be defeated.
Tomorrow’s reading: John 18:19-20:23
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