John 16:32-33 - Peace beyond a peaceful protest
Just a few hours before Jesus was betrayed and killed, He told His disciples:
John 16:32–33 (New International Version, 1984) — 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “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.”
Only a week before, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The crowds--along with the disciples--didn't see Jesus as coming to save them from sin. They were greeting Him as a new king who would free them from Caesar's oppression. That's why Jesus ride into Jerusalem was called the "Triumphal Entry." However, the religious leaders recognized this as a "peaceful protest." They knew that if Jesus became a king as His followers anticipated, they'd lose the privileges that Rome awarded them for political support, so they opted to kill Jesus.
Jesus' disciples were in for a rude awakening. They didn't know He was about to be crucified. So He warned them: You aren't as brave and loyal as You think. You will scatter, leaving Me to die alone.
Yet Love and Truth would meet on His cross. God's righteous standard would be met, bringing peace between God and His enemies (Psalm 85:10; Romans 5:10).
We might identify with those who waved palm branches, hoping for a new era of justice and peace.
We might identify with the disciples... clueless as to what is about to happen.
To one and all, Jesus says:
1. Expect to have "many troubles and sorrows."
2. I have overcome the world.
3. Expect peace in Me, in the middle of it all.
We look to You, Father, for peace. For all things to be put right again. May it fill our lives so that in all we say and do, it overflows to those around us who need that same peace of Christ... in whose name we pray, Amen.
John 16:32–33 (New International Version, 1984) — 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “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.”
Only a week before, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The crowds--along with the disciples--didn't see Jesus as coming to save them from sin. They were greeting Him as a new king who would free them from Caesar's oppression. That's why Jesus ride into Jerusalem was called the "Triumphal Entry." However, the religious leaders recognized this as a "peaceful protest." They knew that if Jesus became a king as His followers anticipated, they'd lose the privileges that Rome awarded them for political support, so they opted to kill Jesus.
Jesus' disciples were in for a rude awakening. They didn't know He was about to be crucified. So He warned them: You aren't as brave and loyal as You think. You will scatter, leaving Me to die alone.
Yet Love and Truth would meet on His cross. God's righteous standard would be met, bringing peace between God and His enemies (Psalm 85:10; Romans 5:10).
We might identify with those who waved palm branches, hoping for a new era of justice and peace.
We might identify with the disciples... clueless as to what is about to happen.
To one and all, Jesus says:
1. Expect to have "many troubles and sorrows."
2. I have overcome the world.
3. Expect peace in Me, in the middle of it all.
We look to You, Father, for peace. For all things to be put right again. May it fill our lives so that in all we say and do, it overflows to those around us who need that same peace of Christ... in whose name we pray, Amen.
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