“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.”

John 16:33 (ESV)

Near the end of the Last Supper, Jesus tells His disciples a message about what is coming next. He knows He is about to be led up to the cross to endure an excruciating and painful death by crucifixion. Instead of being scared and panicking before His disciples, He ends the conversation with a message of hope. Jesus talks about how His own disciples, His closest friends, will be scattered and leave Him alone before He is about to die.

Then Jesus says that He is not alone, because God is with Him. With the presence of God comes an overwhelming sense of peace. God brings joy and tranquility in a way no one on earth can. Jesus tells His disciples that in spite of facing trials and tribulation, they should not be afraid. Even though we will face troubles and persecution in this world, Jesus has already overcome it. He has overcome every problem and obstacle we will ever face. That is the hope that is Jesus Christ.

Here, Jesus has his coming death on his mind and we, as human beings, we are worried about death. We are worried about leaving our friends and family behind. We are scared about the upcoming painful encounter we may experience. However, in the face of death, in the face of torture, Jesus provides an overwhelmingly positive message of hope. He is more powerful than anything we have ever encountered, including death. Through the power of the almighty God, we can overcome death just like Jesus. That gives us the strength to stare down death in the face and tell him that he will never win. Jesus has already won.

This week, pray that God can give you that same strength He had so that you can overcoming the world. Meditate on the fact that He is powerful enough to take away your fears and to replace them with peace.