John 16:31-33

Today I want to check out the verses that hit my heart as I'm reading through John in a few versions:

The Message
31-33 Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

New Living Translation
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Amplified
31Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? [Do you believe it at last?]

32But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

NIV
31"You believe at last!"^[a] Jesus answered. 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."

It's the 33rd verse that I want to focus on but I especially appreciate it in context; here Jesus is before his crucifixion, knowing that his disciples are gonna run away for safety and leave Him all alone. He's speaking the truth that although He will be without any humans the Father will be with Him, and He is encouraging His followers. You gotta love Jesus! Here He is thinking about being abandoned and what is His response? Speak out truth and encourage others. Wow - am I convicted.

Oh Father, your word is so clear on the power of our words. Please help me today to choose to speak truth. Help me also to really see those around me, please grant me insight into ways that I can encourage others.

Jesus is super clear in this 33rd verse; He's not promising anyone a life of ease. He is saying that without doubt life will be hard. The Amplified calls it "tribulation and trials and distress and frustration". Think of any times you encounter those in life? Yep! Praise God that He's not surprised and upset by it, He knew all along what was coming and told me that I don't need to let it get me down. I don't have to let it get me down because Jesus provides the solution to how to deal with these things, the Message says it this way: "so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured". I've got to trust in Him and then I won't be shaken and can live in assurance. Then Jesus goes on to say that, even though we will have troubles, we can, as the Amplified puts it: "be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

My heart sings when I read this and one word comes to my mind - Transcendence! He's saying we can rise above our troubles through Him! Anything this world gives us has no real power to harm us; we can live confidently with certainty and undaunted. I'm reminded of a fiction book that I read recently, Armageddon. This book is part of a series, so you feel like you really get to know the characters. In it a saint who I've been reading about throughout the series is killed because she refuses to take the mark. As I read the book I'm very moved by the fact that she is so at peace in the knowledge that what seems the ultimate victory of the enemy - killing her - is nothing because she will pass into eternity with God. It's really a matter of perspective.

Oh Father, help me have Your perspective today. Help me live my life Your way today. Thank You that You have overcome the world and that, because of You, I can be of good cheer today.