Courage Brings Peace

FRESH Official Podcast

Do you know what I love about Jesus? Despite being the Son of God – the creator of the universe – despite being entitled to so much better from you and me, He doesn’t leave us to struggle on, on our own.

Those twelve disciples, His inner circle, were such an imperfect bunch. They regularly failed Jesus – squabbling, lacking in faith – and when it mattered most, completely deserting Him.

But despite their track record, despite what He knew they would do when push came to shove, in those final, dark days before His crucifixion He said this to them:

John 16:32-33 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world! (NRSV)

Things were about to take a sharp turn for the worse. They had failed Him. They would fail Him. (Sound like anyone you know?) But despite all that, in fact because of it, He chose to prepare them, to encourage them, to impart His peace to them based on His courageous example … something that He’s still doing with His followers today.

It’s a given that we’ve failed Jesus and that we’ll fail Him again. Yet here, now, He’s speaking His courage, His peace, His example, over you and me.

Take courage … for He has conquered the world!

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.