(REFLECTIONS ON John 16:1-33)

33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said, “I have overcome the world,” and so it is a sign to us that through Him, the world, the tribulations, the troubles, the despair, the brokenness and darkness, can be overcome. That Jesus has overcome the world shows that death is not the end, but there is the promise and hope of life in Christ.

And since our Lord has overcome, so we too can overcome in Him. This is the peace that He left with His disciples, and the peace that is still available to us today. Why was Jesus saying, “I have overcome the world,” so important for the disciples, and also for the church today? It is because Jesus knew the world, and knew what was coming for them and for us.

Jesus said,

2 “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.”

The disciples of Jesus will be outcasts from their own religious institution, will see their Lord die on the cross, be scattered, and it will seem like the end of their hope in Christ. This will only last “a little while,” however, because God’s glory will be revealed when Jesus is resurrected from the dead, showing that He has overcome the world.

There will be grief now, but there will be rejoicing when Jesus reveals Himself again to His disciples. This is a promise to us as the church as well. Jesus has overcome the world in His death and resurrection, but after appearing to His disciples, Jesus was lifted up to glory and now sits at the right hand of His Father.

We are hopefully waiting “a little while” for His return, and we have this hope because He has overcome the world. Jesus said to His disciples, and reminds us today, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (v.7)

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, with us, and in us, because Jesus is now with His Father, having overcome the world, and we wait “a little while” in expectation and hope. Although we may too experience persecution, disappointment, challenges that challenge our faith, but these things Jesus has spoken to us, so that in Him we may have peace.

Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: John 16