GOSPEL READING:
John 16:29-3329 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Meditation: How did the disciples come to believe that
Jesus is truly the Son of God sent from the eternal Father in
heaven? When Jesus taught his disciples he often spoke in parables
- using short stories and vivid images which expressed in picture
language what God's kingdom is like and how God's power can change
and transform our lives to be like him. These stories were
intended to make his disciples reflect and think through the inner
spiritual truths he wanted them to understand and accept.
The Lord Jesus gives hope and strength to those who believe
in him and trust in his word
Now Jesus begins to speak more plainly to the disciples about the
mission and purpose for which he was sent into the world - not to
condemn the world but through love to redeem it (John 3:16). The
disciples professed their belief in Jesus that he truly came from
God and taught as one who possessed full knowledge of God. Jesus'
response showed that he fully knew and understood them very well.
Jesus could read their hearts like an open book. He knew their
weaknesses as well as their strengths.
Where do you place your trust and confidence?
In spite of their confident faith, Jesus warned his disciples that
they would be put to the test and would fail. He knew they would
desert him in his hour of trial when he would be arrested and
condemned to death on the cross. Such knowledge of their faltering
loyalty could have easily led to bitterness and rejection on his
part. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and abandonment with
supreme love and earnest prayer for his disciples (Luke 22:32;
John 17:15). "He loved them to the very end" (John 13:1) - even
when they had left him to die alone on the cross.
God's peace dwells with those who trust in him alone
Jesus reassures them of his peace, unfailing love, and victory
over the world which is in opposition to God's reign. Jesus speaks
the same reassuring words of enduring love, faithfulness, and
victory to his followers today. "I will never fail you nor forsake
you." While we may forget the Lord and fail him, he will never
forget us nor fail to come to our aid. When you are put to the
test do you seek the Lord Jesus and place your trust in his help
and mercy?
The Holy Spirit fills us with expectant faith, persevering
hope, and unfailing love
While we cannot avoid all pain and suffering which may come our
way in this life, the Lord Jesus assures us that he has overcome
the world and all that would seek to keep us from his saving help
and healing presence. He promises to guide us safely through any
trial or hardship we may have to undergo for his sake. The Lord
Jesus gives us the gift of his Holy Spirit who strengthens us with
faith, courage, and perseverance to stay the course which he has
set for us. The Holy Spirit fills us with a living hope in the
power of Christ's resurrection (1 Peter 1:3) and reassures our
heart with a confident trust in God's abiding presence.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and the victory
he has won for us (Romans 8:35-39). The Holy Spirit gives us the
strength and courage we need to overcome every adversity and to
persevere with faith and hope in God. Do you believe in the power
of Christ's love for you and in the victory he has won for you
through his death and resurrection?
Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your unwavering love and saving help, especially when I meet adversities, trials, and temptations. Give me your peace when I am troubled and let me know the joy of your victory over sin and death.
Psalm 68:2-6a
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before fire, let the wicked perish before God!
3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to dwell in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: In Christ we have peace, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When [Jesus] says, 'These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace,' he refers not only to what he has just said but also to what he had said all along, either from the time that he first had disciples, or since the supper, when he began this long and wonderful discourse... He declares this to be the object of his whole discourse, that is, that in him they might have peace. And this peace will have no end but is itself the end of every godly action and intention." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.1.15)
