One of the joys of teaching is seeing that moment of dawning understanding. There is a visible indication when a student conquers a difficult to grasp concept. That “ah-ha” moment, often pictured as a glowing light bulb, is what teachers live for. As Jesus concludes His long upper room discussion, the disciples seem to finally understand what He has been trying to say.
From John’s Gospel – “Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 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. 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.” (John 16:29–33, NLT)
The disciples, it seems, did grasp some of what Jesus had been saying, but He knew they didn’t understand it all. And that is where Christ’s disciples, including you and I, are still at. We readily grasp some truths, but we eventually realize that we don’t know everything, especially why life doesn’t always go as planned or desired.
Jesus’ final word of instruction is one of realism and divine peace. “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.” In essence, Jesus is saying, “Have peace. Things are going to get bumpy, but know that victory is secured.
This verse reveals a tension between our experiences and our expectations. Our expectation is that life gets better with Jesus. A keystone verse for that expectation is John 10:10 – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10, NLT) That truth stands, Jesus’ purpose is to give us life. But the trials and sorrows of living in this world remain. How we are affected by those trials and sorrows is completely different with Christ than without Christ.
The difference is found in the peace we have through Christ and the hope of an eternity with Christ. Throughout the over 2000 years of Christian history, Christ-followers have discovered that reality over and over again in the face of horrible situations.
Which creates a question – why does God allow those trials and sorrows? I don’t have a complete answer to that question. Part of the answer is how trials reveal our faith. God doesn’t need that proof, but often we need it ourselves(see James 1:3, 1 Peter 1:7). Another part could be that we are to share that peace with others who are without Christ’s peace that is going through the same or similar circumstances.
The point is this. It is just as miraculous to have profound peace in the midst of a storm as it is to cast the mountain into the sea. There is a song that puts it this way – “Sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes He calms His child.” Both are miraculous answers to prayer.
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