Thoughts for the Day

His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will lave 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!’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We return to the narrative that Jesus had with his disciples in the upper room before his death. We see that finally the disciples believe in Jesus. He has been explaining what will happen to him and of his relationship to the Father, and up to now they have remained puzzled (John 16.17-18), almost afraid to ask what he means. Now they believe that he has come as their Messiah, the Son of God, and would shortly be returning to the Father!

However, Jesus needs to prepare them for what will happen. He is a realist and knows that they will scatter to their homes when the danger gets too close, and he will be left to face his enemies. Yet despite that he declares he will not be left totally alone for his Father will be with him. He knows that his disciples will crumble under the weight of danger from the authorities; he knows their weaknesses despite their belief in him; yet he still loves them.

Today, these verses should remind us that we as followers of Christ are not immune to danger or to suffering, nor to reneging on the promises we once made so blithely or happily in the sunlit days of our first commitment to Him. But He does promise us that we shall find peace amidst the storms of life. In the depths of despair we will never be alone, for He will be with us. The world would do its best to defeat Jesus and He would emerge victorious, so when we lean on Him we too will ultimately emerge victorious because of His love for us.

Heavenly Father,
because Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
defeated sin and death and rose victorious
to reign as our King,
we humbly claim His gift of peace,
acknowledging our unworthiness,
and asking forgiveness for our sin.
Give us the faith to know You are with us
no matter how much we suffer,
and that Your will will ultimately prevail.
Amen.