Facing the uncertainty of the world in the certainty of Christ’s love
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33).
It is the apostle John who unfolds to us in considerable detail what Jesus said to His disciples as Calvary approached. He prepared them for new circumstances. We are getting very close to another New Year, and uncertainty is worldwide. It is good to reflect on what the Lord brought before the hearts of His disciples as uncertain times confronted them. They were in His heart.
In chapter 13 we read: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (vv. 3-5). These verses start with the glory of Christ’s deity and flow seamlessly into His glory as the servant of God in this world. The love of Christ is expressed in His humility. He teaches us to serve one another in love.
The Lord opens chapter 14 with the words, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (v. 1). He presents Himself as the object of our faith. The love of Christ sustains our faith in Him, even when, like the man in Mark 9:24 who sensed the weakness of His faith, we cry out with tears, “Lord, we believe; help our unbelief!”
In Chapter 15 we see that the love of Christ stimulates us to be fruitful: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (vv. 7-8). His love keeps us close. The nearness we experience by abiding in Christ produces His likeness in us.
The Lord also wants us to enjoy His peace in a troubled world. In chapter 16 He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (v. 33). Our peace is in Him, and the love of Christ gives us the strength to follow the Saviour, not simply enduring circumstances, but victoriously overcoming them.
In Chapter 17 the Son prays, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (v. 24). In prayer, the Lord looked to the future when His love is satisfied, because we are with Him in glory. That day has not yet come. But the love that will take us into that eternal day already rests upon us. And, as we face uncertain times, it is the certainty of Christ’s love for us that guides our path. It enables us to serve in humility, it sustains our faith in Christ, it stimulates our fruitfulness, strengthens our discipleship and secures our hope. The flame of Christ’s love could not be quenched by the sufferings of Calvary. Now the victory of His love is to be seen in our lives.
