“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 16:33 NLT)

Ultimate victory is assured to everyone who believes in Christ. On the path to that ultimate victory, however, there are countless battles we must fight and hardships we must endure. That’s Jesus’ message to His disciples in John 16.

Jesus was about to face unimaginable suffering as part of God’s plan of salvation. His disciples were about to face some harsh realities of their own after He left them. He warned them about what was to come not to discourage them, but to encourage them. He didn’t want them to be caught by surprise by the trials and tribulations that lay ahead. He assured them that their faith was strong enough to withstand what was coming. There was no need to abandon it and return to Judaism, which many of His followers would do.

Because of their association with Jesus, the disciples would be banished from the synagogues, the places of Jewish worship. They would have targets on their backs. Jesus refers to “those who kill you” (verse 2 NLT). The disciples had to get used to the reality that eventually they would pay the ultimate price for their discipleship.

And the people doing the banishing and killing? They would claim they were doing it in God’s name. But their opposition to Jesus was proof that they had never known God.

Once again, Jesus comforts His disciples with a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s coming. The Holy Spirit would be the disciples’ most valuable ally. He would make people aware of their sin and their need to repent. He would direct their attention to God’s righteousness. He would give them a sense of God’s coming judgment. He would prepare people’s hearts for the gospel message. And for the disciples, He would be a source of truth, power, direction, and encouragement.

Jesus hinted at His resurrection: “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again” (verse 16 NLT). The disciples were confused in the moment. Later, however, they would look back on those words as evidence of God’s amazing plan.

Jesus also warned them that they would soon lose their courage and scatter, leaving Him alone. But their courage would return. After all, there was a world to be changed.

Jesus’ words in John 16 apply to everyone who follows Him. If you identify yourself with Jesus, you can expect an adventure. You’ll have many trials and tribulations. Jesus gives fair warning. Battles await us. So do temptation and persecution. They’ll test us. They’ll sharpen us. They’ll humble us. They may cause us occasional doubt or anxiety.

But they can’t defeat us. The war is over. Jesus destroyed the power of sin with His sinless life. He destroyed the power of death with His resurrection. God has given us His Holy Spirit to go into battle with us. What do we have to fear?

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