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Friday, Mar 29th

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Take Heart

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“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)

These are the last words of instruction Jesus gives His disciples before the crucifixion. “…take heart…” could also be translated “Be courageous.”

Jesus is calling for His disciples to go beyond their own comfort, to do that which they might not otherwise, on behalf of Jesus. Yet Jesus goes beyond a call to “Be Courageous,” he tells them why they can be courageous: He has “overcome the world.”

All the pain of suffering of sin and death… He has overcome.

He has proven victorious over the worst that Satan and the world can offer. Jesus has provided the needed sacrifice, redemption for our sins, covering us with His righteous blood, that we may go into the very presence of God the Father in prayer.

We are reminded in Romans 8 that God has given us HIS Son, and if God has done that, will he withhold any other good thing from us? NO, He will give us whatever is good, pleasing and acceptable according to His Will. Let us “Be Courageous” in sharing our hearts and concerns with our Heavenly Father.

Jesus has just shared chapters 13-16 of John with His disciples in order “…that in me you may have peace.”

He has shared these things ahead of time, that the disciples might know that Jesus was truly God in the flesh, The Incarnation of God. He shared them that that might find peace in knowing Jesus is God, and knowing the instructions He has given are true, and provide peace if we follow His words.

Throughout Biblical history, God (Jesus) has given encouragement to His people as they sought to walk in His way.

To Jacob, He said, “Behold, I am with you [Jacob] and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gensis 28:15).

To Joshua, He said, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:5)

Finally, Jesus said to His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20)

The point being, if we walk with our God, with Jesus, abiding in Him, He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. We have good reason to “Take Heart” and “Be Courageous” for him.

By Bill Emmerling

Pastor-Gallup Christian Church