Saturday, July 16
A different kind of conquest
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5-6, John 16
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Observation
In the midst of declaring His imminent death and resurrection to His disciples, Jesus twice promises them peace (14:27, 16:33). He knows that the events of the next 24 hours are going to be incredibly difficult, discouraging and unsettling. He offers them a peace that the world can’t understand.
He also promises them two seemingly opposite realities. First, they will have suffering in the world. Second, He has conquered the world.
The world did its worst to Jesus; He experienced the full measure of suffering the world can inflict. But Jesus absorbed that suffering and emerged victorious from the grave.
So Jesus reminds His disciples that though they too would suffer in the world, they would share His victory.
Application
There are so many reasons to be discouraged—both globally and personally. The war in Ukraine, famine in Africa, gun violence in the US, et al. And my 70 year old body just isn’t what it used to be, and isn’t getting any better!
There is unavoidable suffering in this world. But rather than getting discouraged and giving up, we live with courage and confidence that Jesus has already “conquered the world” and defeated death. It’s a different kind of conquest.
Jesus doesn’t destroy His foes; He redeems them. He conquers enemies by turning them into friends. He defeats wrong by doing right. He exercises a different kind of power to gain a different kind of victory.
And we are invited to join Him in that victory.
Prayer: Lord, help me live today with courage and confidence because of Jesus’ different kind of victory, and not give in to discouragement or despair.