Peace

John 16:33 “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.”

One of the things that I find so interesting when reading about Jesus’ ministry in the New Testament is that He did not try to lure people into following Him by promising them prosperity or comfort. In fact, He often discouraged people from following Him by emphasizing the fact that the path to which He called them was difficult. The spiritually curious were challenged to take up their crosses, deny themselves, leave their families behind and even surrender their personal wealth. Jesus never promised freedom from pain or suffering. He never promised mainstream cultural acceptance of the tenets of Christianity. He certainly never promised His followers financial security if they remained faithful. What Jesus did promise was peace. Notice that the peace Jesus offers rests in His power and sovereignty over the world. It is not the fact that nothing troublesome ever happens in our world which provides us comfort. It is the fact that the world is subject to Jesus Christ, and He is sovereign over it! He has defeated Satan, sin, and death by His resurrection. While Satan might appear to be gaining ground in our culture today, it is a losing battle that he fights. Take heart, Christ follower, embrace the peace He gives, for there is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil.2:9-10).

-Pastor Mike