The scene of this reading is fairly poignant. Jesus and
his disciples are celebrating God’s salvation in the Passover, but we know what
is about to happen. We know that Jesus will, before the night is over, be
betrayed, arrested, beaten, denied, and tried. Probably within twelve hours of
speaking these words, Jesus will be hanging on a cross.
Jesus speaks of prayer and God’s love. There are a-ha
moments here that speak of full joy and the Father’s love. Nevertheless, “the
hour is coming.”
The Christian life is like this sometimes. We have
moments when we feel like we are growing, that our faith is strong, and we are
near to God. Then everything turns. We sin and display real immaturity. We
falter, fear, and fail. Before we know it, we feel alone and very far from God.
Jesus’ words to the disciples are meant to give them
peace, and they give us peace as well. “In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
A-ha moments, growth, strong faith, and feeling close to
God are all wonderful, but they are not the measure of our life in Christ, nor
do they prove our salvation. Our salvation is rooted in this: Jesus has
overcome the world. He overcame it for us with a cross and an abandoned tomb.
When it feels like everything is falling apart in our
lives, that really might be falling apart, but Jesus injects hope into our
tribulations. “I have overcome the world.” By his victory over sin and death we
will live and be victorious in him, and that gives us hope that our
tribulations are temporary and God’s love is eternal.
What are the tribulations of your world? Have you ever
experience God’s peace and love in the midst of tribulations?
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