“That in me you may have peace.”

John 16:32-33, “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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.”

We have a wonderful perspective from this side of the cross, for the disciples only realized later what Jesus meant. And scattered they were, with Peter, one of the most trusted, denying that he had anything to do with Jesus three times and with a curse. Jesus knew that this was coming, and yet he never wavered in his walk to the cross. He has not only set us free from the power of sin and death, but he has given us what so many seek: peace, not as the world gives, not something that we can attain to on our own. He gives the peace that passes understanding, because he has overcome the world!

Thank you for the peace that passes understanding, for true joy even in the face of tribulation!

ESV Lectionary