Lesson 16

Trouble is a coming.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world."    John 16:33

Read John Chapter 16.

This whole chapter is a continuation of Jesus' interaction with his disciples to comfort them and prepare them for his departure. Jesus is looking forward to returning to be with his Father, however he is deeply in tuned with the thoughts and emotions his disciples are going through, and he is preparing them for what's to come.

I travel back and forth to the "old world" about twice a year to see my family and friends and it never ceases to amaze me the interactions at international departure and arrival areas. I feel privileged to get a glimpse of the outpouring of uninhibited emotions between people. You get to see children tearing through crowds and leaping with wild abandon into a returning father's arms. You see grandparents, parents and children saying tearful goodbye's to a college student or a son or daughter venturing off to a distant country (I've been one of those). And then you see that wonderful magical moment of two lovers who have been apart, come together in a warm embrace. So in a way this is what Jesus and his disciples are going through. Jesus returning to the warm embrace of his Father, and the disciples choked up with emotions about to say goodbye to Jesus, their best friend, Lord and Savior, not knowing whether they will see him again and what will happen to their lives.

In this world you will have trouble!

Not exactly a recruitment poster for following Jesus! What does that mean....trouble...eeek! The definition for trouble is: difficulty or problems, unrest or disorder, to have distress or anxiety. Trouble can come in many shapes, forms and severity. Jesus tells his disciples they will be put out of the synagogue and even killed and those doing it will think they are doing a service to God. I have had a fair (or unfair) share of trouble in my life as a Christian and I have seen other Christians go through their share of trouble. Friends and families in car accidents, babies born with challenges, severe illnesses, hospitalizations, loss of loved ones, children dying before their parents, suicides in the family, break up of marriages and families ending in divorce, people being tortured for their faith in foreign countries, abuse of all kinds, verbal, physical and sexual....in Christian homes, churches splitting, families and friends torn apart, cancer, tumors and addictions of all kinds....and a slew of others not mentioned here. It ain't easy being a Christian!!!!

But take heart, I (Jesus) have overcome the world!

In Matthew 26:36-46 we witness an incredibly humbling, emotionally grueling transformation in Jesus where he surrenders his will to the Will of God, setting us an example to follow when we go through trouble & challenging times. And those times will either draw us closer to God where we truly have to rely upon His Love or we will turn to someone or something else and miss out on the Transforming Power of God.

Take heart, through Jesus the disciples overcame the world....and we can too!!!

Some questions to ask.

1: What troubles have you experienced in your life? How did you deal with them?

2: Knowing Jesus so far, do you believe he has the power to overcome anything?

3: If yes, do you trust him to help you overcome any troubles that come your way?

4: How can you imitate Jesus in Matthew 26:36-46?