The night before Jesus went on the cross He told His disciples to expect persecution on this earth. Jesus said in John 15:19b, "I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." In the free world we enjoy much freedom and do not experience a lot of the blatant outward persecution which is found in some parts of the world. There is subtle persecution in the free world also, however. Further, as the free world moves ever increasingly toward the acceptance of all kinds of immoral behavior, we will also increasingly see more open persecution of believers. Already we as followers of Jesus Christ are considered narrow and judgmental, if we do not follow or accept the life styles and philosophies of the world around us.
The world does not understand the wisdom of God and of His Holy Word. They do not understand our love for the the Lord and our desire to serve Him. It is difficult sometimes to live for the Lord in this world. The Lord Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit, however, to help them. The Holy Spirit is our helper also today. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and leads us to Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all of God's truth and speaks God's truth into our hearts. He does this through God's Holy Word. He gives us the guidance we need when we need it. He makes known to us what God, the Father and God, the Son, wants us to know and understand.
The night before Jesus died on the cross Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He would soon be dying on the cross for their sins. Jesus further tried to explain to His disciples that He would be leaving this world to return to the Father. This was necessary so that He could pay for our sins and then go to prepare an eternal home for His people. Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:16, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me," Jesus'words must have been confusing and a cause for grief for the disciples. Sometimes we don't see Jesus in the difficult circumstances of our lives either. Sometimes it is difficult to hang on to our faith during these times in our lives.
Jesus told His disciples that they would grieve temporarily, but their grief would turn to joy. This would happen when Jesus rose from the grave victorious over sin, Satan, and death! Jesus told His disciples in John 16:22 that when this happened "no one will take away your joy." We too may have suffering and difficulties in this life. Our final victory, however, has been won through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection even the trials of life can not rob us our our joy in the Lord! Also someday Jesus will return for us. What joy! What glorious expectations we have in Christ Jesus!
While we are on this earth we need to abide in Christ. John 16:24 tells us that if we abide and remain in Christ, we can ask for anything form the Father in Jesus Christ's name. We can go directly to the Father in prayer. Jesus says this is true in John 16:27 when He says, "the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I come from God."
If we abide in Christ we experience His peace. It is a peace which the world can not understand or take away from us. We should not be shocked if we often face difficult obstacles in this world. Jesus says in John 16:33b, "In this world, you will have trouble." Trials of various kinds are inevitable in this world. Jesus goes on to say in that same verse, however, that we should not become discouraged. Jesus says, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus has won the final victory! Everything is under His control, even the smallest details of our lives. He gives us grace to meet each and every trial that He allows in our lives. Hence, in Jesus Christ we have His joy and His peace in our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment