Be Of Good Cheer, I Have Overcome The World

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (1)

These words of Jesus are as vital for us today as they were when spoken to the disciples the evening before Christ's crucifixion. Jesus made no mention of the suffering that He had endured and was about to endure. He did not speak of the humiliation before Him, but sought to share that which would strengthen His disciples faith and give them peace through the tribulations about to break upon them. Jesus was leading them to look forward to the joys that will come to those who put their faith and trust in Him. From Him, they and we receive the truth, understanding, love, compassion and cleansing. He was and is in the business of making men and women like Him in character.

In respect to human character, the world has not changed all that much since Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine. As I pick up today's newspapers, tribulations still abound. Amid a wave of corporate accounting scandals lawmakers passed a law to crackdown on corporate criminals who's greed has wiped out the savings of millions of small investors. A 5 year old Samantha Runnion was kidnapped as she played with a friend in the front of her home at just before 7 pm on Monday. This is reminiscent of Elizabeth Smart, a 14 year old who was kidnapped from her Utah home in the previous month. A licensed vocational nurse was indicted by a Grand Jury in Texas and arrested on two charges of murder. A man was arrested for burning a kitten on a barbecue grill as several people stood around and watched in amusement. A witness pulled the 6 week old kitten from the hot coals, but it was severely injured and had to be put to death, according to police. These are just a few of the reports from recent newspapers.

Oh, that men an women would allow the Holy Spirit to soften and subdue their cruel instincts and do what is right in spite of the indignities they may have suffered. This is the example that Jesus has left for us. Even though he was treated as a an evil doer and suffered the death of a criminal, He did not retaliate against His persecutors. He suffered and endured the indignities of evil people so that you and I might receive and be a part of His inheritance. He took the sins of the world upon Himself at the cross so that we may learn to be obedient and do what is right as He taught us and receive His reward for overcoming. (2)

Truly in the world we will have tribulations; but we may have good cheer, because Jesus has overcome the world on our behalf.

1. John 16:33.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:21.