Bad News-Good News
John 16:16-33
"'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'"
(John 16:33)
These well-known words of Jesus present the "bad news" and the "good news" one right after the other. There is no escaping that it is a world of chaos and hurt we live in. But there is also no escaping the encouraging, triumphant words that Jesus has overcome this world and its trouble.
Jesus spoke to His disciples of life's hardships, assuring them that He was with them and would carry them through. They were to take courage; they were not alone. A colleague in ministry called and said, "I have so many people waiting for help; my answering machine is on overload. I can't get to them all!" God's servants often carry such a heavy load. These are the burdens Jesus urged us to cast on Him.
When things are going well, do you assume bad times are just around the corner? You may not be far from wrong. But take heart! And take the good news of Jesus Christ for your wearied soul. There is no amount of evil that He has not overcome. Your every agony and distress can be cast on Him in the times of storm.
INSIGHT
Nothing in our lives is beyond the reach of His love, His grace and His care.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 11-12
Psalm 48
Luke 11
John 16:16-33
The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy
16 Jesus went on to say, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?" 18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying."
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
31 "Do you now believe?" Jesus replied. 32 "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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