Take Heart

His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 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.” (Jn 16:29-33)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. Jesus is concerned with the welfare of his disciples. At this moment he is facing his own death. The disciples do not yet know this. He is trying to strengthen them. The world will give them tribulation. They will all flee and run from it. But Jesus will remain steadfast and faithful. His concern is for them, the disciples that they will have peace.
This is the concern Jesus has for all his disciples. This world throws everything at us. It beats us down. We find ourselves not always doing the right thing as we react to the circumstances of this world. In our own way we do what we do not want to do, we deny Christ, we abandon him. And yet he does not abandon us. He stays steady. He goes to the cross. He overcomes the world through death and resurrection. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, In Jesus, in his name we have peace. In his name we have the forgiveness of sins. In his name we have peace with God. We need not fear this world. It passes away. But we, we live in him who has the words of eternal life.