Joel M Bradshaw

 33I 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.”–John 16 (with emphasis)

Jesus had just got done speaking about a timing coming when he would be taken and they would all scatter. It would no doubt be a moment filled with anxiety and depression for some. But Jesus let them know about it because he looked past their abandonment to a time of restoration. I love that about Jesus. I have let him down with my selfishness countless times, but Jesus never defines me by my failures. My identity is linked instead with Him who never failed.

Jesus gives us two spheres of existence and Christians belong to both of them. I present them in reverse order than what I underlined above

1. IN THE WORLD. Like everyone else, we live in a world that ultimately hates us or will hate us (because they ultimately hate Jesus). Jesus predicted Christians facing tribulation and troubles in the world. The world on its own rejects Jesus and all who belong to Him. Nothing but further anxiety and depression will result from this path. Yet, Christians live in the world and bring the Gospel message to the world, for God so loved the world (John 3:16).
2. IN JESUS. This is the second sphere of existence. Christians have a unity with Jesus. We are not just in the world, but existing in Jesus. And this perspective brings peace where there otherwise only is trouble. Christians are being persecuted and killed for their faith all over the world. The world around them has brought them and their families trouble, but they live also in Jesus. He is their perspective, joy, and hope. Jesus brings peace within when the world brings trouble.

On the cross, Jesus secured peace with a repentant sinner and the Holy God. The empty tomb is proof that in Jesus there is the hope of eternal life. Trouble may come, but he has overcome the worst of all troubles. He has lifted the thousand pound weights. We therefore trust him to lift the lighter ones. We live in the world, but with the perspective that we also live in Jesus. The world may be our address, but in Jesus we find home.-JMB