Read John 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.”

Brave = ready to face and endure danger or pain, showing courage

Bravery = courageous behavior or character

Bravery is mental or moral strength to face danger, fear or difficulty.  God encourages His people to be brave because He is with them.  The command for us to be brave is usually accompanied with an instruction from God that may seem impossible.  God knows how weak we often feel when are faced with a challenge that seems too great.  In this verse Jesus is instilling in His apostles the bravery they will need, to face great challenges.  Jesus had just finished the Passover – the Last Supper – with His apostles.  He now gives them His farewell sermon.  In this passage Jesus has given them, (and us) reasons to be brave:

I have told you these things….

What things has Jesus told them?

He comforts them with the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.  (John 14)

He tells them that the world will hate them, but stay connected to Him.  (John 15)

He tells them that their grief will be turned into joy. (John 16)

So that in Me you may have peace.

By knowing “these things”, Jesus has given them the power to live victoriously in the world, and the ability to be at peace.  This peace is found only “in Him”.  It’s the will of Jesus that His apostles should have peace “within” whatever troubles they may experience “without” – in the world.

In this world you will have trouble.

Note the contrast between “in Him” and “in this world”.  In Jesus there is peace, but in the world, there is trouble.  Because we are “In Him” we can experience peace in the midst of trouble, persecution and tribulation.  But, in order to experience this peace, we have to be “in Him”.  This denotes a relationship.  A relationship with God through Jesus is the only way to experience true peace. “In Him” is the key, because in ourselves we have nothing, but “In Him” we have all we need! 

But take heart!

Be comforted. Be Brave. Be of good courage. All will be well.  There is hope found “in Him”!  

I have overcome the world.

The grounds for this bravery – He has overcome the world. In Scripture, Jesus will soon come face to face with evil.  He will experience the world’s hatred to the utmost.  He will endure the cross and rise from the grave.  Because Jesus overcame the world, we can look upon it as a conquered enemy.  And because He overcame the world, we as believers have nothing to do, but to be brave in the pursuit of victory. 

Do you feel brave enough to face a medical diagnosis?  Brave enough to face financial uncertainty? Brave enough to pray for God’s leading in a major decision?  Brave enough to let a child go?  Brave enough to go where Jesus is calling you?

“We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Romans 8:37

Janene Nagel