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." I like happy stories. My favorite part of a movie is usually the opening scene showing a happy family going about their business, innocent and peaceful. Stress builds in the pit of my stomach when the plot begins to unfold and the happy family is suddenly shaken by monsters or tidal waves or earthquakes and the like. I want to go back to the beginning where everyone is happy. I just don't like trouble.
And Jesus' last words to his disciples in John 16 is a guarantee that trouble is brewing. Trouble is a promise. Life isn't going to be easy and smooth. It is going to be hard, especially for those who believe in Jesus. The happy picture isn't going to be the whole story. There will be monsters and tidal waves and earthquakes. There will be broken relationships, hurt feelings, financial difficulties, and challenges raising children. The minute we say "yes" to Jesus doesn't suddenly make us immune to the pain of this world. It's like Jesus is trying to tell us here, "I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden."
The Jewish New Testament Commentary says this: "The life of a believer in the Messiah is not the proverbial rose garden, except, perhaps, for the thorns. Nevertheless, Yeshua encourages us: Be brave! I have conquered the world!"
So, life is hard. And a life devoted to Jesus is even harder. That's not very happy news. However, while Jesus doesn't promise us a rose garden life, he does promise us that, while there will be thorns that prick us and cause deep pain, we can take heart. Jesus has already conquered the thorns. He has already won the victory over the monsters and the tidal waves and the earthquakes and the like. We can be brave.
Jesus holds the salve for every thorn that pricks our skin. And while we may not see the happy ending just yet, it is coming. The same God that has overcome the world has overcome our problems. He gives us peace and assurance of his faithfulness. And that is the promise we can hold on to...till the very end.
