Donnie Bixler “gave” this verse to me. He was the best friend I have ever had and not a week goes by where I don’t miss him. It’s been twelve years since his death and I still wonder what God was thinking to take him from his beautiful wife and three way-too-young sons. I still wonder what God was thinking to take him away from me.
When I graduated from high school, Donnie gave me a framed collage of photos with this verse, written in his distinctive handwriting, in the bottom right hand corner.
“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, NIV
To put this verse in context, grab a physical copy of the Bible that uses red ink for the words of Jesus. The Bible Industrial Complex calls these, “Red Letter Editions.” The biggest swath of red is John 13—17. Jesus downloads so much teaching to his followers—and you and me—in these four chapters.
After a bunch of teaching, Jesus tells The Twelve that He will soon leave (die a horrible death) and that they will soon undergo some problems (persecution because they know Him). And right before He prays a beautiful prayer over them, He says, “Take heart. I have overcome the world.”
Do you feel alone and abandoned? Do you feel rejected?
Take heart. Jesus has overcome.
Do you feel the walls closing in faster and more painfully than the trash compactor scene in Star Wars? Do you feel that no one understands you? Do you feel like you’ve gotten a bum rap, been hung out to dry, betrayed, shunned, and marginalized? Are you stinging from the consequences for what you’ve done or not done?
Take heart. Jesus has overcome.
Are you a missionary in a foreign land struggling to keep up with the language and wondering when God is going to bring fruit to your ministry?
Take heart. Jesus has overcome.
Are you a soldier wondering what tomorrow is going to bring?
Take heart. Jesus has overcome.
This isn’t bumper sticker theology. I’m not telling you to grin and bear it. Jesus said the words in past tense, “I have overcome the world.” It’s already happened. You can take it to the bank. He said it in five words so we could remember it and not mess up the meaning.
I always miss is the first part of this passage, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.”
Man, I want peace. Don’t you? I want all of the arguing and gnashing of teeth to stop. I don’t want to feel afraid. For just a couple days, I don’t want to struggle against the crap. I want peace.
When the pressure of whatever you’re under builds to a point where you wonder how you’re going to survive, remember. “I have overcome the world.”
And when reminding yourself that Jesus has overcome the world doesn’t comfort you, remember this:
If you don’t feel the peace promised in this passage, just remember that there will come a day when you will see Him face to face and there will never be again anything that can steal your peace or rattle your cage.