ASSURED BY CHRIST

John 16:16-33 

Friday, 19 September 2025

 “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

Our text today is part of the discourse Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion and resurrection. Initially the disciples did not understand when He spoke about leaving the world and going to the Father. Jesus told them that they would be in the world as His representatives to carry on His work—but He wouldn’t leave them alone- they would have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as their constant Helper. 

Let us focus on 3 assurances Jesus gives His disciples which are relevant to us as well:

I. In Him we have abundant joy

Jesus told the disciples that they would grieve for a time when He would be crucified and put to death but they would be filled with joy as He would come back to life at His resurrection. The same applies to every believer in every age as they look forward to the coming of Christ when they will see Him face to face and all will be full of joy to be reunited with the One who gave His very life to save each one of us. All the sorrows or difficulties in this life will be gone in a moment- we will remember them no more as we rejoice in the Lord’s presence—no one can snatch away that joy!

The joy in the Lord is irrespective of all that we go through in the world—it is our source of strength.

II. In Him we can approach God the Father

As they disciples had come to believe in Jesus whom God sent into the world, they had access to God through Christ. Jesus encouraged them to ask in His name and if it was in accordance toGod’s will, it would be granted to them. Then their joy will be full.

We who have received Jesus into our lives, have a right standing with God and can approach Him anytime. While in the Old Testament times, they could approach God only through the priest, and sacrifice being offered on their behalf for the atonement of sin, it is not so for the New Testament believer. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin and can even cleanse our conscience so we can have direct access to God (Heb.9:11-14). Hence we can approach God any time—Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb 4:16) What a privilege!

III. In Him is our ultimate peace

Jesus told His disciples that they would have to face trouble in the world- but since He overcame the world, they would be victorious through Him. In the midst of trouble, He promised them His peace! Earlier He spoke thus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). Jesus cautioned us that we should not allow our hearts to be troubled or be filled with fear. When that happens, we would let go our trust in Him.

A troubled heart is bereft of peace and can make us anxious and fearful. That creates an atmosphere of doubt and confusion in our minds. The antidote to doubt is faith in the Lord that He is our Peace in the midst of all trouble. There is so much of chaos and unrest all around us that it may quickly cause us to lose our peace. Well, dear friend, it is only in Christ that we can have ultimate peace! Psalm 46:10 says: “Be still and know that I am God..” The very thought that God Almighty reigns over all- even in all the chaos around us gives us peace in Him.

Brethren, let Christ’s assurances fill our hearts today and always!

The Promise: --God has said,

                 “Never will I leave you;

                  never will I forsake you.” (Heb.13:5)