Take Heart

Courage.  Life gives us plenty of opportunities to show courage.  For example: Having the guts to admit when you are wrong. That takes courage.  Taking a chance to start a new relationship. Well, that takes courage.  Bringing a child into the world. That definitely takes courage.  And walking faithfully with Jesus and doing His will in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christ – yes that takes courage too.

Have you ever stopped to think how much courage you need to follow Jesus?  You need courage to follow Jesus in this world that wants nothing to do with God.  You need the nerve to stand firm when others oppose your faith.  You need the heart to keep going when you feel like giving up. You need guts to share the good news when doing so isn’t popular. And you need the mettle to keep serving when there seems to be no reward.  The one thing I know we all need to follow Jesus today is courage.

And Jesus knows this too. That’s why as we pick up where Jesus left off in preparing His disciples to continue His mission, the very last thing He wanted to give them was courage. He knew they would need courage to deal with His impending crucifixion; that they would need courage to follow Him when He was gone, and they would need courage to bring His good news to a world that was growing increasingly hostile to God.

And if they needed courage then, we need courage just as much of even more today.  So, if you want to know the kind courage Jesus gives to keep you following Him, then let me encourage you to open your Bibles to John 16:16-33, where Jesus lays out three truths that will give you the courage you need to walk with Jesus in a that’s growing increasingly hostile to Him. And the first truth He wants you to know is this:

Take Heart, No One Can Steal Your Joy  Listen to how Jesus prepares his disciples for this truth, starting in verse 16. He says, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” John 16:16-18

Now, we know what Jesus is saying, because we know what‘s about to happen. But the disciples were still at a loss as too what was about to happen.  We know that when Jesus says, “In a little while you will see me no more, and after a little while you will see me,” he is speaking of His death, burial and resurrection. And so, we read that Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?  Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.  John 16:19-20

They are about to face a time of great sorrow. Their sorrow will be watching Jesus beaten and bruised and left hanging on a cross to die. Their grief will be seeing Jesus taken down from the cross and sealed in a tomb. The finality of his death will fill them with the unbearable heartache of losing the one they love.  They will weep and mourn this tragic loss. And what will make it even worse, is that the world will rejoice that they’ve finally done away with this so-called Messiah. But in the midst of their grief, Jesus offers them hope.  He says, You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

At this point they have no idea that Jesus is referring to his resurrection.  He will defeat death.  He will rise again and appear to them.  But as he’s telling them this, he knows this joyful truth goes right over their heads, so he gives them an illustration of this kind of joy so they might understand. He says, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:19-22

Everyone knows that childbirth is agonizing, painful and sometimes quite dangerous.  But once a newborn is placed in his mother’s arms, there is joy. Because lying in the mother’s arms is this little miracle of new life. And all the pain, the distress, the agony was all worth it.  So yes, now the disciples are going to face a time of heartache and torturous grief, but Jesus says, Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22

Jesus will die. It will be horrible. And they will be filled with such anguish and pain that it will be almost unbearable. But then the greatest miracle of all will take place: Jesus will rise to life.  They will see Him again.  And when they do, they will be filled with unspeakable joy at His appearing.

And here’s the promise:  When they look upon the resurrected Jesus, they won’t just rejoice, they will experience a joy no one can ever take away.

And that promise is not just for those disciples on this night.  That promise is for you today. For when Jesus rose from the grave, he defeated death.  And no one can ever take His life again. This is the good news of Jesus resurrection.  Because Jesus lives forever, our joy will be endless. 

This joy can never be taken away from you. “No one” can take it – not persecutors, not unbelievers, not murderers, not thieves. This is a guarantee for anyone who believes in Jesus. Jesus has defeated death. Jesus has opened the way to the Father.  No more death, no more tears. The resurrection guarantees your forgiveness is secure.  The resurrection means you will one day see your loved ones. And the resurrection means that one day you will see Jesus, face to face.  And no one can take away your joy.

So, this is the joy that can fortify you to face any adversity.  This joy can embolden you, give you the strength to stand firm in the face of ridicule, opposition and even death.  For this is the kind of joy that allows you to rise above your circumstances.

You need courage today? Are you facing the loss of a loved one?  Is there a person or circumstance in your that’s causing you to fret? Remember Jesus rose from the grave.  He’s alive.  And because He lives, one day you will see Him face to face.  So, take heart, no one can ever steal this joy.  It’s your joy, given to you by the risen Savior. That’s the truth Jesus wants to encourage you with today. Here now is the second:

Take Heart, You Have the Father’s Love Notice now, how Jesus begins to link their joy to their relationship with the Father.  He says this: “In that day you will no longer ask me anything.” John 16:23 Now, the question we must ask now is this: In what day?  Jesus is speaking of the day of His resurrection.  In that day something’s going to change about their relationship with the Father.

In that day, they’re going to experience the same kind of relationship with the Father, that Jesus enjoyed.  This is one of the implications of the cross, not just for them, but for anyone who follows Jesus. For once Jesus dies for the sins of the world, the veil that separates sinful man from the Holy God is removed.  And now anyone who believes in Jesus will have unhindered access to the Father.  Jesus’ death on the cross makes a way for them to know the Father, like He knows the Father.  Jesus, spells it out saying: “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:23b-24

Did you catch what Jesus says here? One of the blessings of the resurrection is that Jesus makes it possible for you to now approach the Father in prayer and ask Him anything in Christ’s name. Jesus’ resurrection gives you access to the throne of grace.  You can come to the Father anytime and anyplace.  You now have the Father’s ear.  And somehow there is a link between taking advantage of your access to the Father and asking Him for help in Jesus’ name.  And the link is this: the Father will give you whatever you ask.  This was never possible before.  But now it is.

Why? Because in His answering your requests, you will receive the Father’s love. Don’t take my word on this.  Listen to how Jesus expands on this. He says, “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.  In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” John 16:23-28

Jesus is announcing a change of relationship that’s about to take place. Jesus will no longer have to take their requests to the Father. A time was coming where they will be able to come directly to the Father in prayer.  This was a revolutionary change.  Up till this time, only the priests could approach God.  But now a time was coming when any believer will be able to approach God personally, on their own, in prayer.

How did this change come about? Well, Jesus tells them how this comes about: “I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God” John 16:26-27.  Jesus is explaining here the blessing every believer in Christ enjoys today.  He’s talking about the priesthood of believers: This access to the Father every believer now enjoys simply because we believe Jesus has come from the Father.  The Father loves you because you have believed in His Son. And because you believe in His Son; the Father has opened wide the doors to His presence.

Now, how is this truth meant to give you courage?  Do I really have to ask that?  The God who hung the stars in place, who powers the sun to warm the earth. The God who created the human heart to love. The God who raised Jesus to life.  This is the Father who loves you with His merciful, gracious and steadfast love. And now that you believe in His Son, He invites you into His presence, to ask Him anything at any time, and He will take great delight in giving you what you ask, because He loves you.

So, take heart, you have a Father who loves you.  He has your back.  He’s always for you.  You have access to the Creator of the Universe who gave you His Son to show you How much He loves you.  Remember who it is that has your back and wants to help you the next time it’s hard for you to keep following Jesus. That’s why prayer is one of the best ways we can find courage when courage escapes you.  You have a Father who loves you and you have His ear.  That’s the second truth Jesus wants to encourage you with today.

But Jesus has one more truth we need to hear.  So, what’s this one last truth?

Take Heart, Jesus has Overcome the World Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.  Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” John 16:29-30

Don’t you just love these guys.  These guys have been with Jesus for three and a half years.  They’ve witnessed countless miracles from turning water to wine and the feeding the five thousand.  They’ve seen him walk on the water in the midst of a fierce storm.  They’ve witness him heal the lame and give sight to the blind and where there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. They heard him teach with power.  And they’ve experienced His humble service and gracious wisdom. And on this night, they’ve come to realize that Jesus even knows what their thinking and answers all their questions.  So now, on the eve of his crucifixion, they’ve come to the place where they finally get Jesus – and they confess their faith: They believe Jesus has come from God.

Imagine Jesus’ relief.  These are the guys he’s entrusting with His mission on His departure.  So, He gives them one last truth: “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.  “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “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 16:31-33

All of Jesus’ promises, all of His encouragement, all of His truth is making an impact on His disciples. Finally, they’re no longer confused or afraid. Finally, they believe. But Jesus also knows that in just a few minutes they’re going to fall apart. He knows that the moment he’s arrested and taken away, His disciples will all run away.

So, he tells them what’s going to happen. The first chance they’ll have to stand firm with Jesus, they’re going to fail. They’re going to abandon him.  But then he reminds them why He has told them all these things before they happen.  Why? Because they needed to know – that even when they fail Jesus, He will not fail them.  Even when they fall away, they can still find peace in Jesus.

Isn’t that great? Jesus has just told them how to have courage in the face of adversity. Jesus has just told them that they’ll have a joy that can never be taken.  Jesus has just told them that they will be able to go to the Father for whatever they need.  But he’s also just told them, that they will fail Him at the first sign of trouble.

But here’s where we need to see the goodness of Jesus.  When they fail Jesus, Jesus will not fail them. He will still give them His peace.  And this good news wasn’t just for them; it’s also for us:  When you fail Jesus, Jesus will never fail you!  You can always find peace in Him.  That’s grace!  That’s kindness.  That’s love.

 Jesus doesn’t get angry with you when you fail Him.  He knows you’re going to fail.  He doesn’t take away your peace when you sin. He doesn’t renege on His promises.  Why?  He tells us why.  He says, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In other words, Jesus knows that this world is tough to handle.  People will hate you for following Jesus.  You will not always have courage.  You will falter and fail. You will face adversity, afflictions, hardships and difficulties simply because you follow Jesus.  Jesus knows this world will try to confuse you, trip you up, discredit you and even ruin you.  But take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.  Jesus has won the victory!

The disciples don’t know it yet, but when Jesus dies on that cross, he will defeat Satan, and in defeating Satan, he will defeat the world. Jesus is the victor!  And the point Jesus is making is this: By his death Jesus has made the world’s opposition pointless.  Jesus has won the battle.  And now if you have Jesus, if you believe in Jesus, you are more than conquerors in Him.

Jesus wants you to know where your confidence is found.  Your confidence is in what Christ has done. In His death He defeated the evil one.  In His death, He defeated death.  So now, your courage is in Christ.  Your hope is in Christ.  So, take heart, no matter who tries to oppose you, discourage you, or take you down – you’ve already won.  When someone insults you, remember, they don’t have a leg to stand on.  When this world opposes you, remember this world is fighting a desperate battle they’ve already lost.  Don’t let the world bring you down. Stand firm with Jesus. Jesus is our overcomer!

After all… If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one.  Romans 8:33-34a

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 34b-36

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”