John 16:33, ” These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
When the Lord taught His disciples, He reminded them that they lived in a world filled with troubles. Jesus told them that they would be hated (John 15:18-19); they would suffer persecutions (John16:2); and He reminded them that they, while in this world, would have tribulation (John 16:33). Yet, in all these troubles, Jesus told them that they could experience peace (John 16:33).
In our study verse, the Lord tells His disciples to “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The reason they (and we) can be encouraged to “be of good cheer” while living in this low ground of sin and sorrow is remembering that Jesus, our faithful representative and redeemer has overcome the world in our room and stead. Meaning, because He overcame, we shall overcome. Not that every child of grace would live a perfect life in this world, but because of what He did for them they would finally and forever be in peace one great and glorious day.
In Romans 8:35-39, the Apostle Paul labored to teach this same principal. Paul said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Some of the most precious words in scripture are found here when Paul says, “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Often we will watch a sports event and see one team completely dominate their opponent. But even in those times when the scoreboard reflects what we call a blowout, the winning team/person will labor, sweat and often experience injury to get the win. The Apostle is saying in Jesus Christ, His people are more than that. When we get to heaven, we will have overcome to the degree of having no injury. And that’s a lot to be happy about, All because of Him. Amen!