Take Heart
“‘ 16 In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.’ 17 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?’ 18 They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by, ‘a little while?’ We don’t understand what he is saying.’
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to 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?’ 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 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. 22 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…
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.’” —John 16:16-22 & 33
“ 17 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?’ 18 They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by, ‘a little while?’ We don’t understand what he is saying.’” —John 16:17-18
“ 33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace…” —John 16:33
“ 16 In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” —John 16:16
(1.) Because Jesus has overcome, we can take heart when everything seems to be going wrong…
“ 2 The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” —Genesis 39:2-4
“ 20 But while Joseph was there in prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” —Genesis 39:20-23
(2.) Because Jesus has overcome, we can take heart as he calls us to new challenges…
“ 11 Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? 12 But God said to Moses, ‘I will be with you…’” —Exodus 3:11-12
(3.) Because Jesus has overcome, we can take heart and face turbulent times with faith…
“ 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10
“ 1 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” —Isaiah 43:1-3