John 16:31-33 – Peace comes by abiding in Christ

The three key elements of faith in Christ are: love, joy and peace. In verses 23-24, Jesus had shown the joy that could be experienced through prayer. Then in verses 25-30, He shared how personal feeling of the love of the Father could come about as we connect with Him. Again this could be cultivated through prayer. In these last four verses, Jesus talked about an undeniable peace that believers could experience in a world of turmoil.

The disciples had begun to show a tint of confidence from all that Jesus had shared. However, their faith at this point had limitation. Jesus foresaw the impending opposition that they would soon face. Knowing that it would be a time of extreme testing, He now promised a peace that could take them through the worst turmoil. This undeniable peace rests on the truth that He had overcome the world.

In verse 31, Jesus began with a question, “Do you now believe?” Although it seems like a question, it is actually an exclamation.  A question would suggest that Jesus was doubting the reality of their faith. But He was not. He was pointing out to them the inadequacy of their faith. While they had professed faith in Christ, it had not been fully tested by hard times as yet. They had not yet possessed that unshakable faith that would make them stand firm even in the severest of testing. Shortly, they would all abandon their Lord. In the most crucial hour of Jesus’ life they all deserted Him and went into hiding. Through all these, we need to know that what’s important is: to know that our faith rests on what Christ had done in our life. It had never been the result of our own courage and endurance.

Here, Jesus foretold that they would be severely tested. He told them that an imminent trial was coming and they would be scattered. It suggests that they would not be able to stand the trial. They would be separated from Him. And the cohesion as a group would be disrupted, though temporarily. Even in those moments, Jesus assured them that the Father would not leave Him alone. He would be with Him through all that would come against Him. Just as God the Father was with Jesus throughout His trials, we need to know that He will also be with us in ours. He will never leave us nor forsake us. That’s His promise!

While telling them of their impending plight, Jesus ended here with a note of victory. He promised them a peace that can take them through the toughest of times. As believers who profess faith in Christ, we can experience that peace too. Notice that Jesus used the word “may” and not “will.” This suggests that there could be believers who do not fully rest in Him. Hence they may not experience the peace He had promised. What He is saying is that the world we live in is a place full of unrest. But it need not trouble believers who learn to live in Him. The trouble in the world is a given because that’s the world’s characteristic. But we can take heart because Jesus had overcome the world. Seen in the light of His impending passion, what Jesus said is bold and audacious. The cross was engineered to bring Christ’s defeat, but it became His ultimate conquest over what the world could do to Him. Christ went to the cross as a mighty conqueror. And He guarantees us today that PEACE can be our experience when we learn to abide in His victory. Hallelujah!