Take courage, I have conquered the world
Acts 19:1-8
John 16:29-33
Sailors are said to have observed that just before a storm there is often an eerie and deceptive calm. This has generated the adage: “calm before the storm”, to refer to situations of peacefulness before an impending disaster. When the disciples tell Jesus that now they understand him perfectly and believe that he is from God, he on his part shows them that this is only the calm before the storm. They would soon abandon him whom they have come to believe, and each run to his own home. A revelation of that truth by one who can read your heart would be unnerving. Yet Jesus tells his disciples that he reveals this not to make them feel bad about themselves, but so that when it happens, they may not remain consumed by remorse, but rather that they may have peace in them. Jesus sees their present sincerity, but he also sees their impending abandonment, and even beyond that, their future victory.
When I make a good confession, Jesus looks at my sincerity at the time and my desire not to sin again. However, he also sees what I cannot see; he sees my next moment of weakness and failure, as well as my potential for victory beyond this failure. When the moment of weakness comes, I can feel so bad about myself for having made the same mistake I vowed not to make again. I might even wonder why I should go to confession again, since I seem not to take God’s forgiveness seriously. Yet Jesus wishes me to place my eyes on him, and to have peace in him, so that I can move on.
Jesus’ response to Peter’s avowal of loyalty in Luke 22 is a good demonstration of this. He said: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-34).
The Master we follow not only knows the potential we have beyond our weaknesses, but he also assures us of victory in him when we tap into that potential. He says: “take courage, I have conquered the world”. This he said, not after his passion, death and resurrection, but just before it. A person who is assured of victory even before the battle is a firm foundation to build on. When we remain in him part of his victory becomes our own.
