It was a special day yesterday because we usually watch one of our grandchildren overnight so that our daughter can do a full day of school at ASU. So we had fun together, playing, eating, watching Disney videos and stuff that little two year-old girls want to do. And then we went out for a doctor's appointment and then for dinner, just the three of us. And suddenly, we were separated as it was time to bring her home to her parents. We were "scattered" as a group of fun-loving grandparents and a little child.
It reminded me of this passage of scripture in John 16:32,33 that says, "Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." Not that this passage may be a little "deep" for a couple of grandparents who simply dropped off their granddaughter at her home with her parents, but in the verse Jesus was saying something even more emotional.
Shortly before this passage, He had explained to the disciples that the hour was approaching for His final action which He was sent to us to fulfill. He warned the disciples that they would be come "outcasts" in their own land, He promised the Holy Spirit for comfort once He was gone, and He told them about death and ultimate resurrection. Now that was surely a lot of information but, action that would be taken which was serious enough to "scatter" or "separate" these men who had followed Him so faithfully for three years.
Jesus said that even though these men would "scatter" that He would not be alone because the Father was with Him. Then He describes His authority by saying "These things I have spoken..." and he grants to them, peace. His warning is that while occupying space here in this world that we will "have tribulation," but that it was important that we "take courage...because He has overcome the world."
Every day of our lives is filled with tribulation, some big and some small. Some even fatal to the human being exposed to the trial. But it is just like Jesus to say to us to "take courage because I have overcome the world." Don't fear, although it may cost you your very life, I have overtaken this world and if you leave this world it will only be to stand at my side along with my Father who is in heaven.
Now I'll be the first to admit that there are things that happen in my life that make it difficult for me to "take courage" no matter who it is that has overcome the world. It is still a difficult task. And that is why Paul has reaffirmed this notion to us in Romans 8:28 where he say, "And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The key word here being ALL. Each of us have things that happen to us most everyday that are NOT good, but God puts it all together with His strength and makes it work for good. Remember when Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and they came together later on in the story Joseph said "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."
I just want to say to those of you who are "hurting" and "crippled" by life's mishaps that just as much as God was with Jesus as He prepared His disciples for this "scattering," He is with you in the middle of your trial. Don't allow your emotion to turn to "anger" when "love" is so close by.
Dave
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