Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for September 2024 - Jesus is the Peace in Times of Tribulation

"In the world, you will have tribulation;  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

Ever have one of those days? Weeks? Months? Seems like years? One can relate. But Jesus tells us in the above scripture to expect hardship in our lives. Sometimes in our lives as believers we expect an easier path than those who do not follow Christ. But there is nowhere in the Bible that God promises an easy life until the next life. 

In John 16:33, Jesus specifically uses the term, "Tribulation." This is on purpose. Tribulation means to "press together, to compress." In Biblical times, most people would picture someone crushing grapes to make wine. Sometimes tribulations are merely aggravations and inconveniences rather than outright catastrophes. Of course, we as humans may process the little problems as big problems as we seem to forget that our God is bigger than any problem we face. 

But how do we process peace while chaos reigns in our lives? If we go back to John 16:33, Jesus tells us earlier in said scripture that, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace." 

Did you catch the contrast? In the world, tribulation. In Me, peace.

When our focus is on Jesus and we're relying on Him, we find peace while enduring crises. 

As writer David Chancey notes, "Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before his crucifixion, even as Judas the betrayer slipped out of the room to meet with the enemies of Jesus and plot His arrest."  In other words, He spoke these words of peace to the disciples as he knew His earthly demise was almost upon Him. 

As we know, Jesus would soon be arrested, forsaken by His closest friends and allies, denied, humiliated, tortured, and executed. 

Yet, He experienced peace. So can we. Jesus is the key to this deep, spiritual peace. 

We've all seen the sign on the Church marquee, "No Jesus, No peace. Know Jesus, Know peace." 

Tribulation in your life and in the world is promised, but peace is possible in Jesus because, as Jesus proclaimed, "I have overcome the world." 

Amen.