John 16:16-33
Once again, Jesus tells the disciples that he will be leaving and then coming back. He knew what the coming hours held because the Father revealed it to him. And once again, he returns to the topic of prayer and tells the disciples to go directly to the Father in Jesus’ name and he will give what they asked. “Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (v24). There is fullness of joy in prayer and in the responses of answered prayer!
He also warned them of coming tribulation: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (v33). As followers of Christ, we aren’t to be discouraged when hard times come. They will come and we should expect them. We can be courageous and uplifted during difficulties because Jesus has already won the battle – he has “overcome the world.” Later, his brother James would tell us to “Consider it pure joy…” (James 1:2-5).
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