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About this post: This blog post is part of a series of daily devotionals where we are exploring Jesus' life through the book of John. To sign up to receive text notification of these posts, text zpcdevo to 39970. We welcome your comments and questions each day.

About the author: I’m Margaret Gordon, wife of Todd and mom to Conner (and new bride Danielle), Grace, Quinn, Ian, and Erin. I’ve been a part of the ZPC community since 2001. I’m finishing the last few weeks of my term as Elder, and I’m blessed to be part of several other ministries including the ZPC choir, Soul Sisters, Community Assistance Ministry and Str8up.

Scripture: John 16

Trouble. A state or condition of distress, annoyance, or difficulty. Difficulty, annoyance, distress. These aren’t things we welcome at any time of year and especially not at this Christmas time of year. But trouble doesn’t know a season, does it? It doesn’t arrive when your calendar is empty enough to accommodate it. It doesn’t respect birthdays. It doesn’t care about holidays. In fact, it often seems to show up at the most inconvenient times. We sing the words of the old spiritual, “Oh, hard times, come again no more.” But they do come. The pink slip, the positive biopsy, the divorce papers, the ominous ringing of the phone in the dead of night.

The disciples knew trouble would come, or should have known. In today’s passage from John 16, Jesus warns them, "They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God." 

Talk about trouble! And Jesus knew trouble was coming for him, too. He’s already predicted his own betrayal and Peter’s denial, and he tells his followers that he’s going away soon. Going away to arrest, a kangaroo court, lashing and a crown of thorns, a death march, the cross.

But trouble doesn’t have the last word. The grand finale of the chapter in verse 33 is, to my mind, one of the most hopeful in all of scripture. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus has overcome the world and its trouble. The lost job, the cancer diagnosis, the broken relationship, the bad news at the other end of the phone. Jesus has overcome the trouble the world thrusts upon us and the trouble of our own making. Even our sin, which might seem to us beyond redemption.

So, if you’re troubled this Advent season, don’t despair. Remember that the baby in a cattle stall, whom shepherds guard and angels sing, became the rabbi who sought and saved the lost, the redeemer of us all.  Have peace. Take heart. He has overcome the world!

Activity:

Memorize John 16:33, encouragement for that day when trouble comes.

Prayer:

Help me, Jesus. Today I will have trouble. Maybe something small. Maybe something life-upending. Be near me, and remind me that you are here. You have overcome the world, and you will never leave nor forsake me. Help me to believe it, and let that belief help me to witness for you when trouble comes. You are great and you are good. I thank you for what you’ve done and praise you for who you are.
Amen.

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