October 4, 2023
Trusting When Times Get Tough
“Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 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, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:30-33 (NASB)
As I watched my father pass from this world in a hospital bed in 1989, it was tough. For a man I had such a great example of strength and courage who endured World War II, the Korean Conflict, and three tours in Vietnam, I saw life pass from his body. I was in a state of shock for many months after he died. After dealing with my grief later, I began to think about the words he shared with me. He offered good commonsense thinking. It still brings comfort to me all these years later as I revisit our conversations. No matter how much the world has changed I know the truths he taught have been hard-wired into my existence. To illustrate this, I remember when my father taught me how to drive. When I got into the truck one day he said, “The first thing you need to prepare for is your brakes could fail at any time.” It was true. The brakes weren’t as good as they are now. “Be prepared for what you will do if they fail.” I still remember his words, and compare them to Jesus’s “Guys, hard times are coming, be prepared for what you will do.”
“Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe?” We have seen throughout the entire book of John the misunderstanding of the disciples to Jesus’s true identity. In their statement, “Now we know that You know all things,” The word “know” is oida, meaning “to have realized; perceived == to know.”[1] The root word oida begins with experiential knowledge but adds two additional clarifications. From this word comes: 1) experiential knowledge, 2) then recognition 3) leading to complete discernment. 1) The disciples in this case had experienced time with Jesus initially which led to their cognitive (appealing to their head) trust in Him. 2) As time went by, the disciples began to recognize (appealing to their emotions) Jesus as the great teacher/master of truths of God’s kingdom. This is different than them merely hearing His words and understanding what Jesus said. 3) In the final days, the disciples recognized (appealing to their spirit) Jesus as the Messiah. This truth would give them the ability to discern for themselves, rather than being told by Jesus He was the Messiah. Jesus wanted them to know He recognized they finally arrived at knowing and trusting Him, “Do you now believe?” The days ahead would be tough for the disciples. Jesus wanted the disciples to know they would abandon Him, but He would not be alone, “because the Father is with Me.” As their worlds would be crushed, they could experience peace. This peace was only through “knowing” Jesus.
When I look at the final words Jesus shared with the disciples, I see Him offering comfort to them, when He was about to go through the worst punishment any human could endure. Even then, He comforted them for the days ahead. He told them He would overcome the world, so have peace. My dad’s words still ring in my head. Moreover, Jesus’s words comfort my heart.
[1] Seesemann, H. (1964–). οἶδα. In G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 5, p. 116). Eerdmans.