“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus tells his disciples they can find peace in him. He warns that in the world we will face tribulation, but reminds us to take heart—or in some translations, courage—because he has overcome the world. Oftentimes, most people like to have little pity party moments for oneself. When something doesn’t go our way or how we think it should, we whine about how easy it could be if only the situation was different.
Jesus reminds his disciples that in the world they will have tribulation. It won’t be perfect; it won’t be easy. We will deal with harsh realities, big and small, that the world will throw our way. The road ahead will not be a leisurely stroll, but take heart (or courage) because he has overcome the world.
The word used for overcome in this passage is nikaō—which means “to conquer or carry off the victory.”
Jesus is claiming the victory before his betrayal. Before the disciples scatter he is admitting they will face tribulations, but he reminds them, like a charge before battle, to have courage because he has already conquered the world. And the best part … we can find peace in him. In the midst of our trials and when life is hard, our Savior reminds us that we have peace in him!
Also see Prayer to accept Jesus