January 1: Accepting His Love.
His Victory.
"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 16:33
I had heard the story before and I knew the ending, but it still gripped me every time my dad told it in a sermon. The story was about a boy who loved and admired the main hero in a book series. He had just bought the latest volume and realized that this book was very different! Unlike the previous books, this time his hero was being beaten and seemed to be losing! Not very far into the book, the boy couldn't take it anymore and, holding his breath, went straight to the last chapter. With trembling hands, he turned to the last page and read the last paragraph. And there, in the last sentences of the story, he discovered that, despite the many seeming defeats, his hero was the victor after all, and the villain was destroyed. Now that he knew the ending, he was at peace and went back to the place where he had left off and continued reading the book. This time, having new information, whenever the villain seemed to be winning, the boy would say aloud, "If he knew what I know--if he just knew what I know!"
Jesus has told us the end of the story; He has overcome! Furthermore, He highlighted the contrast of two realities: Himself and the world. In Him we may have peace, yet in the world we will have tribulation (verse 33). After informing the disciples of their impending personal failure (verse 32), Jesus proclaims that "in Him" they may have peace. Every day we face the choice of which reality to empower: the world and its troubles, which are sure to come, or the love and inward peace that we may find in Jesus, focusing on His already-attained victory on the cross. As in the case of the introductory story, it makes a world of difference to know how the story ends. When we face sickness, death, loss, and various troubles, let's remember that evil is a conquered enemy. When I posted a photo of my dad's hand in mine, to announce his passing, I added the phrase that is now the title of this devotional book: Jesus Wins! Jesus' victorious love is the basis of our faith!
My Response:_________________________________________
His Victory.
"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 16:33
I had heard the story before and I knew the ending, but it still gripped me every time my dad told it in a sermon. The story was about a boy who loved and admired the main hero in a book series. He had just bought the latest volume and realized that this book was very different! Unlike the previous books, this time his hero was being beaten and seemed to be losing! Not very far into the book, the boy couldn't take it anymore and, holding his breath, went straight to the last chapter. With trembling hands, he turned to the last page and read the last paragraph. And there, in the last sentences of the story, he discovered that, despite the many seeming defeats, his hero was the victor after all, and the villain was destroyed. Now that he knew the ending, he was at peace and went back to the place where he had left off and continued reading the book. This time, having new information, whenever the villain seemed to be winning, the boy would say aloud, "If he knew what I know--if he just knew what I know!"
Jesus has told us the end of the story; He has overcome! Furthermore, He highlighted the contrast of two realities: Himself and the world. In Him we may have peace, yet in the world we will have tribulation (verse 33). After informing the disciples of their impending personal failure (verse 32), Jesus proclaims that "in Him" they may have peace. Every day we face the choice of which reality to empower: the world and its troubles, which are sure to come, or the love and inward peace that we may find in Jesus, focusing on His already-attained victory on the cross. As in the case of the introductory story, it makes a world of difference to know how the story ends. When we face sickness, death, loss, and various troubles, let's remember that evil is a conquered enemy. When I posted a photo of my dad's hand in mine, to announce his passing, I added the phrase that is now the title of this devotional book: Jesus Wins! Jesus' victorious love is the basis of our faith!
My Response:_________________________________________
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