PEACE and POWER under PRESSURE

What Did Jesus Mean By This?

In John 16:33 - just hours before He went to the cross - Jesus Christ spoke these words to His disciples..

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you are having tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV)

However, the Greek word θλῖψις thlipsis here translated tribulation simply means PRESSURES [see Vines Expository Dictionary]. Also the Greek word νικάω nikao here translated overcome more basically means TO BE VICTORIOUS [see BDAG, pg. 673]. Its noun form is the word νικη nike = victory which the shoe company uses as their name. Thus, this verse could be translated...

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you are having pressures; but be of good cheer, I have been victorious over the world.” (John 16:33)

In other words, Jesus Christ is showing believers how they can live VICTORIOUSLY in the midst of PRESSURES.

How do you handle PRESSURE in your life?

What Did Jesus Mean By “in Me”?

I think this is explained by the previous context where, in John 15, Jesus says...

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:4–7, NKJV)

What does it mean to “abide in Christ”?

5 times Jesus mentions “abiding IN ME”. However, what did He mean by this? I think this is explained clearly by Jesus’ previous comments...

47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal life. (John 6:47, NKJV)

54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (John 6:54–56, NKJV)

Note that EATS MY FLESH AND DRINK MY BLOOD is just a metaphor for BELIEVE IN ME.

These Scriptures taken together simply teach that TO ABIDE IN CHRIST = TO LIVE BY FAITH IN CHRIST.

That is to say, we not only get eternal life - initially - by faith, but we must continue to live by faith in Christ to experience fellowship with God. The phrase “I in you” is referring to the HOLY SPIRIT living in our lives as we ABIDE IN CHRIST.

What Was Jesus Teaching About PRESSURES?

First of all, He was stating that all people - even Christians - continuously experience PRESSURE. [ ἔχω echo = have is in the Greek present tense.] I think we can all identify with that. But He was also saying that - if I am ABIDING IN HIM - I can experience VICTORY in my life. Or - to say it another way -...

I can live like Jesus Christ.

Notice how the Apostle John states it....

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:5–6, NKJV)

Of course, Jesus lived in a victorious way - even though He experienced incredible pressures. In fact, He was SINLESS in the midst of these pressures. So Jesus was saying...

If I am living by faith in Christ, I will be experiencing PEACE and also VICTORY OVER SIN in my life.

Notice how the Apostle John puts it...

5 Who is he who living victoriously over the world, but he who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5)

In other words, this is really a BIG DEAL! I - as a believer - can experience VICTORY in the midst of life’s PRESSURES by simply LIVING BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!

Are you ABIDING IN CHRIST? Are you experiencing the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT living within you?

What are the ETERNAL BENEFITS of Living Like This?

Jesus Christ promises ETERNAL REWARD to those who are living by FAITH IN HIM = ABIDING IN CHRIST and are experiencing VICTORY over the world. For example....

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who is a VICTOR I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’ (Revelation 2:7, NKJV)

26 And he who is a VICTOR, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations— (Revelation 2:26, NKJV)

12 He who is a VICTOR, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:12, NKJV)

21 To him who is a VICTOR I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also was a VICTOR and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21, NKJV)

7 He who is a VICTOR shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7, NKJV)

I will reign with Jesus Christ forever!

I will inherit the created universe forever!

Believer - Do you want these ETERNAL REWARDS?

I think we have seen that there are multiple benefits - both NOW and in the LIFE TO COME - for ABIDING IN CHRIST.

Are you ABIDING IN CHRIST? Are you experiencing PEACE and POWER as you are facing your PRESSURES?