Finding Peace on the Path--John 16:33

Intro

It’s always something! As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that there’s always something on my body that is not quite right. Back hurts, toothache, pants too tight, hair never falls in quite the same way. Not always physical. Occasionally, it’s emotional. Sad about something on the news or a relationship, or not looking forward to a conversation or a project that is going to be uncomfortable.

Rarely do I pause and say…woah…hold it right there–everything is perfect–(Bible calls Shalom)–just as it should be.

It’s never that. The path of life that each of us takes has one thing in common if you are a human—It’s always something. John 16:33 promises us that we will have trouble...

Thank you, Lord?

What we find in scripture though is Good News. That even though our path will have trouble—Jesus makes a way for peace. The goal of life is not about the absence of trials, but about the presence of peace—peace has a name.

Path

Humans were not always this way...

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Powerful words: pause and discuss—

Genesis 1–11:26 (3) The Man’s Companion, the First Woman (2:18–25)

Nakedness among the Hebrews was shameful because it was often associated with guilt. (something wrong with you)

Genesis 1–11:26 (3) The Man’s Companion, the First Woman (2:18–25)

It would have been remarkable to the Hebrews that the couple could be naked without embarrassment.

In other words, completely exposed for who they were—comfortable with themselves and one another. Their whole selves. Not a thing wrong. No shame. No worries. Perfect Peace.

For Adam and Eve, that beautiful perfect, peaceful moment of Shalom didn’t last too long ...a serpent comes along and begins to convince them that Shalom—peace with God—isn’t enough.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

English Standard Version Chapter 3

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,

3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

Notice, Adam and Eve were perfectly happy with their Shalom arrangement with God, and with one another. Notice also, the woman’s initial response to the tempter was “we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden!”

She viewed what God had given as a blessing and a gift. And even when she mentions “you shall not eat...lest you die.” She’s not complaining. This is matter of fact. This is what God said, and I have zero reason to doubt it.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When did sin enter? Some scholars think it was in how Eve answered. I believe it was when the serpents first question in verse 1, when he said "did God actually say...” I don’t think so, because she had no reason to be skeptical. She believed him, not because she had discontent, but because she had no reason not to.

I believe the moment sin entered was the moment that the serpent proposed that they could be “like God.”

English Standard Version Chapter 3

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked

Shalom/perfect peace broken.

And so, pride (the desire to have control your own circumstances/God-like power) was introduced by satan, and in verse 6, she (and Adam) trade perfect peace with God for competition with God.

You and I know what this is like (ILLUSTRATION)

Rich Mullins “This is the world as best as I can remember it.”

Transition: If Genesis explains how peace was corrupted, John explains the hope for peace restored.

Peace

English Standard Version Chapter 16

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.”

Quotable verse, but it’s critical that we understand “what kind of things has he been saying?

He has told them that they’d abandon (scattered) him—that they would experience fear, hopelessness, abandonment, condemnation, persecution, confusion. They would feel many feelings that would present as opposite of peace/shalom. And Jesus knew that more than likely they would feel these things and wonder how could Jesus abandon us to a path full trials and tribulation. Jesus knew that in those moments we (Humans) tend to become quickly convinced that there is no peace. But he wants them to know there is a very real and effective and eternal peace that is offered on the very same path that presents trials—peace is Jesus Christ.

Hope because of his work on the cross he was about to endure. A moment that is the absolute clearest picture of where the worst kind of trial meets the most perfect peace.

The Gospel according to John 4. The Prospect of Joy beyond the Trouble of This World (16:16–33)

Jesus’ point is that by his death he has made the world’s opposition pointless and beggarly. The decisive battle has been waged and won. The world continues its wretched attacks, but those who are in Christ share the victory he has won. They cannot be harmed by the world’s evil, and they know who triumphs in the end. From this they take heart, and begin to share his peace.

John 14 sheds even more light on this, which starts “let not your hearts be troubled.

English Standard Version Chapter 14

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid

Contrast between what the world gives and what Jesus Gives:

I love the Tim Keller illustration we all go through the furnace—some emerge as cinders in despair. Others emerge as gold refined in the fire.

Key Question: Are you going to walk the path where you are defined by your trials or refined by them?

Practice

Podcast illustration: Alec walking and getting upset about the brokenness of the world—changed the station to some classical music and thought, “oh, actually, things are quite beautiful after all!”

English Standard Version Chapter 12

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the

Romans 1. Among Believers (12:1–21)

Rather than allowing the world to “squeeze you into its own mold” (Phillips), Paul told believers to be “transformed by the renewing of your minds.” From without there is a continuing pressure to adopt the customs and mind-set of the world in which we live. Although that influence must be rejected, that alone will never create the kind of change God has in mind for his followers

Romans 1. Among Believers (12:1–21)

A renewed mind is concerned with those issues of life that are of lasting importance. By nature our thoughts tend to dwell on the ephemeral. But that which passes quickly is normally inconsequential. As Paul said in another place, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (

In psychology this is called cognitive reframing. It is distinct from denial or gaslighting or spiritual bypass. It is not ignoring the trials that are on the path, but choosing to look up and out at the beauty that is all around you. Two things can be true at the same time—

My life sucks! Says a teenager. It would be wrong to respond and say, “no, it doesn’t!” Better to say, Yes, there are some really really awful things that you have to deal with. That is true. But what is also true is that God has placed some other things in your life in order to bring you peace as you are enduring the path you are on.”

Name the trial honestly

Lament is biblical.

Jesus Himself grieved and wept.

Name what is still true about Jesus

He is present.

He has overcome.

He is good.

Hold both at the same time

Pain is real.

Peace is deeper.

Practical language for people

I don’t minimize the storm — I magnify the Savior. I don’t deny the trial — I choose to dwell on Christ.

Key verse echo

“Take heart. I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33