I’ve been reading Francis Chan’s “Letters to the Church” for our Wednesday night Bible Study. He made a comment in the opening chapter (The Departure, page 25, David C. Cook publishing) that “this is a very difficult time to lead. I have been in leadership positions for over thirty years. There has never been a time like this.”
I would agree. This is a difficult time, but we must remember that the church has always existed in difficult times. As I prepare for Resurrection Sunday, I am going through the Gospel accounts of the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus. John relates Jesus’ warning to them.
“…a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [John 16:32-33]
Not long after this His disciples did scatter. It appears that only John and Peter followed Jesus during His arrest, and that only John was present at the cross. And it was not long after Jesus ascended into heaven in Acts 1 that trouble arose for the disciples also. Probably no truer statement has been written for the Bride of Christ than, “in this world you will have trouble.”
Yes, down through the ages the Bride of Christ has seen her share of trouble, trouble that arose from both inside and outside; and yet, no truer statement has also been written for the Bride of Christ than, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Beloved. Trouble may ours as Christians, but courage is also ours because our LORD and Savior has overcome all!
