December 14 - John 16:33

December 14, 2025
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“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 16:33) 

These words would be some of the last that Jesus would say to His disciples before going to the cross. The words that were meant to comfort and reassure His disciples still carry that same power in our lives today. 

The Christmas season is often a happy time, filled with traditions and memories with family. For some, however, it can be a painful season. Maybe life is hard right now. Maybe this is the first Christmas with a loved one not there, or the season is a reminder of broken relationships. In these difficult moments, we are reminded that we can find peace in Christ. While we celebrate His birth, we fix our eyes on His return. The manger holds both comfort for today’s struggles and hope for the ultimate victory we find in Christ. When Jesus said, “‘I have overcome the world,’” He used past tense, which points to the battle having already been won.

No matter what you may be facing today, know that it’s in God’s hands. Lay your burdens, your sorrows, and your fears at the foot of the cross. Rest in these truths and find the peace that can only be found in Christ—a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Hey, Northland Church. This week we're talking about peace. And there are many passages that offer us peace, but one where I think that's particularly true is Jesus' words in John 1633. He says, in this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. These are some of Jesus' final words to his disciples before going to the cross. Words meant to comfort them and to remind him that peace is found in him alone. And the same is true for us today. For a lot of people, Christmas is full of traditions and joy, but for others, it's a painful season. Maybe life feels really heavy. Maybe this is the 1st Christmas without somebody you love. Maybe you're reminded this season of broken relationships. In these words, Jesus says that we will have trouble, that the world is full of sin and brokenness, but Jesus stepped into the world not to condemn us, but to save us. This is a reminder that whatever we face today he has already overcome it. And that's why the manger holds both comfort and hope, comfort for today's struggles and hope for the victory that's already been won. When Jesus says, I have overcome the world, he's using past tense here because the battle is finished, and the victory is secured. So whatever you're facing now, know that you can lay your burdens, your sorrow, and your fears at the foot of the cross, because peace, real peace is found in Christ, a peace that surpasses all understanding. So take heart Christ has come. Christ is with us, and Christ has overcome the world.