## Jesus: Our Peace

## John 16:16-33

I read a story about a boy who was reading a novel in the living room. His mother called for him to come help her in the kitchen. He responded that he couldn't come because the villain had the hero down and it seemed like he would do him in. His mother didn't accept that excuse and told him to come right away! Quickly, the boy flipped to the end of the book and discovered that the hero didn't die after all; the villain was defeated, and the hero won. As the boy came into the kitchen he said, "That villain was doing OK in chapter five, but is he ever in for a surprise when he gets to the last page!"

A year ago the enemies of the U.S. attacked with a vengeance and thousands of innocent people were killed. Viewing the horrific scene around N.Y. and Washington following that vicious attack, one might think that the 'Villain' was doing OK, but the final chapter on this has yet to be written. That is so true in all areas of our lives.

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the ability to judge matters by long-term consequences rather than immediate rewards. It's easy to misinterpret who is ahead and who is losing without a long-range perspective. What appears to be success could be failure in disguise.

Spiritual discernment is the ability to distinguish the permanent from the temporary, the seen from the unseen. Christ contrasted the opinion of the unbelieving, unregenerate world with that of His disciples. The world would rejoice at the crucifixion of Christ and the disciples would sorrow, but the long-range results would produce rejoicing in His disciples and sorrow for the world.

In today's passage we find that Jesus is Our Peace. In a world where it seems that evil is overcoming that which is good, Jesus calls us to peace in Him. Read text: Jn. 16:16-33

I. The World's Joy is Short-lived.

A. Official religion hated Christ.

1. He exposed their ignorance.

a. Note: Mt. 21:23-27

b. Note: Mt. 22:41-46

2. He exposed their sin.

a. He called them "whited sepulchres" looking good on the outside, but inside they were rotten.

b. He exposed the sins of their hearts.

c. He told them that they were careful about things that didn't matter, but they were tolerant of sins they enjoyed.

B. The world saw the death of Christ as good news, but they were blinded to the bad news.

1. Christ was dead, but He wouldn't stay dead!

2. In the end they will meet Him again; only this time He will be their judge.

3. The world looks at life through the wrong end of the telescope.

4. People who are laughing should be crying.

C. Consider the devil's Christmas. cf. Re. 11:7-10

1. Two of God's witnesses have just been killed and their bodies laid out in the streets.

2. Note how that the world rejoices when the witnesses are killed.

3. Now let's read v11-14.

4. The party is over, and God is glorified.

D. Christ told His disciples not to be deceived by the world's perception of various events.

1. The world would rejoice over the death of Christ.

2. However, one scene completed does mean the act is over; the curtain will rise again.

3. In other words, many people will be surprised when they get to the last page!

II. Believer's Have Short-Lived Sorrow.

A. The disciples would be like sheep without a shepherd.

1. They believed that the earthly kingdom predicted by the O.T. prophets would be established immediately.

2. None of the disciples understood clearly that Christ's death and resurrection plus some 2000 years would precede the kingdom era.

3. When Christ would die their hopes would die with Him.

B. Note: Luke 24:13-35

1. The two who walked on their way to Emmaus after Christ's death were devastated.

2. Jesus asked them about their sadness (v17).

3. They were despondant because they had trusted in Jesus Christ.(v21)

4. They thought that they had been misled.

5. Jesus taught them from the Scriptures and gave them hope.

6. Their eyes were opened to the truth that the cross was necessary.

7. Then their message and attitude changed! (v33- 34)

C. The temporary sorrow would be changed into permanent joy.

1. It wasn't just that joy would follow sorrow.

2. It was that the event that caused the sorrow would give them joy.

3. Jesus used the example of a woman giving birth. v21

4. The crucifixion of Christ was the greatest crime that was ever committed, and yet it was the one event that would bring the believer the greatest joy and blessing.

The disciples were beginning to understand what Christ was teaching them, and yet Christ knew that they couldn't fully comprehend what was about to happen. He encouraged them in verse 33. We can also find encouragement in this verse. It may look like we are fighting a losing battle, but Christ has already won the victory!

(John 16:33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

How do we view the ever-changing events of this world? Without Christ, it must be frightening to consider what is happening around us today, but as we view the world through the cross of Christ, we get a totally different perspective. Paul wrote:

(2 Cor 4:17-18) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; {18} While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Do you enjoy the peace that only comes through a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior? Why not come now and let us introduce you to Him today. Jesus died on Calvary, that we might have eternal life. He is the only way to heaven; He is the source of our peace in a troubled world. Trust Him today.