Imagine you set out to run a race, knowing with absolute certainty that you will win. How would that impact your demeanor? Would you run more confidently? Would you worry about your competition less? Would you enjoy your time running the race more? We may not know the outcome of the race we decide to sign up for, but we do know the outcome of a much more significant race: the spiritual race that God has set out before us. You see, during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He taught His followers that in the end, He has overcome the world. That is what we have to look forward to in the race that He has marked out for us.
Jesus explained that we know the end of the story in John 16. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus taught His disciples what was about to happen to Him. He was about to be arrested and crucified on a cross. He said to them, “The time is coming—indeed it’s now here—when you will be scattered, each one going His own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me” (verse 32). In light of all that was about to happen, Jesus gave them a promise of hope. He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (verse 33). Jesus' disciples were about to face the ultimate pain and heartache when they saw Jesus arrested, tried, beaten, tortured, and ultimately crucified on the cross. This would not be the last of the sorrows they would experience. Throughout their lives on earth, they would face trials and sorrows. That is why Jesus offered peace with His promise, "Take heart, because I have overcome the world" (verse 33). Notice that Jesus has already overcome the world. It has been done. That is the end of the story: Jesus will reign supreme, and we will experience eternal life with Him forever. This is the ultimate hope we have as we run the race that Christ has set out for us.
Do you feel discouraged today by the circumstances you are facing? Do you need a reminder to keep going, even though life has brought difficulties and disappointments? Take heart, friend. Look to Christ, the one who has already overcome the world.
Take a few moments to think about your answer to this question: How does knowing the end of the race impact how you will run? Journal your answer to this question. After journaling, write down one step you can take starting today to run the spiritual race that God has set before you with the end in mind: the truth that Christ overcame the world. Commit to taking that step starting today.
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
