He has overcome

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.” John 16:33 NLT

Jesus said these words before He went to the cross. So what did He mean? Was this His faith speaking? Perhaps, however what had He done in the three years leading up to the cross? Defeated Satan's attempts to control Him, submitted all He did to the Father,  trained up His disciples, raised the dead, healed the sick, taught about the Kingdom of God. One thing remained to do. He had to face His unwillingness to suffer the cross with obedience to the Father's will, and He did.

What does the world represent in our lives? The world's system, the collective worship of self and denial of God, the desire for power, greed and abuse of others in our greed. Therefore, to know Jesus had overcome all this for us, we can take heart. We can indeed take up our cross and follow Him as He has blazed the trail for us to follow. Amen!