John 16:33- Christ's Words of Comfort (Part 1)

John 16:33 is the culmination of Jesus' final address to His disciples on the night he was betrayed. Part of the "Upper Room" discourse, Christ had provided instruction for His Disciples, given that he was about to be arrested, tried, and ultimately executed by the horrid death of the cross. Jesus had been instructing them from chapter 13 to chapter 16, and in chapter 17, he would pray.

But the closing words of John 16 are where Christ gives his Disciples real comfort and encouragement amid what is a gathering storm. Sadly, they will forsake Christ (Mark 14:51), and Peter will even deny Him (John 13:36-38). Yet despite their looming unfaithfulness, Christ is Faithful and encourages them.

Verse 33 opens with the things he has spoken to them so they may have peace. The Authorised Version renders this: " These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace." He stated that he was fortifying them for their peace in the face of an inevitable onslaught. The Disciples' faith will be tried, but Christ has instructed them. The "things spoken" refer back to chapters 13-16, where Christ has communicated many marvelous truths, including the nature of His ministry and theirs. In Chapter 14, he declared that He would depart and return, and delved into the mystery of the Godhead. In Chapter 15, he speaks of his people's union with him and of the persecution and rejection they face from the World. In chapter 16, Jesus told of the coming and work of the Holy Spirit. (Even the summaries provided of chapters 13-16 are hardly comprehensive or satisfactory.)

All of Christ's teachings in the previous chapters are for their peace. Translating peace in verse 33 as "peace of mind" would be proper. Christ was trying to comfort them with his teachings. The believer should remember this: Christ's teachings are meant to bring peace of mind. This sheds new light on the study of Scripture. Not only does the Christian read and study the Bible to grow in Grace and Knowledge of Christ, but also to be comforted by Him and to enjoy His peace. Do you, dear Child of God, go to the Scripture and find peace?

When the World is troubling the Christian, they can go to the Word, inspired by the Spirit of the Saviour they love. In this Word, they can find comfort and peace of mind. Christ's practical instruction informs, and as they grow in knowledge, they are also comforted. There is great comfort and peace in understanding what Christ has done on behalf of His people and seeing how God has worked through history to bring about Redemption. One can think of David's inspired Words in Psalm 119:165: "Great peace have they which love thy law..."

This also calls the Christian to remember that every doctrine has practical and comforting applications. For example, the Resurrection can provide tremendous comfort amid enduring bodily frailty. Further, even the most academic truths, such as "Subsitutionary Atonement," though doubtless difficult to grasp and explain, provide the believer with profound comfort. The doctrine of "Substitutionary Atonement" comforts the believer because Christ suffered in their stead—he took on their sins and the punishment due.

So the Words which Christ spoke to His Disciples were spoken for their peace. Have you found peace in Christ's Words? Even in the intricate passages and the complex doctrines? Christ gave all of these things for the Christian's peace.