Jesus has Overcome the World
Bradon: Are you a glass half full or half empty type of guy?
Jon: Almost always half full – I am pretty optimistic about life!
Bradon: Coming up on the Bible Story Podcast. We will learn why we can be optimistic people rooted in the reality that Jesus has overcome the world.
Discussion Episode
John 16
About the Story
Bradon: Let me give you that scenario. Imagine, you and a friend are chatting. This person then promises that you will be mistreated, misunderstood, dismissed, marginalized, physically beat up, and even killed because of your friendship with him. Then he says, you and all these other friends are going to ditch him. You will all abandon him, but it’s all good. He has got a secret surprise ending that’s superiorly sensationally good!
Jon: That’s a little over the top, and hard to imagine that kind of scenario because it’s just a little ridiculous.
Bradon: Well, hang on to your hairpiece cause today’s story is going to blow you away and your hairpiece.
Jon: I am excited, and now the listeners are imagining me with a bald spot in the shape of a culdesac. Thankfully, there are no balding problems for me – not yet anyway.
Bradon: Maybe we should shave your head in the shape of culdesac.
Jon: Ok, let’s get back on track!
Bradon: We are looking at John 16, and it’s this extensive conversation and teaching that Jesus is giving his disciples.
Jon: It’s not just teaching, but Jesus is looking to the future. Unfortunately, there isn’t much action in this story but what Jesus is saying is heavy. It’s tough for the disciples to hear.
Bradon: It is, but he gives the ultimate reason why those who believe in Jesus can have confidence and be optimistic about the future even in difficult times! He ends his talk with a great line.
Application
Bradon: This may seem odd, but I appreciate how Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. Jesus explains how hard the next few days will be for the disciples, how the disciples will mess up, and how there will be some good from it all.
Jon: Ok, you are now the one understating this encouraging bit. Jesus makes a bold and big statement before his death and resurrection. In the final verse of the chapter, Jesus says, “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” This statement is huge. Jesus is saying to his friends, his followers, that he has overcome the world. Jesus is going to win, and Jesus is on their side.
Bradon: We can’t understate this final comment by Jesus. It is why we can have confidence and why we can be optimistic even in the worst of situations.
Jon: It’s incredible to think about all the hard times we have experienced and that Jesus has overcome all of it. He has won! But I think we need to clarify something. If Jesus has overcome the world, why are still difficult, hard, bad things happening?
Bradon: Well, I think the short answer is that Jesus paid the penalty of sin. Romans 6:23 describes the penalty of sin is death. We also know that on the third day after Jesus’ death, he was raised to life. Jesus has overcome the evil in this world by returning to life. It’s an incredible story that we cover every Easter. Allow me to comment on the question of why there is still sin in our world. God has promised that Jesus will one day return to earth and will take his followers back to Heaven with him. Jesus has overcome evil in this world, and yet until he returns, we will still be hurt by sinful choices, whether they are our own decisions or others.
Jon: You said that well and now we can look at this evil in this world and know that Jesus has overcome it. The proof is that Jesus was raised to life after taking on the penalty for sin.
Bradon: Followers of Christ can be optimistic. The reality is that despite the evil in the world, Jesus has overcome the world.
