At a recent circuit pastor’s conference, I was leading a study. During our discussion time, a friend of mine that teaches seminarians brought up an interesting observation. He said that much of the preaching he has observed speaks of Jesus as our Savior for some kind of future reward, namely heaven. His observation was that there is not enough emphasis on the difference Jesus makes for the here and now.

I appreciated his insight and was still thinking about that when I read one of the Gospel readings assigned for today.

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:23–33, ESV)

Jesus came into this world because He loves the world. Yes, He said here that He would be leaving this world and returning to the Father, but that does not lessen His love for the world. He cares for us deeply right now, while we are in this world. What He did through His life and death and resurrection has significance and meaning for us in our present, not just the future.

One of the reasons it is critical for followers of Jesus to comprehend this is mentioned here. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. The word “tribulation” is sometimes rendered as “trouble,” and it can also mean affliction. And we’ve got trouble. It is a reality. Most recently people are speaking about the rapidly rising costs of fuel and the resulting rise in cost of everything else. Some are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Others an unwanted diagnosis of physical ailments. Oh, we’ve got trouble. Right here in River City.

But let’s not forget what we know. In Jesus, we have peace. Now. He has overcome the world. We live in that confidence. That helps me keep a proper perspective on what Paul calls “our light and momentary troubles.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I’ll delve into this again tomorrow.