“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
{John 16:33} (NIV 1984)
Peter was there listening as our Lord spoke these words. He would remember them as he sat by himself after denying the Lord. He would remember them as he got back together with the disciples after the death of their Lord, and found out that only John was at the cross.
The Lord told them that they would be scattered and leave Him alone, and Peter never forgot it. The book of Acts tells us that Peter rejoiced when he suffered for the sake of his Lord. Church tradition tells us that he willing went to his death and asked to be crucified upside down for he was not worthy of dying in the same manner as his Lord.
As we read the words of 1 Peter 5, we can hear echoes of the words of Jesus to Peter as He spoke to him about feeding His sheep. Peter appeals to the men of the church, to be who God wants them to be as men, whether leaders or followers. Men who won’t scatter to their own homes, and leave everyone to themselves, in the midst of suffering, but men who will stay together and will care for the people of their Lord.
Take heart, take courage, for our Lord overcame the world! Stick together, encourage each other, for this time will pass and God will restore you. Suffering is for a little while, but we are called to eternal glory!
Thanks for shephearding us I really needed the scripture of the day.
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