“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

 

This is a recurring theme in Jesus’ preaching.  Things will be tough for you.  But don’t worry, stick with me and you’ll be okay.

 

The great miracle of Our Lord’s Transfiguration on the mount is an illustration of this..

 

He tells them for the first time that he’s going to be killed—and be raised on the third day, but they don’t know what that means.  In Luke’s version he then tells them that if they want to follow him, they’ll also have to take up their crosses and be ready to forfeit their lives.  Then he lets a week pass during which time there is nothing reported.

 

How hard must that week have been for the apostles?  The tension and the distress are easy to imagine.  It is only now, after having laid out clearly the hardships that he then takes Peter, James and John up and reveals to them his glory.

 

This is a real-time affirmation of what he will repeat in a word at the last supper when he will say to them, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

 

He can call us to great things that will be hard to attain because he will also give us the strength to do them.

 

Keep it in mind next time the going gets tough.