Desperate to provide for their families, each young woman responded to the offer of hope. The promise of a position that would provide steady income. Safety. Security.  

But the skillfully planned web of deception soon swept seventeen unsuspecting women into a life of unwanted bondage, slavery, and soul-searing fear–until inconspicuous operatives provided rescue and a way of escape. Invading multiple bordellos simultaneously, operatives and police forces overwhelmed the captors, rescuing women just beyond puberty from the terror in which they’d been living.  

While most of us will never know the desperate fear these women experienced, we’ve all known pulse-pounding fear. The sort of unease that steals breath from the lungs. Raises the small hairs at the base of the neck. Ripples up and down the arms like a jolt of electricity.  

This fear? It’s the sort of fear for which Christ offered comfort hours before His own crucifixion. John 16:33 (NIV) reads, “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.” 

These words almost seem out of place. Jesus had been warning the disciples of persecution, hardship, and death. The outcome did not appear to be in Christ’s favor–and it would seem less so when His unrecognizable form was pierced through and impaled. 

Yet, Jesus sounded the clarion call of victory. Why? Jesus knew the final outcome. The cross was not His ending. It was only the beginning. That is why He said, ‘take heart’ which can also be interpreted ‘be bold’. Not only that, but the Greek root, thar, means “to bolster. Infused with strength. Exude social boldness.”  

Even though Christ would walk the way of the Passion, He was calling His followers to bold faith; assuring them they would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. 

The next sentence, I have overcome the world, hinges not on the action of overcoming but on the pronoun, ‘I’. Jesus chose to use the word, ego’–a forceful, less commonly used word–to emphasize His point.  

Only He, the Son of Man, who was “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 KJV), could prevail over sin. #peaceinChrist Click To Tweet 

Only He, the Son of Man, who was “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 KJV), could prevail over sin. 

What Did Jesus Overcome and Why Does It Matter? 

The young women trapped in the world of sex-trafficking never imagined a way of escape. They were helpless. Only those with power and influence were able to free them from harm and provide a chance for new life. A life of promise. 

In the same way, each of us was a prisoner to sin–unable to liberate ourselves of its bonds. But scripture affirms that Christ vanquished death and His resurrection have given us the opportunity for eternal life.  

“…it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV) 

Because Jesus conquered death, nothing we face this side of heaven can surpass His ability to deliver us from hopelessness to hope. Faithlessness to faith. Spiritual poverty to plenty. #overcomer Click To Tweet

Because Jesus conquered death, nothing we face this side of heaven can surpass His ability to deliver us from hopelessness to hope. Faithlessness to faith. Spiritual poverty to plenty.  

And fear? Fear is stripped of its power in the presence of the all-powerful, conquering Christ. Since we have been delivered from death to life, we can boldly and confidently declare, “Jesus, because you are the overcomer of sin, death, and disease, I have peace. Because you are the overcomer of loss and the restorer of life, I do not need to linger in a place of fear. Because you have overcome the world, I have overcome. I thank you, Lord, and praise your holy name. Amen” 

Invitation to Action

Write out and recite the prayer above, but personalize it with words that reflect your situation and circumstances. Post the prayer near your bed or in another prominent place where you can access it easily. When you feel fear tugging at you, revisit the prayer until you feel God’s presence bolstering your spirit with His bold strength.

Peace and grace,

Tammy

I often link-up with the following wonderful bloggers.

Mondays   Mandy and Michele/ Inspire Me Monday/Anita Ojeda

Tuesdays InstaEncouragements/Anchored Abode

Wednesdays  Recharge Wednesday / Tell His Story/Sitting Among Friends Linkup/Let’s Have Coffee

Thursdays Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light