Flying Feet

“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Overcome – Tribulation is inevitable, if you’re following.  It’s not continuous (God be praised), but it’s certainly going to show up sometime.  The only way to avoid it is the Judas solution – betrayal.  Of course, we can betray Jesus in many ways.  It’s not always about silver.  A life fixated on security, happiness or pleasure is just another version of the thirty pieces.  Jesus tells us that wherever we discover the world loves us (and we love the world loving us), we need to take a closer look at our commitment to Him.

Tribulation is inevitable.  The world doesn’t love Jesus and it doesn’t love those who love Him.  But there is another inevitability.  Jesus has overcome the world.

Nenikeka (I have overcome) is easier to remember if you see that it is related to the Greek word for victory, nike.  Shoes.  Winning, victorious shoes.  Shoes that fly.  Do you remember that “Air Jordan” symbol?  Well, Jesus has a nike symbol too.  It’s the cross.  The most powerful symbol of victory Man has ever seen.  The cross overcomes the world.  Why?  Because only the cross can bridge the gap between men and God.  If He did not die, you could not live.  If you do not die, you cannot live with Him.

Who could have imagined that overcoming the world would mean dying?  No one in the first century believed that death was the way to life.  Few believe it today.  Death seems to be defeat, not victory.  “I want to live”, shouts the man in trouble.  Jesus says, “Then learn how to die.”

Now we can see why inevitability number 1 (you will have tribulation) is not overwhelming.  Inevitability number 2 really says, “The world has no grip on you.  Let it do whatever it wishes, you are freed from it power.  You’re dead.  You died with me on that Roman torture machine.  Inevitability number 1 has been cancelled.  Your life belongs to me and I will make sure that it overcomes.  Take my shoes.  They’ll fit.”

Jesus went before me.  To the cross.  To the grave.  To resurrected life.  I’m just following along behind the victory march.