Overcome

Snow much fun!

February 5

"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

The word overcome has stuck with me the past week. While I want to overcome the residual effects of this stroke, there is much more on this earth to be overcome than our physical/mental ailments.  

Let's look at Jesus' life in light of the word overcome.

"They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh."

Matthew 2:11

(When was the last time we were overcome with love and worshipped Him and presented him gifts?)

"When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself.  But unsuccessfully, someone saw him and the word got around.  Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick."  Matthew 14:13-14

(When was the last time we were overcome with pity and that compassion moved us to action?)

Let's look back to the scene at the cross. It's not my favorite part of Christ's story. While it has great purpose, it is very painful to remember the sacrifice made on our part.

"All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil."  Luke 23:48-49

Have we left Jesus hanging on the cross? Is He still in the tomb?  Or does our discussion of faith reveal the VICTORY!

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!"  John 1:5

The victory over evil was won when Jesus was raised from the dead, there are repercussions for now while Satan is still allowed to roam the earth, but BOOM, we know his doom.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Romans 12:21

"Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

We need to overcome our timidity, our tendencies towards self-absorption and worldly living, and think eternally.  Then we will be more prone to tell His story!

I know an overcome!  You should come over and let me tell you about Him!