Jesus prophesied that the disciples would desert him in fear, but their only solution would be to return to him. In a world today that offers tribulation Jesus offers peace. Only Christ can conquer the falsehood of a lying world and deliver true peace, if we accept his offer.

The way to peace is Jesus, and that beginning is found in salvation through Christ alone. “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:1). Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes he lets the storm rage, and calms his child.

Jesus tells us to “take heart” or “take courage.” This means that he is encouraging us not only to take what he is offering, but to know that he would not offer something if it didn’t have a guarantee. We have been given that guarantee when he said, “I have overcome the world” v.33. Jesus does not offer us false promises; he offers us the ultimate guarantee, himself.

Jesus said “behold the hour has come…” Perhaps today is your hour. Perhaps today in your heart of hearts God is speaking to you and says, “Take heart.” In other words, take courage. Go ahead take it, salvation that is. Take the free offer of salvation of peace and forgiveness and eternal relationship with God in Heaven. Let today be your hour to take what Christ freely offers you now.