Berita NECF Newletters

From The Chairman

Each New Year brings with it fresh challenges. Many people enter a new year with mixed emotions – excitement because of new opportunities and anxiety because of the unknown.

Jesus’ command to His disciples in John 14:31 “Arise let us go from here” is a very apt scripture to ponder on as we look to the year ahead. In this scripture passage, the disciples needed hope and direction. Jesus was about to return to the Father, leaving them to complete the work He had assigned them. They would be facing many new challenges.

Today, this command continues to speak positively and forcefully to the challenges we face; to bring hope and comfort to those who are fearful and aimless in life; and to emphasise our need to arise and go from where we are to where and what God wants us to be.

We can be joined together with God and with others. The Hebrew equivalent “Shalom” means, “freedom from trouble”. It is possessing the highest joy and possessing all the inner good possible.

The world looks for peace through escapism, avoiding trouble, by refusing to face reality and denial of problems. It is sought through pleasure, satisfaction and material contentment that does not last. The peace of Jesus in contrast is a peace of tranquility of mind, calmness in the face of troubled situations. It is more than feelings or emotions, even more than attitude and thought.

It is the peace of conquest – “overcome the world”. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Arise & Go

Let us consider the scriptural context of the command.“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here”(John 14:27–31).

The scriptural context of the command points out three sources of power for us to “Arise and go”.

The source of Peace (John 14:27)
Jesus promised them His peace. The Greek word for peace “eirene” means, “bound together or weaved together”.

It is a peace of assurance – unquestionable confidence and a guaranteed outcome of good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

It is the peace of intimacy with God It is the peace that settles the mind, strengthens the will and establishes the heart “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

This peace is yours as you face the New Year.

The source of joy (John 14:28–29)
This speaks of “inner gladness or a deep sense of satisfaction and assurance” which comes from the fact that the death and resurrection of Jesus delivers us from sin, death and hell. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (Jn 5:24).

It is a joy that does not depend on “happenstance” – it comes from a relationship with God and is an overflow of it. It comes from an assurance that He will lead you step by step. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

May this joy strengthen and motivate you as you do His will.

The source of security (Jn 14:30–31)
As we face the New Year, we are safe and confident because of the security in the Father’s love for Jesus. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17–18).

Furthermore, we find security that stems from Jesus’ victory over Satan and know he is a defeated enemy. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”(Hebrews 2:14–15).

This security addresses all anxiety and gives confidence to face the future.

Because of these wonderful truths, we can “Arise and go”, prepared to face the challenges of 2006. May you be strengthened and encouraged by the peace, the joy and the security that comes from Jesus! May the Lord give you a fruitful and joyful year ahead as you continue to faithfully serve Him.

 



[ Back ] [ Print Friendly ]