The Word of God points to Christ alone and no man as the hero of the church. C.H. Dodd wrote, “It is a part of the character and genius of the church that its foundation members were discredited men; it owed its experience not to their faith, courage, or virtue, but to what Christ had done with them.”
Even as Jesus predicts their scattering, in the very same breath He assures them of His peace and ability to overcome in Him. It is indeed true that if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13).
The final words of the conclusion of this, Christ’s farewell discourse, are: “Take courage; I have overcome the world.” This, remember is stated in the looming shadow of the cross! The next few hours of Christ’s life from the outside would appear to be his final defeat at the hands of the world, yet He announces complete victory over the world. In the cross, He conquers!
