Jesus’ question to the disciples in today’s gospel is pointed and direct: “Do you believe now?” We can imagine our Lord speaking it in several ways, each with its own emphasis—possibly in earnest inquiry, maybe with skepticism, or perhaps with marked exasperation.

I doubt this was the response that the disciples hoped for when they declared their faith. They had finally overcome their doubts and confusion. They made their grand declaration. And Jesus’ response was to question their commitment and then to declare that they would abandon him. They must have felt crestfallen, afraid, even angry.

Yet Jesus declares, “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.” Where do we find peace in this passage? Where is the consolation?

We are confronted with one place we should not search for peace: in our own individual understanding and in the strength of our personal faith. The disciples felt that their faith was finally beyond question, and at that moment Jesus assured them that they would be scattered. Yet he offers them comfort in spite of—or perhaps because of—their coming failure.

As I read this passage, I marveled at the shocking juxtaposition: Jesus foretells the disciples’ abandonment and then offers them reassurance.

He reminds them that the Father’s work does not depend on their faithfulness, and neither does Jesus’ love and concern. It is always there, no matter what. He is not merely preparing them for persecution: He prepares them to confront their own frailty and sin. When Jesus proclaims, “I have conquered the world,” he refers not just to the tribulations of the outer world but to the darkest parts of our own hearts. Knowing all of this, we may truly have peace and courage.