The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11, NIV)

Do you have any friends or family members who have those things they always say? Iconic phrases that make you think of them if you ever hear it elsewhere? It seems like one of those things for Jesus was this phrase: "Take heart."  

‍

Tharseo - be of good courage, of good cheer... It was the "chin up!" of Jesus' day, and it seems to be a favorite encouragement of our Lord.  

‍

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven'" (Matt. 9:2).

"Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you'" (Matt. 9:22).  

"So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you'" (Mark 10:49).

"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid'" (Matt. 14:27).

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

‍

Those who walked with Jesus knew his catchphrases, and I can only imagine the encouragement it was to Paul as he heard this same phrase whispered by Jesus to him in his dark moment, too. "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome'" (Acts 23:11).  

‍

Paul has just spoken boldly, bravely, and actually quite cleverly before the religious leaders, comprised of the two primary parties - Pharisees and Sadducees. He wisely pits them against each other to divert their attack on him and hopefully spare his life in this moment. It works, and he is whisked away by guards to a barracks where he can be protected. And in the momentary relief of this moment, as Paul sits in an unfamiliar barracks praying, the Lord draws near and the voice of Jesus comforts him - Take heart, my son!

Paul's trials (literally and figuratively) were far from over, and Jesus' message is even a bit daunting: "As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." What you just went through? Yeah, there's more to come.

‍

It's certainly not sugar-coated, but you can feel the encouragement all the same. And maybe YOU need a similar encounter with Jesus today too. If life has felt daunting lately, and the horizon doesn't look much easier, draw near the Comforter now in prayer. Jesus spoke this same, simple encouragement to some of his dearest people in their hardest moments...  

‍

As his compassion welled up for those desperate for his healing, he looked into their eyes and whispered, tharseo! Take heart!

‍

As his disciples grappled with fear, uncertainty, and confusion over who he was and all that would be, I imagine him drawing them in for a bear hug - Tharseo! Take courage! I have overcome this world.

‍

And just as he met Paul in the night, in a dark, lonely room, with a whispered, familiar comfort, so I pray he meets you this morning in the calm before your own storms: Tharseo, my child. Take heart!

Jesus, thank you for your comfort, your encouragement, and the vision that you give us to press on when life feels dark. I ask you now to pour out your compassion on my friend reading this today; give them a greater vision of hope for the future they have in you. Grant them your peace, Prince of Peace. Grant them your favor, Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides. Grant them your comfort, Holy Spirit, our Comforter. We trust you today, amen!