When Christ’s story gets to his passion, the very darkness of the world seems to capture many people. This most horrific suffering, death by crucifixion, represents the worst part of our humanness. Yet, in the moments leading up to his suffering, Jesus is not sitting in fear worrying about himself; he is thinking of his disciples and his desire for them to have peace. We will read later in the Gospel of John on how the resurrected Jesus appears to the disciples who were huddled together in a locked room in fear. We know that Jesus came through the locked doors twice and stood amid them and said, “Peace be with you.” Jesus wants all of his disciples to have peace, to be deeply joyful, and to have a faith that is unshakable. Jesus’ life points to his desire for our true happiness. Time and again, he went into all the dark, taboo places and took in God’s light and love so that peace and joy would reign. He desires peace and joy for all—the kind of peace that is not of the world, the kind of joy that is not of the world, and the kind of faith that is not of the world. This Jesus gives freely to all who love and follow him. This promise of Jesus is our hope when we feel overwhelmed by life’s problems. Life offers us many joys, but it has its problematic side, too. We might have to do something that seems beyond our strength. Perhaps we’re burdened by the unrealistic expectations of others. Whatever our difficulties might be, Jesus is with us to help us through them. Our trust in his presence helps us mitigate our fear and strengthen our hope.