Sadness and fear lingered in the hearts of the disciples that night.

Talk of Jesus’s death had become for them a somber inevitability. It was dark, and Judas had gone. As Luke describes, it was the “hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). All seemed lost, or very nearly.

But that’s when Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” Words not of soft wispy sentiment, they’re instead words of command. Do not be afraid! Believe! Against all sadness and fear and sense of having lost it all, Jesus tells his disciples to be strong and to believe, even though it’s dark outside and evil’s at play.

They’re to believe that Christ’s suffering and death is God’s powerful love and infinite reconciliation, and not pathetic defeat. Later that evening, Jesus said he “conquered” the world, and just hours before his execution (John 16:33)! It’s the same language found in Revelation to describe martyrs and all who persevered in faith; they’re “conquerors” (Revelation 21:7).

Which is what we’re to be too. We’re to be faithful even when it seems we ought to be scared or sad. Yes, it sometimes looks as if it’s all gone upside down. The faith is belittled, goodness is defeated. Churches are closed. Yes, sometimes it looks bad. But still Jesus tells us to have faith, tells us not to be afraid.

Which is why he promised us the Spirit. It’s why he gives us the Spirit. Because it’s a Spirit of fearlessness.