Do not let your hearts be troubled…
Jesus’ troubled heart… the man
John 12:20-27 “now my soul is troubled…, and what shall I say ‘Father, save me from this hour?’”
John 13:21 Jesus was troubled in spirit, Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me
John 13:25-27 “leaning back against Jesus, he asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped in the dish.” then, dipping the piece of beard, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “what you are about to do, do quickly”
John 13:37b “...I will lay down my life for you. Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Troubled - to affect with great pain or sorrow
Disturbed, agitated, stirred up
Put in motion back-and-forth, shake to and fro
To set in motion what needs to remain still - at ease
To trouble-causing inner perplexity
Getting too stirred up inside - upset
John 14:1 do not let your hearts be troubled…
Troubled - to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread
An under-read text -usually relegated to funerals, and read there, for good reason
Jesus is not saying to His disciples that being troubled is a sin, He is recognizing that it is a condition of the human heart - it is a matter of longing, aching, fearful anticipation, anxiety, confusion, trepidation - that is why He addresses it, it is why He gives them a remedy, it is why He encourages them.
Troubled hearts - hearts that see what is coming, are startled by their surroundings, sorrowful and fearful of what is happening, and maybe even more so, what’s to come
Jesus, first, addresses the truth of the moment - He is not unaware, but in fact, knows and sympathizes - a merciful and faithful high priest - Hebrews 2:1-8
He knows our hearts – He is not calling us weak or sinful for being troubled, He knows we are weak and meets us in the moment of trouble with an affirming call to faith and courage – but where there is no trouble, there is no need for faith or courage. (Luke 12:32-34)
John 14:1a “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Jesus, next, gives a remedy of sorts, a truth, a reminder, a vision, something to look forward to - and that with great promise - BELIVE
Anchored in the truth: John 14:1b-2a “You believe in God - assumed - believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms…”
Jesus gives a vision, a promise, expressed from that truth: John 14:2-4 “...if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going”
Jesus, then, shows the way: John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where we are going, so how can we know the way’” Jesus answered “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7if you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen HIm.
Jesus, then, would encourage them: but that encouragement does not end with Him - His apostles, swept up by His Spirit, to remind us all of the future things - good things, things of His promises, but also, how we ought to live in the midst of such troubles. Picking up, where Jesus left off…
Romans 13:9b-14 “...and whatever other command there may be are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, (Mk 13:33; Lu 21:36; 1Co 16:13; 1Pe 5:8 ) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over’ the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Eph 6:10-17). 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness (Lu 21:34; 1Cor 3:3; 15:32) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy (Gal 5:20). 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Col 12-13), and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Rom 8:1-16; 2Tim 2:22; Gal 5:16-18; 6:7-8)
1Peter 4:7-12 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins (Prov 10:12; 17:9; James 5:20). 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (Rom 12; 1Cor 12-14) 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come you to test you, as though something strange is happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” (Matt 5:10-12; Rom 5:3; Phil 1:29; 3:7-16; Ja 1:2; 1Pet 1:7-9; 4:14)
Ephesians 5:15-16,19 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil… 19Sing and make music in your heart… always giving thanks to God…”
Colossians 4:2-6 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
James 5:8 “You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
The mission: Jesus’ simple instruction is that we are to love one another John 13:12-16, 31-35
“When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you? He asked them. 13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger great that the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
When Judas was gone. 34”A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
36 “Peter asked Him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later,”
14:3,6 “Jesus said, “...I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am… You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way.”
