FollowingJesus.me

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” – John 14:1

At this point in the Jesus story, the end of Jesus’ earthly life is near. He has just had his last supper with the disciples and is explaining to them what happens next – he is going to leave them by way of execution; they will all run in fear, abandoning him; and they will be hated and persecuted just like he was. In fairness, he also gives them more positive news including, his eventual return; he loves them; God the Father loves them; and it is better for them if He goes away, among other things. However, it is clear in the text that this is little comfort to the bewildered and shaken disciples.

It is in this context that Jesus says these odd and challenging words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Of course, there is reason to be “troubled;” their rabbi, teacher, friend, and leader is being persecuted, hunted, and about to be executed quite cruelly. Further, he’s warning them that the same or similar will happen to them. They have given up everything for this man Jesus and have now learned they have put their very lives on the line, but not before they do the very thing none of them can even imagine doing – abandoning Jesus. Reason to be troubled? I think so. But Jesus says, “Don’t.” “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” More than that, he says it AGAIN in verse 27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

Today, I find these three words to be both powerful and life-giving, “Do not let”. Jesus seems to believe and say that the disciples have a choice regarding their feelings. In this culture where we have become servants to our emotions, allowing how we feel to control how we live, eat, drive, shop, work, have relationships, etc. Jesus’ words are counter-cultural. As a follower of Christ, according to Christ, I don’t have to live that way. I don’t have to be a victim of my emotions. I don’t have to let my heart be troubled (and neither do you.) That is powerful!!

We live in a world with plenty of reasons to be unsettled and shaken to our core (heart-troubled). Our world is broken, people are broken, we are broken. God’s heart is broken over the pain and anguish of sin and its effect on all of creation. Jesus acknowledges that there will be fear, worry, doubt, etc. He does not deny nor scandalize the emotions. What he does is better. You will experience emotions, Jesus did too, but Jesus gives you freedom from their control if you choose freedom. We don’t have to live at the mercy of our emotions; they come and go and only have as much control as we give them.

Even in the midst of pain, as followers of Christ, we know the Answer. We know he is with us. We know he will return and set everything right. We know him who is peace. We know the one who holds tomorrow in his hands. We know the one who promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We know the one who did not withhold his own son but gave him up for us all. We know Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, our redeemer, our Good Shepherd, our shelter, our peace, our hope, our joy, our friend. Knowing these things, we can experience the pain, hurt, anger, frustration, etc. of this world and still maintain hope. We can face trouble and not be troubled in heart.

Today, many things are pushing to bring worry, doubt, fear, and trouble to your heart. Don’t let them. Your Lord reminds you today in John 14:1, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.”