Title: Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled
John 14:1-7
Author: Tony Nester
“Let not your hearts be troubled.” Jesus spoke to troubled hearts. He still does.
There are always more people with troubled hearts than we suspect. It might be you this morning, or someone you love, or someone you’ll be next to this week at school, or work, or next door. “Let not your hearts be troubled” — these words of Jesus are ever needed, and ever available to us.
Here in the 14th Chapter of John’s Gospel, it’s Jesus’ disciples whose hearts were troubled. They had their reasons.
Jesus had brought them to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover, and that was a dangerous place for them. Jesus had repeatedly challenged the religious authorities, and Jerusalem was their power base. John’s Gospel tells us in Chapter 11, verse 57, that these rulers had determined to arrest Jesus as soon as they could arrange it. So the disciples were on edge.
And then Jesus revealed that there was a traitor among them - “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me” (John 13:21). That set off suspicions among the disciples, and whispers were exchanged when Judas left the room where they had gathered for the Passover supper.
The worst of it came when Jesus announced that he was soon to leave them. “Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33). You will follow later, but not now” (John 13:36).
But Peter wasn’t having it. “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? (John 13:37). Peter protests the gap Jesus was opening up between them. Jesus speaks of “later” — Peter insists on “now.” And the gap between Peters “now” and Jesus’ “later” felt like a chasm of despair to Peter. I’ll lay down my life for you, Lord!” he says. But Jesus undercuts Peter’s boldness, “You’ll deny me three times before the cock crows at the morning light.”
And here is the source of what so often troubles our hearts. So much of what we want from God isn’t given to us now. When I pray for the sick, ...
John 14:1-7
Author: Tony Nester
“Let not your hearts be troubled.” Jesus spoke to troubled hearts. He still does.
There are always more people with troubled hearts than we suspect. It might be you this morning, or someone you love, or someone you’ll be next to this week at school, or work, or next door. “Let not your hearts be troubled” — these words of Jesus are ever needed, and ever available to us.
Here in the 14th Chapter of John’s Gospel, it’s Jesus’ disciples whose hearts were troubled. They had their reasons.
Jesus had brought them to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover, and that was a dangerous place for them. Jesus had repeatedly challenged the religious authorities, and Jerusalem was their power base. John’s Gospel tells us in Chapter 11, verse 57, that these rulers had determined to arrest Jesus as soon as they could arrange it. So the disciples were on edge.
And then Jesus revealed that there was a traitor among them - “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me” (John 13:21). That set off suspicions among the disciples, and whispers were exchanged when Judas left the room where they had gathered for the Passover supper.
The worst of it came when Jesus announced that he was soon to leave them. “Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33). You will follow later, but not now” (John 13:36).
But Peter wasn’t having it. “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? (John 13:37). Peter protests the gap Jesus was opening up between them. Jesus speaks of “later” — Peter insists on “now.” And the gap between Peters “now” and Jesus’ “later” felt like a chasm of despair to Peter. I’ll lay down my life for you, Lord!” he says. But Jesus undercuts Peter’s boldness, “You’ll deny me three times before the cock crows at the morning light.”
And here is the source of what so often troubles our hearts. So much of what we want from God isn’t given to us now. When I pray for the sick, ...
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