May 10, 2020
JOHN 14:1-14
Did you know that heart trouble is the leading cause of death in the world today? In the United States one person dies every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease. That comes to over 647,000 Americans each year. Because of this, many of us have been advised by our doctors to change our diet to low fat foods and exercise more. Some of us even take cholesterol-lowering medicine.
This morning, however, our Scripture lesson refers to a different type of heart trouble. Heart trouble that afflicts the very center of our being. Young or old, no one is immune to this type of heart trouble. The current pandemic has infected us in many ways, even if we have not caught the virus itself, our hearts have been troubled by many things. Change always induces a sense of anxiety, and we certainly have seen a number of changes in our lives from staying home for weeks on end, to wearing a mask when we go to the grocery store. Then of course, there is the underlying fear that we might contract the virus itself.
About now, many of us are starting to feel that the walls are closing in around us, and we wonder when we will once again be able to be out and about. Our hearts are troubled with uncertainty. Yet, now is the time to remember Jesus’ words, “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” In John 14:27 Jesus also said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Perhaps you are thinking, just what does “not let your heart be troubled” really mean? In general, it means putting our heart at ease and trusting in the Lord; not giving up hope, and keep looking to the Lord. If truth be told, this is not an easy job for any of us, and it is easy to feel guilty when our faith and trust waivers. We ask ourselves, “are we supposed to be cheerful and confident in our faith at all times?” Many Christians think this is what this verse means. But they forget that Jesus himself was not immune to this kind of reaction to pressure. Three times in the chapters before this John, using the same word on those occasions as he has here, records that Jesus was “deeply troubled in spirit.” Thus, it is clear that we may expect to feel troubled at times. As Christians we are not excluded from feeling the pressure that everyday life brings, or from being in danger. We need to remember that the apostles went through times of great peril, during which they feared and trembled. Thus, it is not wrong for Christians to feel pressured and fearful. What this is teaching, and what our Lord means by, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” is that, while we cannot prevent stress, we can overcome it. This is where this passage has much rich meaning for us.
Our Scripture lesson for today gives us the tools we need to stop letting our hearts be troubled. First, Jesus tells us that we don’t need to let our hearts be troubled because there is an eternal home in heaven for each of us. In fact, Jesus himself has prepared the place for us. Jesus knows each one of us, our quirks, likes and dislikes, and He has prepared a place especially for us.
Secondly, even better, Jesus states, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” That is, Jesus promises that we will be with Him. Not stuck in our little space by ourselves, but living with Him. Jesus will come for us and receive us Himself. Jesus has time for each of us and He doesn’t have someone else welcome us and show us our room, but He, Himself, is there to welcome us and show us the way. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than that! In these days of uncertainty, we can rely of Jesus to keep His word.
In fact, Jesus meant these words to be comforting and to remove any fear and anxiety that we might have about our immediate future. The words are meant to stop our hearts from being troubled, and to give us strength to go on with life and make the best of what we have at present.
Thirdly, we are assured that we do know God even though He seems allusive at times. Jesus stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Knowing God through Jesus provides us with a roadmap to follow to become more like Him. What a comfort to know that Jesus is here with us showing us the way forward.
As we begin the upcoming week, we are assured that we are safe in Jesus’ arms. I don’t know exactly what is happening in your life right now, but I do know that God is going to make everything okay in His own perfect timing. Because of what Jesus did for each of us on the cross, we need not be afraid. Let Jesus’ words echo in your minds and hearts throughout the week. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Amen