31. DO NOT LET OUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

THE ‘LET’ OF JESUS IN HOLY WEEK
Tuesday, March 30th

Read John 14:1-27.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1 (NRSV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27 (NRSV)

I cannot imagine such a love as this. Even as he is aware of all the pain and suffering he would soon endure, Jesus spends time with his disciples this way: sharing his love, encouragement, instruction, and hope-filled promises. He assures them of all the reasons they should not let their hearts be troubled. What a beautiful gift this is for us, too. Do not Let our hearts be troubled is our invitation for today.

Aren’t his words the greatest gift of our faith? His words give us our reason for hope, peace, and even joy in the midst of our worldly cares and hardships…

~ In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also (verses 2-3). Even as I find peace and hope in God for my everyday losses and resurrections, I am always grateful to hold this promise of an eternity that will be even better than I can fathom.

~ I am the way, and the truth, and the life (verse 6). When my world is muddled and murky, I am blessed to pray, “I have no idea what I am doing or where I am going. But you are enough, Jesus. Guide me through this time. I put my trust in you.”

~ The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these… (verse 12). Jesus calls me to serve others in love, but he also empowers me to do more than I can imagine, more than I could ever do on my own, especially when I team with others. Because of him, I can live and love abundantly.

~ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth… he abides in you and he will be in you… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you (verses 16-17). When I wonder about the meaning of my life, whether I am doing what I am here to do, if my thoughts, words, and actions are pleasing to God, Jesus gives me the Spirit to show me all I need to know and be and do.

~ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you (verse 27). I find my peace because Jesus gives it to me. Freely. Generously. Constantly.

Through Jesus, we have the promises of God here with us now, as well as the hope of a better life to come. We have the intercession and wisdom of the Spirit for every moment. We have the power of Christ to live a life of abundant love. We have the confidence that flows from trusting the One who is our companion, guide, power, strength, source of hope and peace. Every day. Forever.

We have Jesus himself, who knows our earthly sorrows and pain because he has already experienced them. When we face our most difficult hour, we have his friendship with us, his strength and assurance for each moment, the truth of his love and life, and always his promise of a better ending.

Do not let our hearts be troubled.

~~~~~

May we not let our hearts be troubled, for we can be certain that Jesus’s words and promises are true and trustworthy – because he needed to fully trust them himself.

~~~~~

Our reading for tomorrow will be Matthew 26:36-39.

Photo by Karen, Hurricane, WV

Bible verses found at BibleGateway.com