John 14: 1-7-->I would like to start off by asking a simple question, how many of us have been troubled in our lives? I believe that mostly everyone can say that they have been troubled in their lives. The truth is brethren that to be troubled is something natural in human beings. Whether it be for sicknesses and family problems, human being go through troubled states countless times in their lives and is in fact a part of everyday living. Then we can also find Christians troubled in their spiritual lives. We find many brethren dragging their feet ready to quit the race. But what can we say to these brethren that are in these conditions? Can we use the the scriptures to encourage such brethren and tell them to not give up or risk losing eternal life? The answer is a definite yes. That is why I have title my lesson “Let not your heart be troubled” found in John 14:1.
The message from Jesus to his disciples in John 14 starts with the encouraging words which say
“Let not your heart be troubled”. This message was necessary due to the events that had just occurred in chapter 13. The denial of Peter, Judas leaving them to go betray their Lord and it seemed that the journey to the cross was ever more near. And it seemed that everything was going all wrong for his disciples and their spirits were slowly starting to diminish, but what they didn’t know is that a prophesy was being fulfilled. That is why Jesus being the loving and caring Lord that he was took the time to encourage and edify their faith by telling them the encouraging words “Let not your heart be troubled” and also not to be afraid John 14:27.
Jesus as God knew very well what his disciples were going through and what was awaiting them, that is why these consoling words were necessary as they would help encourage and lift up his disciples to continue this difficult journey. The fact that Jesus uses the word troubled in such a consoling way is something worthy of glorifying, as he is going through the most difficult moments in his life, but what do we see Him worry about the most? At this moment what He is worried about the most are His disciples and their state of mind. The beautiful thing brethren is that this passage does not only reflect on his disciples but can also reflect on us, as we know that our Lord Jesus was going through all this ultimately for our Salvation. Our Lord was suffering for us but at the same time using his suffering to encourage us. But sometimes brethren we read these passages without actually meditating in them. Let’s take the time right now to immerse ourselves in this passage. How many of us have thought about our Lord’s state of mind at these crucial and difficult times? We realize and know that on earth he was a man. Do you think he got troubled with the events that were to happen to him? There is no doubt if there were a time to be troubled, it would be these days, realizing that cruel and difficult road of suffering he had to endure at the cross. And yes we see in the Bible He was troubled when he asked his Father to let the cup pass from Him, Matthew 26:38- 45. It was evident that our Lord was suffering as He said “his soul was exceedingly sorrowful”. He was troubled for what would happen to Him, He was troubled because His disciples could not stay awake to encourage Him with their presence. He was troubled to the extent where we read that His sweat were like great drops of blood. But what do we see brethren our Lord doing? As a man yes He was troubled but as the compassionate Lord that He was, He took his troubled state and His suffering to encourage His disciples and us with His compassionate words. If we take the time to consider the despair our Lord went through for us so that we could have a chance of eternal life, how much more can we give up for our Lord and God, who probably suffered twice as much than we will ever suffer. He gave everything to us. How much do we really give back to him? Our Lord took the time to encourage his disciples giving words to encourage them by showing them the way and the life.
The truth is brethren that the holy Scriptures are drenched with words of encouragement. And the purpose is to lift up and encourage every Christian in times of distress and trouble.
Philippians 4: 13
Ephesians 2: 14
Philippians 2: 1- 2
As we read in these few passages we have a guide in which to turn to when in need and in times of distress. In Him we have peace (Ephesians 2:14), consolation and a way of escape from all our troubles. It is through him that we can do and defeat anything. And it is through his words that we can find consolation to all our troubles.
In conclusion brethren I would like to finish how I started.
Jesus as God knew very well what his disciples were going through and what was awaiting them, that is why these consoling words were necessary as they would help encourage and lift up his disciples to continue this difficult journey. The fact that Jesus uses the word troubled in such a consoling way is something worthy of glorifying, as he is going through the most difficult moments in his life, but what do we see Him worry about the most? At this moment what He is worried about the most are His disciples and their state of mind. The beautiful thing brethren is that this passage does not only reflect on his disciples but can also reflect on us, as we know that our Lord Jesus was going through all this ultimately for our Salvation. Our Lord was suffering for us but at the same time using his suffering to encourage us. But sometimes brethren we read these passages without actually meditating in them. Let’s take the time right now to immerse ourselves in this passage. How many of us have thought about our Lord’s state of mind at these crucial and difficult times? We realize and know that on earth he was a man. Do you think he got troubled with the events that were to happen to him? There is no doubt if there were a time to be troubled, it would be these days, realizing that cruel and difficult road of suffering he had to endure at the cross. And yes we see in the Bible He was troubled when he asked his Father to let the cup pass from Him, Matthew 26:38- 45. It was evident that our Lord was suffering as He said “his soul was exceedingly sorrowful”. He was troubled for what would happen to Him, He was troubled because His disciples could not stay awake to encourage Him with their presence. He was troubled to the extent where we read that His sweat were like great drops of blood. But what do we see brethren our Lord doing? As a man yes He was troubled but as the compassionate Lord that He was, He took his troubled state and His suffering to encourage His disciples and us with His compassionate words. If we take the time to consider the despair our Lord went through for us so that we could have a chance of eternal life, how much more can we give up for our Lord and God, who probably suffered twice as much than we will ever suffer. He gave everything to us. How much do we really give back to him? Our Lord took the time to encourage his disciples giving words to encourage them by showing them the way and the life.
The truth is brethren that the holy Scriptures are drenched with words of encouragement. And the purpose is to lift up and encourage every Christian in times of distress and trouble.
Philippians 4: 13
Ephesians 2: 14
Philippians 2: 1- 2
As we read in these few passages we have a guide in which to turn to when in need and in times of distress. In Him we have peace (Ephesians 2:14), consolation and a way of escape from all our troubles. It is through him that we can do and defeat anything. And it is through his words that we can find consolation to all our troubles.
In conclusion brethren I would like to finish how I started.
Getting troubled is part of everyday life in human beings. But if we understand and apply the Holy Scriptures in our lives we will realize that Jesus is more than sufficient to lay our burdens on Him so that one day we may see that place in our Father’s house with many mansions that is prepared for each and every one of us.
May the Lord bless today and always.
In The Lord
May the Lord bless today and always.
In The Lord
Antonio Arguera.
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