Comforting Words in a Confusing World
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
09/07/2022
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3)
It was Thursday, April 2nd, in the year 33 AD. Jesus and eleven of His closest friends were celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. There was an undercurrent of anxiety permeating the mood in the upper room as they reclined together around the table. For the past several weeks, there had been whispers that something was amiss. The Jewish Pharisees, Scribes, and other leaders had grown increasingly antagonistic toward Jesus, and the disciples were trying not to let their concern show.
It was Passover week, and despite Jesus’ direct prophecies that He would have to suffer at the hand of His enemies, some of the disciples still thought Jesus would ascend to the throne in Israel and inaugurate the long-awaited Messianic Kingdom at any moment. Jesus, being God, knew their thoughts, and sought to calm their fears.
“Do not be troubled,” He told them. “You believe in God. You can also trust Me” (John 14:1). The disciples knew the Hebrew Scriptures well. They were having trouble, however, seeing exactly how Jesus fit into the plans God revealed through the prophets. They failed to recognize that the prophets spoke plainly that the Christ would suffer before He reigned. Tragedy would precede triumph. Agony before exaltation.
More than anything, what troubled the disciples was the notion that Christ might have to depart for a while. Jesus had revealed this to them just four days earlier as they sat on the outskirts of Jerusalem the day before the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:11-27). The notion of being separated from the one Whom they had grown to love, respect, and honor was distressing to them. They had walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and spent the last three and a half years by His side. How could they go on without Him?
Jesus gently reminded them that when He went away, the separation would not be permanent. One day, they would be together again in their heavenly home. (John 14:3). “One day you will be where I am,” He said. Those simple words must have been of tremendous comfort to the disciples at such a confusing time in history.
Today, we find ourselves at another apex of global confusion. Never in human history has there been so much uncertainty around the world. Talk of a soon-coming tyrannical one-world government, the imminent onset of WWIII, the establishment of a trackable digital currency, the ever-looming threat of pandemics, warnings of an existential threat to humanity from climate change fearmongers, concerns over famine, drought, and economic calamity, and an overall sense that things are out of control has people on the edge of their seats, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
At such a confusing time in the world, we need to remember the comforting words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). If you believe in God, and trust His revealed Word, you can rest in the promise of the One who said, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:2–4).
When Jesus told the disciples they know the way, He was referring to His repeated refrain that eternal life comes only by faith alone in Him. Do you know the way? Have you placed your faith in the only One who can forgive your sin and give you the free gift of eternal life? Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
God is not worried. Jesus is not worried. And we should not be either. God’s got this!
09/07/2022
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3)
It was Thursday, April 2nd, in the year 33 AD. Jesus and eleven of His closest friends were celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. There was an undercurrent of anxiety permeating the mood in the upper room as they reclined together around the table. For the past several weeks, there had been whispers that something was amiss. The Jewish Pharisees, Scribes, and other leaders had grown increasingly antagonistic toward Jesus, and the disciples were trying not to let their concern show.
It was Passover week, and despite Jesus’ direct prophecies that He would have to suffer at the hand of His enemies, some of the disciples still thought Jesus would ascend to the throne in Israel and inaugurate the long-awaited Messianic Kingdom at any moment. Jesus, being God, knew their thoughts, and sought to calm their fears.
“Do not be troubled,” He told them. “You believe in God. You can also trust Me” (John 14:1). The disciples knew the Hebrew Scriptures well. They were having trouble, however, seeing exactly how Jesus fit into the plans God revealed through the prophets. They failed to recognize that the prophets spoke plainly that the Christ would suffer before He reigned. Tragedy would precede triumph. Agony before exaltation.
More than anything, what troubled the disciples was the notion that Christ might have to depart for a while. Jesus had revealed this to them just four days earlier as they sat on the outskirts of Jerusalem the day before the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:11-27). The notion of being separated from the one Whom they had grown to love, respect, and honor was distressing to them. They had walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and spent the last three and a half years by His side. How could they go on without Him?
Jesus gently reminded them that when He went away, the separation would not be permanent. One day, they would be together again in their heavenly home. (John 14:3). “One day you will be where I am,” He said. Those simple words must have been of tremendous comfort to the disciples at such a confusing time in history.
Today, we find ourselves at another apex of global confusion. Never in human history has there been so much uncertainty around the world. Talk of a soon-coming tyrannical one-world government, the imminent onset of WWIII, the establishment of a trackable digital currency, the ever-looming threat of pandemics, warnings of an existential threat to humanity from climate change fearmongers, concerns over famine, drought, and economic calamity, and an overall sense that things are out of control has people on the edge of their seats, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
At such a confusing time in the world, we need to remember the comforting words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). If you believe in God, and trust His revealed Word, you can rest in the promise of the One who said, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:2–4).
When Jesus told the disciples they know the way, He was referring to His repeated refrain that eternal life comes only by faith alone in Him. Do you know the way? Have you placed your faith in the only One who can forgive your sin and give you the free gift of eternal life? Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
God is not worried. Jesus is not worried. And we should not be either. God’s got this!
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