Nov 21, 2021
Scripture Reading: John 14:1-11
In this passage, it is particularly helpful to remember that John did not write in terms of chapter divisions. Chapter 13 ends with Jesus telling His disciples that he was going to go away and that they could not follow him. Further, He said that Peter would deny Him before the sun rose on the next day.
These must have been very troubling words for the disciples to hear. Therefore, it is important for Jesus to comfort these men by telling them, not simply that they should not be troubled, but precisely how they can escape being troubled and why they should not be troubled.
The way to escape the anxieties of heart, to which we are subject our whole life long, is to rest in God. What Jesus is after here is faith. "Believe in God; believe also in me" (Jn 14:1). That is the 'how' when we ask how we can escape anxieties of heart. We escape by believing, hoping, trusting in God.
The 'why' when we ask why we should not be troubled is answered here in terms of where we are going after this life and who it is who will secure our everlasting destiny. Jesus prepared a place for us and will take us to Himself, forever to be with Him. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (Jn 14:3). We are better able to endure troubles of every kind if we are convinced that forever being with Jesus is our blessed destiny.