It was night. Jesus knew he was going to be betrayed and crucified to bleed and die for the forgiveness of our sins. The heart of his innermost circle of friends were troubled at the news. Their Teacher was saying farewell and about to leave them alone. But Jesus comforted them saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
He rolled out a bundle of certain and sure promises to comfort their troubled minds.
The Promise of a Place
He said that he was going to prepare a place for them. And in his Father’s house are many rooms. And when they are ready he would come back to take them to be where he was.
Here is a true leader. Just at the moment of his greatest test, he calmly tells his disciples of a certain future; the glory through his suffering. You too can look ahead to heaven’s joy in future; and beginning now in your heart.
Therefore, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
The Promise of a Person
Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth. So far he was with them. Now that he was going away, it was for their benefit. For the Spirit of God who comes from the Father and he himself was to going to dwell within them. What a glorious promise it was.
God not just near them, God not just with them, God not just for them, but God in them. Yes the Spirit of God has come to dwell in our hearts. You know it by faith and can experience the living presence of Jesus today for real through the Spirit of God.
Jesus told them that he will not leave them orphans without anyone to take care of them, teach them, or guide them. The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter, Helper, Counselor, Guide, and Friend. He will be someone truly like Jesus who is called alongside to help like an Advocate pleading their cause.
He will make Jesus real to them like they used to know him while he was alive and was with them. So Jesus will no longer be absent but will be real to each one of them anytime anywhere. So also believe this promise is for you too today.
Therefore, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
The Promise of Answers to Prayer
Jesus promised them that they will know answers to prayer. There will be joy. For God the Father himself loved them. And he told them that the world will hate them because they loved him. And their path forward will also involve a lot of suffering and hardships.
But it all had a purpose. That of pruning. God will make use of suffering and hardships to remove what is hindering their close walk with God in their lives. Jesus told them that God wanted to make them fruitful. And pruning was essential for that. Answers to their prayers and yours too would be part of this fruitfulness to bring praise to God.
Therefore, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
The Promise of Joy
Jesus promised his disciples joy. He told them that if they remain in his love they will obey his commands. And when his words remained in them, it will help them remain in him. This will give them his own joy so that their joy and yours may be full as you maintain a personal intimate relationship with him.
He told them that their grief of temporarily not seeing him because of his upcoming crucifixion will turn to joy when they see him again in resurrection power and glory. Their hearts will rejoice then and no one will take away their joy. He further encouraged them to pray, to ask in his name and receive so that their joy and yours too might be full.
Therefore do not let your hearts be troubled.
The Promise of I AM
But at the beginning the disciples were confused about where Jesus was going to. So one of them asked him about the way. Jesus gave an emphatic answer to that: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Here is true leadership communication. Clarity and conviction and courage to declare it.
At the end of his farewell speech, light dawns in the hearts of his disciples. And they said they now believed in him. Jesus says, “You believe at last.” The absolute certainty of his mission reflected in his words. That helped the disciples believe. You too can place your entire confidence in Jesus, in his words and the blood he shed on the cross for you.Therefore do not let your hearts be troubled.
The Promise of Peace
Jesus ended that speech by once again reminding the disciples that in this world they will have trouble. But his peace he promised them. Oh, how much his peace is needed today. Peace because our minds are constantly troubled by fear, worry, anxiety and about what will happen tomorrow. Let the gift of the peace of Jesus surround your hearts and minds today.
“Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).
Therefore do not let your hearts be troubled.
Featured image courtesy: Photo by Rakicevic Nenad
This article is based on Jesus’ Farewell Speech on the night of the Last Supper when he was betrayed. Found in the Gospel of John Chapters 14, 15 and 16. In this talk, he introduces God the Holy Spirit in very loving and intimate way whom he would soon send to be making a dwellling in the hearts of his disciples and followers.