Rev Francisco BilogJOHN 14:1-14
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Again and again at funerals we read this passage. John’s recollection of Jesus’ words spoke to the disciples and speaks to us, also. The experiences of that last week troubled the disciples of Jesus. Jesus’ ministry was moving to a meaningful climax. The people were willing to proclaim Jesus to be their Messiah. They should have been days of triumph, but Jesus was speaking of death. He was talking about his own death rather than his triumph. He portrayed the end of his ministry rather than its beginning.
Jesus knew the troubled hearts of his disciples. He had experienced the same emotions. Jesus stood with the sisters at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and shuddered (John 11:33) . Facing the death of a friend was a troubling experience for Jesus. Jesus experienced the same troubling when he considered his betrayal by Judas (John 13:21) .
I. Troubled Hearts Are Common to All
We also have troubled hearts today. We see our children waste their talents as they wander from the way of living we taught them. Our hopes and dreams are shattered as we see them wasted like the prodigal. Our hearts may be troubled by difficulty at work. Our hearts may be troubled by our lack of faith or our failure to develop our faith in God. Death of a friend or family member or self may cause our hearts to be deeply troubled. Whatever the reason for our troubled hearts, it is so similar to that experience of the disciples—even of Jesus himself.
II. Faith Can Overcome Any Fear
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” That is no glib or easy answer. It is an answer of faith. John MacMurray described most of us when he described many persons riddled by fear because they think they are alone in a hostile world. Like the disciples of long ago, we do have plenty around us that can trouble us—and does trouble us.
False religion promises that the worst will not happen. Many seek God to escape troubling times. We think that if we can only be with him, obey him, love him, ask him, then God will make sure we do not have to endure the worst. Such a promise is impossible. We cannot escape the troubles of life. A teenage son of friends was killed in an accident. The father and the mother have given their lives and their talent to serve God. If any family should have received a special favor from God, it would be them. No one escapes troubles in life.
Jesus promises that when the worst does happen, one does not have to live in fear and pain. Faith can overcome fear. Calm can come to anxious spirits. Comfort can come to those in deep anguish.
Mark tells the story of Jairus’s daughter. Jairus was the leader of the synagogue. His daughter was ill. Jairus came to Jesus begging him to cure the girl. While they proceeded through the crowds, friends admonished Jairus not to bother Jesus any longer since the daughter died. Jesus heard them and said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36).
Matthew couples fear and faith in a story found in chapter 8. Jesus and the disciples were in a boat during a storm. The disciples awakened Jesus and pleaded for him to act to save their lives. Jesus objected that their faith was not strong enough to overcome their fear (Matt. 8:23-27). “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus’ words are no simple answer or flippant advice. Jesus’ words are a call to faith. Believe in him; believe in God. One can have faith in the power of the divine. One can trust in him, depend upon him. With such trust and faith, the troubles of life will not disappear. They can be overcome. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (Harold C. Perdue)