“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1. We’ve looked at a lot of encouraging passages of Scripture since this e-newsletter began. In fact, we’ve probably mentioned this one at some point or another. I really don’t know a more encouraging verse than this one. Jesus Himself tells us to not let our hearts be troubled. Don’t worry…about anything!
Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure; His return to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, to rule over His new, eternal kingdom. It’s a terrifying feeling to know that a comfortable time or relationship is changing or ending. We know when a loved one who is faithful to God dies, we will see him again if we ourselves live a faithful life. Still, we don’t like that separation. When a young couple has their first child and prepares to leave the hospital there is a feeling of panic that comes with the realization that there is no little button at the side of the bed at home that will bring a nurse when you press it.
That must have been the kind of emotions that the apostles were experiencing when Jesus would talk of going away. Yet go away He must. They didn’t quite understand the concept that He would still be with them, but He was. And He is! Still with us, that is. Listen to the rest of what Jesus had to say in John 14: “In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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 you know the way where I am going." John 14:2-4.
Those men who were terrified that Jesus was leaving them alone in this world needed to know that He was coming back to get them; He wasn’t leaving them all alone. And when you feel as though He’s left you all alone, you need to know that He’s away now, preparing a place for you and He’s coming back to get you if you belong to Him. And here’s what may be the most important part of what He said: “…you know the way where I am going.”
Jesus didn’t leave us in the dark. He told us where He was going and how we could follow Him. He left us an example. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself [literally, “delivering Himself and that situation over”] to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:21-24).
He intended (and intends) for us to follow His example so that we can be with Him in heaven forever. Don’t you find that encouraging? I do. He may not be here in a form where I can cry on His shoulder, hold His hand, or hug His neck, but He’s here, nevertheless. He’s not gone away and left me alone. And He’s told me how to get where He is and that if I’ll do those things in faith, He’ll come again and get me to take me home with Him. I don’t know about you, but I find that just a little on the encouraging side.
God doesn’t want you to lose your soul. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And yet to perish is just exactly what each of us deserves. God loves you enough that He took the steps necessary to see that you don’t have to lose your soul. Think about it this way: when you die, you don’t have to stay dead! And that’s because your heavenly Father loves you. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Now, how’s that for a way to start off the week? I hope you feel as special as you are. I pray that the knowledge of God’s love for you will help you have just the best week ever. Don’t let your heart be troubled. There really isn’t anything in this world that you might suffer that is worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to you if you will faithfully serve your heavenly Father (Romans 8:18). Know that God loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates