Jesus begins the 14th chapter with “Do not let your hearts be troubled” and ends chapter 16 with “I have told you these things so that, in me, you may have peace”
The end of chapter 13 gives us the backdrop for Jesus’ statements.
Jesus is sharing His last meal with the disciples, Judas Iscariot has
just been identified as the betrayer and Peter’s denial has just been predicted…so don’t be troubled, have peace. Say What?
His original disciples didn’t have the benefit of reading the New Testament, they
were too busy living it and without the rest of the story I really don’t think they were
understanding what Jesus was saying about “the Spirit of Truth” and going away
and coming back. Kind of like the first time you or I read
the Gospels we didn’t get it... and we even have the rest of the story!
The title “Troubled Peace” uses two terms that are directly opposed to each other but
something every believer in the risen Christ can probably identify with.
I am troubled that a friend of ours has cancer and may be getting
worse. He is a believer in Christ and lives a life that bears
good fruit, he’s definitely going heaven when he is finished here.
I am troubled because I know his time here is short, but Jesus said not
to be troubled and He said it so we may have peace.
The peace comes through faith, believing what the Lord
has said. I Grieve from knowing that I will miss him and his
infectious faith, his passion for studying the Bible and his selfless interest
in others. Oh, and my wishing I had kept up with him better.
I have to rest in my understanding of and faith in God’s word.
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place
is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true"
Revelation 21:3-5
No more tears, mourning, crying or pain...for these words are
trustworthy and true.
The trouble comes from saying goodbye, the peace comes from my
faith in His Words for they are trustworthy and true.
The end of chapter 13 gives us the backdrop for Jesus’ statements.
Jesus is sharing His last meal with the disciples, Judas Iscariot has
just been identified as the betrayer and Peter’s denial has just been predicted…so don’t be troubled, have peace. Say What?
His original disciples didn’t have the benefit of reading the New Testament, they
were too busy living it and without the rest of the story I really don’t think they were
understanding what Jesus was saying about “the Spirit of Truth” and going away
and coming back. Kind of like the first time you or I read
the Gospels we didn’t get it... and we even have the rest of the story!
The title “Troubled Peace” uses two terms that are directly opposed to each other but
something every believer in the risen Christ can probably identify with.
I am troubled that a friend of ours has cancer and may be getting
worse. He is a believer in Christ and lives a life that bears
good fruit, he’s definitely going heaven when he is finished here.
I am troubled because I know his time here is short, but Jesus said not
to be troubled and He said it so we may have peace.
The peace comes through faith, believing what the Lord
has said. I Grieve from knowing that I will miss him and his
infectious faith, his passion for studying the Bible and his selfless interest
in others. Oh, and my wishing I had kept up with him better.
I have to rest in my understanding of and faith in God’s word.
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place
is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true"
Revelation 21:3-5
No more tears, mourning, crying or pain...for these words are
trustworthy and true.
The trouble comes from saying goodbye, the peace comes from my
faith in His Words for they are trustworthy and true.
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