“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
JOHN 14:1 (CSB)

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“When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in his spirit and testified, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me,’” (John 13:21).

Jesus was unflappable. He was calm, cool, collected. Jesus was never afraid. 

Lepers on the loose? He reached out and touched them, conferring his healing grace. 

Storms threaten to sink the ship? Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and produced an atmosphere reflecting his nature. 

Dead friend in the grave four days? Jesus commanded life. 

Facing betrayal, beating, and crucifixion? Jesus “was troubled in his spirit.” 

If Jesus was troubled, then it is no surprise that his disciples would be troubled. 

The Betrayer was now gone to do his will his way. A friend, a chosen one would lead others to seize Jesus and secure him to kill him. A friend. A follower. One who participated in miracles. One who saw the dead raised to life. One who carried words of truth and life to others. 

Events were inaugurated that would intensify the darkness. Lives would be lost. Relationships would be severed. Fear would replace faith. John was right. “It was night,” (13:30).

In Luke 9:51, we see Jesus’ resolution to step into this moment. His time had fully come. The horror of what was ahead was known only to him. Every friend and follower would soon have their worlds turned upside down. Each of those who knew him, loved him, and trusted him would discover the impossibility of finding a safe place to hide from the evil of this hour. 

Jesus was troubled because of the trouble to come in Judas’ last betrayal as he took his own life as the only way out of his impossible circumstances. 

Jesus was troubled by all the pain and loss all of history had built up leading to this moment. Every sin ever sinned and all sin to come was gathered together to lay on Jesus. He would bear your sin and mine on that cross. 

Jesus was troubled. Yet Jesus remained resolute. Jesus knew all about Judas. He knew all about Peter. He knew all about John and the women, including his mother, who would gather before him on that awful hillside and see those awful sights and hear those awful taunts and witness that awful spear plunged into his lifeless body.

Jesus then looked beyond the loss to the gain and said, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” Stronger than any trouble you and I will ever face is the assurance that our Father in heaven has never lost control. He is in charge here. Darkness has its moments. The Light of the World illuminates eternity. 

When your heart experiences trouble, know Jesus has been where you are. He has a gift for every troubled soul. We find it in John 16:33:  

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Be courageous. These are the words of Jesus to you and to me. We can live fearlessly and faithfully because Jesus has overcome every trouble and Jesus makes it possible for us to overcome every trouble as well. 

Stop being troubled.

Start living courageously.

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I will live courageously.

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Our Father, this world is full of trouble. We experience trouble frequently. Thank you that there is no trouble we will ever face that separates us from your love, your grace, and your peace. May we live so closely connected with you that we radiate your peace in every trouble we face. Amen.