Let Not Your Heart be Troubled
The account of the betrayal, trials, and crucifixion of Christ tells of His troubles and conflicts of heart due to the occasion (Jn. 13:21, 31-38). It was also a time of great emotional conflict in the hearts of His disciples. It was in the midst of these emotions that Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled” (Jn 14:1).
“Troubled” (tarasso) means to stir or agitate. “Heart” (kardia) is the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind). We might say “don’t worry,” “stay calm,” or “be cool.” This command was not an easy thing to obey. Considering all their actions; it was not a command which was readily obeyed.
Yet today, we take great comfort in the words of John 14:1-6. We read it and quote it; but our personal application of the idea is accomplished as poorly as it was by His first disciples. Let us consider His teaching and learn to apply the message; because we are not only admonished to calmness in the face of storm; but we are told how not to be troubled, as well. Five points are made which give “how not to be troubled” when all your world is coming apart.
First is faith in Jesus. “Ye believe in God.. also in me believe.” Maintaining faith in Jehovah is as much a problem for them as maintaining faith in a dying Son of God. The truth remains: peace of heart is a direct function of our faith in Jesus. Peace is the promised gift of the Savior (Jn. 14:27). The gospel message is a message of peace with God (Eph. 6:15; 2:17). Our peace with God is the result of our salvation (Rom 5:1; 15:13; Col 1:20). The spiritually minded seeks for, looks to, and has his mind set on peace (Rom 8:6; Gal 5:22). Peace is a part of the nature of the Kingdom of Christ (Rom 14:17). We are not then surprised that the apostle places the peace of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:5-7). When the circumstances of life are difficult, perplexing, and frustrating, the Christian remains at peace. When our hearts are caught in those conflicts which tear at the very fabric of our heart; peace and calmness comes from the depth of our own personal faith in Jesus Christ. See Phil 4:13 and Phil 1:21.
Secondly, in My Father’s house are many mansions. Heaven is a big city created for a large number of people. A common misconception comes from “few are those who find it” (Matt 7:14) or “a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water (1 Pet 3:20). When we combine the relatively few with the “difficulty that the righteous is saved” (1 Pet 4:18), we falsely conclude that the City of God is the size of a small country town. The idea contradicts the Lord’s statement “in My Father’s house are many mansions” and the “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” in heaven (Rev 5:11). Relative to the many sinners in this world; the righteous have always been a few; but counting all the faithful throughout all ages still adds up to “thousands or thousands.”
Satan has effectively told two contradictory lies about the number in heaven. To those who are not going there, he tells them that it is a great place and they are included when they are not. But to the people of God, Satan’s lie is “it’s too small a place to include you!” Let us hear the Lord: “in My Father’s house are many mansions!” Let not our hearts be troubled by some limitation on number in heaven.
“If it were not so, I would have told you.” Essential to not being troubled in heart is (thirdly): faith in the revelation of God; i.e., that it is complete, and correct and contains everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). All we could ever need to be godly and live eternally is revealed. We need no other revelation; therefore, our hearts need not be troubled by wondering if there is something else we need in order to please God. We have the completed revelation (2 Tim 3:16-17). The revelation of God is adequate, complete, and understandable (Eph. 3:4). This is a great mind-settling truth. I have no reason to get all bent out of shape about the things which have not been revealed. “If it were not so, I would have told you.”
Fourthly; heaven is a place prepared “for you” (Jn. 14:2-3). Earlier we described the great number in heaven in order to include you and me; but it is quite another matter to describe heaven as place specifically prepared for you. To go to a restaurant when food is prepared for many is one thing; but it is a whole other matter to have a meal prepared “for you.” Your place in heaven is among many mansions; but is still your place prepared for you. Paul wrote about the crown of righteousness, not as one size fits all, but as one “laid up for me” (2 Tim 4:6-8). Don’t miss the emphasis! Never fail to make heaven your personal place. Whatever difficulties, hardships, headaches, problems and turmoils of heart that might arise, you can “not let your heart be troubled” by placing yourself personally in your own personal mansion in the city of God. If you do that, all the things of this life become matters of relatively little unimportance.
Fifthly; Jesus is “the way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:4-6). Jesus is the way to heaven. He is the word, the truth, the message of salvation. And He is the life –the first-fruits of the resurrection. The days of Jesus trial, death, and burial were most difficult for those apostles. And yes, Satan did sift Peter like wheat, and all the apostles fled away. But, on the morning of the first day of the week; how things changed when Jesus was not in that sepulcher! And the message was “He is risen!” He lives! He is not just our teacher of good things; rather He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God!
This is what they preached (Acts 2:32). His Lordship is a certainty (Acts 2:36).
He is a risen Savior. “I serve a risen Savior.” That keeps my heart from being troubled. Obey Him now! (Mark 16:16).