Don’t worry; don’t be afraid

"Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."- John 14:27

Jesus was meeting with the disciples behind closed doors in an upper room, which hid him from public scrutiny–at least for the moment. His words flowed from His heart. He said, probably quietly and with great confidence, "Stop letting your hearts be troubled!" Verbs in the Greek language convey a definite kind of action that they do not convey in English, and the one that Jesus used in the above passage indicated that worry and concern had begun a long while before and were continuing.

The Greek word which is usually translated "to be troubled" means to be disturbed or upset. It can also mean terrified or frightened. Used of water, it meant to stir something up.

Simply put, the word describes someone who is really bothered and upset by a situation. The disciples who met with Jesus in that upper room had plenty of reason to be disturbed. Earlier in the week Jesus had evoked the anger of the religious community when He went into the temple and overturned the tables of the moneychangers. The elders were angry and now considered Him to be an enemy.

Moments before, Jesus had taken off His outer garments, draped Himself in a towel and washed the feet of the disciples. Then He announced that one of them was a traitor who would betray Him. Peter, making sure which side he was on, announced that he would never deny his Lord, yet Jesus said that before the cock would crow, Peter would deny Him three times.

I‘m convinced however, that as Jesus looked at the twelve and said, "Don’t worry; don’t be afraid," he looked far beyond those who sat around that table. He saw the couple whose child would be born with Down’s syndrome. He saw the husband whose wife of ten years would succumb to cancer, leaving a bewildered husband with two small children. He saw the widow whose husband was buried shortly after he had just reached retirement age and who had thought that they could travel and enjoy life.

What troubles you today? Is it a matter of indifference to God, or does what Jesus said speak to your heart? Can you apply what Jesus said–"Stop worrying; stop being afraid"–to your life?

Jesus then gave them reason for confidence: "You believe in God; believe in me." It was true! They did believe in God. From the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their forebears had believed in God. It’s no different today. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians all believe in God. But, said Jesus, "Believe also in me."

If the record is true stating explicitly that Jesus lived, died and rose again, He is alive today and can do something about the circumstances which distress you. Far too often we struggle with issues as though there is no God, as though Christ had never stilled the troubled waters and said, "Peace, be still!"

How often we toss and turn at night and struggle with depression because those words have not penetrated our hearts. He still says, "Stop worrying; stop being agitated over the circumstances of your life. Believe in Me!"

The faith factor can make all the difference in your life. Listen and, in the quietness of your prayer closet, you will still hear the echo of Jesus’ words, and it will bring peace to your heart. - Resource reading: John 14:14

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