February 21 I Tuesday

Numbers 1-2

Mark 3:1-19

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”     —John 14:27

There are events in life that causes us to worry and panic, such as a sudden job loss, health issues or economic downturn. Whatever the case may be, each of us can identify moments in our life when we are grappled with fear and troubled hearts.

       Hours before Jesus went to the cross, His disciples were feeling anxious when Jesus shared what would eventually transpire. Jesus knew full well what would happen to Him. As He prepared His mind for that reality, He described to His disciples what was going on. He said, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: where I am going, you cannot come” (John 13:33). The disciples were heading into an uncertain future and they only knew that Jesus was about to be betrayed and that He was going somewhere that they cannot follow. All the anxiety that these disciples would naturally be feeling came to the surface.

       To offer His disciples some comfort for what will transpire, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Jesus’s statement in the Greek is in the imperative form, which is spoken with force. We can translate it into English something along the lines of, “You can have confidence in Me just as you have confidence in the Father.” Jesus made this statement to a group of men who journeyed with Him in ministry for three years and witnessed the many miracles and teachings that He gave.

       When we observe the statement that Jesus made closely—“You believe in God; believe also in Me”—we will realize its profoundness because Jesus equated Himself with God, telling His disciples, “Just as you have confidence and security in knowing that God is watching over you, you can trust My words.” In fact, Jesus displayed the ultimate trust, as He went to lay down His own life on a cross because He had full assurance that the Father was going to resurrect Him. Jesus Himself modeled the very trust that He was asking from His disciples.

       We may currently be experiencing some anxiety and trouble in our life. Maybe a friend has betrayed us, just as a friend betrayed Jesus on that evening. Our life may feel a little uncertain right now but in the quiet, may we hear the comforting words of Jesus echoing in our ears: “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in Me.” We can trust Jesus with whatever happens in our life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your words of comfort. My heart need not be troubled as I place my trust in You alone. Praise You!