Troubled Hearts

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John14:1-6 ESV)

When we look at this verse from John, Jesus tells the Apostles not to be troubled. They were not to be troubled because they walked with Jesus. They believed in God, and as Jesus was God, they should believe in Him, too. They knew by the Spirit that Jesus was the Son of God.

For those who do not know Christ, the burden of the world can be overwhelming. However, those who are in Christ are not of this world, and this burden is lifted from them, bringing a sense of comfort and relief.

In his gospel prologue, John tells us that Jesus is the Word of God. He existed with God eternally before creation and will live forever. Jesus is God. Those who believe in him receive the gift of eternal life from Jesus by his grace and will not die, instilling a sense of hope and optimism.

Jesus told the Apostles of God’s mansion in heaven and that He would prepare rooms for them. They knew Jesus, and they believed Him. For those who do not know Christ, there is no hope, no heaven, no God. Most of these people who deny God also deny their ultimate destination as a result of their unbelief: hell. Without Christ, there is no hope.

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus reminds us of what awaits those who deny Him:

"The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish." (Luke 16:22-25 ESV).

Jesus speaks about hell throughout the New Testament, and we should take heed of His warning. Jesus does not lie; He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will see heaven unless it is by His hand.

Do you know Jesus? Have you submitted to His Lordship? Have you professed your faith in Him, asking for the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of eternal life? Have you repented your sins before God? It is pressing that if your answers to these questions are no, you seek Him now. We are human; our time is limited, and there may not be a tomorrow. Do not wait another minute; profess your faith in Christ and repent your sins; you will receive the peace of Christ and a new beginning with Him.

God’s blessings!