John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
The hearts of the apostles were troubled because Jesus had announced to the apostles that He was going to leave them and return back to the Father. The apostle’s lives were about to be turned upside down, things were going to change. They were afraid because in their mind their leader and Savior was leaving them. All of this change would be a test of their faith.
Jesus promised comfort to the apostles that even after He returned to the Father, they could be assured that they would be in His presences both in this life and life after death. The believer in Jesus Christ can be assured that Jesus will always be present in their lives.
Jesus promised comfort to the believer by promising that they will go to heaven. In Scripture, heaven is a place where God dwells. Heaven is described as 1) a kingdom, II Peter 1:11, “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2) an inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 3) a country, Hebrews 11:16, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” and 4) a home, John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Heaven is a place where Jesus dwells. John 14:4, “And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” The believer in Jesus Christ can have comfort in the knowledge that no matter what we face in this life we will go to heaven!
Jesus was claiming to be God. When the believer discovers that Jesus is the God of creation and the Governor of the universe, he will also discover that there is no need for his heart to be troubled. The believer can be assured that God is in control.
The success of the disciples would be based on communication with Jesus through prayer. When the task seems impossible the believer can pray. We can accomplish great things for God because we are able to communicate with the Father through prayer.
The Christian cannot live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. II Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The same Holy Spirit that helped to write the Scriptures helps the believer to understand the Scriptures. Jesus promised, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” Only the believer can know the comfort of the Holy Spirit because He dwells in the believer. He can rest assured that the Holy Spirit will guide, guard, and teach him the things of God as taught in Scriptures.
Jesus assured the disciples that there was no need for the heart to be troubled because He would give them the gift of peace. Jesus was going back to the Father, but He assured the disciples that they would have fellowship with Him through study of Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” Many will face death, but death is not the end of God’s comfort in the life of the believer. Jesus stated in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus assured the disciples that they knew the way home. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Christian life is a personal walk with the living God through increased knowledge of God found in study of the Scriptures, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful journey! It is interaction with The living God!
