Joh 14:1 | MHM | STEP | Christ's Consolatory Discourse. In this section, Jesus comforts his disciples. He knows they are worried, confused, and sad about what is coming. He speaks to calm their hearts and prepares them for his departure. His words show his care for their fears and his desire to give them hope. Jesus encourages them to trust in God and in him, and he promises a future home together. v. 1 : Jesus tells his disciples, Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1 ). He sees their anxiety and understands their secret worries, even when others do not. Their sadness is clear to him, just as it was when they looked at each other with concern (John 13:22 ). He knows everything that hurts us inside. They are troubled because he spoke about betrayal and his own departure. Some disciples, like Peter, feel especially sorrowful. Jesus warns them not to let their fears take over. He does not say they should never feel sad, but they should not be overwhelmed or confused by trouble, as the psalmist says, Why are you cast down, O my soul? (Psalm 42:5 ). Jesus tells them to protect their hearts, the most important part of themselves. Even if everything else falls apart, they should guard their inner peace. He speaks especially to his followers, saying that they should be different from others who do not know God. They can have joy even in hard times because they belong to him. Jesus gives them the answer to their troubled hearts: Believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1 ). Some read this as two commands: trust in God’s power and goodness, and also trust in Jesus as the one who brings us to God. Others see it as a reminder that they already believe in God, but now they must also put their faith in Jesus. Trusting Jesus means trusting that through him, we have God’s favor and promises, which we could not have on our own. Believing in Jesus is the best way to find peace. Faith brings joy, even when life is hard. As the Bible says, The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4 ), and, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed (Psalm 27:13 ).

‏ John 14:1

Christ's Consolatory Discourse.

In this section, Jesus comforts his disciples. He knows they are worried, confused, and sad about what is coming. He speaks to calm their hearts and prepares them for his departure. His words show his care for their fears and his desire to give them hope. Jesus encourages them to trust in God and in him, and he promises a future home together.

v. 1: Jesus tells his disciples, Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1 ^a). He sees their anxiety and understands their secret worries, even when others do not. Their sadness is clear to him, just as it was when they looked at each other with concern (John 13:22 ^b). He knows everything that hurts us inside. They are troubled because he spoke about betrayal and his own departure. Some disciples, like Peter, feel especially sorrowful. Jesus warns them not to let their fears take over. He does not say they should never feel sad, but they should not be overwhelmed or confused by trouble, as the psalmist says, Why are you cast down, O my soul? (Psalm 42:5 ^c). Jesus tells them to protect their hearts, the most important part of themselves. Even if everything else falls apart, they should guard their inner peace. He speaks especially to his followers, saying that they should be different from others who do not know God. They can have joy even in hard times because they belong to him.

Jesus gives them the answer to their troubled hearts: Believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1 ^d). Some read this as two commands: trust in God’s power and goodness, and also trust in Jesus as the one who brings us to God. Others see it as a reminder that they already believe in God, but now they must also put their faith in Jesus. Trusting Jesus means trusting that through him, we have God’s favor and promises, which we could not have on our own. Believing in Jesus is the best way to find peace. Faith brings joy, even when life is hard. As the Bible says, The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4 ^e), and, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed (Psalm 27:13 ^f).