Jesus Encourages the Troubled Disciples
November 22, 2019
Commentary
The key statement in this chapter is, “Let not your heart be troubled“ (v. 1). We can understand why the disciples would be troubled. Jesus had told them that He was going to die, that one of them was a traitor, that Peter would disown Him three times, that Satan was at work against them and that all the disciples would desert Him. This would be enough to make them bewildered and discouraged. Now, to put things in the right perspective, Jesus gave them three promises:
1. He was going to prepare a place for them in heaven (v. 2).
2. He promised to return for His people (v. 3).
3. He would make it possible for us to go to heaven through Him (v. 6).
Thomas still did not understand the meaning of Christ’s statement, so he asked a question. In simple terms he said, “I don’t know where you are going, so how could I possibly know how to get there” (vv. 4-5). Jesus made it clear that He was going to the Father and that He was the only way to the Father (v. 6). Jesus’ statement that “no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” erased the possibility of going to heaven through good deeds, religious ceremonies, etc. (v. 6). We do not have to wait until we enter heaven to get to know the Father. We can get to know Him and receive the spiritual resources to keep going when the days are difficult (v. 7).
Application
There have been times when I have been troubled and tried to work things out myself. I must remember, the Lord has the answer to our every problem just as He did for the disciples. If I try to take care of my own troubles, rather than take them to the Lord, I usually make them worse.
John 14:1– 7 (NET)
1 “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. 4 And you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Illustration: Barnhouse The Shadow of Death
I remember hearing Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, relate about his first wife’s death. He, with his children, had been to the funeral service, and as he was driving home, Dr. Barnhouse said that he was trying to think of some words of comfort that he could give them. Just then a huge moving van passed them. As it passed, the shadow of the truck swept over the car, and as the truck pulled out in front of them, an inspiration came to Dr. Barnhouse. He said, “Children, would you rather be run over by a truck, or by its shadow?” The children said, “Well, of course Dad, we’d much rather be run over by the shadow! That can’t hurt us at all.” Dr. Barnhouse said, “Did you know that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus in order that only its shadow might run over us?” (Lou Nicholes Missionary/Author).