Peace in the Midst of Trouble

John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Wouldn’t you love to have a trouble free life? Our culture, marketing, media, and often even the church seem to promise a trouble free life filled with total ease, convenience, and pleasure without ever having to deal with unpleasant things, disappointment, and pain. Yet, trouble hits us all sooner or later. Some of us get hit with it constantly. The difference between our trouble-free expectations and trouble-filled reality causes us anger, pain, and depression. There are two aspects of dealing with trouble that amplify the negative emotions and make it so hard to navigate. One is our expectation. The second is the way we deal with the difficulty when it comes.

Many well-meaning preachers have promised their would-be converts, “Come to Jesus, and all your troubles will disappear!” Yet, Jesus never made any such promise. Look at the verse above: “In this world you will have trouble.” Trouble is part of this season of our existence. Our prayers often do change our reality. God heals. Relationships are restored. Miracles happen. However, the Christian life is not about a perfect life in the present world. It is certainly a better life, but it is an eternal life. The day will come when trouble will cease, but today is not that day. Sometimes being a Christian means we face new and different troubles, but expecting no troubles is a recipe for disappointment.

The second question is: how do you deal with your trouble? You may be tempted to cry, to whine, to fight, to give up, to run, to hide, to scream, or take it out on those you love, but Jesus offers a different way – a much better way. He says above, “You may have peace.” While all the problems and troubles are pressing in, you can have a peace that is greater than all. This is not a placebo of naiveté. This real, tangible, life-changing peace only has one source. Jesus says, “In me you will have peace.” It does not come from a substance, and experience, or any other person. Jesus alone is our source of peace. I have personally experienced the powerful peace Jesus brings countless times, and I would love for you to have it in your life, as well.

Jesus told his disciples the things he told them so they would have this peace in the midst of the world’s trouble. I encourage you to spend time in those words. Read them and live by them. Get to know the one who said them. He has overcome the world through his resurrection, and he can give you real peace today.

Do You Know the Way?

John 14:2-6 – 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.

These words are some of the most loved words Jesus spoke. He unmistakably promises to return for those who have believed in him and bring them into God’s presence forever. This is eternal life. This is living with Jesus forever in the place he has prepared for us. Certainly every one of us wants to know and experience a joyous existence forever after we die. How do we get there?

Jesus said that the disciples who had spent the last three years with him “know the way,” but Thomas spoke words of confusion on behalf of all of them, “We do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Thomas heard Jesus’ words, and he understood their literal meaning. A place is a location. It takes a way – a road or path – to get to a location. Yet, Jesus clarified his wording to let them know that they did know the way. The way was not a road. The way was a person. The true Way still is that same person. The only begotten Son of God.

Your eternity waits as does all of ours. The road you take after your life here is done is fully dependent on choosing the right way now. That road is a road of relationship. Do you know the Way? He would love for you to. Receive his love and begin a relationship with Jesus today. He has a room for you.

When Darkness Comes

John 13:29b – And it was night.

This is a short sentence in English. It is even shorter in Greek, just seven letters in three words: en de nux. Yet, on the surface, it seems so unnecessary. John just told us about Jesus saying the one who he shared bread with would betray him. Judas took the bread, Satan entered him, and Judas left the Last Supper. Why did John even write those words? Of course it was night. This was a dinner, after all. 

Let’s not jump away from these words too quickly. All throughout this Gospel, John has been using day and night along with darkness and light as powerful metaphors for people, circumstances, and spiritual reality. Early in the first chapter we are taught that Jesus was the true Light who enlightens every person. (John 1:9). Those who follow Christ walk in the light (John 3:19-21, 8:12, and 12:46). There is a clear pervasive truth that Christ is the “Light of the World.” (John 8:12) 

However, even in Jesus’ life there were times of night and darkness. He foretold the coming night in 9:4, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” He gives a similar warning in 12:35. “The light is among you for a little longer.” Suddenly, these three little words in the middle of the Last Supper become loaded with significance. They speak of more than just the time every day after sunset. They describe the darkness Jesus entered as a result of Judas’ betrayal when he was taken away as a prisoner, falsely accused for a crime he did not commit, suffered unimaginable pain in some of the worst torture ever devised, and, worst of all, bore the guilt of all people of all times and places. It was indeed a dark night. 

Perhaps you are in a season of night and darkness in your life. It may have been brought on by your choices, the fault of another person, or simply horrible circumstances beyond anyone’s control. I do not want to belittle the pain you are experiencing in any way. It is real. It is serious, but it is a season. The same Jesus who foretold his own night said it would come to his followers, yet he also promised a day greater than all. It is not by coincidence that the eternal destination of those who believe in Jesus will never experience darkness or night (Revelation 22:5). 

John even makes the point early on Easter morning, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark.” That darkness finally and completely passed when she met the resurrected Jesus later that morning after the sun rose. 

Whatever darkness you face right now, Jesus knows what you are experiencing. He suffered an even greater night for you so that you could be with him in the place of never ending day. Invite him into your life. Seek his strength in your night. This, too, shall pass.

Your Emotions Do Not Have to Rule Your Life

John 12:27 - Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

What do you do when your emotions are not good? We all go through season of anger, fear, and discouragement. Many go through heavy depression. Whenever our emotions are low they can tend to consume us. It can be hard to separate ourselves from our emotions. You may say, “I am depressed.” Another will say, “I am angry.” Although it is good to not deny the reality of our emotions, read those sentences again. If I say, “I am afraid,” I have made fear part of my identity.

John 12:27 happened in the toughest season of Jesus’ life. He knew his crucifixion was imminent. He knew what pain he was about to suffer. He did not deny the emotional reality he faced, but Jesus separated his identity from his emotions. Look at the first sentence: “Now my soul is troubled.” In America today, one of us would say, “I am really worried. I am scared.” Instead, Jesus separated his soul - psyche in Greek – from his willful self. He understood the source of the emotional distress that wanted to take over, but he knew he had a mission that was greater than the emotion he faced “For this purpose I have come to this hour.”

A Hebrew phrase related to this gets translated, “O, my soul,” in the King James Version and occurs 139 times in the Old Testament. The writers knew that their emotions were not their identity and did not have to force their wills to comply. What Jesus and the Old Testament writers did, we can do, too. We do not have to be slaves to our emotions. Our anger does not make us lash out at others. Our fear does not force us to quit. Our true, willful selves can choose to say no to our emotional souls. We can choose to do what’s right regardless of how we feel, and in the long run we will feel much better than if we succumb to destructive emotions. Do the right thing regardless of how you feel.

Your Peeps

John 12:20-22 - Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

How do you feel when you are the stranger? For most of us, it is not comfortable at all. When entering a group where everyone knows each other but you know no one, you probably want to leave. However, when a friend comes with you and introduces you that stress level drops off dramatically.

In describing the events of Palm Sunday, John takes an interval to tell us about some Greeks who wanted to meet Jesus. We do not get to know a lot about them, but we do know they were strangers in town. Jesus was very popular that day. The Greeks were probably very intimidated and fearful as strangers, but they really wanted to see Jesus. So, they went up to one of Jesus’ disciples with the very Greek name of Philip, and he sought another disciple with a Greek name (Andrew). They had both brought people to Jesus before (see John 1:40 & 45 and 6:8), so they used their networking skills again, and they introduced these Greeks to Jesus. Those Greeks got to hear Jesus’ message of eternal life and be invited to live forever with him. (See John 12:25-26 and 35-36)

We do not know for sure if it was Philip and Andrew’s “Greekness” that made them more approachable for the Greeks, but we do know from our own experience that we often feel better with people “like us” in one way or another. It may be your nationality, your favorite sports team, your musical preference, or working for the same company, but the commonalities you share with another can be a bridge for a life changing relationship. Find what you share in common with those around you and seek to do life together. If you know Jesus, bring your friends to him. If you do not know him yet, ask me. Introducing you to Jesus would be the greatest joy of my life.

 

 

Are You a Doer?

John 12:1-2 - Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.

Some people get things done. They are task-focused people. They see a need and work to meet it. Lazarus’ sister Martha shows up this way more than once in the New Testament. She is best known from Luke 10. While Martha was working hard serving Jesus and the disciples, she got angry at her sister sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his teaching. Jesus responded to her by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Here again in John 12 Martha was serving and Mary was again at Jesus’ feet, this time pouring expensive perfume on them. Her action was again praised by Jesus. I wonder if Martha resented the lack of appreciation for her efforts. Jesus and the disciples would have gone hungry without someone working to prepare their meals. Even in today’s world, everything we have is a result of someone’s work. If we just stood around and talked we would never accomplish anything. Doers are critical to sustaining human life and advancing civilization.

Back in John 11, Martha showed that even the doers can be people of faith. When Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus had died, Martha came out to meet him while Mary stayed in the house and wept over her brother. Martha uttered words of great faith. “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:24) “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:27)

The truth is we need doers to do their work for all to live a decent life, but even doers need to remember that relationships are vital. We need time to listen. We especially need time to worship at Jesus’ feet. May you keep a life filled with a healthy balance of both work and worship.

When Jesus Seems Late

John 11:6 So when he heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where he was... 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died... 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw him, and fell at his feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Most of us expect to have what we want and need immediately. Our technology-driven world has learned how to speed up the delivery of goods, services, and information. As a result, the level of patience for a typical person has dropped to almost nothing. We have also seen how important timing is to success in sports, business, and even relationships. We take action. We expect an immediate response. How can good come any other way?

Yet, in our spiritual lives, we do not always see immediate response. We pray, and God often answers immediately, but sometimes he doesn’t. This can challenge our faith. Does Jesus care? Is he even there?

I imagine Mary and Martha felt that way at the beginning of John Chapter 11. Their brother Lazarus was deathly sick. They knew Jesus had the power to heal. They had no doubt seen him heal many others. They were even special friends of Jesus, so they sent him word, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”  (Verse 3) They just knew he would come right away, but he didn’t. (See Verse 6 above.) Jesus did not respond immediately. He did not work as they expected, and things got much worse. Lazarus died.

Interestingly, both Martha and Mary greeted Jesus with the same words. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus did not work as they expected. He took longer. They blamed his delay for the bad outcome, but Jesus had much more in store than they could have imagined. The large crowd that had gathered to comfort Martha and Mary got to see both Jesus’ compassion and love for the sisters and their brother, but they also got to see the power of God raise a man from the dead. As a result, many believed in him (Verse 45), and Mary and Martha got their brother back. Had he shown up and healed Lazarus’ privately, only the sisters would have received the benefit. Now, hundreds believed and we have the account in scripture that has moved millions to faith.

God may not always work on our preferred schedule, but that does not mean he is not at work. Sometimes more is accomplished with a little delay than an immediate answer.

 

Sleep

John 11:11-13 – This He said, and after that He *said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.

Nearly every evening you fall asleep. Your body gets the rest and recovery it needs, and you awake refreshed the next morning, ready to face another day. Every person on the planet sleeps nearly every day. It is one of the most common experiences of life. Yet, sleeping is unique.

As we sleep, our minds are not conscious of the real world around us. We are not in control of our actions. We are not able to interact with those around us. Yet, this condition is temporary. We are out of touch with reality for several hours, but then we reemerge and reconnect with the real world.

Jesus introduces sleep as a metaphor for the experience of his friend Lazarus who had died. Jesus said he would “awaken him out of his sleep,” and he did that by calling his name at his tomb later John 11. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, came back to life and walked out of the tomb. Like a sleeper who had been out of touch with the real world, he woke up and reengaged.

 

The New Testament goes on to use sleep as a picture of death for Christians (I Corinthians 11:30 and 15:51), and this should be a great encouragement for us who believe and a motivator for those who have yet to believe. Death can be a cause of great fear because it seems a permanent end to life. Yet, because Christ was willing to die temporarily on our behalf, as he arose from the dead, so will we who believe in him. Death for the Christian is temporary. It is like sleep. If you believe in Christ, the time will come when you disengage, but only temporary. You will awake as from a good night’s sleep.

Trust Right

John 10:8-10 – All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Some people and some things we tend to trust cannot be trusted. Have you ever had your heart broken? Have you been let down by others? If so, you are not alone. We have all been hurt by something or someone we trusted. The question is, what do we do in response?

 

Once hurt, some turn away and never trust again. They live bitter lives because they crave relationship and need others but don’t dare risk trusting again. Others blindly turn from one to another and throw their trust in a desperate effort to get their needs met. Far too often, they are hurt again. We need to trust, but it is hard to find one worthy of trust.

 

This is what Jesus affirms in John 10. He uses several images throughout the chapter to differentiate himself from all others we might trust. Whether intentionally or carelessly, other people and things can become thieves and robbers when we put our lives in their hands. There is only one who can be fully trusted. This is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Door, the Son of God, One with the Father. When we trust him first, we can be solidly anchored to love others, not from a place of dependence, but from the abundant life that only comes from him.

It is Finished

John 19:30 – When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

In John’s Gospel, the last word Jesus spoke on the cross before dying comes to us in English in three words: “It is finished.” This says a lot to us as it is, but in the Greek New Testament, it is just one word: tetelestai. Greek is such a precisely nuanced language, that every verb can be conjugated hundreds of ways to provide the exact meaning needed, and tetelestai does that.

Its perfect tense means an action was completed one time. Greek has a separate tense for ongoing actions in the past (imperfect) and another for unspecific timing and duration of past actions (aorist). Jesus’ death was a onetime event, and it was the only sacrifice necessary and required to pay the price for the sins of all mankind.

The core of tetelestai is the root telos. This gets translated as finished, complete, mature, or perfect in its adjective and noun forms. What Jesus did through his death was perfect. It was sufficient for all of us, and it was the end of sin for all who believe in him.

Tetelestai is in the indicative mood. That means it tells us what happened. There is no speculative uncertainty there would have been with the subjunctive mood. We can know the price was paid.

Another aspect of Greek verb conjugation is voice. With active voiced verbs the subject does the action. This is passive. The “it” that was finished was finished by another: Jesus.

What is that “it”? We find hints in the two remaining aspects of the verb telestai. It is third person singular. That means it is not “I” or “you” or even “we.” It was something else. That it that was finished the first Good Friday is the consequences of the wrong each of us has done. It is the eternal price that Jesus paid, so that whoever would believe in him would have eternal life. If you have not yet believed, there is no better time than today to do so.

In one word, it is finished.