Scripture Notes: Troubled (John 14)

On the night before He goes to the cross, Jesus tells His apostles many things, not the least of which is “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Jesus knows that the men in front of Him will be shaken to their very core by what is about to happen, so He reassures them with strong words, vigorous words, words packed with meaning that can support a lifetime of reflection.

Hearts. In the Bible, the heart is the deepest part of a person, the seat of the will and the emotions and sometimes even the reason or intellect. So who we are is “located” in our hearts. And our hearts are often troubled. The Greek verb here is tarassō, and it refers to an inner turmoil, to be disturbed or stirred up or confused. At its more basic level of meaning, it refers to being shaken. So this kind of trouble is a certain agitation, a movement. Our hearts may feel like they are being rattled or rocked or churned, like our stomachs when they are sick. Our thoughts may dash about, unable to settle, jumping from one thing to another in our worries and fears. 

But Jesus tells us, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” He does not want to see us like this. The verb is actually an imperative, a command. Do not do this. Do not give in to this internal shaking. Put a stop to it. But how? “Believe in God” the Father, and “believe also in Me.” Faith is the answer. This faith is a deep and solid trust in God. It latches on to His promises and understands that He wants only the very best for us (and will give us that very best when we cooperate with Him). 

Notice, too, how Jesus tells us to believe in Him. This is a subtle yet strong assertion of His divinity. He is one with the Father. We must put our faith in Him even as we do in the Father. And when we do this, honestly, fully, without waffling, we will find that our hearts settle down, that they are less riled and shaken. It takes time. We will have setbacks, but trusting faith worked out in love by God’s grace will settle our troubled hearts.