Preparations were complete for the Passover meal. Jesus and the disciples had gathered to celebrate together.
Perhaps they were beginning to recline around the table when Jesus said, “I’ve been looking forward to eating this Passover feast with you, before I suffer.”
Surely the disciples froze for a moment.
Why would their Master be talking about suffering now, as they were about to share this sacred meal?
Yes, he had mentioned it before—even spoke several times about being killed one day (Matthew 16:21). But such an actuality seemed impossible. He was the Messiah after all—come to establish God’s kingdom on earth as the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6-7). How could Jesus do that if he was dead?
The disciples undoubtedly tried to ignore such puzzling and gruesome thoughts, wanting to focus on the beloved celebration of Passover. But a few moments later Jesus startled them again.
“One of you is going to betray me.”
Preposterous. Who would do such a thing to their beloved Master? Yet Jesus had never been wrong about anything before. What could he mean?
And then a third troubling statement soon followed: “I will be with you only a little longer.”
Unthinkable. They had been together for three years—over a thousand days. They had listened to his teaching—wiser than Solomon’s—and witnessed his miracles—greater than Elijah’s.
Their lives had been changed by what they’d heard and seen. And now Jesus was leaving?
Perhaps after three hard sayings the disciples began to look at one another with uncertainty and fear on their faces. Something was wrong, but understanding eluded them.*
And Jesus, knowing their thoughts before they did, spoke a proclamation that is familiar to us today.
“Stop letting your hearts be troubled.”
I wonder if he paused and pointedly made eye contact with each one to focus their attention on what he would say next.
“You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).
What did they believe about God? Their scriptures (our Old Testament) taught them much about the Lord Almighty, including:
- God is in control
- He knows what he is doing
- He exercises his unlimited power with wisdom and love
- God is good (1)
And what did they know and believe of Jesus?
- He too was good
- He demonstrated divine power, wisdom, and love
- He was the Son of God
- God’s honor and glory was bestowed on him (2)
The choice was up to the disciples. They could continue to stew in anxious thoughts or they could stop, and choose to believe in their powerful and perfect Lord Jesus.
They could choose faith over fear.
And the same choice confronts us today. We can believe that:
- God is enthroned in heaven and rules over all (Psalm 103:19)—or believe the lie that the world is spinning out of control.
- The God of the universe is on our side, and nothing could possibly come against us and win (Romans 8:31)—or believe the lie that suffering proves God’s lack of caring.
- All his glorious attributes (those mentioned above as well as many more) are always at work to achieve his good purpose (Romans 8:28)—or believe the lie that no good can come out of trouble (3).
We can also believe in Jesus, who has proven himself our trustworthy Savior, who is called Faithful and True, because:
- He lives to intercede for us. Is it likely the Father will ignore his Son’s pleas? Never.
- He died and rose again that we might live forever with him. The promise of eternal Life can provide luminous light even on the darkest of days.
- He will come again and take us to be with him (4). We’d do well to remember:
And when we choose to trust, tranquility follows.
_____________________________________________
*The events of the Last Supper mentioned here are based on John 13.
Scriptures referenced:
- Isaiah 14:24; Job 11:7-9; Daniel 2:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Exodus 34:6
- Acts 10:38; Matthew 8:27; Mark 6:2; Matthew 14:14 and 33; Matthew 3:17 and 17:5
- Psalm 103:19; Romans 8:31 and 8:28
- 1 John 4:14; Revelation 19:11; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 Peter 1:3-4; John 14:3
Art and photo credits: http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.canva.com; http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com (2).
From the Inside Out 
A wonderful presentation, Nancy, thank you! x
Thank you also, Lesley. Praise God for his inspiration!
Such a timely word, Nancy. And I love that quote by Parkhurst. I’ve never heard it or heard of him. Christ is still saying today, as he has always said, “Let not your heart be troubled!”
That quote comes from “Streams in the Desert” by L. B. Cowman. She compiled her devotionals back in the mid-1920s; Jim Reimann updated them in 1997. So many wonderful nuggets like this one by Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842-1933, a Presbyterian minister who served in NYC).
Oh, we have that book! And yes, it is full of nuggets. I just didn’t remember Parkhurt. Guess it’s time to read that again! Thanks, Nancy!!
You’re welcome, Sheila!
You have such a gift of bringing us into the story Thank you.
Thank YOU, Jean, and a blessed Easter to you. He is risen!!
Hi Nancy,
Have a Happy Easter. God is opening hearts. Enjoy,
Gary
And a happy Easter to you, Gary! Praise God He is opening hearts–He is risen!!
What a wonderful post… I can so relate to the disciples… so often clueless to what God is doing around me! I really love the quote about the highest level of faith… it all boils down to the better we know Him, the more we will trust Him ! At least that’s what I am finding!! As hard as this time is, I can’t imagine going through it without my eyes focused on Him! God bless you and Steve!! Happy Easter ❤️
Thank you, Lisa. I had only to consider my own cluelessness to access what the disciples might have been thinking at that Passover table! You are so right: the better we know Him, the more we will trust Him. With age, the followers of Jesus DO discover the truth of that statement. I am praising God that, just as you have your eyes focused on Him during your hours on the front lines, He has His eyes focused on you (1 Peter 3:12a). We are praying for you FREQUENTLY each day!
Nancy, your post gave me a renewed peace of mind amid these disturbing times. I, too, cannot imagine going through this life without the certainty of my salvation and the love, care, and promises of our Lord. I am in awe that He died for undeserving me. You and Steve have a Blessed Easter!
Indeed, Cheri: praise God for renewed peace of mind and the certainty of salvation, love, care, and promises from our Lord. We did enjoy a blessed Easter albeit quiet! (I’ve become an introvert over the years, perfectly happy to cozy up at home. ) Am very thankful for the livestream services provided by our church. So good to see the familiar faces of our pastors and praise team members. Later, our son and daughter-in-law provided a SUPERB dinner for us. How were you able to celebrate?
Nancy, thank you so much for these encouraging words from Scripture and for your practical applications you made to our present day situation. Very good!! Yes, God is absolutely in control. We can rest in that knowledge and be at peace even during these difficult days we are facing. So, thank you!
You’re welcome, Sue. We have much to praise God for, even in these challenging times. Happy day-after-Easter to you!
Thank you Nancy.
You are welcome, Laura!
Thank you, Nancy, for the reminder that even when circumstances are difficult or even at times unbearable, we can still choose faith over fear. Our faith is certainly being tested now just as the faith of the Apostles was tested. What you wrote reminds me to keep my eyes on the Lord. I do believe He has already done so and will continue to bring good out of all of this.
Amen, Elaine! I see much goodness and kindness on display–on social media and TV. Neighbors taking care of neighbors. Strangers offering help. People working overtime to solve problems created by COVID-19. And best of all, people seeking God because they’re worried and scared. “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things” (Psalm 118:15b)!
Wow, beautifully applicable to where we find ourselves today in this world so unexpectedly turned upside down. Thank you, Nancy, for pointing us ever-truth-ward via grace meeting us in heart and mind. I felt a sacred hush in imagining the disciples and Jesus: 1,000 days together.
Thank you Laurie–you’re always so supportive! Your last comment brought to mind Psalm 90:4 about a thousand YEARS with God are like a day. A thousand days will seem nothing as time becomes immaterial and we celebrate eternity with Jesus in heaven!
Hi Nancy, I appreciate your posts. A lot of hard word and faithfulness goes into your posts. Thank you. I don’t often respond but the heart thing reminded me of my upcoming surgery to replace an aortic valve. I am not sure of the date but I meet with the surgical doctors and anesthetist 4.21.2020 so I assume the surgery will be in two weeks or so. Let not your heart be troubled post made me think! We have Jesus as our Savior and my phone has “butt” dialed me in a sense by automatically opening to I Corinthians 15 (the Resurrection Chapter. It actually opened up to 15:54-56. I was reading that same passage in a hospital room in Qui NYon Vietnam the night the nurse came to tell me my father had passed away. We are so fortunate to have this Savior and now Death has no Sting and at times we walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Dear and have no fear of evil.
Thank you again for your posts.
Sam
Thank you, Samuel, for your thoughtful comments. Of course I’ll be praying that your surgery goes better than well! Cheri can keep me posted. Love how that passage from 1 Corinthians 15 has ministered to you, not only here and now but years ago and far away. AMEN, we are indeed blessed to have a Savior who has conquered death and will one day accompany us home–without fear!
Thanks Nancy