“Let not your hearts be troubled” (v. 1). In the face of widespread political turmoil and a worldwide pandemic, how is that possible? Well, when Jesus first spoke these words, the situation wasn’t so different. Unlike so many modern Americans who complain about “microaggressions,” the Jewish people were truly oppressed. Their country was occupied by foreign soldiers and they were forced to pay taxes to support what amounted to a military dictatorship. And the fact that crowds and crowds of people kept clamoring for Jesus to heal them meant they were no strangers to the helplessness that always accompanies serious disease.

So, why should our hearts not be troubled? Because Jesus has ascended into the presence of the Father (v. 12). That means that all His people, all who are part of His body by faith in Him have immediate access to the power of God, enabling us to have anything and to do anything that is in accordance with God’s perfect will for us (v. 13). So while we can pray, how can we continue in helpless despair?

Moreover, Jesus explains that He Himself is the way into the presence of God (v. 6). And He promises that if He has physically departed for awhile, it is only to prepare a place for all His people to live with Him and the Father forever (vv. 2-3). Surely such a promise of eternal peace and safety should put the troubles of this world into proper perspective.

But make no mistake – Jesus makes it clear that He is the only One Who can provide access to God. He is the only source of light and truth. In fact, He says that no one can come to the Father except through Him (v. 6). And that’s because Jesus is the Son of God. So only those who have seen Jesus by faith, only those who truly trust in Him have seen the Father (vv. 7, 10-11).

So, I suppose we can go on stewing about what the politicians in Washington or Jackson are doing about this or that difficult situation. We can give ourselves over to worry or discouragement or even despair in the face of our obviously overwhelming problems. Or we can trust in Jesus. We can remember His promises – promises to give us the power to overcome the evil in our world, promises to give us His truth to cut through the confusion of our world, promises to carry us into the very presence of God. And as long as we keep our eyes on Him, we will have no reason for our hearts to be troubled.

John 14:1-14 (ESV)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
2 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?
3 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.
4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.