In John 14:1-11 Jesus gives an answer to two questions (really a question and a request). The questions flow out of troubled hearts. The disciples had reason to be troubled. They had left their previous occupations and had become followers of Jesus. Now they had heard him talking about leaving, and their not being able to follow, at least not right away. They had heard Jesus speak of being betrayed, and that Peter would deny him. The comforting admonition to let not your hearts be troubled is a command to stop being troubled, not simply a suggestion to calm people not to start worrying.
You face your own questions growing out of the troubles in your life. Jesus’ words are addressed to you and to me. The comfort he provides lies in his instruction to believe (or trust) in God and to trust in him. Notice that the imperative has an ongoing force, keep on trusting. The emphasis on believing continues to run through the answers to the questions as well as Continue reading “An Answer to Two Questions”