Hope for a Troubled Heart
Do you have a troubled heart? Do you have unanswered questions, fears, and doubts? Jesus begins this chapter of answers by simply telling you that you are not home yet. There will come a day when all of your questions will have answers, all of your fears will be put to rest, all your tears will be wiped dry. But, it will not happen here, not completely. So, in the meantime, if you want to apply healing to your hurting heart, remember that Jesus Christ is completely trustworthy, regardless of what you see happening around you. Rejoice that your home in heaven is prepared and waiting and your future is guaranteed permanently.
John 13:21-38 (NASB)
21When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”22The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.23There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.24So Simon Peter *gestured to him, and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”25He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”26Jesus then *answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.27After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”28Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him.29For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor.30So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
31Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus *said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;32if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.33“Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”37Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.”38Jesus *answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.
John 14:1-6 (NASB)
1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.2“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.3“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.4“And you know the way where I am going.”5Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”6Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Discussion:
What stood out in this week's sermon?
Was there anything unclear from this week's sermon?
Did you learn something new?
What stood out in this week's passage?
What is Simon Peter worried about in this passage?
What are the insecurities that the disciples are now experiencing? What are their fears?
Application:
Put yourself in the disciples' sandals, how would you feel in this scenario after you have devoted your life to this man for 3 years?
What plans have you had in the past that have gone awry?
How did you feel? Lost? Confused? Alone?
What hope do you have for the future?
How did you come by that hope?
Prayer:
Adoration
Give Praise to God for being our
Rock
Fortress
Hope
Future
Confess
That He is the source of your hope
That Christ's work on the cross is the foundation for our hope
Thanksgiving
Thank Him for his mercy, forgiveness, and hope
Supplication
Make your request known to Him