We’re going through the New Testament trying to come to a deeper understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. I know there is much being posted in the comments against it, but I do not answer all lest this simply turns into answering critics. Any critics wishing to face what I have said are free to go to theologyweb.com and debate me there. There is a link on the side. Tonight, we’re going to be continuing through the gospel of John. We’re only covering one verse tonight. It’s going to be John 14:1.
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Let’s set the scene. Jesus has just had the Last Supper with his disciples and he has said that one of them would betray him, who we know to be Judas. Judas goes out and it is night the text tells us. It is more than the time of day but that darkness is rising up to take its stand against the light. The battle of good and evil is about to take place.
Jesus has also told the disciples about how they would fall away and Peter has said that he would be willing to die for Christ. Christ has told him instead that before the rooster crows, he will deny being a disciple.
Now in light of all that has happened, Jesus is telling them that they trust in God. Trust also in him.
Some of us can pass over those words without realizing what exactly is being said.
The Israelites had always been told to trust in God. God is their rock and their shield. He is their fortress. He is their strong tower. He is the one who will deliever. Do not put your trust in men but trust in the Lord instead. The Israelites were to have no foreign gods and they were not to depend on armies, or as the Psalmist said, horses and chariots.
Here Jesus is showing up and telling them that that trust that they give to God also goes to him. He says it so casually as well. It seems to flow perfectly and then we need to stop and look and realize what it is that he has said.
We proclaim Christ as savior, but do we really stop and consider what he said and trust him? Christ said to not worry about tomorrow. Do we trust him? Christ said that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) Do we trust him? Christ pronounced to those he forgave that their sins were forgiven. Do we believe he has forgiven our sins?
If we are to take this verse as it is, then when Christ makes a promise, we should consider it as a promise of God, which it essentially is. Christ does not tell us to trust promises though. He tells us to trust in him, which is something quite different. The promises are reliable because of him.
Once again, are we really stopping to look at what Jesus said about himself in even the simplest statements?
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