Westside Church of Christ

Jesus prepared His apostles for the worst. He would soon die a brutal death at the hands of wicked men. They would witness the public execution of the One with whom they spent years watching, listening and learning. Yet, they would not understand it. His closing hours were spent with His twelve closest associates which would quickly dwindle to none as the nails were being driven. God’s plan to save man was reaching its crescendo.

He warned Peter of his impending failure. Peter protested that he would never deny Him. Jesus was right, and His following words are surprising, “Do not let your heart be troubled…(John 14:1).” Here was the Son of God offering words of encouragement in His darkening hour. A hostile mob would soon come and take Him away like a common criminal to a death sentence, and He is comforting the man who would forsake Him. Jesus saw into the future. Peter didn’t.

The Son was returning to the glory that He had shared with His Father. He left that glory to come to this grimy, sin-stained world to offer deliverance and hope. He knew what was ahead. He was also aware that it would be a torturous experience, not just for Him but also for His apostles. Their faith would be deeply shaken. Although He had told them what would happen, they were not prepared for the reality of it. Apostolic hearts would surely beat with a disturbed rhythm in the coming hours.

“Do not let your heart be troubled…” Peter was destined to collapse in the face of pressure. He would remember as he denied just as Jesus had said. His Lord looked at Him. Tears of failure flowed. We fail. We beat ourselves up. We shed tears of regret and guilt. The words dissolve in the pain, “Do not let your heart be troubled…”

That deep-down-inside anguish is hard to escape. The Savior came to deliver us from sin and not just the ultimate consequences. He did that and more. The issue of falling short damages us immediately. Shame wraps around every thought. The filth stains us in unreachable places. A hot shower won’t touch it. Our souls are scarred. Paul knew it, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death (Romans 7:24)?” It’s a pain that Excedrin can’t relieve, but there is relief.

Jesus does what no human remedy can. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).” Peter failed in an epic way. He denied Jesus as the shadow of the cross lengthened. Yet, He was reassured that his Lord was going to prepare a place for him. The Savior comforted the failure-to-be. He still does. When we’re disappointed in ourselves or others, remember those words, “Do not let your heart be troubled…”

Call to Praise: Colossians 3:15-18

His word on it: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sermon: “Thankful in Trials”