As I am navigating this strange time we are living, I find that I have moments of panic. It usually hits me when I least expect. I have thoughts about losing my job, losing my home, not being able to find food or necessities. I worry about my wife, daughters, or me getting COVID-19. I worry about my parents in Texas and their health, feeling helpless to be able to aid them if they get sick.
Then, just like a snap of some fingers, the moment is gone. I'm back to feeling "normal" or whatever semblance there is to normal nowadays.
During these weird times, I pass the time by reading a lot, and this week one of the books that I read was the Desire of Ages. I chose to read this book because of a quote that one of my university professors made us memorize in his class. This quote comes from a chapter where Ellen White was talking about Jesus' visit to Jerusalem and the temple when he was young. In this chapter, Ellen White writes the following recommendation to us:
"It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross" (Desire of Ages, p. 83).
As I try to practice this advice, I started to read through the final moments of Jesus' life in the Gospel of John. This week the passage that stood out the most was John 14:1-3.
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am" (John 14:1-3, New Living Translation).
The phrase, "do not let your hearts be troubled," is so striking to me. Jesus said this to his disciples as the political pressures were pressing down on Him. Jesus spoke these words hours before being betrayed by Judas and taken captive by the Sanhedrin and Rome. Jesus said this, knowing that in a few hours, He would be subject to the cross.
Looking at this opening phrase in John 14, Jesus said this as an imperative in the Greek language. In other words, Jesus commands us not to let our hearts worry. Jesus is telling us to have mastery over our hearts.
As I think about this, I find that, if I am not careful, my heart gets sucked into fits of despair and worry.
Then in this passage, Jesus tells how to overcome the worry. Jesus tells us to trust Him and to trust God, the Father. Jesus tells us that He is preparing a place for us in His Father's home. This promise is one that reminds us that the worry and the stress we are under is not forever. Jesus also tells us that we can be where He and the Father are as well.
Then, Jesus said, "'you know the way to where I am going.' 'No, we don't know, Lord,' Thomas said. 'We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me'" (John 14:4-6, New Living Translation).
Some of His disciples still didn't get it. And I find myself giving them a lot more grace than I used to in the past. Everything COVID-19 has changed my perspective on things. In the past, I would have criticized the disciples for this doubt and not getting it. How could they not get it if they have spent so much time with Him?
Then, I find that I often get sucked into moments of worry and panic. And I ask myself, "How can I not get it if I have spent years of study and so much time focusing on Jesus?" Suddenly through of gift of grace, I am reminded of the hope that we have in Jesus. These uncertain times that we are living are not the end. These times of worry, anxiety, grief, and panic are not forever.
Jesus made way for us.
Last week, I wrote to you about where I think we are in earth's history based on what the Bible tells us of end-time events. I also promised that in the week's to come, we would be spending time trying to get ready for Jesus' Second Coming.
This promise of Jesus is the first step in getting ready for the Second Coming. We have to remember, even though there is so much troubling our hearts, Jesus tells us the following.
I AM the way!
I AM the truth!
I AM life!
How do you prepare for the Second Coming? Don't let your hearts be troubled by believing that Jesus is the way! We can and will survive this with His power, His grace, and His provision.
Daily, I invite you to accept and believe that Jesus is your Savior.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Geraldo
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean for you to believe that Jesus is your Savior?
How can you pull yourself out of moments of anxiety and worry?
Make a list of all the times that Jesus has helped you get through difficult times. As you look at this list study, read Hebrews 10:35-36, and remind yourself that everything you have endured in the past, is preparing you for future success in Jesus.