Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.”

We continue our study of the Gospel of John.  Jesus and His Disciples had finished the Passover Meal and had gone to a garden near the place where they had celebrated.  Though Judas had left the celebration early to go get the prearranged detachment of soldiers, and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees, he knew where they would be when he returned.  As they approached Jesus, and those with Him, there was a short skirmish as Peter had pulled his sword to protect Jesus, and had cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants.  Jesus had told him to put it away, touched and healed the servant’s ear, and surrendered.  John writes:

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the High Priest that year.  Simon Peter and another disciple, (John) were following Jesus. (All of the other disciples had left when Jesus asked that they be allowed to go when He was arrested.)  Because John knew the High Priest, He was allowed into Annas’ courtyard where they had taken Jesus.  Peter was not.  John then went to the servant girl on duty and got permission to let Peter in.  “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching in a mock trial.( He already had His mind made up.) Jesus told him He had taught openly in synagogues or at the temple.  He said, “Ask those who heard Me.  Surely they know what I said.”…An official slapped Jesus in the face accusing Him of disrespect.  Then Annas sent Jesus, bound, to Caiphas the high priest.
Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing in the courtyard warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?” Peter denied it saying “I am not.”
One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off challenged him. “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”  Peter began to swear and denied it again.  At that moment a rooster began to crow.”  John 18: 12 – 27.
Peter had told Jesus that night that He would give His life for Him.  He meant it. But Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me?  Verily truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” John 13: 37-38.
Jesus had also told Peter, and all who believed, then, and now: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God, believe also in Me.”  John 14:1.  He knew things would happen that would make it appear that He was not in control.  So He was telling them, and us, not to let their hearts be troubled.  He was telling them, and us, that we have control of how we will feel when trouble comes.  The enemy tries every day to steal our joy in the Lord, and will if we allow it.  But as we take charge, in the name of Jesus, the enemy has no power as we rebuke him.  As we stand firm in our faith, and in all ways believe in Christ, as we believe in God, trouble ultimately must go.  Even if we give in to the momentary loss of faith, the Lord understands and will bring us back to victory in Him – just as He did for Peter.   He is unconditional Love. He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is with us always.?

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