“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

Certainly, these words of Jesus were meant for all the disciples discoursing together in this upper-room experience. This final week before the crucifixion had been filled with both a whirlwind and turmoil of emotional activity. A triumphal entry into the city only a few days before, where the Lord’s popularity had seemingly hit a zenith, had the emotions of many running high. Would this be the beginning of a political override to quell the tyranny of Rome?

However, it did not take long for the disciples to realize the mounting peril of Jesus, in which all the religious leaders were determined to put Him to death. And imagine the odorous whiff of shame and embarrassment passing through the upper room, when after arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 22:24-27), Jesus stands to disrobe, wrap a towel around Himself, and with basin in hand begins to wash each disciple’s feet. And of course there is Peter! First not wanting his feet washed, and then wanting a bath, willing to lay his life down for Jesus, only to be told he will deny him three times. Indeed, the emotions of everyone in the room were on high alert, even those of Jesus (John 13:21). When he speaks these words of a troubled heart—an anxious, distressed, and disquieted heart—he knows that of which He speaks.

I doubt I would be wrong in stating that anxious, distressed-filled hearts reflect the greatest of world-wide pandemics throughout all time. Troubled hearts induce rage and fear, foolish decisions, and crippling despair. A troubled heart blurs the clarity of moving forward, thrusting one in a mode of inactivity. A troubled heart can ultimately leave one standing alone, broken in a helpless hopelessness.

But Jesus would not have anyone stand in such despair, giving fuel to a troubled heart. His words to the disciples are words for us today. Read slowly the words of our verses again and see that He is offering a key to the release of “heart trouble.” “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Literally, Jesus is saying to resist the constant focus upon the crippling effects of heart trouble and instead, “put your trust in God and also in me.” Trust in God who has always been in control of all circumstances; who already knows how the pathway of life’s past connects to the path forward; who exercises infinite wisdom, power, and love in the way he deals with us. The late Ray Stedman, former pastor of Peninsula Bible Church, also reminds us to trust in Jesus “who is the means by which all that wisdom, power, and love of God is made available to us.”

Easter provides an opportunity to focus on the only resolution for “heart trouble.” For the disciples that Thursday, things were grim, and were about to get worse. A re-focus was definitely needed. Thank God Sunday was coming! The death and resurrection of our Savior become the final antidote for heart trouble.

By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania U.S.