May 1, 2026

Today's Reading: John 14:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 18:1-7, 20-19:8; Luke 11:1-13

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From the disciples’ point of view, they had plenty of good reasons why their hearts were troubled. They had seen, or rather, smelled the formerly dead man known as Lazarus walk out of his grave. They got wind of the Pharisees' plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. They’d noticed the chief priests following them in the temple, through the streets, and around Jerusalem - their hostility and anger, a rising tide. They had seen the awesome faith in Jesus demonstrated by the crowds that followed them, and the appalling unbelief and rejection of Jesus by many in the same crowds.

Not to mention, Jesus kept saying and doing strange, odd things lately— like how the Son of Man was going to be lifted up; words of foreboding and darkness; warnings of betrayal and denial, of roosters and rejection, even among some of them. It’s no wonder the disciples were troubled that Thursday night of Holy Week.

And yet in the midst of all the disciples’ fears, anxieties, worries, and bewilderment, Jesus speaks. “Let not your heart be troubled.”

At first, this doesn’t sound comforting. It’s like the Queen in 1940s London telling you to keep calm and carry on while bombs are dropping all over, or Taylor Swift singing, “You need to calm down,” when a relationship is broken and your emotions are running as fast as your heart is beating.

But that’s the difference between our words and the words from the Word made flesh. Jesus’ words give exactly what he says.

So when Jesus sits with his frightened disciples and says, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” his word delivers his peace. Jesus’ promise and presence are the foundation and the guarantee of those words. “Let not your hearts be troubled?” How? “Believe in God and believe in me? And don’t worry, Jesus says, I’ll give you faith too.”

When Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” he knew that Good Friday, the cross, and his death and burial were about to happen. But he also knew that Sunday morning was coming. The stone rolled away. An empty tomb. Resurrection from the dead. What Jesus says happens. What he promises comes true: for his fearful, troubled disciples, and for you in whatever troubles you face. Jesus’ peace and promise are for you. So, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.