Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

Paul at the Areopagus, Hill of Ares, Mars Hill, War Hill, or we might say Paul at the Pentagon. What did Paul preach while quoting two pagan poets? He preached Jesus, the resurrection, the necessity of repentance, and the coming day of judgment.

Jesus begins his farewell discourse with these words: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.” As we face the troubles of life with honesty, Jesus calls his church to live as an expression of resurrection—bringing hope in the midst of a troubled world.

Jesus reveals himself as a good shepherd who came to give us a rich and satisfying life. He said that he was not like the thieves and robbers who came before him, referring to false Messiahs like Simon of Perea, Athronges, and Judas the Galilliean. They came to steal, kill, and destroy. The good news is that Jesus is not the destroyer. Jesus is the savior! He has come to save you from that which will steal your purpose, kill your hope, and destroy any attempts at a good life. We are those who say yes to Jesus, today and every day, and experience the good life. 

We are all born a long way from home. Home is not where we begin; home is where we need to go. More than ever we are searching for home. Strangely, the home for which we yearn is in another world. This other world, this unseen world, this spiritual world is commonly called heaven. Thus we live here, as Peter says, in exile.

"Peace be with you." This is the first the risen Christ says to his disciples, and he says it three times. Peace...Peace...Peace.

On Good Friday three women all named Mary stood near the cross of Jesus. What happened to them on Easter Sunday?

Among the Roman soldiers carrying out the crucifixion; among the mocking chief priests and the jeering crowd hurling insults; among the Passover pilgrims hurrying past the horrifying spectacle of crucifixion, there stood near the cross of Jesus three women all named Mary.

On Palm Sunday we remember that ever since a new kind of king rode into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, but on a donkey, bringing not hated, but healing, things have changed.

The raising of Lazarus after four days in the tomb is Jesus’ greatest miracle. But it is also the sign in the Gospel of John with the greatest theological significance: The one who called Lazarus out of death will call us of death as well.