Reading the context that surrounds this week's verse adds to our understanding of it....
John 13:33-36 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
Jesus had just been talking to His disciples about His departure to somewhere they did not know or understand, and then He tells them that they too will eventually join Him there. Unsettling? Just a bit!
But then he follows it with our verse, "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."
Right along with His discussion regarding His departure, Jesus also spoke of His deep love for them. Minutes before He had demonstrated that sweet love by humbling Himself in the service of washing their feet...an action that probably really had them baffled.
The Jews were fiercely proud of their belief in God. After all, they were His chosen people. They believed in God. When you read the Old Testament, you understand multiple aspects of God's character....power, justice, holiness, mercy, and there is also the mentioning of God's love for His people. But the word Jesus now uses in explaining His feelings for His disciples is agape, a deep, affectionate love. This is a love that is directed to each and every one of them on a very personal level.
My paraphrase of this verse (please note paraphrase and not translation...totally subject to interpretation!) would be....
"I know you don't understand what I'm telling you...but if you really have come to trust me, demonstrate that trust by having complete confidence in me and relieve your hearts of any concern. Believe in God as you always have, believe in His power and His might and His ability. And now, believe in me as well, and in my deep and abiding love for you. I have tried to demonstrate it to you, and you will see further demonstration of it, but believe in me, for I love you."
Jesus came to show God's love for us - a love that without Jesus, we would never be able to understand. But because of Him, we know that not only have a God who can do anything, but one that will do anything to bring His children to life in Him. He loves us.
What a verse of assurance when we see God's love written in every word.
Thank You God for loving me...deeply...personally....me. Help me to love others in that same way, just as You have asked of me.
1 comment:
We don't always understand God and His plan for our life. But through faith and belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ we are able to live with peace in our hearts. We believe God and the teachings of Jesus. We believe and have faith. My belief and love of God comforts me. I know Jesus loves me. Jesus is alive and He lives within me. Because of Jesus' love I am able to love and forgive.
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