General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, awoke early on the morning of July 1, 1863, and General Longstreet remembered him as being "in his usual cheerful spirits." Lee had reasons to be cheerful; for almost a month now he had marched his 80,000 man army out of Virginia through Maryland and into southern Pennsylvania with very little resistance from the enemy. Things were going as planned and General Lee did not anticipate any problems on this day either. According to Colonel Charles Marshall of the headquarters staff, the pace of Southern army would be "very deliberate" that day. Lee's generals had strict orders to proceed toward a small college town called Gettysburg and to feel for the enemy but not to bring on any full engagement. However, later in the morning, minor skirmishing between the two armies indeed exploded into a full engagement and the most famous military battle ever fought on U.S. soil was under way. The battle would rage over the next three days and when it was finally over there would be tens of thousands of casualties on each side. Although a Christian man, events beyond General Lee's control suddenly turned his cheerful spirit sour. Those soldiers around General Lee that morning, describe him as becoming increasingly uneasy, impatient, "very much disturbed and depressed" and uncharacteristically blunt. After one outburst, a staff officer wrote that he was "greatly surprised"; this was a departure from Lee's "habitual reserve." Despite his best intentions and with each passing minute, the battle at Gettysburg was taking on a life of its own and Lee was determined to ride ahead and take control of the growing battle himself. In short, I am reminded of that notorious yet truthful bumper sticker we've all seen; "_ _ _ _ Happens." Like the events of this July morning, things happen; things we do not anticipate and they can happen very quickly. Even as Christians, sudden loss of control and fear of the unknown can unsettle our souls, make us uneasy, impatient, depressed. Our hearts become troubled. We get that unexpected call from our children and we know just from the sound of their voice that something is wrong. We get a call from the police station, from the principle's office or we get summons to the boss's office. Our doctor sadly informs us that we have cancer. Immediately we want to ride to the battle and take control of the situation ourselves.
The night before Jesus was crucified, His disciples were in such a situation. Although the night started out in cheerful fashion, with supper and good conversation, it quickly turned sour and very unsettling for the disciples, a continuation of the emotional roller coaster they had been riding of late. Their hopes that Jesus would soon establish His kingdom on earth had been buoyed by an inspirational triumphal entry into
Events have escalated out of their control, suddenly complete dread fell upon each one of them. We can understand how the disciples were feeling. For the last three years, they had been with Jesus on a daily basis; they had grown close to their Rabbi and Master and revered Him. Their little group had become a family and they could not bear the thought of Him leaving them. On a personal note, each one had forsaken most everything to follow Jesus, and now He was apparently forsaking them. Their fears and confusion can be seen in a series of questions they ask Jesus (John 13:36&37; 14:5,8,22). Where are you going? Why can't we come? What has happened? You can feel their sense of panic; they had lots of questions and were desperately seeking answers. Everyone it seems was on edge.
Jesus answered them by saying, "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). No need to ride to the front and take control, give control to Me! When things happen, be comforted that Jesus, your Lord and Savior, the Great Physician, knows about it. He knows the condition of our hearts. Jesus was not telling His disciples not to start being troubled; they already were troubled. He is telling them to stop being troubled! Then He gives them a second command, "...believe in God, believe also in Me.” To the casual reader, Jesus' response may not seem like much, but it is much indeed. Here Jesus affirms His deity, announcing Himself on the level with God the Father. By doing this, Jesus is calling His disciples to put their faith and hope in Him; He is an appropriate object of their faith!
Many in Israel, including His disciples believed in God even
though they had never see Him. The disciples now needed to have that same kind of belief and faith in Jesus as they did with God; when He was no longer visibly walking with them. Jesus commends the faith of those who have never seen Him and yet believe (John 20:29). He promises, "I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). The verb "believe" is present tense and refers to a constant, ongoing trust in Him. When things happen, and our faith begins to waver, we must constantly believe in Jesus, He is God. In times of crisis, Christians are instructed to put our faith and hope in Jesus, moment by moment, day by day until our hearts are no longer troubled. It is a lesson we all need to learn and apply. May God bless you in your life with Him!
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