Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from myself, but the Father residing in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if not, believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in me, the works that I am doing he will do also, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:10-13)

Jesus opens chapter fourteen by telling His disciples to not LET their hearts be troubled. We do not need to let fear into our hearts. We do not need to let feelings dictate to us. We do not need to let stress rise up inside us. Or depression. Or anxiety. If we instead pull on our trust in Jesus and replace our feelings with His Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), we can keep our mind on Him (Isaiah 26:3). It isn’t wishful thinking, it’s a conscious choice to use what Jesus has given us as the source of our emotions instead of our feelings or ANY external circumstance. It’s how Jesus was able to face such enormous torment, yet feel joy deep in His spirit (Hebrews 12:2).

This chapter starts Jesus’ last teaching to the disciples. It runs to the end of chapter seventeen. There is a LOT included in it. Jesus begins by putting the focus on the Father. We are able to know the Father by knowing Jesus. If we engage what Jesus’ has opened to us, we will be able to reject fear, stress, anxiety, depression, and operate in joy and peace. But we need to maintain our focus on Him. Jesus gave them the promise of Holy Spirit, who would come on them to counsel, guide, correct, and dwell with them forever. Jesus was going to heaven, but He would be going to LIVE and Jesus commanded His disciples to live also. In fact, because of Jesus’ living WE are able to live (John 10:10). Jesus reveals Himself to us so that we are able to gain salvation and begin to live in Him (the journey of our lifetimes). Jesus was going, but He was leaving His peace. Jesus was telling His disciples in advance what was happening so that when it began to happen they could hold onto the truth that He was in control, He knew everything ahead of time, and that He was making a place for them to dwell in His peace throughout it.

Jesus begins to teach in chapter fifteen about being connected. That the life of the believer ONLY works when we are connected to Jesus. If we don’t have God as our Source, we are operating in our own strength. If God is not the One we depend on, then we are depending on ourselves. To do it our way is disobedience and that is sin. It is ONLY through trust in Jesus that we manage NOT to sin and manage to have life in full (John 10:10; Romans 14:23). It is all about being connected to Jesus and staying connected to Jesus. On purpose. With intent. Choosing Him every step of the way. Every day.

This is why we get hatred from the world. They hated Jesus and they can see Jesus in us. We WILL be persecuted for the sake of our belief in Jesus. It is their own guilty consciences that provokes that reaction. It is His goodness showing them that it is their own behaviour that is wrong that bothers them so. But if we stay connected to Jesus and we love everyone we come across – which doesn’t mean condoning their behaviour – then we will be following Jesus’ example. We will bear witness that Jesus is the transformer, that Jesus is the Righteous One, and that Jesus is the Way to reconciliation with the Father. When Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth – dwells in our hearts and we listen to what He constantly speaks to us, then we will bear fruit for Him, growing His fruit in our own hearts. Then we will be able to complete our mission: continuing the preaching of His gospel message to everyone. It is IN, THROUGH, and BY Jesus that it all happens. Our rights, calling, and purpose begin and end in Jesus.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples

Key Verse(s): John 14:15-21; 15:1-17