A Study of the commands from our Lord, Jesus the Christ


Week 8, January 18th

The tour this week is examining the commands found in John 14:1 (NASB): “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”

Three simple commands:
Do not let your heart be troubled
Believe in GOD
Believe also in Me.

Remember, understanding Bible passages is ALL about context.

Here are several thoughts to keep in mind:
- It is Passover, “it is the reason for the season”. It is the eve of the most important celebration of the Jewish year, the Passover Feast. Which was ordained by GOD to be celebrated for ALL generations (see Exodus 12:42 (NASB)). Where GOD delivered His people, Israel, from slavery.

- Jesus is fulfilling prophesy by presenting himself as the “King of Israel” Matthew 21:4 (NASB)

- The crowd is proclaiming Jesus as the “son of David” Matthew 21:9 (NASB)

- The Jewish Leadership wants Jesus dead. Matthew 26:3-4 (NASB)

- One of His Apostles, Judas, sitting at the table with Jesus, is getting ready to help them. John 13:2 (NASB)

And Jesus knows EVERYTHING that is about to occur. Do NOT miss this FACT. Everything that is going to happen to the disciples was written in GOD's Book (see Psalm 139:16 (NASB) ). The same book that contains EVERYTHING that is going to happen to you.

That brings us to the three commands. The first command from our LORD is meant to calm the disciples and prepare them for the events that are about to happen:
- His Betrayal by Judas (see John 13:27 (NASB) ). Jesus orders him to "go quickly"
- His trials and execution (see John 13:33 (NASB) ). Jesus tells them "where I go, you cannot follow"

And the disciples need this command because they are NOT ready for the events listed above. They are too busy arguing amongst themselves who would be regarded the greatest (see Luke 22:24 (NASB) ). And why wouldn't they be thinking this way? They have just experienced what appears to be the pinnacle of Jesus’ earthly ministry: The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the promised King has arrived, the prophesy has been fulfilled, and GOD is going to take his rightful place on the thrown and rule. Just like GOD had promised.

Which brings us to the second and third commands: "believe in GOD, believe also in me."

The Greek word that Jesus used is "pisteuō" Strong's Number G4100 matches the Greek πιστεύω (pisteuō), which occurs 244 times in 218 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB

Strong defines "pisteuō" as: to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

The disciples are in for a RUDE awakening in the next few hours. And Jesus commands them to believe in GOD and also believe in Him. Jesus is preparing them. Jesus is strengthening them. Jesus wants them to concentrate on trusting GOD and himself in the midst of circumstances.

Read the rest of Chapter 14. See how Jesus is preparing them, strengthening them, and sending them the Holy Spirit:
- I go to prepare a place for you (verse 3)
- I am the way, the truth, and the life (verse 6)
- If you know me you know the Father (verse 7)
- Believe ME that I am in the Father (verse 11)
- I will send you a helper to guide you in all truth (verse 16)

As you look around at the world events today is your heart troubled? Then remember another command from the LORD: "Be still and know that I am GOD." (see Psalm 46:10)

Trust in Jesus. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Remind yourself GOD is in control.

To complete the tour for this week, I have listed the other "Believe" commands of Jesus:

These verses tell us to beware of false prophets and NOT believe false claims about the second coming of Jesus:
Matthew 24:23 (NASB)
Matthew 24:26 (NASB)
Mark 13:21 (NASB)

Jesus is telling everyone to believe the gospel:
Mark 1:15 (NASB)

This command is specifically to the Synogue Leader. Jesus is telling him to believe that Jesus can heal his daughter.
Mark 5:36 (NASB)
Luke 8:50 (NASB)

Jesus is telling the Samaritan woman that everyone's idea of worshiping GOD is about to change:
John 4:21 (NASB)

This week's Command topic:
John 14:1 (NASB)
John 14:11 (NASB)



If you have any other questions for me send me an email.

The tour continues next week with a look at the command: "Repent".

Return to: "and teaching them to obey"