This was spoken to the disciples in their time of trouble and they would cling to these promises.

The words that Jesus spoke actually gave the disciples the strength to proclaim his

salvation for decades while enduring unimaginable anguish.

You're listening to preaching Christ.

Preaching Christ is a sermon program composed of various pastors worldwide who are dedicated

to preaching Christ and him crucified for the forgiveness of our sins.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Today's Gospel reading begins in the upper room.

Here we are mere hours from the long sleepless night, the plea to the father, the sweat dripping like blood, the capture in the garden.

The underhanded court proceedings, the abandonment, the whipping, the insults,

the death with nails.

It's safe to say that Jesus had a few things on his mind, but notice with this passage

he isn't concerned with himself. He's concerned with those who he's leaving behind. You see he's sending them out into the world without a leader to proclaim a message that will cause them to be hated, tortured, and killed.

So to them, he says, let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. Don't worry. Trust me. I have everything under control. You are in my care.

This was spoken to the disciples in their time of trouble.

And they would cling to these promises.

The words that Jesus spoke actually

gave the disciples the strength to proclaim

his salvation for decades while enduring unimaginable anguish.

But in a way, we're not so different from the disciples.

Everyone's life is difficult.

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