The Immovable Rock

The Immovable Rock

Read: John 14:1-4

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

John 14:1

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”

—Augustus Toplady

IN WORD Jesus is preparing His disciples for the most catastrophic experience they will ever face—His execution. Their Messiah, their Liberator, their political Savior is about to die a shameful death. Their hopes for revolution against Rome will be sealed in a guarded tomb. They will suffer despair and disillusionment. Their world will be rocked.

We know the end of the story; we do not despair when we read of Jesus’ preparation for death. Our hearts are not troubled, because we know of the Resurrection and the power of the gospel. No, our hearts are troubled about other things. We see what is going on in the world around us and wonder if the end is near. We hear of wars and rumors of wars. We are panicked by falling towers and biological pathogens. We notice that the site of the Crucifixion is once again the most controversial plot of land on the planet. And we worry.

Jesus says “don’t.” Our hearts should not be troubled. Even if all hell breaks loose around us—and for the disciples, it quite literally did—there is a place of supreme safety beneath the surface of those turbulent waters. Jesus dwells there, and He allows us to dwell with Him even now. The world cannot touch the one who rests in Jesus’ care, however brutal it becomes. It may threaten all that is corruptible—our possessions and our bodies—but it can never harm our lives.

IN DEED Worry occurs when we’ve overvalued something that is corruptible. We know that possessions, opportunities, health, relationships, jobs, and all else we need for day-to-day existence are important. But they are not essential to our life in Christ. We often overvalue them—they become our idols—and we overestimate our role in preserving them. When they are threatened, we worry. Our hearts are troubled. But if we fix our hearts exclusively on Jesus, our hearts find rest. Our Refuge, our Shield, and our Provider tells us not to worry. And He can be trusted. The Rock of Ages does not move.