Our verse for today is found in the upper room ministry of the Lord Jesus. The next morning He would be crucified. On this evening He gathers His own around Himself, washes their feet, and gives them blessed teaching concerning this present age of grace. He instructs them concerning the Father’s House, and His coming again to bring them there. He tells them of the Holy Spirit, who would be coming as “another Comforter” after He had departed. What wonderful things the Son of God opened up to His own at this time! Yet, in the midst of such an atmosphere, and such unfoldings of love, He pauses, as the thought that one of those privileged twelve apostles, who had accompanied Him up to that time, was going to betray Him. He was troubled at such a thought. Here we see both His Godhead, as knowing all things that were to come upon Him; and we also see the reality of His true manhood. He was troubled in His human spirit. Perhaps we have anticipated some difficult situation we had to face. Or, perhaps we have known the betrayal of some close friend. We can understand then a little of what was passing through our blessed Lord’s thoughts. “Mine own familiar friend” is how Judas is described prophetically (Ps. 41:9). He had accompanied the Lord during the years of His public ministry, seen Him multiply the fish and the loaves, seen Him cast out demons, and even raise the dead. Yet the heart of Judas was unmoved and untouched, both by the display of power and the display of love and compassion the Lord Jesus showed. Solemn testimony of what our own hearts are like, but for the grace of God!

Christ was troubled; but then He gave His own—including us—the assurance, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (Jn. 14:1).