Friday, March 25

Heart Problems from Within and Without – And Faith

The CDC has reported an increase in the diagnosis of anxiety and depression during what we might call the “COVID era.” The relationship between anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders and cardiac problems has not been well studied, nor is it completely understood. Hormones stimulated by elevated stress, such as cortisol, have been found to impair heart health has but cause and treatment are not fully understood.

As Jesus approached His death on Maundy Thursday evening, He “earnestly desired” to be with His disciples, at the Passover, before He suffered. (Luke 22:15). We get the sense from reading the Gospels, that the disciples did not fully understand the teaching that Christ would be the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world…” (John 1:29), or that He would be the new Passover Lamb (I Corinthians 5:7). It seems that Jesus wanted to be with them as much for His own strength and comfort, as well as helping them to comprehend in a more profound way what “vicarious atonement” meant, as they witnessed Jesus treated like a scapegoat, a mocked king, and a lamb/servant rather than a lion/Lord. I believe the disciples learned this lesson very well.

In the course of their instruction Jesus would turn to them and say to the 11 disciples (Judas had just left the dinner to make arrangements to betray Jesus): “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

The disciples were in the upper room, they had celebrated the Passover and also received Holy Communion for the first time. Jesus had washed their feet, commanded them to “love one another, even as I have loved you…”. Moments earlier Jesus had again predicted His betrayal, (John 13:21). He tells his disciples that He will be gone, and they cannot follow him. He humbles Peter who boasts that he intends to follow Christ and would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus gives him the surprising rebuttal, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow until you deny me three times.” (John 13:38)

There were many reasons to be anxious and depressed after the immediate events preceding Jesus words, “Let not your heart be troubled…”

Many times I have found that it helps to reduce stress when I actually name what I am anxious or distressed about. Jesus has done just that in John 13. He then commands them “not to be troubled.” Just how does one follow that command? It seems to almost add more stress knowing that on top of everything else we are not to be troubled – in the midst of very troubling circumstances. But Jesus’ solution is simple: you trust God… also trust Me. Jesus is “Emmanuel.” Although “the heavens declare the glory of God,” if we are trying to envision God, He is right here, sitting next to. That’s how easy He makes faith. John 14 also includes the first promise of sending the Holy Spirit. When the Day of Pentecost arrived, God would use a visible sign of the Spirit’s presence: (fire, water, tongues, wind). He would continue to give us one of those 4 signs, as a visible reassurance that the Holy Spirit is with us. Commands are easier to follow when we realize we had the resources to follow them. The Holy Trinity is a substantial resource. I know I can follow the command “do not let your heart be troubled” because faith is not my work but God’s gift; and he has given me Christ’s promise in the waters of baptism. He named me His child there. No trouble here.