While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.” —Matthew 20:17-19
“In this world you will have trouble.” —John 16:33
Jesus wants us to
In times of trouble, remember the
“While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately…” —Matthew 20:17
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.” —Psalm 23:1-6
In times of trouble, remember the
“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified.” —Matthew 20:18-19
“The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified.” —Matthew 20:18-19
In times of trouble, remember the
“and on the third day he will be raised.” —Matthew 20:19
“Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.” —Psalms 30:5
“give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair.” —Isaiah 61:3
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” —Revelation 21:1-5
“In this world you will have trouble.” —John 16:33
“Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” —John 16:32-33
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 30; John 15; Revelation 21
Resources: “Stages of Grief” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Community Group Guide:
Why are we so averse to acknowledging times of trouble?
What do you struggle to remember most in times of trouble and why?
The presence of Jesus.
The care of Jesus.
The hope of Jesus.
Pray for any person in the group facing a “time of trouble.”
To prepare for next week: Read and meditate on Matthew 21