August 24, 2023

Troubled At The Actions Of Others

“When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.’ The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.” John 13:21-22 (NASB)

            A few years ago, my wife and I were at a Costco in Orlando getting gas. It was packed. As I pulled up to next pump for gas, a car went around me and took my spot for gas. I was patiently waiting for another car to pull out. As I got out of the car, I asked the man why he did not wait. He told me I was taking too long. If I were not going to go, he would. His disrespect for all the others patiently waiting was a little too much. I was firm, as another person nearby (at another pump), shared a few curse words directed to the man. The arrogant man (I do not mind saying) was too much. My wife (a source of wisdom), said “Honey, get back in the car.” By the time I got back in the car, I noticed my adrenaline had peaked and I was shaking. I was furious. After a few more minutes, we went inside the store only to see him again. I was better then. I did not say anything. Other people in their cars never knew what had happened that day as they were inside their cars. It was for the best. I know this “troubling” one has, personally, because I experienced it. Jesus knew what was happening. He was experiencing it firsthand.

            “When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit...” We see this same expression “troubled” in chapter 11:33, “He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled.” In chapter 12:27 too, “Now My soul has become troubled;” These are similar expressions of the same word tarassō; meaning to stir up, to trouble.”[1] Clearly as time progressed, Jesus became more troubled in His Spirit as the crucifixion neared. Lenski says, “Just before the Passover was to be concluded, when at last the sad moment had arrived for exposing Judas, “Jesus was troubled in the spirit,” ἐταράχθη, a strong verb and passive because something took severely ahold of Jesus and shook his spirit. His inner disturbance must have appeared in his countenance, his tone of voice, and his entire bearing... The entire context points to Judas as the cause of Jesus’ severe inward disturbance, for now the sad moment had come to take the final step with regard to this traitor among the Twelve, the tragic moment when he would give himself wholly to Satan and his Satanic work. He who might have been one of those sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28) is now about to become tenfold the child of hell and to win a name that is beyond all other names execrable among men to the end of time.”[2] Jesus was one with God (5:19) and yet He had our real humanity (1:14). “Such an expression as deeply troubled may be expressed best by a figurative phrase, for example, “his thoughts made him suffer” or “he was pained in his heart” or ‘his liver quivered.’”[3]

            I can sympathize with Jesus in His righteous anger concerning Judas. My actions of anger were not righteous with this man since I was so angry, I was ready to sin. There is a difference in the two. So the next time you get angry, ask yourself if it causes you to sin. This will be a good indicator to see if you are in the right perspective. The difference between me and Jesus is that Jesus did not sin. He trusted the Father’s plan. I wanted my justice.     

[1] Thomas, R. L. (1998). In New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Foundation Publications, Inc.

[2] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 940). Augsburg Publishing House.

[3] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (pp. 440–441). United Bible Societies.