JOHN 14.1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (ESV)
I have medically been a “cardiac patient” for quite a number of years. I know what it feels like for things to be wrong with the heart. These conditions can dominate a person’s thinking and emotions and physical sensations, and perspective of the future.
The New Testament word “kardia” is translated into English as “heart”. And Jesus uses this word in verse one above. The Gingrich and Danker Greek Lexicon lists many shades of meaning and application for this word “kardia”. Kardia can refer to a person’s thinking and mind. It can refer to a person’s center of spiritual life. And it can refer to the place of an individual’s choosing, and free will, and decision making.
At verses 12.27 and 13.21 of the Gospel of John, there are references to Jesus being troubled, either in His soul or His spirit. In these cases, events and circumstances were assaulting Him. But Jesus did not let these conditions seize control over His thinking and perspective and volition.
When Jesus spoke to His disciples, “let not your hearts be troubled”, I believe He used the word “heart” rather than “soul” or “spirit”, because He was drawing their attention to how they must think deep inside themselves, and how they must choose to respond to the assault of the events that will come against them. Thus, not giving in to doubt and despair, but holding on to their faith.