I really liked Selwyn’s conclusion – that Jesus can, and does, comfort us during our times of pain and grief. We, who follow Jesus, have access to our God who fully understands our human feelings. He is our God, who’s nature, is to run down the road, with arms outstretched – to greet and comfort us – when He sees us at a distance walking towards Him, loaded up with pain and burdens.
Selwyn writes:“The problems on the surface of our lives may have different wrappings, but deep down in our hearts the pain we experience has the same labels – hurt, sadness, grief, emptiness, despair and disappointment. The problems in our world lead to pain in the heart and it is that pain, whatever its label, that Christ has touched somewhere in the journey between His birth and His death. No wonder our Lord is referred to be so many as ‘the comforting Christ’.”
Selwyn has selected Isaiah Chapter 53 for reading and meditation; with verse 3, highlighted: “He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” In both the Old and New Testaments, we are presented with the image of a suffering servant as a key indicator of the nature of our Saviour.
In addition, you may recall these verses from John 13:14-15 (referred to on 3rd March): “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” We are also called upon to comfort each other – as we follow in His footsteps.
Any comments?
‘The comforting Christ’
I really liked Selwyn’s conclusion – that Jesus can, and does, comfort us during our times of pain and grief. We, who follow Jesus, have access to our God who fully understands our human feelings. He is our God, who’s nature, is to run down the road, with arms outstretched – to greet and comfort us – when He sees us at a distance walking towards Him, loaded up with pain and burdens.
Selwyn writes:“The problems on the surface of our lives may have different wrappings, but deep down in our hearts the pain we experience has the same labels – hurt, sadness, grief, emptiness, despair and disappointment. The problems in our world lead to pain in the heart and it is that pain, whatever its label, that Christ has touched somewhere in the journey between His birth and His death. No wonder our Lord is referred to be so many as ‘the comforting Christ’.”
Selwyn has selected Isaiah Chapter 53 for reading and meditation; with verse 3, highlighted: “He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” In both the Old and New Testaments, we are presented with the image of a suffering servant as a key indicator of the nature of our Saviour.
In addition, you may recall these verses from John 13:14-15 (referred to on 3rd March): “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” We are also called upon to comfort each other – as we follow in His footsteps.
Any comments?