Comfort

As we begin what is known as Holy Week, take great comfort in these words from Richard Sibbes. This is an excellent reminder of where our comfort lies; no matter what we face.

“And surely there is nothing can stay the soul more, especially when it is deeply humbled, than to consider God in the second person incarnate, and abased and crucified, and made a curse and sin for us; to see the great God of heaven and earth, whose excellencies we cannot comprehend, to take our nature, and in our nature to suffer for us those things which he did endure. This will establish the soul indeed. Can the soul think that this was done for any small or to little purpose? Or can there be any grief or sin that should hinder comfort, or persuasion of the possibility of pardon, when the great God became man on purpose to die for sin? We may set this against all discouragements whatsoever. And therefore, ‘believe in God, believe also in me.’ Howsoever you see me abased, yet you may have comfort in my abasement, for it is for you. And therefore, saith Paul, ‘I rejoice to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified,’ 1 Cor. 2:2. That which proud and atheistical heathens took scandal at, that he rejoiceth in, ‘God forbid that I should glory in anything but in the cross of Christ,’ Gal. 6:14. Peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, reconciliation, and title to happiness, is all founded upon Christ crucified.”

Sibbes, R. (1864). The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes (A. B. Grosart, Ed.; Vol. 7, p. 346). James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; W. Robertson.