I love these words of Augustine!
Man’s maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.
What a God and saviour we have in Jesus! He knows what life is like in all its joys and sadnesses because he has experienced it for himself. This Sunday Paul will be opening God's word for us and asking the question, 'Why do bad things happen?'
The Bible has really helpful things to say on this but the most comforting for us in times of trouble is that God knows, in himself, what it is like. We don't have a God who is distant and aloof, unfeeling and uncaring but a God who was one of us. As we read in Hebrews 4,
'Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'
Grace & peace,
Andrew
P.S. With school holidays upon us many of the staff will be away. I'm off on leave tomorrow until 29 April. If you need to get in contact with someone please emailinfo@cityonahill.co.nzand the staff members who are around will be in touch.