Topical Bible: Afflicted Saints: Christ Comforts

Bible > Topical > Afflicted Saints

◄ Afflicted Saints: Christ Comforts ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The theme of Christ comforting afflicted saints is a profound and recurring motif throughout the Scriptures. The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of comfort and solace for those who suffer, offering hope and peace to believers in times of distress and tribulation.

Biblical Foundation

The comfort that Christ provides to afflicted saints is rooted in His own experiences of suffering and His divine nature. Isaiah 53:3 describes the Messiah as "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief," highlighting that Jesus Himself endured suffering and is therefore uniquely qualified to empathize with and comfort His followers. In the New Testament, Hebrews 4:15 affirms this by stating, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Christ's Promises of Comfort

Jesus explicitly promises comfort to those who are burdened. In Matthew 11:28-30, He invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." This passage underscores the gentle and compassionate nature of Christ, who offers relief and peace to those who seek Him.

The Holy Spirit as Comforter

Christ's comfort is also mediated through the Holy Spirit, whom He refers to as the Comforter or Advocate. In John 14:16-17, Jesus assures His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit, as the indwelling presence of God, provides ongoing comfort, guidance, and strength to believers, especially in times of affliction.

Examples of Comfort in Affliction

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of the comfort he received from Christ during his own trials. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of divine comfort, as those who are comforted by Christ are called to extend that comfort to others.

The Role of Faith and Hope

Faith in Christ and the hope of eternal life are central to the comfort experienced by afflicted saints. Romans 8:18 offers perspective on present sufferings: "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This assurance of future glory provides a profound source of comfort, as believers are reminded that their trials are temporary and that eternal joy awaits them.

Christ's Presence in Suffering

The presence of Christ in the midst of suffering is a powerful source of comfort. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This assurance of His continual presence provides strength and peace to believers, affirming that they are never alone in their afflictions.

Conclusion

The comfort that Christ offers to afflicted saints is multifaceted, encompassing His promises, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the hope of future glory, and His continual presence. Through these means, believers are assured of divine solace and strength in the face of life's challenges.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 7:13
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

All Saints' Day
... and he is chastised by God, and afflicted in his body ... And Christ is our Example above
all, for He was ... Thus all His disciples and Saints have followed after Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxvi all saints day.htm

The Psalms of David
... A prayer of the afflicted. ... for the Lord's day; or, A new song of salvation by Christ. ...
Psalm 125:2. SM The saints' trial and safety; or, Moderated afflictions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... divine wrath lay hard upon him, and God afflicted him with ... must be hated of all men
for Christ's sake; then, Christ will be admired in his saints that were ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
... PSALM 102 PART 1 A prayer of the afflicted. PSALM 102 PART 2 Prayer heard, and Zion
restored. ... HYMN 54 Electing grace; or, Saints beloved in Christ. Eph. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... other affliction but this." If God had afflicted thee where ... There are many millions
of saints dead, more than ... Nay, hath not Jesus Christ himself gone this way? ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
... carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like ... The saints are very happy, for
all things have a ... head; Christ, his head, is in glory; Christ and believers ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/3 the godly are in.htm

The Third Season
... the Lord." It is indeed for the saints' advantage to ... with such fruits as these like
an afflicted condition ... enjoy, even above what were enjoyed by Christ and his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

The Twelfth Chapter: the Royal Road of the Holy Cross
... Yet such a man, though afflicted in many ways, is not without hope ... many consolations,
for thus you would be more like Christ and more like all the saints. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twelfth chapter the royal.htm

The Holy Spirit.
... by Christ in the gospel to his poor dejected and afflicted conscience. ... When a company
of saints are gathered together in the name of Christ to perform ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/viii the holy spirit.htm

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
... who, in all our afflictions, was afflicted, who is ... rebuke thee." Ah, brethren, when
Christ's right hand ... it is really the unrobing-room of saints, the vestibule ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/swooning and reviving christs feet.htm