Complexion of Comfort
God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
When the sixteenth-century British poet and soldier Sir Philip Sidney died, his friend Matthew Roydon wrote a poem in his honor. He said that Sidney possessed: “A sweet attractive kind of grace; a full assurance given by looks; continual comfort in a face; the [complexion] of Gospel books.”1 In other words, the Gospel shone through Sidney’s face. Divine comfort was etched into his complexion. To look at him was to be reassured.
If the face of a mere mortal can express God’s grace, think of looking into the face of Christ Himself. Imagine being the blind man whose first sight was the smiling face of the Healer. Imagine Mary and Martha seeing our Lord’s concerned face in their grief. Imagine the disciples looking into the radiant face of our Lord as He ascended into heaven. Now imagine His face seeing you and your burdens today.
One day we’ll see Him face-to-face. Until then, we can still look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Continual comfort in a face! Is this not truer of the face of Jesus, who was marred more than any other man? His benign countenance, loving eyes, gracious presence, and heartfelt messages all exuded comfort.
Herbert Lockyer
Turning Point Ministries
God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
When the sixteenth-century British poet and soldier Sir Philip Sidney died, his friend Matthew Roydon wrote a poem in his honor. He said that Sidney possessed: “A sweet attractive kind of grace; a full assurance given by looks; continual comfort in a face; the [complexion] of Gospel books.”1 In other words, the Gospel shone through Sidney’s face. Divine comfort was etched into his complexion. To look at him was to be reassured.
If the face of a mere mortal can express God’s grace, think of looking into the face of Christ Himself. Imagine being the blind man whose first sight was the smiling face of the Healer. Imagine Mary and Martha seeing our Lord’s concerned face in their grief. Imagine the disciples looking into the radiant face of our Lord as He ascended into heaven. Now imagine His face seeing you and your burdens today.
One day we’ll see Him face-to-face. Until then, we can still look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Continual comfort in a face! Is this not truer of the face of Jesus, who was marred more than any other man? His benign countenance, loving eyes, gracious presence, and heartfelt messages all exuded comfort.
Herbert Lockyer
Turning Point Ministries
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