comfort

JESUS THE COMFORTER - Matthew 5.4

I once visited a youth project in Birmingham and the youth worker said to me, 'I don't think people realise what Jesus went through when he died on the cross...'

Jesus was tortured, abused, spat at, laughed at, mocked, kicked, attacked, beaten with a stick, stripped, made fun of publicly, insulted, rejected by his disciples and the people who'd once followed him, he had huge nails driven in through his hands and feet and was put up on a wooden cross on a hill with criminals to die. His garment was stolen and men bid for it. Right at the end, even God his Father (who he had never been apart from) had to turn away from him, because on the cross Jesus became sin so our sins could be forgiven, and our Holy God cannot look at sin.

Take a moment of silence to think about what it must have been like for Jesus. When the Bible says you are blessed when you have pain, Jesus really does know!

Read John 16.5-8. The Holy Spirit is often called the 'Comforter' - one who comforts. Have there been times where you have felt that comfort?

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When I went through a difficult time, God gave me this poem. It may be helpful...

I hear you in your darkest hour, I hear you when you cry,
I hear you when you're most in need, I hear when you say why.
I know just what you're going through, I know the pain you feel,
But know that God still loves you, and know his love is real

Read 1 Samuel 1.10-20...

What was Hannah's problem?

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What did she do about it?

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What happened?

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Read Isaiah 61.1-3... This is a prophecy about Jesus. How is Jesus going to bring freedom, hope and comfort?

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Look through any of the gospels and see how Jesus brought comfort, healing, freedom and miracles to many people. That same Jesus is always there for you. He is always with you, he will never leave you. One day things will be so different!

Read Revelation 21.1-5 as a group and really thank and praise God