Ancient Voices of the Church — Sermon
Julian of Norwich: “Divine Love and Providence”**
Scripture:
Romans:8:28
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Ancient Voice: “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Theme: The sovereign, tender, unbreakable love of God in all things.
I. The Woman in the Cell and the God Who Sees
In the late 14th century, in a small cell attached to St. Julian’s Church in Norwich, lived a woman whose voice would echo across centuries. She was not a bishop, not a scholar, not a public figure. She was an anchoress — hidden from the world, yet profoundly present to God.
Julian of Norwich received sixteen visions of Christ’s passion, love, and providence. She spent the rest of her life praying, pondering, and writing what she saw.
Her words are simple, but they carry the weight of heaven:
“All shall be well.”
Not because life is easy. Not because suffering is small. But because God’s love governs all things.
II. The Revelation of Divine Love
Julian’s central insight is startling in its clarity: God is never angry. God is never surprised. God is never defeated.
She writes:
“He is God: He is good, He is truth, He is love, He is peace.”
Julian does not deny sin. She does not minimize suffering. She lived through plague, famine, and social upheaval.
But she insists that God’s love is the deepest truth of the universe.
Where we see chaos, God sees completion. Where we see brokenness, God sees restoration. Where we see tragedy, God sees a story still unfolding.
This is not naïve optimism. This is providence — the sovereign weaving of God’s love through every thread of human experience.
III. The Wound That Becomes a Door
Julian’s visions center on the crucified Christ.
She sees His blood, His suffering, His wounds — and she sees love shining through every part.
She writes that Christ showed her:
“Sin is behovely.”
Meaning: sin is tragic, but God uses even sin to bring about His purposes.
This is Romans 8:28 lived out in mystical vision.
Julian does not say sin is good. She says God is so good that even sin cannot stop His love.
Every wound becomes a door. Every sorrow becomes a seed. Every failure becomes a place where grace enters.
This is the providence of God — not that He causes all things, but that He redeems all things.
IV. The Love of Christ
One of Julian’s most tender insights is her description of Christ's Love for us.
She writes:
She does not change doctrine. She does not alter the Trinity. She simply sees Christ’s love as so nurturing, so patient, so life-giving, that the metaphor of motherhood becomes fitting.
Christ feeds us. Christ carries us. Christ comforts us. Christ protects us.
This is divine love expressed in the gentlest human terms.
V. “All Shall Be Well” — The Cry of Christian Hope
Julian’s most famous words are not sentimental. They are eschatological.
“All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
She heard these words from Christ Himself.
Not “some things.” Not “most things.” But all things.
This is not universalism. It is not denial of judgment. It is the promise that God’s final word over creation is restoration, not ruin.
Julian teaches us that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is confidence in the God who finishes what He begins.
VI. Living in the Light of Divine Providence
What does Julian offer the modern church?
She offers courage — because God’s love is stronger than our fear. She offers patience — because God’s timing is wiser than our urgency. She offers trust — because God’s providence is deeper than our understanding.
Julian invites us to rest in the God who holds all things, knows all things, and loves all things.
Her voice joins the chorus of ancient witnesses:
Augustine’s “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Chrysostom’s “Glory to God for all things.”
St. Paul’s “All things work together for good.”
Julian’s gift is simple: She teaches us to believe that God’s love is the truest reality of the world.
VII. Conclusion: The Providence That Holds Us
In a world of anxiety, Julian speaks peace. In a world of uncertainty, she speaks assurance. In a world of suffering, she speaks hope.
Her message is not escapism. It is faith — faith in the God who is weaving redemption through every moment of our lives.
And so we join her prayer, her vision, her hope:
“All shall be well.” “All manner of thing shall be well.”
Not because we see it. But because He promised it.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You who revealed Your endless love to Your servant Julian, teach us to trust Your providence, to rest in Your goodness, and to hope in Your final victory.
Make us confident in Your love today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
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