“Puritan Theology” Series by Rev. Zheng Biqing
Since Christ has returned to heaven, are we who are living in post-apostolic age at a disadvantage to those who knew Christ on earth? Is the glorified Christ less affected by humanity? Will His exaltation cause Him to forget us since He has left behind all His memories of weakness and pain? Let us search the Bible which will lead us right into the heart of Christ.
Look at the promises of Jesus before his crucifixion:
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14)
“I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)
Before the Lord’s ascension, he assured us that we are part of His heavenly family, “I am returning to my Father and your Father” (John 20:17) He also set up the pastoral system for His church when He told Peter to “feed my lamb” (John 21:15)
Jesus is now seated in the heaven throne with his human nature aflame in glory! By His divinity He is all-knowing. So He says, “I Know your deed” (Rev 2:22). It is as if the Lord Jesus is looking right into our eyes, saying, “You are my precious to my heart. I cannot live without you. Nothing in heaven can cause me to forget you but only to miss you more. The glory I have in heaven, you shall have part of it.”
By His human nature he is willing to know and to remember us. He was exalted because of his humble death on the Calvary cross. The Holy Son does not blot out the memories of his sorrowful cries when he bore the wrath of God for mankind on the cross and accomplished the work of eternal salvation, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” His knowledge of our pain along with the memories of his pain moves His heart to overflow with compassion.
Being the most beautiful great high priest and the only mediator, the Lord Jesus is not “unable to empathize with our weaknesses” (Heb 4:14) In fact, nothing grieves Him more than the sin of His redeemed. Nonetheless we receive far greater mercy from Him than the wrath we provoked in him. Such is the heart of the Great Shepherd!
Praise God that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb 13:8) The perfect glory in heaven did not diminish His emotion. He is still the Lord who has compassion on us when he saw that we are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”(Mat 9:36) Yes, Christ’s glorified heart still beats for sinners today. His humanity continues to respond to our suffering with strong affections, deep compassion and emotional sympathy while seated on God’s right hand.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, let us be assured that whatever misery we may suffer, we know that Christ’ heart moves to relieve us in our distress. How about your heart for him?
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