The Unchanging Heart of Christ
In the realm of Christology, one doctrine that often proves difficult for Christians to fully grasp is the permanent humanity of Christ. It’s easy to assume that Jesus’ time on earth was a temporary stint, and that he returned to heaven to resume his preincarnate state. However, this understanding is misguided. When Jesus took on human form, he did so permanently. His ascension into heaven was not a shedding of his humanity, but rather a glorification of it.
The Significance of Christ’s Permanent Humanity
This doctrine has profound implications for our understanding of Jesus’ character and nature. As the Heidelberg Catechism states, “We have our own flesh in heaven” (Q. 49). This means that Jesus’ emotions, passions, and affections as recorded in the Gospels are still true of him today. He has not retreated into a disembodied divine state, but remains fully human.
Jesus: The Most Human Person
In fact, Jesus was the most truly human person to have ever lived. His emotions were not dulled or corrupted by sin, but were instead fully functioning and unfiltered. As theologian B.B. Warfield noted, Jesus’ emotional life was characterized by perfect balance, proportion, and control. His feelings were not driven by selfish desires, but by a deep sense of compassion and pity for those around him.
The Depth of Christ’s Compassion
Warfield’s study of Jesus’ emotional life highlights the depth of his compassion. When Jesus encountered people in need, his heart responded with a profound feeling of pity. His compassion was not limited to external actions, but was an internal movement of his emotional nature. As the Greek word “splanchnizo” suggests, Jesus’ feelings were not superficial, but were deeply rooted in his being.
Perfect Pity
So what does it mean for a sinless person like Jesus to experience compassion? It means that his emotions are unrestrained by selfishness or sin. His pity is perfect, unfiltered, and unadulterated. When Jesus looks at us, he sees us as we truly are – broken, sinful, and in need of redemption. And yet, he responds with kindness, compassion, and love.
The Implications of Christ’s Heart
The implications of Christ’s heart are profound. If Jesus is still fully human, and if his emotions are still true of him today, then we can trust that he understands us. We can trust that he feels for us, and that he is moved by our struggles and sorrows. We can trust that he is gentle and lowly, accessible and kind. And we can trust that his heart is always open to us, no matter what our circumstances may be.
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