The Heart of Christ: A Steady Reality
In the midst of our sins and failures, it’s easy to wonder how Jesus feels about us. Does his heart still beat with love and compassion, or has it cooled down since his time on earth? The answer lies in his present heavenly intercession on our behalf.
A Reflection of His Earthly Work
Christ’s intercession is not a reflection of anything lacking in his earthly work, but rather a reflection of the fullness and victory of his atoning work. It’s the moment-by-moment application of that work, making our rescue profoundly personal. If we only knew about Christ’s death and resurrection, we might view our salvation in overly formulaic terms. But his interceding for us reveals his heart – the same heart that carried him through life and death on behalf of his people.
A Consoling Truth
The doctrine of Christ’s present heavenly intercession is often neglected, but it’s a consoling truth that flows from the heart of Christ. While the doctrine of the atonement reassures us with what Christ has done in the past, his intercession reassures us with what he is doing in the present. If you’re in Christ, you have an intercessor, a present-day mediator who is happily celebrating with his Father the abundant reason for both to welcome you into their deepest heart.
Our Sinning vs. His Saving
Our sinning goes to the uttermost, but his saving goes to the uttermost as well. And his saving always outpaces and overwhelms our sinning, because he always lives to intercede for us. This is the heart of Christ – a steady reality that beats with love and compassion for sinners and sufferers.
A Personal Invitation
You don’t need to unburden or collect yourself before coming to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to come. Jesus isn’t like you; even the most intense human love is but a faint echo of heaven’s cascading abundance. When you come to Christ for mercy and love, you’re going with the flow of his own deepest wishes, not against them. He deals with you in the way that’s just what you need – with his arm around you, not dispensing grace from on high.
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