The Heart of Christ: A Refuge for Sinners and Sufferers
In a world where pain and suffering are inevitable, it’s easy to wonder if Jesus truly cares about our struggles. Does He really desire to be close to us, even when we’re at our worst? The answer lies in understanding the heart of Christ, a heart that beats with tender love for sinners and sufferers.
A Love That Never Falters
Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). These words are a promise, not a threat. They assure us that no matter what life brings, Jesus will never grow tired of us or hold us at arm’s length. His love is not based on our strength or resolve, but on His own character. As Psalm 63:8 expresses, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
The Perseverance of the Heart of Christ
This is not just a doctrine of eternal security, but a revelation of the beating heart of God. What keeps Jesus from growing cold towards us? It’s His heart, overflowing with love and compassion. The atoning work of the Son, decreed by the Father and applied by the Spirit, ensures our eternal safety. But Jesus’ words in John 6:37 reassure us that this is not only a matter of divine decree, but divine desire.
A Gentle and Lowly Savior
Imagine a two-year-old child wading into a swimming pool, instinctively grabbing hold of a parent’s hand. The child’s grip is weak, but the parent’s grasp is sure. So it is with Christ. We cling to Him, but our grip is feeble. His sure grasp never falters. This is the heart of Christ, a refuge for sinners and sufferers.
Coming to Jesus
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 us; His love is not limited by our weaknesses. Even the most intense human love is but a faint echo of heaven’s cascading abundance.
His Ways Are Not Our Ways
When you come to Christ for mercy, love, and help in your anguish and perplexity, you are going with the flow of His own deepest wishes, not against them. Jesus gets down with us, puts His arm around us, and deals with us in the way that is just what we need.
A Refuge for the Weak
Rather than dispensing grace from on high, Jesus comes alongside us, embracing us into His deepest being. He never lets us go, even when we’re at our weakest. This is the heart of Christ, a refuge for sinners and sufferers. Come to Him, and find rest in His gentle and lowly love.
Leave a Reply