The Unchanging Heart
The central premise of this work is that the heart of Jesus Christ, though now exalted to the highest glory in heaven, remains as graciously disposed and tenderly affected toward sinners on earth as it was during his physical sojourn in the world. Thomas Goodwin identifies a common “stone of stumbling” for believers: the secret fear that Christ’s transition from a state of earthly suffering to heavenly majesty has altered his disposition. Believers often feel they could have approached him more confidently had they lived during the “days of his flesh,” but they remain uncertain how his current distance and glory have affected his compassion. To counter this, the work provides a systematic demonstration of the “gracious disposition and tender affection” of Christ’s human nature in glory toward his members under all infirmities of sin or misery.
Part I: External Demonstrations of an Unchanging Heart
The argument begins with “external” evidence—Christ’s words and actions during his final hours on earth, his resurrection, and his ascension—to prove that his heart remains the same.
The Farewell Discourse and the Last Supper In John 13, as Jesus contemplates his departure to the Father and his possession of “all things,” he proceeds to wash his disciples’ feet. This act is interpreted as a window into his heavenly heart; by performing this humble service while at the height of his awareness of his impending glory, he signaled what he would willingly do for sinners from heaven. While he cannot physically wash feet from heaven, he continues to wash away the sins of those who approach him.
Furthermore, in his farewell sermon, Christ assures his disciples that his departure is “to their advantage” because he goes to prepare a place for them and to send the Holy Spirit as an “earnest” or pledge of his love. He promises to return personally to “receive” them, an act likened to a bridegroom who cannot be at peace until his bride is with him. His prayer in John 17 serves as a summary of his intercession in heaven, showing that he speaks as much of his people “behind their backs” to the Father as he did before their faces.
The Resurrection and Ascension The resurrection marked Christ’s entry into a glorified state, yet his first message was not one of rebuke for the disciples’ desertion. Instead, he calls them “brethren” and speaks of ascending to “your Father,” forgetting his own past sufferings in his eagerness to begin his new work for them in heaven. He specifically directed the gospel to “begin at Jerusalem,” extending mercy first to those who had participated in his crucifixion. At his ascension, his final act was to lift his hands in a blessing intended to endure for all who would believe until the end of the world.
Evidence from Heaven Since his ascension, Christ has sent the Holy Spirit to act as his “proxy,” speaking only what he hears from Christ’s heart. The conversion of the apostle Paul provides a definitive pattern: Christ spoke to him from heaven, declaring his intent to save the “foremost” of sinners as an example of his “perfect patience” to all who would follow. Finally, the book of Revelation concludes with Christ’s invitation for the “thirsty” to come, a message he reiterated with utmost fervor as his final word to the church before the day of judgment.
Part II: Internal Demonstrations—The “Reasons Why”
The discourse transitions from proving that his heart is unchanged to explaining why it must be so, based on the influence of the Trinity, Christ’s personal interest, and his official roles.
Trinitarian Foundations
- The Father’s Command: God the Father has given Christ a perpetual command to love and receive sinners who come to him. This “law of love” is written “in his bowels,” meaning it is deeply ingrained in his core. Because Christ abides in the Father’s love, he must faithfully execute this command forever.
- The Son’s Natural Disposition: Christ is “meek and lowly in heart” by nature. Mercy is his disposition, not a forced duty; he was formed with a heart “of a softer mould” than any other to serve as a vessel for God’s infinite mercies.
- The Holy Spirit’s Influence: The same Spirit that descended on him “as a dove” to fit him for mediation remains upon him forever in heaven. The Spirit’s role is to glorify Christ to believers, taking words from Christ’s heart and echoing them in ours.
Ongoing Engagements and Relations Christ is bound to his people by enduring relations—he is our brother, husband, and head. Just as Joseph’s advancement in Egypt did not diminish his love for his brothers, Christ’s glory only intensifies his desire to cleanse his spouse and present her to himself without spot or wrinkle. His earthly sufferings also deepens his current affection; like a mother who loves the child she “travailed” for most, Christ’s soul clings to the sheep for whom he laid down his life.
The Office of Priesthood Christ remains a “priest forever,” an office established specifically for the display of grace and mercy. Christ would cease to be a priest if he ceased to be compassionate, for “to have compassion” is the essential qualification for the office. His very throne in heaven is a “throne of grace,” established and sustained by meekness and the gospel.
Personal Interest and Joy Christ has a vested interest in our salvation. Believers are his “fullness,” an additional capacity for joy super-added to his personal happiness in the Godhead. Every time a sinner is pardoned or comforted, Christ’s own glory and comfort are increased; he pities us because it is for his “own quiet sake” and his own joy.
Part III: The Manner of Christ’s Compassion
A critical question is how a glorified, impassible Christ can truly be “touched” by earthly miseries. The text provides a nuanced theological explanation.
Real and Human Affection Christ’s compassion is not merely metaphorical, as God’s “repentance” was described in the Old Testament. Because he is truly a man, his pity is a real, human emotion seated in his glorified human nature. While he no longer experiences the “frail passions” that waste the spirits or cause physical suffering (such as tears and cries), his heart retains a “vulnerable place” to suffer with his members.
Experimental Knowledge through Temptation Christ is touched with our feelings because he was “in all points tempted like as we are”. His human nature possesses a specific and comprehensive knowledge of our deeds and distresses through his “seven eyes,” which are the Holy Spirit observing the earth. He couples this current knowledge with his memory of his own earthly trials, identifying with us through a personal recollection of similar distress.
Dealing with Sin How can Christ empathize with the burden of sin since he was “without sin”?. Christ came “as near as possible” by allowing himself to be outwardly tempted and by being more “vexed” by the filth of sin in others than we are by sin in ourselves. He “bore our sins” by identifying with the guilt and suffering of his elect as if they were his own, just as he bore our sicknesses through sympathy.
Most Crucial Takeaways
- Sin as a Disease to be Pitied: Christ views the sins of his people as “infirmities” and “diseases” to be healed rather than just transgressions to be punished. He hates the sin but loves the person, directing his anger at the sin to destroy it while extending greater pity to the sinner.
- Boldness at the Throne: The primary benefit of understanding Christ’s heart is to “embolden and encourage believers to approach the throne of grace more confidently”. There is no need to fear that his glory makes him distant or severe; he is as “easy to be entreated” now as he was on earth.
- Experimental Sympathy: Christ’s ability to help is grounded in his own historical experience of suffering and temptation. He knows our hearts because he once had a heart under the same load.
- Mutuality of Joy: Believers should be motivated to obedience by the fact that Christ finds joy in their spiritual well-being. Their holiness and comfort contribute to his heavenly “fullness”.
- A Constant Friend in Heaven: In all distresses, the believer has a friend in heaven whose nature, office, interest, and relationship all compel him to provide aid. He not only pities but has the power to offer “grace and mercy to help in time of need”.
You can find the book “The Heart of Christ” by Thomas Goodwin published by Banner of Truth Here
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