Hebrews 8:1 tells us that in Jesus we have a “…high priest one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven.” Have you ever thought that the distance between us and the Lord Jesus in his glorified state is so vast that there is no way in which he can still be mindful of us or understand the pain and weakness that fills our lives as we live in a world that is so unsettled?

Or maybe like me, you are a believer who needs to be reminded of Christ’s love for sinners. If so, this book is for you.

Imagine if you came into an unexpected endowment of unlimited riches, prestige, and fame. How long would it take for you to get used to this newfound way of life and put the cares and difficulties of your former life behind you?

It would take me no time at all. But not so for our savior. In his little book, The Heart of Christ, Thomas Goodwin wants to assure us that our Lord, although highly exalted in glory, has neither forgotten us nor ceased to sympathize with us in our state of weakness.

To convince us of our savior’s continued love toward us, the author first points us to the actions and words of Christ surrounding his death, resurrection, and ascension. Just before his death and imminent ascension into glory, we see our Lord kneeling down and washing the feet of his disciples; something he would not be able to do once he is glorified.

He promises to send them the Holy Spirit so as to not leave them alone (John 16:7). Then in John 17, we see how Jesus cries out to His Father on our behalf and prays for our safekeeping.

After his resurrection, Jesus returns to the disciples, not in order to scold them for deserting him, but to restore them and reaffirm his love to them and commission them to work for his kingdom. If this was his heart just before he left this world, surely this is his heart toward us now in heaven.

The author also gives internal evidence of the heart of Christ for sinners: “If the same Spirit that rested upon Him and in Him when he was on earth still rests upon him now when he is in heaven, then his character must necessarily remain unchanged.” (The heart of Christ, Pg. 56).

Here is another reason for us to be assured of the unchanged love of Christ for us. The author also points out that our Lord is a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb 4:15). How wonderful that our high priest, who is exalted far above every creature, is still sympathetic to us who are weak and failing.

You will find many more reasons to be assured that the love that Jesus Christ the exalted one has for you now is as intense as the love that he ever had for you. Indeed, His love for sinners is deeper, wider, fuller, sweeter, and richer than we could ever fully know!