The Father’s Heart

Sinclair writes, “There is something satanic about an ability to keep a mental dated index of rights and wrongs done. It is a form of self-love, always either defending or aggrandising itself. It is not even necessary for the person to be known personally, but only that they have a reputation that can be resented. That resentment—like jealousy—may appear in subtle and thinly disguised ways.”

Judas Iscariot’s response to Mary of Bethany is a textbook example of this. In John 12, Mary anoints Jesus feet with a lot of expensive oil and wipes them with her hair, but all Judas can think about is the value of the perfume. He hides his calculations behind a veneer of charity, talking about the good the money could have done for the poor, but John reveals his resentful heart: Judas was in charge of the disciples’ finances, and “used to help himself to what was put into [the money bag].” (John 12:6) He was only thinking of how he could personally benefit.

A resentful heart can’t stand seeing others wholeheartedly and unselfconsciously displaying their love for Christ. But love means that we delight to see someone express their devotion to the Lord. A resentful heart is always calculating: tallying up grievances, reckoning up grudges. But love “keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)

Some of us may be afraid that, even though we have been forgiven, the Father still harbours resentment towards us. Sometimes the gospel is framed as “God loves you because Jesus died for you”, suggesting the Father’s love is reluctant or grudging. This is a profound misunderstanding. Jesus didn’t die to persuade the Father to love us: it is because the Father loves us that he sent Jesus to die. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”. When we have put our trust in Christ and become God’s children, there is no hidden resentment towards us in our Father’s heart, only love.

Today, think about how you struggle with resentment. Are you ever tempted to think the Father resents loving you? How are these two attitudes linked? Praise God for his generous love, and pray that you would reflect his heart to others.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.