(24) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
I beg the Reader to consider this verse by itself. It is, in my esteem, a very sweet one. And the question arising out of it immediately strikes the mind, what afflictions of Christ were behind, in which Jesus became concerned for his body's sake, which is the Church? It is impossible Paul could mean that any afflictions remained for the Son of God to sustain, in a way of finishing redemption. All had been fully accomplished, when with a loud voice on the cross, Jesus said, It is finished, John 19:30. The Holy Ghost is express to the same, in his blessed testimony of Christ, that when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3. Never would the grave have delivered up such a prisoner as Christ by his death was, had sin not been done away. Neither heaven have admitted Christ to the right hand of the Majesty on high, had redemption-work not been finished! See Romans 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:11-25
Neither could Paul have any one meaning whatever in relation to any sufferings of his. One of the great features of Christ's redemption-work is, that in the accomplishment of it, His own arm brought salvation, and of the people there was none with him. Isaiah 63:3-5. Paul himself is out of the question. So that on neither of those accounts can we accept the words of this verse. There is, however, a sense, and a very sweet one, according to my view it is, in which the Apostle's words may be accepted in relation to the afflictions of Christ, which Paul calls behind. I mean in what hath respect wholly to his body the Church. And which, even now in heaven, Jesus, in his human nature, may be said to enter into a certain concern for. And in a way, though without the smallest decrease of his glory, but rather to his praise, he may be said to take part in the afflictions of his people. If the Reader will bear with me, I will endeavor to explain myself.
And, first. The Son of God, in our nature, having finished redemption-work, and returned to heaven, he wears that nature in an everlasting union with his Godhead. So that as God and man in one Person, he hath a perfect sense and apprehension of what constitutes the nature of both. He knows as God. He feels as man. Hence, it follows, that his consciousness of what our nature is by his own, cannot but make him enter into an intimate concern and fellow feeling, in all that belongs to his Church. He knows all, enters into the concerns of all, and feels for all. So that the foot of any of his redeemed ones upon earth cannot be crushed, but the head knows it, and feels it in heaven. In proof of this, Jesus preached it to Paul at the time he was persecuting his little ones. He called to him from heaven, Acts 9:5
Secondly. The very reason for which Christ took upon him our nature was, for the express purpose, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest; the Holy Ghost gives this as the motive. In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. And the reason is added, for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted: he is able to succour them that are tempted, Hebrews 2:17-18. What a sweet relief it is, to every tempted child of God, in his seasons of trial, to call this to mind. And as this high priestly office of the Lord Jesus, is the peculiar and special employment of Christ now in heaven; must it not form the very quality of his office, be a part to feel for those he pleads; and to sympathize in those exercises of theirs, as though they were his own? And is it not in this sense Paul meant the afflictions of Christ, which are behind, for his body's sake, which is the Church?
If it be demanded, how these feelings operate on his holy nature, and how the heart of Jesus is affected with pity, in participating with his suffering members upon earth? I presume not to answer. These subjects are not the province of man. It is the fact itself, and not the mode of operation, that the Church is concerned to know. Every attempt to investigate these mysteries is presumptuous. From all unsuitable, and unbecoming enquiries, I would wish to retire with the most profound humility. But to know, that Jesus is, from his own feelings, intimately acquainted with ours, not only knows them, as God, but feels for them as man; and takes part with all that concerns his redeemed: surely these are among the highest consolations of faith! Reader! I pray God to make the review profitable. And may God the Holy Ghost, as the remembrancer of Christ Jesus, bring the thought continually home to the affections of the Lord's people: that in all their afflictions he is afflicted, and takes part for his body's sake, which is the Church.