Healthy Bowels

I spent a wonderful two weeks in Costa Rica, where the food was absolutely wonderful, but...this post has absolutely nothing to do with that. Check out Ephesians 4:32 where it says "tender-hearted" (NASB) or "compassionate" (NIV).

Those are translations of a Greek work meaning "healthy bowels." It was used in this literal way in the 5th Century BC and also the 5th Century AD, so I feel reasonable sure that this literal meaning was known to Paul (and Peter in 1 Peter 3:8).

But these two passages are obviously using the term in a metaphorical sense. (I could argue that although when we aren't kind to one another, forgiving one another, or otherwise living harmoniously, we often literally do not have healthy bowels so Peter and Paul are speaking literally, I won't).

When we speak of the something very viseral or the center of our emotions, we speak of our heart...heart ache, heart break, touched my heart, etc. Hence the translations "tender-hearted" and "compasion," which is what the word means metaphorically.

In the Ancient Near East, the center of emotion was often the "bowels" or sometimes the kidneys...that is ... your innards. We even talk about gut feelings; it felt like he kicked me in the gut, etc.

So having healthy bowels means we have a viseral response of compassion to people, especially people in need.

The New Testament uses this "innards" word group alot. For a literal usage see Acts 1:18. But the metaphorical use predominates.

Check out Jesus' response to the multitudes in Matthew 9:36-38; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:12-14. Jesus' compassion, his healthy bowel response led him to action. He didn't just feel bad for them, he ministered to them.

Guess what word is used in Luke 10:33 of the Good Samaritan when he sees the man in need? You guessed he had a healthy bowel response that the religious leaders (pastors and missionaries??) didn't have.

Last week our cat got extremely ill, he was dying and we thought we might have to put him to sleep. Man, did I have a visceral response! I wept and lept into action. We changed his diet, and began an intense vigil to keep him alive. We had healthy bowels for him.

Then it dawned on me. Do I have that same visceral response of compassion when I see PEOPLE in need. I mean, Junior is a CAT for crying out loud. What about PEOPLE?

God feels about people like I felt about Junior. It was a convicting thought. I often...um.."joke" that "the ministry would be wonderful, if it weren't for the people.

Sighhh. Pray for my bowels.

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