02.15. CHAPTER 15: THE SPLAGCHNA OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER 15: THE ‘SPLAGCHNA’ OF JESUS CHRIST In this chapter we want to discuss the spirit ó heart interface that is prophetically described as the “splagchna” or the “bowels” of JESUS CHRIST.
Php 1:8 (KJV) reads: For GOD is my record (witness – NASB/NKJV), how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. The Greek word for bowels is ‘splagchna’. In this passage, Paul is declaring that in the witness that stands before GOD (see Romans 1:9; Romans 9:1), he greatly longs for the saints at Philippi in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. Paul is declaring that he is actually functioning in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST! The bowels of JESUS CHRIST speak prophetically of the spirit ó heart interface configured in the functional attributes of the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST (see Php 1:19 c) in our inward parts – through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT.
We see the bowels of JESUS CHRIST being described functionally in the following passages in the gospels:
Mark 1:40-42 (NASB) reads: And a leper came to HIM, beseeching HIM and falling on his knees before HIM, and saying to HIM, “If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.” And moved with compassion (Greek: ‘splagchna’ which literally means bowels), HE stretched out HIS Hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Mark 6:34 (NASB) reads: And when HE went ashore, HE saw a great multitude, and HE felt compassion (Greek: ‘splagchna’ meaning bowels) for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and HE began to teach them many things.
Mark 8:2; Mark 8:6-7 (NASB) reads: “I feel compassion (Greek: ‘splagchna’ meaning bowels) for the multitude ….. .” And HE directed the multitude to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, HE gave thanks and broke them ….. . They also had a few small fish; and after HE had blessed them, HE ordered them to be served as well.
Matthew 14:14 (NASB) reads: And when HE went ashore, HE saw a great multitude, and felt compassion (Greek: ‘splagchna’ meaning bowels) for them, and healed their sick.
The Greek word ‘splagchna’ has been translated compassion in each of the passages shown above. Literally in each of these passages, the LORD JESUS CHRIST was “moved in HIS bowels” by the HOLY SPIRIT and power for healing, teaching and miracles was released from HIS innermost parts. HIS innermost parts and their functioning in GOD are being prophetically addressed by the word ‘splagchna’.
What we see being described in these passages is the prophetic reality that Paul addresses in Php 1:8, as “the bowels of JESUS CHRIST”. What is of particular note is that Paul is declaring that he has the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. The bowels of JESUS CHRIST are descriptive of the spirit ó heart interface that we can potentially actualize in the Testimony of JESUS, through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:14).
Given that our spirit is being configured functionally in the Spirit of CHRIST and, that a heart of (HIS) flesh is being formed in us, we can understand why the bowels of JESUS CHRIST are descriptive of the spirit ó heart interface. In salvation, our spirit ó heart interface is designed prophetically to actualize the functional actualities of the Testimony of JESUS. This is part and parcel of the actualization of the functional realities hidden in the Mystery of CHRIST (see Colossians 1:26-27; Revelation 2:17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). It is in this prophetic functional reality actualized that we do all things in word and deed in the Name of the LORD JESUS (see Colossians 3:17).
It is in the bowels of our spirit ó heart interface that the Mystery of CHRIST (see Colossians 1:26-27) comes to life – giving functional root and form to the Testimony of JESUS. The functional root of doing all things through CHRIST WHO strengthens us, is birthed and takes root and functional form in our spirit ó heart interface. This is the prophetic actuality of the Root of David (see Revelation 22:16) that unveils the functional prophetic reality of the Key of David (see Revelation 3:7; John 10:9 c; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). The Root of David and the Key of David develop in the actuality of the LORD JESUS CHRIST becoming – increasingly – our BELOVED!
[We are in this reality moving from the actuality of preeminence into the complementary reality of intimacy described prophetically through HIM becoming our BELOVED!]
“David” means the “Well-BELOVED”! And, YESHUA must be King and Lord and Beloved in the witness of our innermost parts. In this prophetic reality the bowels of JESUS CHRIST form in us as a functional state in the SPIRIT of GOD. The potential that opens to us in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST is graphically described by 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 : … Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that GOD has prepared for those who love HIM. For to us GOD revealed them through the SPIRIT; for the SPIRIT searches all things, even the depths of GOD. The bowels of JESUS CHRIST is the functional prophetic root form of truth actualized in the Testimony of JESUS – through actual communication of HIS Spirit and Life, HIS faith and love, into a living, functional Witness described as true and faithful, in our inward parts (see Revelation 3:14 b). This true and faithful Witness unveils the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets into us – in fully functional terms in GOD and through GOD. This Witness stands in Spirit, Water and Blood (see 1 John 5:10 a, 8) and is an expression of the functionality of our Blood Covenant with the MOST HIGH GOD (see 1 John 5:7, NKJV; Psalms 91:1) – in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT (see Romans 8:2). The bowels of JESUS CHRIST is the functional crucible of our creation in JESUS CHRIST (see Ephesians 2:10). Here we actualize the functional blueprint of sonship to GOD – access to the stewardship of the Mysteries of GOD that reveals itself in us becoming ministers (or, servants) of CHRIST (see 1 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 3:6) functioning as priests, kings (see Revelation 1:6, KJV) and prophets (see 1 Peter 4:11, NKJV) unto GOD. The bowels of JESUS CHRIST describe “the ability which GOD giveth” (see 1 Peter 4:11 b, KJV) that is functionally perfected and completed into our innermost being – by the HOLY SPIRIT - so that we can (potentially) function as the Oracles of GOD! As our soul ó heart interface chooses to bow before all that the HOLY SPIRIT brings alive in our innermost being, the bowels of JESUS CHRIST – our spirit ó heart interface - take perfected form in our inward parts. Without our functional assent (or, functional agreement) to the pre-eminence of JESUS CHRIST as LORD and BELOVED in our soul, our spirit ó heart interface cannot develop in HIS Image (see Romans 8:29-30) and Fullness (see John 1:16-17, KJV+NKJV+NASB). Our spirit ó heart interface develops as we actually love YESHUA as LORD! Actually loving YESHUA is a reality our soul ó heart interface realizes (see John 1:17, NASB) as a growing response in willing obedience and submission to HIM. This realization actualizes the fulfillment of the Law. This realization positions us to actualize the many-faceted functional blessings that unveil the fulfillment of the Prophets. The perfected functional form in our inward parts actualizes the prophetic reality in the Testimony of JESUS that proclaims (from John 5:30, KJV) : … as I hear, I judge: and MY judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the FATHER which hath sent ME. And, this came about because YESHUA loved GOD! The reality of YESHUA’s “I” arises from HIS soul – the soul of true MAN! And so, our soul too must have such a passion and desire for the FATHER’s will (see Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:3-11). This passion and desire comes from the Spirit Of The Fear Of The LORD that takes delight in the fear of the LORD (see Isaiah 11:3 a, 2-3). This attribute of the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST - when actualized in our inward parts from the Spirit of MASHIAH YESHUA - causes us to actualize a passion and desire for the FATHER’s will (see Ezekiel 36:27). The bowels of JESUS CHRIST are a living expression of the passion and desire - for the FATHER’s will - that YESHUA actualized in the circumcision of HIS Heart. The bowels of JESUS CHRIST also describe the functional form of the wells of living water that the Word of GOD is designed to form within us (see John 4:14; Proverbs 20:5). The bowels of JESUS CHRIST describe the complex conduit for the rivers of the living waters of the quickened Rhema Word. These are the flows of the river of life that are meant to flow out of our innermost parts - under the inspiration and leading of the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 7:37-39; Revelation 1:15 c; Ezekiel 1:24 a) – as rivers of living water. The bowels of JESUS CHRIST unveil the Witness of JESUS CHRIST – by the HOLY SPIRIT – from our inward parts. The Witness of JESUS CHRIST is described in Revelation 3:14 b as follows: …. The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of GOD …. . The Witness of JESUS CHRIST is described in 1 John 5:8-10 (NKJV) as follows: And there are three that bear Witness on earth: the Spirit, the Water and the Blood (see also John 19:30; John 19:34); and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the Witness of GOD is greater; for this is the Witness of GOD (see Ezekiel 1:24-28; Revelation 1:10-18) which HE has testified of HIS SON. He who believes in the SON of GOD has the Witness in himself …. . The true and faithful Witness of MASHIAH YESHUA arises in the prophetic actuality called the bowels of JESUS CHRIST that is our spirit ó heart interface. This spirit ó heart interface that gives actual expression to the true and faithful Witness is the exclusive result of the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:14; John 16:13-15). This true and faithful Witness arises and operates in us by the HOLY SPIRIT even as our heart of (HIS) flesh manifests the fragrance of the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our BELOVED! AMEN (see 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; Revelation 3:14 b; 1 John 5:7-8, NKJV, 10, 14-15).
Through the bowels of JESUS CHRIST our capacity to minister - as ministers of JESUS CHRIST, stewards of the Mysteries of GOD (see 1 Corinthians 4:1) – come forth through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:14-15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). We come forth as ministers of the New Covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Peter 4:10-11, NKJV). May the LORD GOD MOST HIGH (see Genesis 14:18-19) unveil the functional realities of the Mystery of CHRIST to our inward parts that we may each be enabled to serve HIM in the true and faithful Witness expressed in Spirit, Water and Blood – which is the Rhema expression of the Word of the Cross (see 1 Corinthians 1:18, NASB) made operational in us by the HOLY SPIRIT, in the FATHER’s will so that we can actually do all things in the Name of the LORD JESUS. AMEN! The true and faithful Witness expressed in Spirit, Water and Blood operates as the bowels of JESUS CHRIST being perfected and completed in us in the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. AMEN!
Blessed be the LORD our GOD WHO has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places – in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT – so that the glory of HIS grace may be expressed in us and through us forever. AMEN!