Heart Surgery

Luke 1:5-25 tells us of how Elizabeth, the childless spouse of a priest, discovers that she will bring forth a prophet. This youngster will ultimately be known as John the Baptist. Her husband, Zechariah, gains this information from a heavenly messenger (an angel) however, he questions this because of his old age. Thus, he is delivered briefly mute, and probably lost part of his hearing also (Luke 1:62). As anticipated, he and Elizabeth consider and anticipate the introduction of their child. This happens a while before one of Elizabeth's family members, Mary, also gets much seriously astonishing news from a holy messenger.

One of the more famous predictions of the Old Testament was the case that Elijah would come back, before the appearance of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). This was attached to the expectation that a prophet would go about as a messenger for the Promised One (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1).

Zechariah, who has recently discovered that his wife’s soon-to-be child will satisfy this position (Luke 1:11-16), will understand this association. After the boy, later known as John the Baptist, is conceived, Zechariah will refer to this official messenger’s job (Luke 1:76). Curiously, Jesus will bring up that this job as Elijah has a restrictive viewpoint. John the Baptist won't in a real sense be Elijah, in some type of resurrection (John 1:19-21). If the people of Israel completely acknowledged John's message, he would have satisfied this very capability (Matthew 11:14). The vast majority would keep some distance away from the total truth of the Gospel (John 6:66).

All things considered, John's service would be strong and viable. His preaching would set others up to grasp an understanding of the messages that Jesus would teach (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:2-3). Indeed, even after his own passing (Mark 6:17, 27), and after Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:8-9), John's preaching would be essential for the early church's course of evangelism (Acts 13:24-25; 19:4).

Ezekiel 11:19, And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you an heart of flesh.

Jesus removes the hard, deaf, and immovable heart, and replaces it with a tender, receptive, and responsive heart. Christ is the true heart surgeon. He exchanges a stony heart for a soft heart. He exchanges a rigid heart for a pliable heart. He exchanges the skeptical heart for a trusting heart. He exchanges the closed heart for an open heart.

Psalms 1 39:23-24, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The disciples had a willing heart.

Mark 3:14, And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.

Who stands in need of a heart surgeon?

Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Church Hymnal, page 357, Is Thy Heart Right With God?

Have thy affections been nailed to the cross? Is thy heart right with God?

Countest thou all things for Jesus but lost? Is thy heart right with God?

Is thy heart right with God, Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God?