There is a great key to healing and ministering healing that we often overlook. Sometimes we see people attempt to minister out of authority, but that does not always work as expected. While man has authority, it is not by the will of man that healing is manifested. There is another element we must understand when we lay hands on people; and the good news for us is that it is a characteristic that we see in the Father and the Son, and one in which Paul tells us to enlarge. With that in mind we see just how complicated it was to get this message to the people. It was a message that was easy to lose as pharisaical religion usually overtakes pure love, PLUR (peace, love, unity, and respect). In fact we see how important this message is by the complexity of how it was brought forth and communicated. Two old Essenes/Nazarenes who were prophets, one archangel, ancient prophetic writings, one prophet similar to Elijah, one young girl, and the Son of the Living God, bring us this message in context. The stories were alive and spreading in that day, but in our day we miss some of the details and therein miss the key to ministering healing.
When we think about Zacharias’ ordeal with the angel Gabriel we recognize the he was in a very special class of humans. Zacharias, Mary, and Daniel are the only people we have recorded who have actually spoken to the angel Gabriel. That suggests that these three people were holy and true, from the lines of the prophets and Zedeks. The Essenes wrote on the shields of the towers the names of the angels, Gabriel being one of them. Also, found among fragments of writings from the Essenes, is a text from both 4Q529 and 6Q23 called the Words of the Archangel Michael, where Michael addresses Gabriel and the angels. The Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes were well aware of the angelic host, the bene elohim. The interesting part about this visit from Gabriel is the announcement that a prophet in the spirit of Elijah is coming. Another person will be born of the line of prophets with prominence; with miracle working power and convicting speech which will give people the chance to come back to Yahweh. The majority of people were under pharisaic dominion and manipulation. This next prophet would have the power to break the spell over the minds of those people. This is what Gabriel says:
Luke 1:13-17 (KJV) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
The baby would be great in the sight of the Lord. That is an important bit of information. When we consider Zacharias and what he heard, we recognize how astonishing this message was. He was to have a son who would live under the nazarite vows, he would be filled with the Holy Ghost in the womb of Elizabeth, and many would turn to the Lord. Now look at verse 17.
Luke 1:16G2532And G4183[2many G35883of the G52074sons G*5of Israel G19941he will turn] G2089to G2962the Lord G3588 G2316their God. G1473
17G2532And G1473he G4281shall go forth G1799before G1473him G1722in G4151spirit G2532and G1411power G*of Elijah
“And” is a conjunction, therefore just because someone put a verse marker between these phrases does not mean the thoughts are separate thoughts. The conjunction tells us (as spoken) that this would have been one full sentence starting with verse 15. Let’s ask the question, who would this boy, John, go before according to the words of the Angel? Who is him? It could be written Him. The Lord God, Kurios Theos or in the Hebrew language, Yahweh Elohim. The angel of Yahweh, Gabriel, says to Zacharias, “your son will precede (in place or time) before the face of Yahweh Elohim in spirit and miraculous power”. Zacharias knew the prophecies, he realized he was being told that his son would proceed the Messiah.
4281 προέρχομαι proerchomai pro-er'-khom-ahee From G4253 and G2064 (including its alternate); to go onward, precede (in place or time)KJV Usage: go before (farther, forward), outgo, pass on.
1799 ἐνώπιον enōpion en-o'-pee-on Neuter of a compound of G1722 and a derivation of G3700; in the face of (literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: before, in the presence (sight) of, to.
1411δύναμις dunamis doo'-nam-is From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) KJ of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Immediately Zacharias knew his son would come before the presence of Yahweh. That means Zacharias knew Yahweh Elohim would come just after his son John. Remember a while back we talked about the Essenes and how they kept the prophecies? They were expecting the Messiah, the Pharisees were not. The Pharisees believed that the word of God was broken. But every Essene/Nazarene/Therapeutae young girl wondered if she could be “the one” to bring forth the Messiah. Every young girl knew Isaiah’s prophecy. Once a young girl was old enough to understand scripture, she was guided in holiness and knew that one day, one young lady would bear the Messiah. Zacharias did not know who would birth the Messiah just yet, but he knew his son was going to be like Elijah. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth, and he would turn the children of Israel back to Yahweh Elohim, he would come before Yahweh Elohim filled with spirit and miracle working power.
Notice that Elisabeth was no second class old lady concerning holiness and a knowledge of Yahweh Elohim. She was as much of a prophet as anyone. Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and she prophesies loudly.
Luke 1:39-45 (KJV) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Elisabeth prophecies and says “wow, how is it that the mother of my Lord has come here?” Elisabeth’s Lord’s mother just showed up, and John, in utero, jumped for joy. Do you see this picture? Elisabeth just announced via prophecy who was carrying the Messiah. The Essenes were expecting a Messiah. All their young women were expectant with the possibility that they could bare the Messiah until they were past age. Zacharias first heard from the angel regarding their son. Now the people had hope, the Messiah is on his way, a young virgin would conceive soon. When Mary shows up at Elisabeth's house the picture was complete, Mary was carrying the Messiah. From this one family, from the line of David, Yahweh Elohim would be announced by John, and then Yeshua would come to redeem His people. These people knew who was carrying the Prophet and the Messiah. We are looking back, they saw ahead before the birth of the two boys. They knew about when each would be born. They knew the prophet Isaiah’s words were coming to pass.
Now really, who could blame Zacharias for doubting? If Gabriel showed up and told any of us something similar we would all be surprised. Like Abraham when he was told that he would have a son and Sarah laughed. But this is part of the story, the one our Creator tells so that the whole world hears. The people knew that Zacharias saw an angel at the altar of incense, they knew he was now mute, and they knew something big was about to happen. Then, for nine months Zacharias could not speak; but the reminder of him seeing an angel was still being broadcast throughout the region. So the knowledge of the story of Zacharias, of Elisabeth expecting and prophesying, and then Mary expecting, started to circulate. Remember that this is how our Creator makes himself known, through stories. As soon as Elisabeth gave birth, another story started. Zacharias could speak again.
Luke 1:63-80 (KJV) And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Who lived in the hill country of Judea? The Essenes/Nazarenes and Prophets. Now everyone in that region knew that the prophet John was born and that the Messiah was on the way. They remembered all the ordeals of the last nine months, and while word did not travel as fast as today, the people of the hill country were all well aware of the prophetic timetable.
Luke 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost before the day of Pentecost. The only prophets were from the school of the prophets, Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes. Zacharias prophesied. He was filled, Elisabeth was filled, and baby John was filled with the Holy Ghost. All before the day of Pentecost. Here we see, the Holy Spirit is not concerned with gender or age when infilling humans. Instead the Holy Spirit is concerned with holiness. Notice what Zacharias says.
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
This is amazing. But it gets better.
Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The child, Zacharias’ child, would be called “the prophet of the Highest”. John would go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation unto His people and the remission of sins through the tender mercy of Elohim. Zacharias says that the Dayspring from on High has visited us to give light and guide our feet in the way of peace. We then see that John did not learn the ways of the Lord in Jerusalem, the temple, or from the Pharisees. John did his learning among the Essenes, in the desert, in the hills, until the day of his proclamation or announcement, with Israel.
Luke 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
There is something here that we could easily miss, and we should take the time to explore. Zacharias prophesied, being filled with the Holy Spirit. He said our God has bowels of compassion toward us. A deep rooted inner passion towards humans. His love for us exists within Himself in His bowels, which is a place of violent passions and tender affections. Our God is intensely passionate and tenderly compassionate. If we notice Thayer’s definition 1b, we see the nature of raw emotion that our Heavenly Father has for us. We now understand that John came to make Jesus known and Jesus came to make the Living God known.
Luke 1:78G1223through G4698feelings of compassion G1656of mercy G2316of our God, G1473 G1722in G3739which G1980[visited G1473us G395 the rising G1537of G5311 the height];
4698LSJ Gloss: σπλάγχνονthe inward parts
Dodson: σπλάγχνα bowels, compassion, pity
the inward parts; the heart, affections, seat of the feelings.
Strong’s: σπλάγχνον an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy
Derivation: probably strengthened from σπλήν (the "spleen");
KJV Usage: bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.
Thayer:
1) bowels, intestines, (the heart, lungs, liver, etc.)
1a) bowels
1b) the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.)
1c) a heart in which mercy resides
σπλάγχνον splagchnon splangkh'-non Probably strengthened from σπλήν
splēn (the “spleen”); an intestine (plural); figuratively pity or sympathy
KJV Usage: bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.
Our God is passionate toward us and compassionate. From His inner most parts he wants to redeem us. If we recognize how much had to take place before Jesus could come and announce redemption, we understand that this effort has to stem from His deep passion for us. Jesus is that representation of the Father on the earth, he came to make the Father known to us. Like Father, like Son. Jesus always did the Fathers will.
Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Jesus was moved in his deepest inward parts, his spleen, toward the multitudes. As we noted a while back, as Jesus healed people the crowds grew larger and larger. Why? Because this is the satan’s world for now, there is no love or compassion that emanates from him. Jesus is showing us something that the devil never displays, compassion.
Matthew 9:36G1492And having beheld G1161 G3588the G3793multitudes, G4697he was moved with compassion G4012for G1473them, G3754for G1510.7.6they were G1590fainting G2532and G4495dropping G5616as G4263sheep G3361not G2192having G4166a shepherd.
4697 LSJ Gloss: σπλαγχνίζομαι to feel compassion, mercy
Dodson: σπλαγχνίζομαι I have pity on I feel compassion, have pity on, am moved.
Strong’s: σπλαγχνίζομαι to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity Derivation: middle voice from G4698;KJV Usage: have (be moved with) compassion.
Thayer:
1) to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)
σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee Middle voice from G4698; to have the bowels yearn, that is, (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity KJV Usage: have (be moved with) compassion.
Sometimes compassion is translated “pity” and sometimes “mercy”. It is a widely used idea with many Greek and Hebrew words. In looking at this word splagchnizomai and splagchnon, we see that this is an energy that comes from deep within. It is not simply a thought or an idea. It is an emotion that comes from a place deep down inside our human form. It has an energy that stirs and moves one to act. It has a detectable vibratory wave, like a heart wave or a brain wave. We know our brains have thoughts and our hearts have thoughts. We know that our kidney’s, or reigns, are our emotional center, but this area of the bowels or spleen are more than emotions, they are a place of intense passions.
Matthew 14:13-14 (KJV) When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Moved with compassion means that compassion or passion is stirring, and can elevate or rest. It increases and decreases. In our own human form we could not live splagchnizomai all the time, we would tax our bodies if we were always in a hyper state of compassion. If the bowels are the place of love (PLUR or peace, love, unity and respect) and pity we can see that Jesus didn’t simply feel sorry for man’s condition, he hotly disagreed with man’s condition on the earth. He intensely opposed the way man is barely surviving, so he healed those in need. Jesus did not only come for the living, as we know he came to rescue the dead from hades and announce to the living the choice that we have for the future when our bodies finally fail. Now, for those who choose, we are released by ransom. Jesus paid the price for us.
Jesus gives us some instruction, do not be the one ministered to, like kings and lords, but instead whoever will be great among the people should be the one ministering and serving others. People who minister in healing ministry, know splagchnizomai is key and a well hidden secret regarding healing.
Matthew 20:25-34 (KJV) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The multitudes are following Jesus and the disciples. Why? Because Jesus has shown love and compassion to the crowds, healing them. The message of redemption will be understood after Jesus rises from the dead. The story of healing is the story making known the old prophecies that were true and accurate. People follow those who heal because they know that they have seen the hand of God touch their lives. It is not the person, it is the Spirit of the Living God that heals their sickness. The story is not the healing, the story is the love of God. That is the story hidden on the earth. The Pharisees did not minister healing, nor did they serve in ministering to the sick. We look at the Pharisees as the standard religious practice for the first century, the true story of the prophets has been hidden. The Therapeutaes were vibrant in healing and in worship ministry. The Pharisees were following dead works and religious superstitions. Our Creator loves us deeply and passionately. Now Jesus is going to heal the blind.
Matthew 20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Healing the blind was a big deal. We don’t see it that way today, but back then it was the last sign of the Messiah. Jesus healed many blind people, at least ten. He healed the blind which was the prophecy of Isaiah 61. We know the Masoretes deleted that phrase, recovery of sight to the blind, from Isaiah 61 so that they could claim other people were the Messiah. The Masoretes descended from the Pharisees, not the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes or Prophets. They did not want the prophecies to be true about Jesus, Yeshua. But they were; and Jesus’ compassion shown through so that the crowds and multitudes followed him.
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians we see that they had closed up their bowels of compassion. Paul tells them to be enlarged or widened.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (KJV) O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
2 Corinthians 6:12G3756You have not G4729been restricted G1722by G1473us, G4729[you have been restricted G1161but G17222in G3588 G4698your feelings of compassion], G1473
4698 LSJ Gloss: σπλάγχνον the inward parts
Dodson: σπλάγχνα bowels, compassion, pity
the inward parts; the heart, affections, seat of the feelings.
Strong’s: σπλάγχνον an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy
Derivation: probably strengthened from σπλήν (the “spleen"); KJV Usage: bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.
Thayer:
1) bowels, intestines, (the heart, lungs, liver, etc.)
1a) bowels
1b) the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.)
1c) a heart in which mercy resides
σπλάγχνον splagchnon splangkh'-non Probably strengthened from σπλήν
splēn (the “spleen”); an intestine (plural); figuratively pity or sympathy
KJV Usage: bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.
What does being restricted in their bowels mean? It could be looked at as “constipated”, but intentionally stopping one’s self from being compassionate. Shouldn’t the called out have compassion upon others? Shouldn’t the called out minister to others? Shouldn’t the called out minister healing with splagchnon? Jesus did, but the Corinthians became hardened in some way. They closed up their own splagchnon. People do this today. They close up their compassion due to religious belief. Some say the gifts of the Spirit are not available today, some say only a few are available today, and others believe that they are available but do not use them out of fear. But in this context Paul tells the Corinthians something that we should consider.
2 Corinthians 6:16 (KJV) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Let’s look at this verse in the context of closing up compassion. What agreement does the temple of God have with dead wood. Dumb idols don’t have compassion, dumb idols are not concerned with humans. But as Zacharias prophesied, our God has intense passion and tender compassion for us. Therefore don’t be like dead wood. You are the temple of the Living God, the God of deep holy passion and love. That God, with all His intensity, lives within you. He walks within you. Now instead, enlarge your compassion. In other words use the compassion within you and lay hands on the sick, use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to heal; physically, emotionally, mentally. Be like Jesus. Be like Paul.
Philippians 1:8 (KJV) For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Paul had great affection for the Philippians. He longed for them. I like how Paul says in the bowels of Jesus Christ. In the Anointed Messiah Paul intensely yearns for them. Paul then asks them to be unified.
Philippians 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Paul’s expression “if there be…..” would be similar to our modern day expression “for the love of God” or “if you care anything about me”. Paul asks them if they have an ounce of compassion, behave with one mind. Behave PLUR, with peace, love, unity, and respect. Paul is asking them to make him happy by getting along. Paul asks the Colossians to put on compassion.
Colossians 3:12 (KJV) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
If we can hold it back we can put it on, and we can enlarge it. We can see the way that the Pharisees responded to people, the way they elevated themselves as “spiritual” and demonized everyone else. We can see how they were not concerned with healing people, loving people or unifying people. They gathered people and made them sons of hell, as Jesus said. Have you ever seen someone who believes themselves to be a “spiritual leader” yet when you look at the group as a whole you recognize something is not quite right? We see a pharisaical behavior instead of bowels of compassion. If we wish to emulate Jesus, we have to be like Jesus and do what Jesus did. We should not become pharisees, holding people back, shutting up compassion, rejecting healing, and lording over others. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are freely given so that we can do what Jesus did.
The apostle John now connects the entire matter for us.
1 John 3:16-18 (KJV) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
If we shut up our bowels of compassion we do not walk in love. If our religious beliefs cause us to restrict our flow of compassion and we see someone in need, then we are no better than the non-Jesus followers. If our religious convictions restrict us from healing people (like Jesus did), out of the depths of our inner being, filled with the Holy Ghost, then we are not walking in love, we are religious Pharisees. The Pharisees could have changed their behavior at any time and some actually did, but the majority stayed in their manipulative head knowledge behaviors, bullying people to do what they told them and threatening that they would not “go to heaven” so to speak, if they did something the Pharisees didn’t believe in.
We see the evolution of the story and the people of the hill country who understood the season they were in. We see the Essenes/Nazarenes fulfilling the prophetic words of the ancient prophets by their very lives, and willing submission to the plans of God. We see that the one who came to announce the Messiah came from Spirit filled, prophetic, parents. We see the Messiah then made known the Father’s intense passion and tender compassion for humans. We see just as Zacharias prophesied, that the Living God has deep rooted love, pity, and mercy for us.
Jesus healed people out of a deep rooted and fierce love for the humans under satan’s domain. We know after the day of Pentecost that the called out are filled with the Holy Ghost and can do the works Jesus did on the earth. But we cannot do the works Jesus did without bowels of compassion, the energized power of love, pity, and mercy, for others. Without splagchnizomai and splagchnon, all we end up with is pharisaical laws and rules; and while man has some authority over our natural world, such as demons or physical bodies, man does not have a magic word or wand. The Holy Spirit is the one who fills us and guides us. As we tune in to what the Spirit says, we can enlarge our compassion. We can prophesy like Elisabeth and Zacharias. Then others will see love, true love, in our deeds and in truth. John came to prepare people for the Lord as Luke 1:17 says. Jesus came and some people were prepared for Him; and in this way, we now can make ready a people prepared for the Lord because he will come again.
