A Heart Transplant

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

Ever hear of Denise Darvall?

On the 2nd of December, 1967, Denise stepped out of her family car and was hit by a another passing automobile. The accident rendered Denise brain dead and her father gave permission for Dr. Chrisstiaan Barnard to remove her heart.

The next day, in the early hours of the day, Dr. Barnard placed her heart into Louis Washkansky, and the first heart transplant was performed.

Mr. Washkansky only lived eighteen days before succumbing to pneumonia, but history had been made.

Today, forty years later, heart transplants are, while still risky, not very uncommon. We now transplant kidneys, lungs, livers as well as hearts. We even have made an artificial heart.

A very long time ago, God told the Israelites that He too, would perform a heart transplant. I will put a new heart in you He told them. "I will take away the stony heart" He said.

The heart of Mr. Washkansky had failed due to disease, a physical illness. The Israelites were dying of spiritual diseases. Their heart had harden from their spiritual infection, their turning away from the ways of God, their Lord.

"And knowing it, Jesus said to them, .... Have you still hardened your heart? "

(Mark 8:17)

And here is God offering them a new heart, a "heart transplant". Quite a promise, don't you think?

Are you willing to take God up on His operation? To have a new heart?

Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Until next time on My Front Porch