The Passion of the Christ
In Acts chapter 1 Luke identifies the suffering of our Lord as “His Passion”.The Word passion has several significations. In the Biblical sense, as it is used here, “passion” means to be “sore vexed”, to suffer intensively or to experience great pain and/or sorrow.
The modern use of the word, “passion” was adopted during the 16th century and is defined as having strong emotions as in a sense of great enthusiasm. The term today evokes sentiments of love and even sensual attraction. To be passionate about someone or something is to be “highly motivated toward that person or thing.” To be passionate about someone or something is to have that person or thing always dominating the mind and the actions.This idea is conveyed in Christ’s declaration: ”Where your treasure is – there will your heart be also”
Our Lord’s “Passion” must be considered as both a Biblical passion and a modern passion. In the sense that He suffered, we should use the Biblical term “Passion”.But in the sense that He was “Passionate”, i.e. to do the Will of His Father, we should use the modern version of the term.
In the most literal sense the Scriptures do not use the term “passion” or “passionate” in the modern fashion. In the Scriptures the Greek word is only used for “suffering”.
The Common Use of the Word Passion
The Word or phrase that best describes the modern use of the term “Passion”, or “Passionate Emotion” is found in Psalm 119.32.
“I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Ps 119:30-32
David uses the word “Enlarge” in regard to his heart
"I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart." Ps 119:32.
The Hebrew word used for “enlarge” literally means “to make room” or “to open wide”.
David is asking God to actively move in his life so that he will be more passionate in his obedience and service.
Charles Spurgeon observes,
"Yes, when the heart is the master, the feet soon run when the heart is free and energetic. Let the affections be aroused and eagerly set on divine things, and our actions will be full of force, swiftness, and delight. God must work in us first, and then we shall will and do according to his good pleasure. He must change the heart, unite the heart, encourage the heart, strengthen the heart, and enlarge the heart, and then the course of the life will be gracious, sincere, happy, and earnest; so that from our lowest up to our highest state in grace we must attribute all to the free favour of our God. We must run; for grace is not an overwhelming force which compels unwilling minds to move contrary to their will: our running is the spontaneous leaping forward of a mind which has been set free by the hand of God, and delights to show its freedom by its bounding speed."The Hebrew word used for “Heart”, however is actually referring to the understanding, and may include the entire fabric of man’s being. And so, David is asking God to open wide his understanding, in order for him to run in the way of God’s commandments.
It is the Understanding that Assist in Obedience.
The Hebrews were to be an understanding people in word and deed. This was their strength.
Moses declares in De 4:6 concerning God’s Law:
“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Upon his call to be King, Solomon asked for understanding before anything else, knowing that understanding was the key to prosperity, and success God-ward.
"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad:" 1Ki 3:9
David is asking God to enlarge his understanding.
CONSIDER Psalm 119 VERSE 32:
"I will run the way of thy commandments..."
David’s uppermost desire was to RUN (not merely keep or obey) But “to run” in the way of God’s Law. He uses the declarative “I WILL”. This is the voice of determination. He knew of his natural inability and lackadaisicalness, so he begs - he prays – he pleads – he declares, “I WILL”. In his “heart-felt” determination he asks God to enlarge his heart so that he might RUN in the way of His Law
Calvin comments:
“The meaning of the prophet is, that when God shall inspire him with love for his law, he will be vigorous and ready, nay, even steady, so as not to faint in the middle of his course. His words contain an implied admission of the supineness and inability of men to make any advancement in well-doing until God enlarge their hearts.”
The enlarging of the heart may also be identified as “Heartiness”.
To be “hearty” is to be robust, strong, bold, and healthy.An individual that is “hearty” is usually one who is full of life, rigor, passion, and conviction. A “hearty laugh” usually evokes a smile from others. It may even cause others to laugh as well. Heartiness is contagious.
The hearty passion for the Kingdom’s advancement is also contagious.
P.B. Powers considers this aspect of life and asks observes:
a. What Heartiness is
b. What Heartiness does?
c. Where does Heartiness come from.
1. What is Heartiness:
a. This may be defined as a passionate cheerfulness in doing God’s will according to His Written Commandment.
b. It is an intense desire to serve God in every way and at every season.
Heartiness is robust faith. It is constant faith and diligent service.
c. It is the life of True and Honest Christianity and it is exercised in every sphere of life.
d. True Heartiness is very difficult to quench – It is a strong man, and a strong tower.
e. Heartiness is living energy, derived from the transforming power of Atoning Grace and Sanctifying Love.
2. What Heartiness does?
a. Heartiness is being always ready to do whatsoever God commands. It prepares the saint to act whenever the opportunity arises. It is the saint’s motivating power.b. The hearty saint stands ready and observant to opportunities for ministry and service.
c. Heartiness has a positive effect upon others God-ward. It is an encouraging trait that causes a man to be productive in his Kingdom work and brings others along with him.
d. Heartiness encompasses many and it expands throughout the family circle to the church, and then into the community.
e.Heartiness stands strong in the face of oppression.
f.It stands tall in times of great darkness.
g. It holds fast to Christian testimonies in faith amidst mockers.
h. It studies so as to be prepared for every good work and to be ready to answer every man for the hope of the Gospel.
i. A hearty saint is able to comfort those that are weak.
j. Heartiness enables a man to go to his extremes for others in the cause of Christ, and for the Kingdom’s Glory. Heartiness knows no bounds.
k. It believes that whatsoever is impossible with man is possible with God.
l.Heartiness is always giving to others in the Name of Christ.
m. A hearty saint is not weak – rather he is strong because he is mature.
n. A hearty saint is able to “Take Heart” when the wicked rise up in authority.
He Is not discouraged by these set backs (or any set back for that matter)
He knows that God is seated upon the Throne of His Majesty working all things for His Glory
o. Heartiness leads in the battle of worldviews, and is strong to meet the foe on the battlefield of ideologies.
Finally: Where does this heartiness come from?
Heartiness comes from God. When the Spirit of God comes in contact with the human heart upon conversion, there is a transforming event that is life changing.
That Sanctifying Spirit (The same Spirit that Enlarged Christ’s heart in the days of His flesh enabling Him to face His sufferings courageously) is the same Spirit that is given to each and every saint.
Objection: “Yes – this is true. But even though the Spirit is given, the fruit to some is 30, or 60 fold - not always 100”.
Answer: The fruit spoken of is the fruit resulting from the preaching of the gospel. It has nothing to do with the diligence and devotion of the individual.
While resulting fruit may vary from one to another – the work done by all saints is to be performed heartily in a focused and continuous fashion.
There is nothing in Scripture that excuses the saints from a hearty profession and a hearty life in the service of Christ the King.
David asked God to enlarge his heart. His reason was simple. He desired to run in the way of God’s commandments. He desired to live passionately according to the Law of God and declare it among many nations. By the Grace of “Passion”, he would run to do this.
This was his life’s hope. This was his life’s dream, and fulfillment.This is the testimony of God’s True saints. This should be ours as well.
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