Splanchna.

Recently, I've been reading the book Second Guessing God by Brian Jones. In one of the chapters, he talks about a Greek word, splanchna, which literally refers to the inner parts of the chest cavity; the heart, lungs, all that stuff. Figuratively, the word is used to talk about an overwhelming love and compassion for someone else. I think of it kind of like the way my chest tightens up, my breath gets shaky and I get something in my throat when I start to cry.

In referencing Jesus, Jones points out that the Bible uses this word practically all the time:

• "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion (splanchna) on them, because htey were like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34).
• When Jesus saw a woman who had lost both her husband and only son, "his heart went out to her (splanchna) and he said, 'Don't cry,'" (Luke 7:13).
• In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said, "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity (splanchna) on him" (Luke 10:33).
• In the story of the Prodigal Son, Jesus said, "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion (splanchna) for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).

I just find something incredibly comforting in knowing that I serve a God who loves people deeply, from the bottom of his heart and soul, where it hurts. I find it even more comforting that that's the same way he loves me.