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The Disciple of Jesus Is Deeply Human
Brian Mashburn
December 3, 2006
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The Disciple of Jesus Is Deeply Human
Your heart is something that is uniquely human. Of course, not the physical organ that pumps blood, but the "heart" that reflects passion and intent, love and sincerity, intentionality and belief. The Greek word is "kardia" - and is used figuratively to include thoughts and feelings. The Hebrew word is "leb" - and is used all inclusively of the feelings, the will, and the intellect. Humans have them.
Your soul is something that is human as well. It is the Greek word "psuche" - meaning breathe, or life, or spirit. It involves the idea of sentience and consciousness, too. Because humans breathe and are alert and aware of themselves, humans have souls.
Your mind is also a special human attribute. The Greek word is "dianoia". It is speaking of the capacity for deep thought. It is a faculty available for mind-work and includes creativity and imagination. Mind is something uniquely human.
Your strength is human as well. The body of a human contains muscles and structures that allow it enact things physically, which is included conceptually in the Greek word "ischus". But it also includes a figurative sense of power that a human has. Force, ability, and might are good words and does not have to be limited to, but most also include, physical strength.
The combination of kardia, psuche, dianoia, and ischus is what distinguishes human beings from the rest of creation. It might be what the angels are thinking of when they speak of "humanity."
Jesus said that the Greatest Command is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). He said to love God with all of your humanity.
Jesus left divinity in order to become humanity. So many humans try to leave their humanity in order to become divinity. And not only is that impossible, God doesn't even want that.
Our humanity is what uniquely qualifies each of us to do the most God-honoring, God-glorifying, most important thing of the universe. Your humanity is required for you to be a disciple. It's only available to humans.