Answering the question above, it depends on who you ask.
If you ask a doctor, he would give you detailed information on the actual physical
human heart, what it does, how it functions and what happens when it is injured or does not function.
Asking Medical Staff
The physical human heart is a muscular organ with the major function of pumping blood. The blood is pumped throughout the many blood vessels within the human body. The heart completes this task with repeated and rhythmic contractions. The circulatory system that includes the vertebrates is also working within the system of all the body organs to perform vital functions to accomplish continued life of the human being.
When our heart beats, every single beat involves five major stages called the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle refers to all the events related to the results of the beginning of each heartbeat. The five stages include the first two, the “ventricular filling” stage and the last three involve moving the blood flow from the ventricles to the artery and the aorta. Throughout this cardiac cycle, valves are opened or closed, blood flows or ceases to flow, the heart is relaxed or contracted, the ventricular are empty or full, and blood pressure increases or decreases. All this happens in a beautifully orchestrated rhythmic beat.
Unnoticed to the naked eye, the healthy heart inside our bodies produces a healthy reproduction that flows not only in our bodies but overflows outwardly to our emotions, feelings, attitude, etc.
There are main functions of the heart that help circulate the oxygen and blood. The right side of the heart is to collect de-oxygenated blood, in the right atrium from the body then pump it through the tricuspid valve, the right ventricle and into the lungs. The left side of the heart collects oxygenated blood from the lungs and from the left atrium the blood moves to the left ventricle, through the valve then pumps it out to the body. The muscle wall surrounding the left ventricle is thicker than the wall surrounding the right ventricle due to the higher force needed to pump the blood through the systemic circulation.
A heart attack happens with there is an interruption of blood supply that flows to the heart.
The oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart is hindered and the circulation of the blood of the heart muscle that once delivered steady supply of blood fails. This blockage, a hardened mass, is commonly due to coronary artery failure which results in a restricted blood supply, oxygen shortage and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating and other symptoms that occur. If this is left untreated for a sufficient time, it can cause heart cells that will die, severe damage of heart muscle tissue and even death of the individual
In regards to a healthy heart, once the de-oxygenated blood becomes oxygenated, the whole heart awakens. Blood flow, oxygen, lungs, valves, etc. all work together with the purpose to wake up the heart and to keep it pumping.
So there you have it. The detailed information on the actual physical human heart, what it does, how it functions and what happens when it is injured or does not function.
But there is a deeper understanding of the heart. Something more meaningful and something that is focused on eternity
Asking Jesus
In contrast to asking a doctor or medical staff, “What is in a heart?”,Jesus shares a whole different answer to what a doctor would answer. Jesus’ focus relates to the inward soul, the spirit man. Matter of fact, many people relate to Jesus as a Spiritual Doctor because He is the one that fixes broken hearts not only right now on earth, but for eternity in our lives after.
When studying the following New Testament Greek passages of the Bible (observation, interpretation, application). One would go to the originally languages of the Greek for deeper meaning. In the Biblical Greek, the word heard is defined as;
denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life, the centre and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, of the will and character, of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions, of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate
Depending on the translation, there are over 30 passages in the Bible where Jesus Himself speaks of the heart. Here are some;
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Take my yoke (burdens) upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your soul. You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
When Jesus shares with groups of people, regarding their heart condition and the outcome of the heart many things are included; emotions, illnesses, burdens, short comings, etc. He is offering Himself to ALL people as the healing source for those things. He is saying that there is hope for those truly searching and seeking for a healthy heart in Jesus.
As Valentine’s Day approaches this month, I encourage you to exam your heart. As you would go to a physical doctor to exam your natural heart for defect, disease and malfunction, I encourage you to go to the Spiritual Doctor who is Jesus, to evaluate your spiritual heart of defect, disease and malfunction. Jesus will develop a pure heart within you. He will train you to be lowly in heart, bless you with a pure heart and most importantly, love the Lord your God with all of your heart. Seek Jesus the only Spiritual Doctor who can heal your heart and soul.
Resources:
1. Heartbeat Lessons of the Cross by Simone Lake- located on facebook Deep Roots in Christ Ministry page
2. www.BlueLetterBible.org – for Biblical language study
3. Encyclopedia
4. Scriptures: Matthew 5:8, 6:1, 11:29, 22:37
NOTE:
Firm Foundations is published every first Wednesday of the month in the Rim Review
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About the Author:
Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (of Church on Randall Place), Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology Studies, Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA University and active member of International Women in Apologetics. Visit her on: www.deeprootsinchrist.com, www
