Heart xenotransplantation ∙
I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart. – Ezekiel 11:19
Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.
A Cure for the Heart
Heart disease holds the grim title of the number one cause of death worldwide, claiming approximately 700,000 lives annually in the United States alone. That’s one in every four deaths attributed to this condition. The medical community continues its relentless pursuit of strategies to manage and ideally eliminate it.
One of the most groundbreaking moments in medicine came on January 7, 2022, when David Bennett Sr., a 57-year-old man suffering from terminal heart disease, became the first person in history to receive a genetically modified pig heart transplant. This unprecedented procedure marked a historic step in the emerging medical field of xenotransplantation, carried out by a team at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Xenotransplantation is derived from the Greek word xenos, which means “foreign or strange.” “It involves transplanting living cells, tissues, or organs from one species to another.” The transplants are referred to as xenografts or xenotransplants.
Why did Mr. Bennett choose to receive the heart of the pig? For Bennett, the choice was clear, though difficult. He could undergo the procedure, a shot in the dark, or succumb to rapidly advancing terminal heart disease. At first, it was deemed a success. The pig heart, xenograft, was functioning properly. Mr. Bennett’s condition began deteriorating in early March. He passed away on March 9, 2022.
Yet, his legacy endures. This revolutionary procedure spotlighted the critical shortage of organ donors. Over 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 17 people die each day without receiving one. Mr. Bennett’s story highlighted the lengths humanity will go to for a chance at life.
But as we consider the physical toll and challenges associated with heart disease, another question arises. Is there another, even graver, form of heart disease that humanity faces?
Spiritual Heart Disease
The Bible often speaks of the heart as the core of who we are—not just a physical organ but the seat of our will, emotions, and spirit. And just as physical heart disease leads to death, spiritual heart disease leads to eternal separation from God. The symptoms? Anger, pride, selfishness, unbelief, and sin in all its forms. Untreated, it’s fatal.
The good news is that a cure has already been provided. Motivated by love and compassion, our heavenly Father provided a solution centuries ago. Unlike medical treatments that cost fortunes or require complex trials, the Father has made this cure available to all people at no charge to the recipient. People have only to accept it from Him at no cost.
To coin a new word, we might call this divine remedy ouranotransplantation. The term comes from the Greek word ouranos, meaning “heaven.” God’s spiritual heart cure was conceived in eternity past, crafted with care in the heavens before the foundation of the world. These spiritual transplants may be referred to as ouranografts or ouranotransplants, supernatural healing directly from the Father.
REFLECT & PRAY
“God does not want remodeled hearts, but brand new ones. He doesn’t want a reform in character, but a new spirit that loves to do His will. He wants transformation, not mere accommodation” (Stanley).
Father, thank You for providing the ultimate cure for spiritual heart disease. Although it cost the children of the King nothing, it cost You that which was most precious of all: the death of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
INSIGHT
The Promise of a New Heart
Long before the advent of modern medicine and the marvel of heart transplant surgery, the Father extended an extraordinary promise. Over 2,600 years ago, He declared, through the prophet Ezekiel, His plan to perform divine heart surgery—not on physical bodies, but on the spiritual hearts of those who would become children of the King.
Ezekiel 36:26 proclaims, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
What do the words “heart” and “spirit” refer to? Ezekiel is not thinking on a physical plain. Instead, Ezekiel is thinking in spiritual terms. Ezekiel speaks of the heart as the core of one’s identity, the seat of personality and character. It encompasses the mind, the will, and the emotions. We are born with our spiritual hearts damaged beyond repair. Scripture describes it as a heart of stone, lifeless, stubborn, rebellious, insensitive, and unresponsive to God. It cannot be mended; it needs to be entirely replaced. What is required is a radical transplantation.
The promise is profound. This new heart, given by the Father, makes us responsive to Him. It allows us to feel, to soften, and to live in alignment with His will. Modern science might accomplish amazing feats, but it cannot replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. This divine surgery is one that only God can perform.
Being Born Again
Jesus Christ Himself explained the depth of this transformation during His nighttime conversation with Nicodemus. When Nicodemus struggled to understand what it meant to be spiritually reborn, Jesus offered this insight in John 3:3-7
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’”
‘‘‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’”
Spiritual transformation is not a superficial change. It doesn’t mean tweaking parts of our character or merely improving our behavior. The Lord Jesus Christ speaks of an entirely new birth, a complete renewal from within. This is the essence of being born again—not physically, but spiritually.
A New Creation
The apostle Paul echoes this truth, describing the miracle of spiritual renewal as becoming a new creation. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This isn’t metaphorical language. Paul states plainly that those who turn to Christ are entirely transformed. The old, dead heart is replaced with a living, receptive heart capable of loving God, obeying Him, and flourishing in His presence.
Why is this necessary? Because the human spirit, apart from the Father, is unresponsive and powerless. It’s not just broken; it’s dead. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1, “You were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.” A spiritually dead heart cannot react to God’s love or receive His truth. It is cold, resistant, and unwilling to listen.
The Miracle of Regeneration
From birth, every human being carries this affliction. “Human beings as sons and daughters of Adam enter the world spiritually dead. They have no inclination or responsiveness toward God and no ability to please God” (ESV Notes). This stark reality can be difficult to accept. Many reject the idea outright. But God, in His infinite compassion, made a way for us to come alive again.
The miracle of regeneration, brought about by the Holy Spirit, changes everything. Through this process, those who were dead become alive, open, and able to commune with the Father in spirit. Paul explains this transformation in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16:
“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them, and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, ‘Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”
This divine renewal creates an entirely revolutionary connection between God and His children. Through the Spirit, children of the King are not only gifted with a new heart; they are invited into a relationship with the King of heaven Himself, sharing in His thoughts, His will, and His love.
A Heart Made New
The Father’s promise in Ezekiel was fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we are offered a new heart, one that beats in harmony with the Spirit of God. It’s a miraculous transformation that transcends human ingenuity and ability. It costs us nothing, yet it cost the Father everything.
This new heart is more than an abstract concept. It’s an everyday reality for those who place their faith in Christ. It’s the ability to love when we couldn’t before, to forgive when it feels impossible, and to seek God with our whole being. It’s the promise of a life no longer hardened by sin but softened by grace.
The invitation remains open to all. The Father continues to say, “I will give you a new heart.” For those who accept this celestial promise, the old life is gone, and a new life begins—not just in this world, but for eternity.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 