Greek terms for Anointing

 

The Parable of the Sower

A farmer went out to sow his seed (seed = an illustration of God's word).

Parable	Meaning
Seeds fell along the path. Birds come and ate it up.	As soon as they hear the word, Satan comes and take away.
Seeds fell on rocky places/no much soil. The plants sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. The plants were scorched, when the sun came. The plants withered, because no root or no moisture.	They hear the word and receive it with joy. The word has no root and last only a short time. When trouble or persecution come, they quickly fall away.
Seeds fell among thorns. Thorns grew up and choked the plants. The plants did not bear grain.	They hear the word, but worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Seed fell on good soil. The plants came up, grew, produced a crop, and multiply.	They hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop.

Source: Mark 4:1-20, Mat 13:1-23, Luke 8:4-15

One factor that affects how the word of God grows is how well the person accepts it. There are times that we realize that the evil ones, troubles, persecution, deceitfulness of wealth, desires, and worries affect our growth. When that happens, I suggest asking God for good soil and seeds in you. He loves you and wants you to grow. 

In the Wilderness, Desert, or Solitary Place

The Greek word 'ἔρημος (erémos)' [1] is translated in the bible as wilderness, desert, and solitary place. Wilderness [2] is defined as a region uninhabited by human beings. Desert [3] is defined as desolate and sparsely occupied. 

In the bible, some appearances of 'ἔρημος (erémos)' is in:

• Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 1 & 3; John 1: John the Baptist is preaching in the wilderness.
• Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
• Luke 4:42; Luke 5:16; John 11:54: Jesus went out to a solitary place; Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
• Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9: Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place; Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
• Luke 15:4: Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country, ...
• John 6; Act 7; Act 13:18; Hebrew 3: Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, ...
• Act 7:30: An angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

Wilderness, desert, and solitary place mean a place away from the population/public. It seems like many things, including spiritual growth, can happen in the wilderness. Even though being in a community is undeniably important, a place away from other people (together with God) can also bring growth in your spiritual life.

[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/2048.htm
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness
[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desert

Who do you say Jesus is?

This question was raised by Jesus to his disciples (Luke 9:20) and maybe also to us. In the four gospel books, some people addressed Jesus as:

• Lord and/or God: John 9:38 (healed man) John 11:12 (Jesus's disciples) John 11:21-33 (Martha & Mary), John 13:6,9; John 13:36-37, John 21:15-17 (Peter), John 14:22 (Judas, but not Judas Iscariot), John 20:18 (Mary Magdalene), John 20:28 (Thomas), John 21:7 (John & Peter). 
• Teacher or Rabbi: Matthew 22:16 (Pharisees' disciples), Mark 10:35 (James & John), Luke 9:38 (A man with a sick son), John 1:38; John 9:1; John 11:8 (Jesus's disciples), John 3:1 (Nicodemus), John 20:16 (Mary Magdalene).
• Prophet (a person who receives and tells a message from God): John 7:40 (some people), John 9:17 (healed man), John 21:11 (crowd).
• Messiah (the anointed one, Christ): Luke 9:20 (Peter), John 1:41 (Andrew), John 4:25 (woman near the well), John 7:41 (some people).

Note that I do not list every bible verse on how people addressed Jesus above.

I learned that in this world, there are several religions, believes, and people that acknowledge the role of Jesus. Some acknowledge Jesus as a prophet (but not as God), some want to learn from his teaching/philosophy (but not acknowledge Him as the God). Do you see Jesus as your Lord, God, teacher, and Savior?

Even though we do not know what exactly is in Judas Iscariot's heart, but, interestingly, that he used the word 'Rabbi' during the last supper (Matthew 26:25) and in the Gethsemane (Matthew 26:49, Mark 14:45). He did not use the word 'Lord' in that situation.

Who is Jesus for you? Is He your Lord and God?

Worshiping by Anointing Jesus

The act of worshiping by anointing Jesus appears in every gospel in the bible. The stories come with some differences in details, which make the discussion if it is the same occasion or some separate occasions.

	Matthew  26:6-13 Mark 14:3-9	Luke 7:36-50	John 12:1-8
Where?	Bethany, home of Simon the Leper	Pharisee’s house	Bethany
By whom?	a woman	a sinful woman	Mary
How?	using very expensive perfume, pure nard	wet with tears, wiped with hair, kissed, and poured perfume.	using a pint (0.5 l) of pure nard, poured on feet, and wiped with her hair.
On what?	head	feet	feet
Criticized by	disciples	The Pharisee: Simon	disciples

If these are separate occasions, I am impressed by the number of intimate worship acts that take place in public. If this is just a one time action, I am impressed by how deeply this act touched people, that every storyteller remembered different details.

Isn't that an intimate worship to God so beautiful? It brings to a place very near to God, where everything feels so different. Additionally, it changes and touches hearts.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere

- Psalm 84:10a (NIV) -

Kingdom of God

The following bible verse caught my attention:

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Cor 4:20, NIV)

It makes me think: what is the meaning of power here? For me, power can relate to the energy flow (energy/sec) or it can also relate to authority and sovereign state.

The bible verse makes me wonder: what is actually the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God (or kingdom of heaven as mentioned in the book of Matthew) is sometimes interpreted as a kingdom in the future or a kingdom now on earth. However, it always means the state of God being in power/authority (over our life, problem, circumstances).

The kingdom of God here on earth are often linked together with the financial or security situation. It seems that some situations make us easier to allow God ruling in our heart. (However, it never said that prosperity makes it impossible to make God our king)

Blessed are you who are poor (in spirit), for yours is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20, Mat 5:3*, NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mat 5:10, NIV) 

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25, NIV)

The kingdom of God can be asked (Mat 6:10a), seek (Mat 6:33), taken (Mat 21:43), and received (Mark 10:15). When someone finds the kingdom of God, it seems natural to "give" everything for it (Mat 13:44-46).

Your kingdom come ... (Mat 6:10a, NIV)

But seek first His kingdom ... (Mat 6:33a, NIV)

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Mat 21:43, NIV)

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15, NIV)

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Mat 13:44)

The kingdom of God has different "law" compared with any human kingdom. It is also not an easy topic to be understood by our brain. Therefore, Jesus (Act 1:3) and the apostles (Acts 8:12, Acts 19:9) took time in teaching about the kingdom of God. Still, there might be a misunderstanding (Act 6:6-8). The best way to understand the kingdom of God is by experiencing God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to be the King in your heart and life.