Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

Jesus grew as a child and teenager in a balanced manner. He grew mentally, physically, socially and spiritually during those years. Luke gives us the details in his Gospel account.

Luke 2:52 (NIV) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Take a closer look at the wisdom demonstrated by this child and young man. This was not just knowledge reserved for the son of God but the same qualities we should develop today. The Greek word sophia has common ideas when you look at the meanings. The true sense of sophia gives the basic idea behind the origin of the word.


Here is an entry from The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament:

4678. σοφία sophía; gen. sophías, fem. noun from sophós (4680), wise. Wisdom, skill, tact, expertise in any art.

In the NT, it refers to wisdom:

(I) Skill in the affairs of life, practical wisdom, wise management as shown in forming the best plans and selecting the best means, including the idea of sound judgment and good sense (Acts 6:3; 7:10: Col. 1:28; 3:16; 4:5). Stóma(4750), mouth, and sophían in Luke 21:15 means wise utterance. See Sept: 1 Kgs. 2:6.[1]

This is a second entry from A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature:

σοφία, ας, ἡ (s. σοφίζω, σοφός; Hom., Pre–Socr. et al.; LXX, TestSol; TestJob 37:6; Test12patr, JosAs; AscIs 3:23; AssMos Fgm. e; EpArist, Philo, Joseph., Just.,Tat., Ath.)

① the capacity to understand and function accordingly, wisdom.[2]

A third entry comes from the Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament:

σοφία, ας, ἡ    wisdom; (1) generally, the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior insight, understanding (CO 4.5) or in a clever way skill, cleverness (1C 1.17); [3]

Jesus would have experienced home schooling to learn how to read and write. Formal schools only operated in Jerusalem. Certainly the synagogue in Nazareth was a contributor to his opportunites to learn. But it was not just the acqusition of information and knowledge. It was the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior. It was skill in the affairs of life, practical wisdom. It was sound judgement and good sense.

God the father stated at the baptism of Jesus that this is my son in whom I am well pleased. Pleased with what? No formal ministry had transpired yet! I think one of the items he was pleased with was his skill, insight and understanding.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 

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gen (genitive)


NT (New Testament)


Sept (Septuagint)


[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.


Hom Hom , VIII b.c.—List 5


et al. et al. = et alii (and others)


LXX LXX = Septuaginta, ed. ARahlfs, unless otherwise specified—Lists 2, beg.


TestSol TestSol = Testament of Solomon, I–III a.d.—List 2


TestJob TestJob = Testament of Job—List 2


JosAs JosAs = Joseph and Aseneth—Lists 2, 5


AscIs AscIs = Ascension of Isaiah—List 2


AssMos AssMos = Assumption of Moses—List 2


Fgm. Fgm. = fragment, fragmentary


EpArist EpArist = Epistle of Aristeas, II b.c.—List 5


Philo Philo = P. of Alexandria, I b.c.–I a.d.—List 5


Joseph Joseph  This abbr. used when no specific texts are cited (s. Jos.); I a.d.—List 5


Just Just , II a.d.—List 5


Tat Tat , II a.d.—List 5


Ath. Ath. = Athenagoras, II a.d.—List 5


[2] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.


[3] Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

A kingdom leader has the courage to recover when he makes a mistake. Despite danger to his position he will have the wisdom to face issues that can be personally damaging. A quality leader will dare to defy those who seek to direct  events, influence people and control authority.

Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin that was present when the group voted to crucify Jesus. Apparently he did not speak out against the discussion or decision. Luke tells us that Joseph did not agree with the decision. John tells us that he was a secret disciple of Jesus because he was afraid of the Jews. He recovered from his mistake and had the courage to go boldly to Pilate for the body of Jesus. Do you see your mistakes? Do you have enough courage to face your failures? Do you have the ability to recover from your mistakes?

Mark 15:43 says, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting  for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.1

 

We pray that God will increase your wisdom and justice.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mark 15:43

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

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A Kingdom Leader is guided by a full heart. A heart that is in awe of God the Father. A heart that is receptive to the teaching of the Father. A heart that is not content giving only a portion of its attention, loyalty and commitment.

Do you love the Lord your God with all of your heart? Is your heart fractured with pain and trauma to the extent that you struggle to love God with all your heart? Have you become hard hearted and thick from the scars of life? Is your heart splintered by too many things to focus on? Is your heart tender and receptive to the lessons of God? 

Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Soak in the fresh water of God’s Word and feel his soft healing touch on your heart.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Psalm 86:11

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

Re-Prints
Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.