The verb “atenizo” can change your day

One of the most important lessons in Bible study is to pay close attention to the verbs in the original language. 

I’m blessed to have some great help with Hebrew and Greek. My husband has a PhD from seminary, but I have a PhT: “Put husband Through” seminary. 

My PhT allows me to ask Jim my questions and he is good to answer! He has a computer program with Greek and Hebrew, and I’m often amazed at the difference it makes to learn exactly what a word meant to those for whom the passage was originally written.

The Greek verb atenizo 

The Greek verb atenizo is used four times in our New Testament. When you see how it is used, it can change your personal walk with the Lord today and always. 

That verb means “to stare intently” or to “look with intent or purpose.” Why is that a powerful verb in the Bible? 

Consider this example. 

You are shopping for a particular shirt in a particular color. You scan the rack filled with shirts, but your eyes are drawn to those that are the color you want. So, you look at each of those shirts until you find . . . the PERFECT shirt, in the perfect color, made in your size. 

You pull that shirt off the rack, reach for the tag and atenizo at the price. You look at the tag with significant interest and focus.  

Now that you understand the meaning of the Greek verb, how was atenizo used in the Bible? 

The crowd atenizo-ed Jesus 

Jesus went to his hometown, Nazareth, on the Sabbath and entered the synagogue there. By this time people would have begun to hear and speculate about whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus took the scroll of Isaiah that day and read this passage to the people gathered in the synagogue:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19).

Everyone listening knew those words to be a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah. Luke 4:20–21 says, “And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ’Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” 

The phrase “the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him” is atenizo. 

Jesus had just told them Isaiah’s words were fulfilled now. If you remember the rest of the story, you will know that it ends with Jesus being taken to the side of the mountain to be thrown down and stoned by the crowd. After all, this was just “Joseph’s son.” But somehow Jesus passed “through their midst” and went away (v. 30), fulfilling the Scripture that “no prophet was acceptable in his hometown” (v. 24). 

Imagine the people in Nazareth staring at Jesus, whom they considered to be Joseph’s son, and wondering if he was their long-awaited Messiah. 

One day Jesus will return and everyone will atenizo Jesus. 

On that day, there will be no doubt. 

The Mount of Ascension 

Acts 1 tells of the crowd gathered on the Mount of Ascension. Jesus had just issued the Great Commission in Acts 1:8 and then he ascended to heaven. 

Acts 1:10–11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’” 

What did it look like to see Jesus ascend into heaven? 

Those on that mountain were staring with great focus as they watched a miracle. But, they were told not to remain on the mountain. Their atenizo was to move from gazing into the heavens to focusing on those in the world who needed the gospel. 

The temple gate called Beautiful 

I learned the verb atenizo when I was scheduled to teach this powerful story from Acts 3. There are times in ministry when my eyes are drawn to someone in a crowd, a class, a restaurant, or any other place. I find myself looking at a person, but it goes beyond just noticing their presence. Sometimes a glance becomes atenizo because it is a calling, or, as I like to call it, “an appointment from God.” 

Shortly after Pentecost, Peter and John were walking to the temple for a regular time of prayer. The temple gate called Beautiful was the most common entrance to the synagogue because it was large, ornate, and located on the eastern side of the wall. 

Scripture tells us “a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate” (Acts 3:2). On this particular day, “Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us’” (v. 4).  

Peter and John, and very likely Jesus, had seen this man every time they went to the synagogue. He was placed at this gate “daily.” Yet, on this day, when they saw the lame man, they did more than just “see” him. 

Peter and John’s “direct gaze” is atenizo. They looked at him with intention and purpose. They had received the Holy Spirit in their lives, and they saw this man with a sense of calling. Peter took the man’s arm and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (v. 6). 

After the man was healed, he was “walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (vv. 8–10).  

Jesus had probably passed this man each time he entered the synagogue, just like Peter, John, and thousands of other Jewish men. But this day was different. Today, Peter and John would display the power of God through the gift of his Holy Spirit. The disciples atenizo-ed the man and his life was forever changed. 

The Christian movement was dramatically changed that day as well. Jesus had saved this man’s healing for his disciples. That day many people witnessed the fact that there was power in the name of Jesus and that power now dwelt in those who believed. 

Stephen saw Jesus too

The final time the verb atenizo is used is at the stoning of Stephen. Scripture says, “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Acts 7:55–56).  

Stephen, filled with God’s Spirit, told the truth about gazing into heaven, atenizo, and seeing the glory of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen saw Jesus the way we should see Jesus today: glorified in heaven and standing to do his Father’s will. 

Who needs to see Jesus today? 

The words gazing into heaven are represented in the Greek word atenizo. It’s the same word for the way Peter looked at the lame man and the way the disciples watched the ascension. It is also the word that describes how the people of Jesus’ hometown watched him as he preached. 

It is likely the word that describes how the entire world will be transfixed when Jesus returns. That day some will atenizo with joy, awe, and gratitude; others will fix their eyes with fear and sorrow.  

Whose eternal atenizo can be changed and blessed today because of your personal witness? 

One day the Holy Spirit will cause you to atenizo a person. You will look at him or her and listen to them with a sense of calling. You will stare at them as you pray for God’s direction. God will cause you to look intently, to atenizo, at people for the rest of your days on earth, if you are Spirit-led and willing to serve. 

Will you offer your eyes to God for his holy purpose? 

That prayer will change your life, and, quite likely, many other lives as well.

Work and rest: God meant both for joy

If King Solomon wondered about something, we should too! 

If you have been reading my blog posts for a while, you know I am a big fan of King Solomon. I’m not unaware of his weaknesses; I am just a huge fan of his wisdom. 

King Solomon asked, “What gain has the worker from his toil?” (Ecclesiastes 3:9). Solomon wrote those words at the end of his life. Most people who have studied his life would probably wonder why he, of all people, would write those words! One article estimates that King Solomon would have a net worth today of $2.2 trillion!

Again, why would he write “What gain has the worker from his toil?”

BUSY WITH BUSINESS 

King Solomon answers his own question by saying, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with” (v. 10). 

The best way to understand King Solomon’s words is to interpret them for the era in which he lived. I’ve often said, “I was born at the right time.” I earn a living with my computer. I fill my refrigerator by making a trip to the grocery store. If it gets dark, I flip a switch. If the clothes are dirty, I push a few buttons. If I want a cup of coffee, I reach for a coffee pod. I could keep going, but you understand my point. 

God’s children have always been busy, but we aren’t as busy today as we think we are! After the fall, God told Adam, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Adam and Eve had enjoyed the garden because, bluntly, they had it so good. Don’t you know there were days after the fall when they turned to God and said, “It was just one bite, Lord!” 

One of the results of the fall is that we will always be busy. Even with all the luxuries today, that is still true. Solomon said, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.” We will always be busy with business. 

Was that God’s judgment—or his provision? 

GOD’S PLANS ARE BEAUTIFUL 

Solomon’s next statement in Ecclesiastes is one of my favorites. He wrote, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

All of us spend our lives working until we find we can’t work any longer. We get tired and we get tired of our work. Then we often miss the work, along with other things, when we get older. We are funny creatures, and God is good to put up with us! 

But then, God understands because he made it to be this way for a good reason. After God judged Adam and Eve, he caused us to work, to age, and to need rest. He had a good reason. Solomon’s wisdom provides a perfect perspective on the nature of our lives. This whole process of life is God making everything beautiful in its time. 

I’m going to try to remember that as I age. QVC was selling a potion that makes you look ten years younger and I told Jim, “If that comes in vats, I’m buying it.” What does aging have to do with this verse? 

God caused it, God made it, and God made it beautiful. 

Because, at the same time, God also “put eternity into man’s heart.” God planned our lives so that, as we age, we can rest from our busyness with business and more often consider the things of eternity. 

IT’S ABOUT JOY 

King Solomon wrote, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13). 

God made us to work and made us to be busy with the things of life. Our work is what earns us the ability to enjoy things we have worked for. I would love to hand some of our political leaders the wisdom of Solomon. The most important thing we can do for the self-esteem and for the souls of our citizens is enable them to work. Everyone deserves the chance to know the joy God wants them to have. It was his gift, and we should be careful to help people receive that. 

WHAT GOD DOES ENDURES FOREVER 

I love my work. I’ve just finished writing the Bible study for next year from the book of Romans. Many have asked if I plan to continue to do the video format. The answer is yes. Stay tuned and we will tell you how to download the study later this summer. I will also teach in person and continue to write this blog post, among other things.  

I love working with and teaching God’s word. I’ve spent some time during the past year listening to historical sermons from people like Charles Spurgeon. His messages are amazing! I’ve discovered a website that makes old sermons downloadable. (My podcast of choice!) 

King Solomon said, “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14–15). The sermons I’ve been reading and listening to are just as remarkable today as they were when they were preached to congregations. 

“Whatever God does endures forever.” 

RESTORATION IS WORTHY WORK AS WELL 

As you might have read, I’m a big fan of home restoration shows. I love watching older, out-of-date homes become cleaned up and ready for a new family. That said, I also love that the people who lived in the home before it was all fixed up still called it home.

I’ve often told Jim that I cringe sometimes when the young people complain about the old carpet, parquet floors, and clamshell sinks. (That was a hint about my décor!) But, I’ve also learned that brass fixtures are coming back in style. If we live in this house for another decade, we could become officially “retro” instead of just “old!” 

But, keeping up a home is a lot like keeping up our lives. Everything needs restoration once in a while. 

I love my work and am grateful for this job. I stand in full agreement with King Solomon. My work gives me joy because my subject is God’s eternal word. But, my business is busy. That has been especially true this past year. Our ministry didn’t slow down during 2020. In fact, it grew a lot!  

That is a huge blessing, and we are grateful to all of you who have helped that happen. But, last year Jim and I celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary with a takeout steak dinner in Styrofoam boxes! (I did light a candle, but that was about all I could do to fancy up our COVID anniversary.) 

Now, we are fully vaccinated and, for the first time in a long time, we are packing our bags! It’s time for our much-delayed anniversary trip. I’m leaving my computer behind, and I’m headed for sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Because restoring our souls is worthy work as well! 

The Brand Manager for janetdenison.org, Trace Kennedy, will be writing this blog post for me for the next couple of weeks. I will be soaking up warm air and sandy beaches and reaping the joy of hard work and God’s blessings in our lives. I’ll come back to my parquet floors and clamshell sinks, and they will look good to me because I’m home. 

I hope all of you are planning that first, post-COVID break as well. We all need the restoration that God can provide. Thank you Trace for helping me to travel with joy. 

And to all my readers, I’ll be back to work in a couple of weeks. Until then, “Aloha!” 

Yep . . . sunsets, beaches, fresh pineapple, and joy! (At least we made it before we hit our forty-first anniversary!) 

Blessings to all of you . . .