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And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

ἀγάπη – agapē is a fascinating word in our New Testament. It is a love like no other.  You see Phileo, from the root word philos is a firmly Greek word that means for one to feel affection for.  Eros is another firmly Greek word that means romantic physical attraction.  Agape is unique as it is a Hellenized Hebrew word, a Hebrew word the Greek began to use.  It’s Aramaic!

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Reeds were an important part of Ancient Near Eastern life.  Reeds were used by every culture for a variety of purposes.  Often woven together, the long leaves were used for baskets, making drainpipes, musical instruments, and walking sticks.  They were also used to make paper and rope.   At the crucifixion of  Jesus, a sponge was put on a long reed and was offered to Him.