March 19, 2025 • 26 mins
Chapter 23 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
Go Therefore - Jesus gives the Great Commission and then departs into the heavens. This is the final words of Jesus on earth, and the beginning of a powerful movement that would change the course of human history.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,
and lo I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Matthew twenty eight twenty. Dear Jesus, when you left the Disciples,
you promised one of the greatest comforters that will ever be,
and that is your Holy Spirit. In the same way
the Disciples waited in expectation for your Holy Spirit, I
(00:33):
too will wait in expectation each and every morning for
your Spirit to rest on my mind and heart. With
the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I know that whatever
I put my hands to will go from natural to supernatural.
(00:55):
No matter what I do, I will not move until
I feel you your supernatural hand upon me. I will
not speak unless my words are empowered by your Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Jesus, that you haven't left me by myself.
Thank you that even when you ascended to Heaven, you
(01:18):
cared enough about our lives to give us the one
who puts power behind your word, the Holy Spirit. As
I grow in my faith, Holy Spirit, teach me and
lead me into all truth in Jesus' name. Amen. Stay
(01:40):
tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans Jehos's for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so that
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because
knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome
to the greatest story ever told. It is the story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(02:10):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This is
our final episode together. Throughout this episode, we get the
sense that although Jesus is leaving, things are going to
(02:30):
change for the better. His departure is a sign of hope,
not sorrow, and the Disciples are left with a grand
and beautiful mission. The commission Jesus leaves the Disciples is
also for us as our final story unfolds. Put yourself
in the Disciples' shoes. Take Jesus's words as an invitation
to a grand adventure. I have enjoyed going through the
(02:53):
series with you. I pray that the life and ministry
of Jesus impacted you in some way. I find it
impossible to interact with the story of Jesus and leave unchanged.
My encouragement for you as we embark when our last
episode is to have hope. Have hope that the compassion, kindness,
and miracles of Jesus can live on through you and me.
(03:14):
There is no cultural way, political power, or toxic ideology
that can thwart the work of God. Take heart today
and follow the example of the disciples. Great and miraculous
things await those who put their faith and hope in Jesus.
This episode begins, like all the others, with the prelude
we will visit Moses as he speaks to God through
(03:35):
the burning Bush. The call of Moses was grand and
terrifying at the same time. He was called deliberate an
entire nation from the bonds of a tyrant. He, like
many of us, felt unqualified and afraid. But God doesn't
call the qualified, He qualifies the call. Let's finish well together.
After the end of this episode, I will give you
some parting thoughts and prayers. Here is episode twenty three.
(03:58):
Go therefore.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Prelude Chapter twenty three. It was midday and the wind
was whistling through the canyons above the camp of Jatharl.
Soft green grass lay gently on the mountain's edge, and
Moses's sheep were grazing in peace. Moses laid in the
field next to his sheep, enjoying the mild sun shining
(04:27):
through cracks in the canyons. Then Moses saw a light
flickering in the distance. He perked his head up and
approached the light with trepidation. Around the corner, he found
a blazing fire engulfing a tree. The fire raged and
swayed to the wind above, Yet the tree was not
(04:48):
consumed or burned.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Moses, the tree, whispered Moses.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Moses stepped forward. Here, I am Moses. Stop. The ground
near the tree was beating with power. It was as
if the mountain had a beating heart. He looked up
to see the tree standing with power, the Majesty. The
flames whistled around the tree like doves.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Why isn't the tree burning.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Moses whispered to himself. He took another step, but the
tree spoke again.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Saying, do not come any closer. Take off your sandals,
for the ground on which you stand is holy ground.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Moses did as he was commanded, now standing in amazement
before the flame. Who are you, Moses asked.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
When Moses heard this, he covered his face and fell
to his knees. He now fully understood he was in
the presence of the most High God, ELOHI, the creator
of the heavens and earth. The fire pulsated to the
rhythm of his voice.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I have seen the oppression of my people. They are
in bondage under the hard fist of Egypt. I have
heard their cries. I have come to redeem them from
darkness and to lead them out of slavery. I will
bring them to a new land, a land flowing with
(06:37):
milk and honey.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Moses knelt in awe. Beside him was the Living God.
His voice was like the sound of a thousand rushing waters.
He spoke to the heart of Moses and.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Said, go therefore too, Pharaoh, for I am sending you
to lead my people out of Egypt.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Moses backed away from the tree and stood to his feet.
He opened up his arms and said.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Who am I to stand before the king of Egypt?
You must have the wrong man.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Moses had grown up in Egypt and knew their power. Furthermore,
he was also a member of the royal family that
oppressed God's people for generations. He did not feel worthy
of the task, nor did he want to leave his home.
Surrounded by light, God spoke, do not be afraid.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
My child. Behold, I will be with you.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Always if I do go. Whom shall I say sent me?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Moses asked in fear. The fire flickered and grew larger.
Its radiance was like the rising sun, and the voice
illuminated from the flames.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Boldly, I am that Ah, I.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Am, he said, with power.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Say it is I am Yahweh, the God of your fathers,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob. This is my name forever, and I
(08:24):
will be remembered throughout all generations.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
So Moses departed down the mountain. He looked at his
sheep trailing behind him. There were more sheep who needed
to be tender to. There were people captive and in
need of a shepherd. Moses left with purpose, power and
love for his people. He empowered him to march down
(08:51):
that mountain and reclaim the people of God. He knew
he was not alone. The God of his ancestors walked
beside him. The Great I Am was prepared to go
before him. Chapter twenty three. Go Therefore together again, Jesus
(09:15):
in the eleven Disciples reclined at a small table, enjoying
a meal. The room was small and humble. The wooden
table was old and rickety, and the fireplace was worn
and weathered from years of use. Yet there was joy
in the room. The disciples laughter shook the four walls.
(09:37):
Jesus watched his disciples laugh, bicker, eat, and pray. Their
joy was complete in light of Christ's resurrection. Now there
was only one thing left for Jesus to do. He
would leave them again. But this time it would not
be as sorrowful or mysterious good bye. It would be
(10:00):
filled with hope and promise. Jesus had completed the work
necessary for them to thrive and scatter throughout the nations.
He took a sip from his cup and set it down.
Clearing his throat, he lifted his voice for him to hear.
Speaker 7 (10:18):
You did not believe those who claimed I had risen
from the dead, did.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
You, Jesus asked. The eleven men looked at Jesus, feeling
convicted that they had not known sooner. Jesus smiled and
shook his head.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
Be mindful of this, my dear children. Soon you will
be proclaiming my resurrection, and people will not want to
believe you either. You have seen me and believed, yet
blessed to those who have not seen me and still believe.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
What are you going to do now, James asked Jesus.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
We are eager to follow you.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Jesus looked around the room. The men were awaiting a
new mission. They were anticipating a revolution of some sorts
with Jesus at the front. However, Jesus was about to
shift their expectations yet again. Now we go into the world,
Jesus responded, You.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
Will proclaim the gospel to my creation and reconcile their
hearts to God. You will be my ambassadors on the earth,
proclaiming the coming kingdom. People will believe in me and
be saved. However, many will reject me and be condemned.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Where do we begin?
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Peter asked, eagerly with faith, Peter, Jesus said softly, there will.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
Be many signs and wonders you will behold. Yet you
must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He
will guide you into all truth. With him counseling you,
you will be able to cast out demons, speak in
new tongues, and be immune to the poisons of this world.
You will lay hands on the sick as I have,
and they will be healed. Yet it all begins with faith.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
With these words, Jesus stood to his feet. He breathed
in deeply and embraced his disciples.
Speaker 7 (12:10):
Meet me on the mountain above Galilee.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
He whispered, then, as he had several times before, he
vanished into thin air. John smiled and ran out the
door towards the mountains. Being the youngest, he was filled
with youthful energy that was infectious. The other disciples did
not bring any packs or coats. They ran to the
(12:34):
mountains behind John. As they weaved through the town of Galilee,
many others began to follow. Jesus had revealed himself to
over five hundred people in the forty days since his resurrection,
and had called many to join him up on the
mountain men, women, and children all left their homes and
workplaces to hike up to the place of meeting. It
(12:58):
was later in the day and the wind was whistling
through the canyons above Galilee. Soft green grass lay gently
on the mountain's edge. John was still running while others
jogged and walked behind him. The sun would be setting soon,
and John did not want to miss what would happen next.
(13:18):
Trailing close behind him was Peter. The two of them
scaled the rocks and took short cuts as if they
were raising the sun. The two of them ran swiftly
up the edge up onto the plateau. They stopped and
looked round in awe. The sun's rays were shooting out
in a hundred directions, bouncing off the towns and valleys below.
(13:42):
In front of them stood Jesus, looking out in the
direction of Jerusalem. The gentle wind bustled around him. His
robe and hair flew back in the wind, and Jesus
lifted his eyes to Heaven, basking in the final hour
of sunlight. The others made their way up the mountain.
(14:03):
There was a palpable feeling of anticipation in the air
as they all gathered before Jesus, the Son of God,
stood there on the mountain's edge. The radiance of the
sun was nothing in comparison to his glory. Small slivers
of light began to shine through his skin, like flickering flames.
(14:26):
Hundreds of them bowed before Jesus. They sang his name
and proclaimed his mighty works to the heavens. Hallelujah. They
sang Hallelujah to the Son of David. For the first
time in history, a group of people gathered to worship
the risen King. They sang his praises and spoke of
(14:47):
his glory and grace. Their songs of hope and salvation
would resonate for a thousand generations. People of all creeds, cultures,
and tongues would gather together for the sole purpose of
worshiping the risen Christ. His name would be on their lips,
(15:07):
and his mighty deeds would be proclaimed into the heavens.
Peter stepped forward from the crowd. My Lord Peter stopped.
The ground near Jesus was beating with power. It was
as if the mountain had a beating heart. He looked
up to see Jesus. When Peter saw him, he covered
(15:30):
his face and fell to his knees. He now fully
understood he was in the presence of the most High God, Elohim,
the creator of the heavens and earth. He was speaking
to the Great Deliverer, the voice from the burning bush,
the Great I Am. Where he was standing was wholly ground.
(15:54):
He bowed before him and looked.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Up, Jesus, is it time for you to restore the
kingdom of Israel? Peter asked, is it time for you
to take the throne of David and claim your authority.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Jesus looked down at Peter and walked towards him. The
earth beneath him rippled with each step. The air around
him was warm and inviting. From his voice resonated the
very power of God authority. Jesus asked, all authority.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
I have, Peter, I give to you. You will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and
you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all
Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Jesus looked to the crowd and raised his arms.
Speaker 7 (16:42):
All authority in heaven and unearth his mind. I hold
the very power of the universe in my hands, the
power to transform and save.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Jesus's voice grew louder, and the clouds around him began
to illuminate with light. The crowd looked behind them Jesus
to see the sun holding its place on the horizon.
It became impossible to tell where the light was coming
from the sunset, the clouds, or Jesus himself. Like a
(17:13):
thousand raging waters, Jesus's voice poured forth to his followers,
Go therefore.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
And make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Matthew gazed upon Jesus. He noticed that Jesus's feet were
rising above the ground. He's leaving, Matthew realized. Matthew ran
to Jesus and fell at his feet. Beside Peter. The
eleven disciples fell to their knees and watched as the
Son of God rose above them.
Speaker 7 (17:48):
Teach others to observe what I have taught you, Jesus said,
to love, to obey, to sacrifice, and to serve Master. No.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Matthew shouted. Tears dreamed down his face. He was frightened.
He did not want to be away from the presence
of Jesus in him. He had found hope, power, and acceptance.
All of the disciples raised their eyes in awe of
the risen God. The heavens cracked open, and the light
(18:18):
of the Lord burst forth like a stream of living water.
It fell from the skies and enveloped Jesus. Surrounded by light,
Jesus smiled, do.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Not be afraid, my children. Behold, I will be with
you always, even to the end of time.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
As he said this, the light enveloped him, and he
disappeared into the skies like a vapor. The sun's rays
retreated back into the horizon, and the clouds disappeared into
the skies. Jesus of Nazareth, son of God, the Great
i Am, had gone to be with his Father in
(19:00):
the heavens. There he would prepare a place for them.
He would map out the course of eternity with them
in mind. The King of Kings would be the architect
of his kingdom on earth and in heaven. The disciples
awed up in the skies as the orange hues of
(19:20):
sunset turned darker. Two voices interrupted their gaze, saying.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking to heaven?
You have a calling to fulfill.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
The disciples looked at the place where Jesus once stood.
In his place were two men clothed in white robes.
They smiled and stretched out their arms.
Speaker 8 (19:44):
Jesus has been taken up into his dwelling place. He
will come back in the same manner. Be watchful, they said.
Peter nodded in agreement. He looked at the other ten disciples.
He looked at James and John. He nodded to Andrew,
his brother, and Philip. He placed his hand on Bartholomew
(20:07):
and gathered Matthew, Thomas, and James, the son of Alphaeus.
Thaddeus and Simon came in close as well. Peter felt
a deep fire within his belly. Jesus had gone, but
he was still present. His spirit dwelled within.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Him, ready to guide, convict, and empower him. Peter and
the ten Disciples looked to Jerusalem in the distance. The
wind howled as the final hints of light disappeared. Peter
closed his eyes, remembering the words Jesus spoke.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
To him by the fire, tend to my sheep.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Peter opened his eyes and marched down the mountain. There
were sheep who needed to be tended to. There were
people lost in need of a Shepherd. The Disciple was
left with purpose, power and love for God's people. He
empowered them to march down that mountain and reclaim the
people of God. They knew they were not alone. The
(21:13):
God of their ancestors walked beside them. The Great i
Am was with them. All the nations would soon hear
the story of the good Shepherd, the hero of scripture,
the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
There we have it, a beautiful end to a beautiful story,
the final page in a brilliant book. But it doesn't
feel like the end, does it. That's because it isn't.
The departure of Jesus isn't the end of anything, but
the beginning of everything. Jesus's ascension into heaven hearkens to
the dawn of a new era. The Son of God left,
(21:55):
making room for the Spirit of God to dwell and
work among his followers. Episode wasn't somber like the crucifixion
because Jesus's departure wasn't a death, but a sign of
new life. He left to prepare a place for us,
and we have his spirit dwelling in and among us
for the mission ahead. God never gives his commission without
first giving us his comfort. Jesus tended to his disciples
(22:18):
hearts before giving them the ultimate mission. He reminded them
of his love, power and presence before calling them to
go and make disciples. You and I can take heart
that God wants to supply us with all the strength
necessary to perform his purposes. He won't leave us alone
and confuse. That is why we need a spirit. The
(22:38):
Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, directs our course,
convicts us of sin, and challenges us to live up
to our calling. Jesus said in John sixteen, I tell
you the truth. It is to your advantage that I
go away. For if I do not go away, the
Spirit will not come to you. But if I go,
I will send him to you. Jesus said it was
better that he departs so that he might have the
(23:01):
Holy Spirit in his place. After Jesus comforted and spent
time with his disciples, he said, meet me on the
mountain above Galilee. We have talked about a few different
images that are commonly used in scripture. Mountains are common
motifs used by God. The ancient Hebrews believe that Eden
was set on a high place where heaven and earth
converged in beautiful harmony. That is why many major events
(23:24):
in the Bible took place on mountains. Noah's ark settled
on a mountain after the flood. Abraham marched up a
mountain to sacrifice Isaac. In our prelude, Moses met the
Burning Bush tucked between two canyons and a mountain. Moses
received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. David captured the
area known as Mount Zion where the temple was built.
(23:46):
Elijah called fire down from Heaven on Mount Carmo. Jesus's
greatest sermon on the Kingdom of God was given on
a mountain. Jesus was transfigured on a mountain and his
glory was shown to Peter, James and John. Jesus was
rested to die on the mount of Olives. Jesus marched
up a hill of Gogotha to die for the sins
of humanity, and finally, on the mountain range of Galilee,
(24:09):
Jesus ascended into Heaven. The Bible is our mountain, a
high place for us to meet God and hear from
the heart of Heaven. Five hundred people witnessed the risen Lord,
and many of them met with the disciples on the
mountain to see Jesus depart on the high place where
heaven and Earth converged, the first church service took place.
(24:29):
They sang his name and proclaimed his mighty works to
the heavens. Hallelujah. They sang Hallelujah to the Son of David.
For the first time in history, a group of people
gathered to worship the risen King. They sang his praises
and spoke of his glory and grace. Their songs of
hope and salvation would resonate for a thousand generations. People
of all creeds, cultures, and tongues would gather together for
(24:52):
the sole purpose of worshiping the risen Christ. His name
would be on their lips, and his mighty deeds would
be proclaimed into the heavens. Every time you, you and
I meet at church or in our homes to worship,
we are attempting to capture a moment like this where
our songs to God unite us and our love for
Jesus empowers us. When the singing was finished, the mountains
began to tremble. We were taken back to the prelude,
(25:14):
when the presence of God was tangible and spectacular. Jesus
began his ascension, giving his disciples one final charge. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This calling is carried out by you and me every day,
with every act of compassion, moment of love, and intentional conversation.
(25:37):
We do not embark on this mission alone. We have
the comforting presence of Jesus in our hearts, and we
have the community of God in our lives. Hallelujah. Thank
you for joining me on this journey through the life
and ministry of Jesus. I know in my heart that
nobody can interact with the story of Jesus and leave
unchanged in some way. I pray these stories of God's
(25:59):
goodness and glory have encouraged your hearts and enriched your souls.
I pray and hope you learn more about God's love
and his plan for the nations. I also pray you
take on the character of Jesus, moving forward every day
to make an impact like he did. May the God
of all creation bless you, keep you and empower you
for the journey ahead. May his grace give you strength,
(26:22):
and may his truth, convict your heart. Amen. Thank you
again for joining me on this incredible series about Jesus.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. And to expand
your heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of
the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes.
(26:44):
Share this podcast with a family member or friend so
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You
never know how great of an impact the Bible and
this podcast can have on someone's life. God bless
Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,
and lo I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Matthew twenty eight twenty. Dear Jesus, when you left the Disciples,
you promised one of the greatest comforters that will ever be,
and that is your Holy Spirit. In the same way
the Disciples waited in expectation for your Holy Spirit, I
(00:33):
too will wait in expectation each and every morning for
your Spirit to rest on my mind and heart. With
the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I know that whatever
I put my hands to will go from natural to supernatural.
(00:55):
No matter what I do, I will not move until
I feel you your supernatural hand upon me. I will
not speak unless my words are empowered by your Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Jesus, that you haven't left me by myself.
Thank you that even when you ascended to Heaven, you
(01:18):
cared enough about our lives to give us the one
who puts power behind your word, the Holy Spirit. As
I grow in my faith, Holy Spirit, teach me and
lead me into all truth in Jesus' name. Amen. Stay
(01:40):
tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans Jehos's for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so that
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because
knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome
to the greatest story ever told. It is the story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(02:10):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This is
our final episode together. Throughout this episode, we get the
sense that although Jesus is leaving, things are going to
(02:30):
change for the better. His departure is a sign of hope,
not sorrow, and the Disciples are left with a grand
and beautiful mission. The commission Jesus leaves the Disciples is
also for us as our final story unfolds. Put yourself
in the Disciples' shoes. Take Jesus's words as an invitation
to a grand adventure. I have enjoyed going through the
(02:53):
series with you. I pray that the life and ministry
of Jesus impacted you in some way. I find it
impossible to interact with the story of Jesus and leave unchanged.
My encouragement for you as we embark when our last
episode is to have hope. Have hope that the compassion, kindness,
and miracles of Jesus can live on through you and me.
(03:14):
There is no cultural way, political power, or toxic ideology
that can thwart the work of God. Take heart today
and follow the example of the disciples. Great and miraculous
things await those who put their faith and hope in Jesus.
This episode begins, like all the others, with the prelude
we will visit Moses as he speaks to God through
(03:35):
the burning Bush. The call of Moses was grand and
terrifying at the same time. He was called deliberate an
entire nation from the bonds of a tyrant. He, like
many of us, felt unqualified and afraid. But God doesn't
call the qualified, He qualifies the call. Let's finish well together.
After the end of this episode, I will give you
some parting thoughts and prayers. Here is episode twenty three.
(03:58):
Go therefore.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Prelude Chapter twenty three. It was midday and the wind
was whistling through the canyons above the camp of Jatharl.
Soft green grass lay gently on the mountain's edge, and
Moses's sheep were grazing in peace. Moses laid in the
field next to his sheep, enjoying the mild sun shining
(04:27):
through cracks in the canyons. Then Moses saw a light
flickering in the distance. He perked his head up and
approached the light with trepidation. Around the corner, he found
a blazing fire engulfing a tree. The fire raged and
swayed to the wind above, Yet the tree was not
(04:48):
consumed or burned.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Moses, the tree, whispered Moses.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Moses stepped forward. Here, I am Moses. Stop. The ground
near the tree was beating with power. It was as
if the mountain had a beating heart. He looked up
to see the tree standing with power, the Majesty. The
flames whistled around the tree like doves.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Why isn't the tree burning.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Moses whispered to himself. He took another step, but the
tree spoke again.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Saying, do not come any closer. Take off your sandals,
for the ground on which you stand is holy ground.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Moses did as he was commanded, now standing in amazement
before the flame. Who are you, Moses asked.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
When Moses heard this, he covered his face and fell
to his knees. He now fully understood he was in
the presence of the most High God, ELOHI, the creator
of the heavens and earth. The fire pulsated to the
rhythm of his voice.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I have seen the oppression of my people. They are
in bondage under the hard fist of Egypt. I have
heard their cries. I have come to redeem them from
darkness and to lead them out of slavery. I will
bring them to a new land, a land flowing with
(06:37):
milk and honey.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Moses knelt in awe. Beside him was the Living God.
His voice was like the sound of a thousand rushing waters.
He spoke to the heart of Moses and.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Said, go therefore too, Pharaoh, for I am sending you
to lead my people out of Egypt.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Moses backed away from the tree and stood to his feet.
He opened up his arms and said.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Who am I to stand before the king of Egypt?
You must have the wrong man.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Moses had grown up in Egypt and knew their power. Furthermore,
he was also a member of the royal family that
oppressed God's people for generations. He did not feel worthy
of the task, nor did he want to leave his home.
Surrounded by light, God spoke, do not be afraid.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
My child. Behold, I will be with you.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Always if I do go. Whom shall I say sent me?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Moses asked in fear. The fire flickered and grew larger.
Its radiance was like the rising sun, and the voice
illuminated from the flames.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Boldly, I am that Ah, I.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Am, he said, with power.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Say it is I am Yahweh, the God of your fathers,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob. This is my name forever, and I
(08:24):
will be remembered throughout all generations.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
So Moses departed down the mountain. He looked at his
sheep trailing behind him. There were more sheep who needed
to be tender to. There were people captive and in
need of a shepherd. Moses left with purpose, power and
love for his people. He empowered him to march down
(08:51):
that mountain and reclaim the people of God. He knew
he was not alone. The God of his ancestors walked
beside him. The Great I Am was prepared to go
before him. Chapter twenty three. Go Therefore together again, Jesus
(09:15):
in the eleven Disciples reclined at a small table, enjoying
a meal. The room was small and humble. The wooden
table was old and rickety, and the fireplace was worn
and weathered from years of use. Yet there was joy
in the room. The disciples laughter shook the four walls.
(09:37):
Jesus watched his disciples laugh, bicker, eat, and pray. Their
joy was complete in light of Christ's resurrection. Now there
was only one thing left for Jesus to do. He
would leave them again. But this time it would not
be as sorrowful or mysterious good bye. It would be
(10:00):
filled with hope and promise. Jesus had completed the work
necessary for them to thrive and scatter throughout the nations.
He took a sip from his cup and set it down.
Clearing his throat, he lifted his voice for him to hear.
Speaker 7 (10:18):
You did not believe those who claimed I had risen
from the dead, did.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
You, Jesus asked. The eleven men looked at Jesus, feeling
convicted that they had not known sooner. Jesus smiled and
shook his head.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
Be mindful of this, my dear children. Soon you will
be proclaiming my resurrection, and people will not want to
believe you either. You have seen me and believed, yet
blessed to those who have not seen me and still believe.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
What are you going to do now, James asked Jesus.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
We are eager to follow you.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Jesus looked around the room. The men were awaiting a
new mission. They were anticipating a revolution of some sorts
with Jesus at the front. However, Jesus was about to
shift their expectations yet again. Now we go into the world,
Jesus responded, You.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
Will proclaim the gospel to my creation and reconcile their
hearts to God. You will be my ambassadors on the earth,
proclaiming the coming kingdom. People will believe in me and
be saved. However, many will reject me and be condemned.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Where do we begin?
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Peter asked, eagerly with faith, Peter, Jesus said softly, there will.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
Be many signs and wonders you will behold. Yet you
must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He
will guide you into all truth. With him counseling you,
you will be able to cast out demons, speak in
new tongues, and be immune to the poisons of this world.
You will lay hands on the sick as I have,
and they will be healed. Yet it all begins with faith.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
With these words, Jesus stood to his feet. He breathed
in deeply and embraced his disciples.
Speaker 7 (12:10):
Meet me on the mountain above Galilee.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
He whispered, then, as he had several times before, he
vanished into thin air. John smiled and ran out the
door towards the mountains. Being the youngest, he was filled
with youthful energy that was infectious. The other disciples did
not bring any packs or coats. They ran to the
(12:34):
mountains behind John. As they weaved through the town of Galilee,
many others began to follow. Jesus had revealed himself to
over five hundred people in the forty days since his resurrection,
and had called many to join him up on the
mountain men, women, and children all left their homes and
workplaces to hike up to the place of meeting. It
(12:58):
was later in the day and the wind was whistling
through the canyons above Galilee. Soft green grass lay gently
on the mountain's edge. John was still running while others
jogged and walked behind him. The sun would be setting soon,
and John did not want to miss what would happen next.
(13:18):
Trailing close behind him was Peter. The two of them
scaled the rocks and took short cuts as if they
were raising the sun. The two of them ran swiftly
up the edge up onto the plateau. They stopped and
looked round in awe. The sun's rays were shooting out
in a hundred directions, bouncing off the towns and valleys below.
(13:42):
In front of them stood Jesus, looking out in the
direction of Jerusalem. The gentle wind bustled around him. His
robe and hair flew back in the wind, and Jesus
lifted his eyes to Heaven, basking in the final hour
of sunlight. The others made their way up the mountain.
(14:03):
There was a palpable feeling of anticipation in the air
as they all gathered before Jesus, the Son of God,
stood there on the mountain's edge. The radiance of the
sun was nothing in comparison to his glory. Small slivers
of light began to shine through his skin, like flickering flames.
(14:26):
Hundreds of them bowed before Jesus. They sang his name
and proclaimed his mighty works to the heavens. Hallelujah. They
sang Hallelujah to the Son of David. For the first
time in history, a group of people gathered to worship
the risen King. They sang his praises and spoke of
(14:47):
his glory and grace. Their songs of hope and salvation
would resonate for a thousand generations. People of all creeds, cultures,
and tongues would gather together for the sole purpose of
worshiping the risen Christ. His name would be on their lips,
(15:07):
and his mighty deeds would be proclaimed into the heavens.
Peter stepped forward from the crowd. My Lord Peter stopped.
The ground near Jesus was beating with power. It was
as if the mountain had a beating heart. He looked
up to see Jesus. When Peter saw him, he covered
(15:30):
his face and fell to his knees. He now fully
understood he was in the presence of the most High God, Elohim,
the creator of the heavens and earth. He was speaking
to the Great Deliverer, the voice from the burning bush,
the Great I Am. Where he was standing was wholly ground.
(15:54):
He bowed before him and looked.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Up, Jesus, is it time for you to restore the
kingdom of Israel? Peter asked, is it time for you
to take the throne of David and claim your authority.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Jesus looked down at Peter and walked towards him. The
earth beneath him rippled with each step. The air around
him was warm and inviting. From his voice resonated the
very power of God authority. Jesus asked, all authority.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
I have, Peter, I give to you. You will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and
you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all
Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Jesus looked to the crowd and raised his arms.
Speaker 7 (16:42):
All authority in heaven and unearth his mind. I hold
the very power of the universe in my hands, the
power to transform and save.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Jesus's voice grew louder, and the clouds around him began
to illuminate with light. The crowd looked behind them Jesus
to see the sun holding its place on the horizon.
It became impossible to tell where the light was coming
from the sunset, the clouds, or Jesus himself. Like a
(17:13):
thousand raging waters, Jesus's voice poured forth to his followers,
Go therefore.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
And make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Matthew gazed upon Jesus. He noticed that Jesus's feet were
rising above the ground. He's leaving, Matthew realized. Matthew ran
to Jesus and fell at his feet. Beside Peter. The
eleven disciples fell to their knees and watched as the
Son of God rose above them.
Speaker 7 (17:48):
Teach others to observe what I have taught you, Jesus said,
to love, to obey, to sacrifice, and to serve Master. No.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Matthew shouted. Tears dreamed down his face. He was frightened.
He did not want to be away from the presence
of Jesus in him. He had found hope, power, and acceptance.
All of the disciples raised their eyes in awe of
the risen God. The heavens cracked open, and the light
(18:18):
of the Lord burst forth like a stream of living water.
It fell from the skies and enveloped Jesus. Surrounded by light,
Jesus smiled, do.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Not be afraid, my children. Behold, I will be with
you always, even to the end of time.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
As he said this, the light enveloped him, and he
disappeared into the skies like a vapor. The sun's rays
retreated back into the horizon, and the clouds disappeared into
the skies. Jesus of Nazareth, son of God, the Great
i Am, had gone to be with his Father in
(19:00):
the heavens. There he would prepare a place for them.
He would map out the course of eternity with them
in mind. The King of Kings would be the architect
of his kingdom on earth and in heaven. The disciples
awed up in the skies as the orange hues of
(19:20):
sunset turned darker. Two voices interrupted their gaze, saying.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking to heaven?
You have a calling to fulfill.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
The disciples looked at the place where Jesus once stood.
In his place were two men clothed in white robes.
They smiled and stretched out their arms.
Speaker 8 (19:44):
Jesus has been taken up into his dwelling place. He
will come back in the same manner. Be watchful, they said.
Peter nodded in agreement. He looked at the other ten disciples.
He looked at James and John. He nodded to Andrew,
his brother, and Philip. He placed his hand on Bartholomew
(20:07):
and gathered Matthew, Thomas, and James, the son of Alphaeus.
Thaddeus and Simon came in close as well. Peter felt
a deep fire within his belly. Jesus had gone, but
he was still present. His spirit dwelled within.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Him, ready to guide, convict, and empower him. Peter and
the ten Disciples looked to Jerusalem in the distance. The
wind howled as the final hints of light disappeared. Peter
closed his eyes, remembering the words Jesus spoke.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
To him by the fire, tend to my sheep.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Peter opened his eyes and marched down the mountain. There
were sheep who needed to be tended to. There were
people lost in need of a Shepherd. The Disciple was
left with purpose, power and love for God's people. He
empowered them to march down that mountain and reclaim the
people of God. They knew they were not alone. The
(21:13):
God of their ancestors walked beside them. The Great i
Am was with them. All the nations would soon hear
the story of the good Shepherd, the hero of scripture,
the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
There we have it, a beautiful end to a beautiful story,
the final page in a brilliant book. But it doesn't
feel like the end, does it. That's because it isn't.
The departure of Jesus isn't the end of anything, but
the beginning of everything. Jesus's ascension into heaven hearkens to
the dawn of a new era. The Son of God left,
(21:55):
making room for the Spirit of God to dwell and
work among his followers. Episode wasn't somber like the crucifixion
because Jesus's departure wasn't a death, but a sign of
new life. He left to prepare a place for us,
and we have his spirit dwelling in and among us
for the mission ahead. God never gives his commission without
first giving us his comfort. Jesus tended to his disciples
(22:18):
hearts before giving them the ultimate mission. He reminded them
of his love, power and presence before calling them to
go and make disciples. You and I can take heart
that God wants to supply us with all the strength
necessary to perform his purposes. He won't leave us alone
and confuse. That is why we need a spirit. The
(22:38):
Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, directs our course,
convicts us of sin, and challenges us to live up
to our calling. Jesus said in John sixteen, I tell
you the truth. It is to your advantage that I
go away. For if I do not go away, the
Spirit will not come to you. But if I go,
I will send him to you. Jesus said it was
better that he departs so that he might have the
(23:01):
Holy Spirit in his place. After Jesus comforted and spent
time with his disciples, he said, meet me on the
mountain above Galilee. We have talked about a few different
images that are commonly used in scripture. Mountains are common
motifs used by God. The ancient Hebrews believe that Eden
was set on a high place where heaven and earth
converged in beautiful harmony. That is why many major events
(23:24):
in the Bible took place on mountains. Noah's ark settled
on a mountain after the flood. Abraham marched up a
mountain to sacrifice Isaac. In our prelude, Moses met the
Burning Bush tucked between two canyons and a mountain. Moses
received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. David captured the
area known as Mount Zion where the temple was built.
(23:46):
Elijah called fire down from Heaven on Mount Carmo. Jesus's
greatest sermon on the Kingdom of God was given on
a mountain. Jesus was transfigured on a mountain and his
glory was shown to Peter, James and John. Jesus was
rested to die on the mount of Olives. Jesus marched
up a hill of Gogotha to die for the sins
of humanity, and finally, on the mountain range of Galilee,
(24:09):
Jesus ascended into Heaven. The Bible is our mountain, a
high place for us to meet God and hear from
the heart of Heaven. Five hundred people witnessed the risen Lord,
and many of them met with the disciples on the
mountain to see Jesus depart on the high place where
heaven and Earth converged, the first church service took place.
(24:29):
They sang his name and proclaimed his mighty works to
the heavens. Hallelujah. They sang Hallelujah to the Son of David.
For the first time in history, a group of people
gathered to worship the risen King. They sang his praises
and spoke of his glory and grace. Their songs of
hope and salvation would resonate for a thousand generations. People
of all creeds, cultures, and tongues would gather together for
(24:52):
the sole purpose of worshiping the risen Christ. His name
would be on their lips, and his mighty deeds would
be proclaimed into the heavens. Every time you, you and
I meet at church or in our homes to worship,
we are attempting to capture a moment like this where
our songs to God unite us and our love for
Jesus empowers us. When the singing was finished, the mountains
began to tremble. We were taken back to the prelude,
(25:14):
when the presence of God was tangible and spectacular. Jesus
began his ascension, giving his disciples one final charge. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This calling is carried out by you and me every day,
with every act of compassion, moment of love, and intentional conversation.
(25:37):
We do not embark on this mission alone. We have
the comforting presence of Jesus in our hearts, and we
have the community of God in our lives. Hallelujah. Thank
you for joining me on this journey through the life
and ministry of Jesus. I know in my heart that
nobody can interact with the story of Jesus and leave
unchanged in some way. I pray these stories of God's
(25:59):
goodness and glory have encouraged your hearts and enriched your souls.
I pray and hope you learn more about God's love
and his plan for the nations. I also pray you
take on the character of Jesus, moving forward every day
to make an impact like he did. May the God
of all creation bless you, keep you and empower you
for the journey ahead. May his grace give you strength,
(26:22):
and may his truth, convict your heart. Amen. Thank you
again for joining me on this incredible series about Jesus.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. And to expand
your heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of
the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes.
(26:44):
Share this podcast with a family member or friend so
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You
never know how great of an impact the Bible and
this podcast can have on someone's life. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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