March 23, 2024 • 49 mins
Chapter 4 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
This is My Son - The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry. This story is the beginning of Christ’s ministry here on earth. This story begins with the heavens splitting open to showcase Jesus as the beloved son of God, and it ends with a battle of mind and emotions between Jesus and Satan.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Mark 1:15, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.
Sign up for Heroes in the Bible devotionals at https://www.heroesinthebible.com/
Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And saying, the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the Gospel
Mark one fifteen. Dear Lord, you have perfect timing for
all things. The time of the fulfillment of the arrival
of the predicted Messiah was now. Jesus knew that after
(00:23):
John the Baptist was imprisoned, it was the fullness of
time for the world to know that Messiah was among them.
He began to preach the importance of knowing the time
was short and the Kingdom of God was at hand.
I have no idea when Christ is going to return
to the earth in the final days. No one but
the Father knows when the fullness of time will be,
(00:46):
so it's important to be ready. Just as Jesus called
the people to repent for their sins, I need to
keep my soul clean through repentance. Pentance can become despair
without faith in the Gospel of good News, and faith
can become presumption without repentance. Without faith and repentance, there's
(01:11):
no way to be saved. No human effort of good
works will achieve righteousness. When I put my faith in
the Gospel, I receive liberty from the law, peace, forgiveness,
the right standing with God through Christ. There is no
other way to salvation and eternal life except through the
(01:34):
grace of God through his son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen,
stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever
told from pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing
plant on the face of the earth, and every tree
that has fruit with seed in it. They will be
yours for food. It was so blessedly simple, right. But
with the serious health issues on the rise, you have
to wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking
in fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get
(02:13):
back to basics with Field of Greens. Each fruit and
vegetable and Field of Greens was medically selected for its
specific health benefit. Some support vital organs like heart, lungs,
and kidneys. Others support metabolism for healthy energy and weight loss.
Unlike the others with water down extracts, Field of Greens
uses organic whole fruits and vegetables because that's where the
(02:35):
healing nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens
works at your next checkup. Your doctor will notice your
improved health or your money back. For fifteen percent off,
visit Field Offgreens dot com and use promo code Bible.
That's Field of Greens dot com promo code Bible.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evan 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 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 greatest story
(03:15):
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
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. In this episode,
Jesus enters the public scene with the ushering in of
(03:36):
John the Baptist, the public ministry of Jesus begins. This
episode offers us dozens of glimpses into the divinity and
humanity of Jesus, foreshadowing the rest of his time on earth.
Jesus is fully man and fully God, and his story
showcases the spirit of God within him, overcoming the flesh.
This is the great war that rages within all of us.
(03:59):
It is the war that Jesus will ultimately win. This
episode shows us the communal heart of Jesus. Although he
is sufficient and powerful, he invites people into his ministry.
He gains followers, friends, and fellows to fight for the
freedom of mankind. We are introduced to a few of
the Disciples in this episode, and we should take note
(04:20):
of how they all met Jesus. Each individual met him
through another, reminding us that a relationship with God is
often shared between friends and family. Just like these new disciples,
we are just starting to get to know Jesus. This
episode is a great introduction and I am excited to
see what else comes. First, we will begin with a prelude,
(04:42):
a story captured from another time and place. This prelude
brings us to the time of Moses, when the Hebrew
slaves look to the future for deliverance. Here is episode four.
This is My.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Son Prelude, Chapter four. Their lives had been marked by blood,
tears and the sound of wills. The Hebrew people had
been enslaved by the Egyptian nation for hundreds of years.
(05:16):
Entire generations were raised in a cycle of heavy labor, hunger,
and fear. The God of their forefathers heard their cries
for redemption, so God sent them an advocate to proclaim
freedom and led them to the promised land. Moses was
the chosen hero of God, empowered by his spirit to
(05:39):
stand up the Pharaoh. Yet it was God that provided
the deliverance. God parted the seas, God drowned the armies
of Egypt, and God sent manna from heaven. Moses was
a lesser champion, ultimately pointing to the deliverer of mankind
promised from the very beginning. Moss often spoke of this deliverer,
(06:02):
a new prophet that would arise to bring ultimate freedom.
So the people of God waited. They were given the
law so that they might saturate themselves in the character
of God until He walked among them and fulfilled it.
Years had passed and the Kingdom of Israel had grown
(06:23):
in size and strength. It was a large target for
the ancient kingdoms of the East. God vanquished many of
their enemies, yet they turned their backs on him. The
people of Israel had descended into a pit of their
own filth and sin. Fathers sacrificed their children, kings erected
(06:45):
temples of fornication and murder. They had rejected the one
who brought them out of slavery. Instead, they chose to
enslave themselves to their own sin. Eventually, the king Kingdom
of Israel was faced with a great enemy, an enemy
they were ill prepared and ill equipped to defend. The
(07:08):
colossal nation of Babylon came to not waved, it consumed
the people of Israel. Families were separated, men's heads were
put on pikes, and the people of God were carted
off as captives once again. Yet there was a voice
of hope in the midst of despair. The prophet Isaiah
(07:28):
spoke of a coming redeemer, one who would vanquish the
darkness that raged within mankind since the fall. This redeemer
would end sin by suffering its eternal weight. He would
bear the iniquities of mankind and exchanged their filth for righteousness.
(07:49):
So the captive people awaited this redeemer. They longed for him.
Yet Isaiah spoke of another that would come. A voice
crying out from the wilderness, that would prepare the way
of the Redeemer, one like Elijah, a voice that would
precede the coming king and set the path for him
(08:09):
to enter. Malachi would call him the great Messenger. He
would be the one to gather people and prepare their
hearts for the Messiah. Chapter four. This is my son.
John's eyes opened as the morning light slowly slid its
(08:31):
way through the top of his tent.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
Ah.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Thank you Lord for another day.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
He smiled. Sitting up, John left the tent and stretched
his arms out wide, soaking in the new sun and
whistling along with the birds. The crisp morning air was
sharp and refreshing. He made his way down to the
stream beside his camp and washed his long, dreaded hair.
The light glistened across the wakes, singing a thousand different directions.
(09:03):
John grinned at the beauty around him, thanking the Lord
for yet another day to perform his will. After finishing
his prayers, he followed the Jordan River down towards a
small beach outside the city. He stood at the Jordan
shore and took a deep breath. Then, after basking in
(09:25):
the sun a little more, jumped into the water. John
was a well built man, yet clearly marked with years
of living in the wilderness. His long dreads revealed a
commitment to never cut his hair, for he had taken
the Nazarite vow. He lived as an outsider, camping in
the wilderness of Judea, living off locusts and honeycomb. He
(09:49):
was a strange man, quirky yet filled with chresma, passion,
and wisdom. However, the most distinct thing about John was
not his long dreads, cameou fur clothing, or strange diet.
It was his voice. John's voice was particularly special. It
(10:10):
was deep, smooth, yet also able to capture attention easily.
Words poured from his lips like a steady rain, enrapturing
all who would hear him. John floated in the water
for a while, considering the depths of God's love, power
and plans. There was a twinkle in John's eye when
(10:32):
he thought about his God. From an early age, he
had felt the prompting of his spirit. There was more
than a calling. It was a fire shut up in
his bones. If he were to remain silent, it would
surely consume him. As John continued to float in his
own little world with the Lord. A large group of
(10:54):
people made their way to the shore. Dozens became hundreds,
and hundreds quickly became thousands. People from the city of
Jerusalem and all of Judea had come for John. They
came to hear his voice. John waited his way to shore,
looking at the vast crowd gathered in front of him.
(11:15):
He looked at their faces. Some of the crowd had
come to hear from God. They were desperate for a
word of hope. Others from the crowd had come to
doubt John. They came to cast judgment and gather ammunition
against him. The people stood there in silence, waiting for
that special voice to speak. John smiled and turned his
(11:40):
head to Heaven. He spread his arms out wide and
bellowed repent. His voice resonated through the throng of people.
He spoke with the authority of an ancient prophet.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
The Kingdom of Heaven is nearer than you may think,
my brothers and sisters. Now is the time for the
people to turn away from their selfish ways and be
restored to God. Come and be baptized, Put away the
old habits of corruption, and seek God's forgiveness. His atonement
is on its way.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
John continued to speak of repentance and God's willingness to forgive.
He spoke of the coming Messiah and a new hope. Merging.
People were nodding their heads in agreement. They desired to
turn towards God once again. One by one, John would
lead them into the Jordan and baptize them. John would
(12:37):
dip them back into the water, then lead them back up.
The crowd would cheer as people dedicated their lives to
God once again. The hearts of God's people were being
primed for a new work. As the people were cheering,
John caught a glimpse of a few Pharisees scowling at
(12:58):
him from the crowd. John's blood boiled at the sight
of them. For decades, they had propped themselves up as
a false standard of holiness. They met John's piercing gaze
and began to turn back to leave. John would not
allow it. With the titanic voice of a prophet, John's
words boomed straight through the crowd.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Brood of vipers.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
He yelled. The Pharisees turned in dismay. They could see
in John's eyes a holy fire, a passion that should
be respected. John stepped out of the water and pointed
at them.
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Who warned you to flee the coming wrath, come, humble yourselves,
and bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
John could see the religious leaders stirring, looking for a
response to relieve themselves of responsibility. But John was too quick.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
Do not say to me, well, we are sons of Abraham,
so his favor is accounted to us. No hear my words.
God is able to make these rocks sons of Abraham
if he chooses.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
John picked up a rock and threw it into the water.
Many Jews had relied on their heritage to replace personal
holiness and closeness to God. John would not allow such excuses.
John stepped forward even more. His every word was filled
with the passion of a prophet. People were beginning to
(14:25):
wonder if John himself was the promised Messiah. Listen, John exhorted.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
The axe is laid out to the root of every tree.
If a tree does not bear good fruit, it will
be cut down.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
When John said these things, the entire crowd was stirred.
Then what shall we do, they asked, How shall we
bear good fruit? John was silent for a moment. The
people had been so entrenched in religious custom that they
had forgotten the purity of good natured actions. He pitied them,
(14:59):
using his voice gently. He encouraged them, saying.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
If you have two tunics, share with the one who
has none. It is that simple.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
The tax collector from the crown shouted another question.
Speaker 6 (15:12):
One of us tax collectors, how shall we repent and.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Bear good fruit?
Speaker 6 (15:16):
John smiled, Do not let greed guide your decisions. You
will have many opportunities to take more than you are
authorized too. Don't be fair and look out for those
who struggle.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
A few Roman soldiers were also in attendance.
Speaker 6 (15:31):
Teacher, what shall we do?
Speaker 4 (15:33):
They asked?
Speaker 6 (15:34):
You have much power as a soldier, do not use
it to threaten, extort, or bully. You also have much privilege.
Be sure to not grow discontent with your wages. Corruption
is knocking at your door continually. Do not give in,
like King Herod who stole his brother's wife.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
He replied, John was not afraid to speak truth to power. However,
those in power were The mob continued to hang on
every word John spoke. His proclamations about the Kingdom of
God hit their hearts like well aimed arrows. Whispers in
the crowd continued the surface of John being the Messiah.
(16:16):
As John was preaching, one man shouted out, are you
the promised One? Are you the Messiah? John froz For
a moment, a smile curled up behind his shaggy beard.
His glistening eyes reflected the water near his waist. He
looked down at the water and cupped some in his hand.
(16:37):
John's silence was palpable. He let the water spill out slowly,
making a soft, trickling noise.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
I baptize you with.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
Water, John said, breaking the silence.
Speaker 6 (16:50):
Yet there was one who is coming, one far mightier
than I. You think I am some special messenger, even
I am unworthy to bend down before him and tie
his sandals.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
John's nearly perfect voice began to tremble for a moment.
Speaker 6 (17:06):
I baptize you with water, he repeated. But the one
who is coming will baptize you with the fire of
the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Then who are you, they asked John.
Speaker 6 (17:15):
I am a voice crying out in the wilderness.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
John said. The people looked at one another, knowing that
he had just quoted the prophet Isaiah.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
I am here to prepare the way of the Lord.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
John continued, to exhort the crowd until a figure caught
his eye, a man standing amidst the people. There were
no physical traits or facial features that set him apart
from any other man, yet John's eyes were locked onto him.
The people quickly caught on that John was looking at
(17:50):
this man. The man smiled back at John and slowly
made his way to the front of the crowd. John
waited out of the water with his eyes watering with
unbelievable joy. Behold, John said, with awe in his voice.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
The Lamb of God come to take away the sense
of the world.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Standing before John was Jesus. The crowd did not know him,
but they soon would. Jesus held John's shoulders and embraced him.
Will you baptize me, John, he asked with a grin.
John seemed almost insulted by the notion.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Of course, not, my Lord, a sinful manlike me needs
to be baptized by you. Why would you come to me?
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Jesus made his way into the water, beckoning John to
follow him.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
You should baptize me, John, for you and I must
both carry out the will of God.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
John, amazed by the humility of Jesus, followed him. Into
the water. Jesus had no sins to repent of, however,
he was to identify with humanity in every way. By
being baptized, Jesus modeled repentance for all to see. The
(19:07):
crowd watched as John and Jesus stood beside one another
in the water. All were silent, perplexed by what was happening.
John took Jesus's back and slowly dipped him into the water.
Jesus was under for a moment, and when he emerged,
the heavens opened up like a breaking dam. Light poured
(19:31):
forth from the skies. People watched in amazement, and tears
fell down John's face as he beheld the glory of heaven.
Light spread in hundreds of directions, causing the crowd to
watch in awe. Then, from the opening in the skies,
the Spirit of God descended like a dove. Gracefully. The
(19:54):
spirit soared around Jesus and settled on his shoulders. Jesus
pulled his wet hair back and looked up with a smile.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, basking
in the light of the Lord. Cutting through the silence,
a voice poured forth from the heavens. It was a
(20:16):
voice that could be heard audibly, but also within the
hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. The voice spoke clearly, saying,
this is my beloved son. It is in him I
am pleased. Then, in an instant, the radiance dissipated into
the atmosphere. Without saying another word, Jesus hugged John and departed.
(20:44):
The baptism of Jesus signified the beginning of a new era,
a new chapter in the story of God. Immanuel, God
with Us, had entered the scene and began his ministry
with the favor of the fire and the power of
his spirit. Jesus was led into the wilderness. There was
(21:06):
an enemy waiting for him, a giant even greater than Goliath.
It was time for the Messiah to go into battle
on behalf of humanity. It was dusk and Jesus was
looking over the land of Judea. The sound of chirping
crickets began to harmonize with rustling grass. It was time
(21:29):
for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his body of
food for forty days. He would remove comfort and cling
to God. However, he was not alone. An ancient enemy
lurked among the reeds behind him, waiting for a moment
to strike. For forty days, Jesus had gone without food.
(21:51):
His body was beginning to eat away at itself, and
his mind was experiencing the dull effects of starvation. The
weaknesses of humanity was felt in full force by Jesus.
His body trembled, longing for any form of sustenance. It
was in this moment a slithering presence emerged from the darkness.
(22:15):
He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
Look, it is the son of God, shaking like a
starving animorimal Satan hissed.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
His voice was quiet and sharp, but the silent sting
of scorpion. If you truly are the son of God,
why not just just command these stones to become bred.
Surely the creator himself deserves some food. This was the
first temptation the lust of the flesh, a tactic that
(22:49):
worked for Adam and Eve. Once in the garden, Jesus's
body ached from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable. He
considered for a moment what a small piece of bread
would do. Yet Jesus came to identify with the weakness
of mankind. If he simply turned the stones into bread,
(23:11):
he would take advantage of the power God gave him. Besides,
he did not need bread. The comfort of the Father
was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him, replied with scripture, saying.
Speaker 5 (23:27):
It is written man does not live by bread alone,
but by the very words uttered from God himself.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
It was difficult for Jesus to speak. He had a
fever from the hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver. Satan,
still behind Jesus, scowled. In an instant, he took Jesus
up in his vision. The two of them stood overlooking
the earth. Satan showed Jesus the nations of the world, gold,
(24:01):
silver and jewels, armies, thrones and monuments. You see all this,
Satan hissed.
Speaker 7 (24:09):
These kingdoms are mine. They had been taken by me
and are mine. To keep all this power, all.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
This glory greeth, could be yours. Satan blinged in closer
to Jesus, Look, son of God, look in all that
could be yours. To rule. All you must do is
worshiped me. This was the second temptation, the lust for power,
(24:41):
a temptation Eve once fell for and Satan promised she
would be like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked upon the nations.
Satan made an enticing offer to rule over his people
once again. Yet corruption was not the way to win
the hearts of man. Jesus closed his eyes and quoted
(25:05):
the scriptures once again, saying.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God,
him and him alone, you shall surf.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around Jesus. All of
a sudden, the two of them were standing over the
Temple of Jerusalem. They were at its highest point, overlooking
the people below. The wind howled as Jesus stood at
the very tip of the massive structure look Satan screamed
(25:36):
through the wind, pointing to the people below.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
They are all here waiting for you to show yourself,
make a spectacle and jump off of For you and
I both know what the scriptures say. They claim that
the Lord will order his angels the preceptial.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
This was the third Temptation, the Pride of Life. Jesus
looked down at the people coming in and out of
the temple. If they were to see a man flying
on the wings of angels over the Holy temple. Surely
they would worship him, Yet it would be no greater
than a circus act. Jesus knew that it was not
(26:18):
signs and wonders that would save mankind. He knew what
his true purpose was.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
You must not test the Lord, your God.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
Jesus answered silently. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt
him again. Before he could speak, Jesus turned around, looking
him in the eyes for the first time. He Jesus
rebuked Satan jarred back. The two of them were standing
in the wilderness once again. The stars were settled high
(26:51):
in the sky, and the howling evening wind rolled over
the hills. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus. They
they were not equals. Jesus alone held the power, so
Satan retreated back into the grass so he may scheme
more about how to take the heart of man. Jesus
(27:15):
then departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully
resisted the temptations of the enemy, temptations that had caused
humanity to stumble for thousands of generations. Jesus, even in
his most weakened state, was able to overcome it. This
(27:36):
would be a foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus, even
at his most afflicted, would overcome. John was sitting beside
the shore next to two of his disciples. The three
men talked to each other, staring out at the tide
rising and falling. The ocean breeze gracefully swayed the arbored
(28:00):
boats back and forth. John knew that his time was
drawing to a close. Not only had he spoken out
against Herod won too many times, but Jesus had come.
It was time for his followers to bind themselves to him.
John looked to his left, seeing Jesus walking beside the ocean.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Look there, John pointed, there, he is the Lamb of God.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
The disciples stood and peered into the distance.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
This is the one you should follow.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
John said gently.
Speaker 6 (28:35):
Here's the one I've been speaking of this whole time.
Speaker 4 (28:38):
The two disciples looked at John with sorrowful eyes.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
John laughed, do not worry about me, my friends. I
must decrease so he may increase. Go now.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
John shewed his disciples away, and the two of them
ran to catch up to Jesus. The voice crying out
in the wilderness had said all that needed to be said.
His purpose had been fulfilled. John's example will be followed
by teachers for thousands of generations preached. The name of
(29:11):
Jesus then be forgotten. It was about four in the
afternoon and the heat of the day began to dissipate.
Jesus enjoyed the solitude as he walked beside the water.
He strolled for a while until he heard more footsteps
in the sand behind him. Smiling, Jesus stopped, Can I
(29:34):
help you? He asked the disciples, admittedly embarrassed they had
not spoken up sooner, asked Jesus where he was staying.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Come and see for yourself.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Jesus said. They went with him to where Jesus was lodging,
and the three of them spoke for a long while
about the things of God. One of the disciples was Andrew,
the son of a fisherman. After near Omens speaking with Jesus,
Andrew was convinced that this was indeed the Messiah. The
(30:07):
next day, Andrew hurried to his brother, Simon. Simon was
a rough man, a fisherman by trade. He was known
for his quick tongue, brash demeanor, and stubbornness. Simon was
tending to the nets on his boat after a long
night of fishing Simon Andrew yelled.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
We have found him. We have found the Messiah.
Speaker 4 (30:28):
He barely paid any attention to his brother. What makes
you so convinced? Simon's coughed It wasn't.
Speaker 6 (30:34):
The man in camel fur your Messiah.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
I cannot keep track.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
No, not John. Another is here, Andrew said, shaking his head.
Come and see for yourself. Andrew brought Simon over to
where Jesus was sitting. Simon looked down at him, a
bit underwhelmed. He thought the Messiah may be taller. The
two of them shook hands as Jesus rose to his feet.
Simon was surprised at Jesus's grip. He had the hands
(31:01):
of a craftsman, not a rabbi. No doubt Jesus had
spent many years working with stone and wood. The two
were silent for an awkward moment. Jesus peered into Simon's eyes, Simon,
son of John. Jesus said, your name will soon be
called Peter Stone. Simon did not know what this meant,
(31:25):
but he had a feeling this was not the last
time Jesus would perplex him. The next day, Jesus returned
to Galilee. He walked among the market place, enjoying the
busyness of the city. He watched the children playing in
the streets and venders talking amongst one another. His heart
(31:45):
was filled with love for them. Jesus strolled by the
corner of the market place. There he found a man
named Philip sitting on a ledge whittling a piece of wood.
Jesus stared up at him for a while. Philip was
lost in his own world, intent to be alone with
his craft. Philip, Jesus said, startled. Philip fell back and
(32:08):
landed on his back with a thud. Jesus helped him
to his feet. Philip was an awkward man, yet filled
with a passion for life. He brushed the dust off
his tunic and looked up at Jesus. May I help you,
Philip passed, follow me, Philip, Jesus answered. Philip had heard
about Jesus from Andrew, so he followed. The two of
(32:32):
them meandered through the market place talking. Philip was enamored
with the words of Jesus and marveled that such an
eloquent teacher would take time to speak with him. As
the day grew on, Philip was more convinced that Jesus
was whom people claimed him to be. After speaking with Jesus,
Philip had to find his friend Nathaniel, but he was
(32:55):
nowhere to be seen. Philip looked high and low, but
could not find him anywhere. So Philip waited outside his home.
At the bottom of a hill. About a quarter mile
away from Nathaniel's home was a fig tree. He often
sat under there speaking with God. Nathaniel leaned his back
(33:17):
against the trunk of a tree, looking up at the
rustling leaves above. Tears streamed down Nathaniel's face. There he
poured his soul out before God. The storms within Nathaniel's
heart and mind would often consume him. It was his
time away with the Lord that gave him strength. Nathaniel
(33:40):
was a good man of good reputation. He had a
tender heart and valued God's law. Yet his hard work
and character did not come without faults. After Nathaniel finished praying,
he picked up his cart of dry goods and went
back home. There he found Philip waiting for him. Philip
(34:00):
helped Nathaniel unload baskets from a cart into his home.
Speaker 8 (34:05):
We have found him, Nathaniel, Philip said. The Messiah. He
has come.
Speaker 9 (34:10):
I have been hearing rumors that John de Baptist was
the Messiah. Nathaniel said, is it not him?
Speaker 4 (34:16):
Philip shook his head.
Speaker 8 (34:17):
No, No, it is Jesus, the son of a craftsman
in Nazareth.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
Nathaniel let out a laugh, nearly dropping the basket of
dried figs.
Speaker 9 (34:26):
Did you just say Nazareth, Philip, you have never been
to that place. It is dull, dirty, and a breeding
crown for criminals. Can anything good come from that place?
Speaker 8 (34:36):
See for yourself, Philip replied, I am meeting him soon.
You can be the judge of whether anything good comes
from Nazareth.
Speaker 4 (34:43):
The two men came to meet Jesus. He had just
concluded teaching outside the synagogue. As Nathaniel approached, Jesus smiled
and opened his arms.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
Nathaniel, now here is a genuine son of Israel, a
man with a no heart and deep integrity.
Speaker 4 (35:03):
Nathaniel looked puzzled. Jesus spoke as if he knew him,
but surely they had never met. Perhaps Philip told Jesus
about him. Nathaniel looked at Philip. Philip shrugged. He had
not mentioned Nathaniel at all. How do you know who
I am, Nathaniel asked.
Speaker 5 (35:22):
I could see you under the vic tree.
Speaker 4 (35:24):
Jesus replied gently. Nathaniel's eyes immediately widened, his bottom lip
began to quiver. He was sure that he was alone
underneath that victory. No one else knew what he and God.
Those few words from Jesus were enough. Nathaniel bowed at
(35:45):
his feet, saying.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
Rabbi, you truly are the son of God, King of Israel.
It is an honor to be near you.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
Jesus knelt down at eye level with Nathaniel. He smiled
and gave a kind laugh.
Speaker 5 (36:00):
I believe all this because I saw you under a tree.
Speaker 1 (36:03):
I'm just you.
Speaker 5 (36:04):
Wait, my friend, even greater things are yet to come.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Jesus helped Nathaniel to his feet and brush the dust
off his tunic.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
I tell you the truth, Nathaniel. You will see Heaven
open and the angels of God showcasing the upward path
between heaven and earth.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
Nathaniel looked back at Philip. A sly grin was on
his face. Apparently something good could come out of Nazareth.
The next day, Jesus and a few of his new
friends attended a wedding celebration in Cana. The ceremony in
celebration had lasted days as guests, friends and family laughed
(36:46):
and danced. Mary, Jesus's mother, was also in attendance. Hundreds
of people were dancing to music, sharing stories, and allowing
the cares of the world to melt under the warmth
of friendship. Jesus loved listening to people laugh. He loved
watching the children dance. He looked as the bride and
(37:06):
groom cherished every moment together. These were the things he
created for man to enjoy, and he was pleased to
share it with them. As was custom in those days,
The wedding lasted several days. Food and wine flowed as
guests continued to dance and sing. Mary watched as wine
(37:27):
cups continued to fill and empty. She knew what was
going to happen. The hosts were going to run out
of wine, and sure enough they did. People began to stir,
and the hosts became more and more anxious about people
enjoying themselves. However, Mary was not worried. She had bore
and raised the Son of God, and he was several
(37:49):
feet away. Jesus was reclined at one of the tables
with a few of his followers. He looked up to
see his mother approaching with purpose. Jesus smirk. He had
seen that look before. Mary put her hands on her hips.
Speaker 6 (38:05):
They are out of wine.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
Mary said. Jesus knew exactly what she.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
Was saying, and what does that have to do with me.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Jesus playfully replied he knew what she wanted. She wanted
him to bring more wine. She wanted a miracle.
Speaker 5 (38:22):
You know my hour has not yet come to reveal myself, mother.
Speaker 4 (38:26):
Jesus said gently, in a way only a mother could.
Mary ignored her son's answer. She beckoned the servants to
come over and brought them to Jesus.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
This is my son.
Speaker 9 (38:38):
Do what he tells you to do.
Speaker 4 (38:41):
She said, and with a sly grin, Mary walked back
to her table to reassure the guests more wine was
coming soon. Jesus chuckled and rubbed his temple. Even the
son of God was not above listening to his mother.
Jesus stood to his feet and gathered the serve perce.
He greeted them and sent them to fill six stone
(39:03):
jars with water. The servants were confused, but they did
as they were told. The jars were massive and very heavy.
It took two servants to carry just one jar. They
traveled to the nearby well and filled the jars to
the brim. Although it seemed like nonsense, they did as
they were told, rolling up their sleeves. Jesus helped carry
(39:28):
some of the jugs back to the celebration. Then he
gestured for the servants to take the water and pour
them into people's cups. One of the servants darted his
eyes towards Jesus, then towards the bride's father.
Speaker 6 (39:42):
We will look like fools if we pour water into
his cup.
Speaker 4 (39:46):
He thought. Nevertheless, all the servants did as they were
told as they brought the jars of water to the guests.
Jesus reclined at his table. The disciples were beside him,
waiting to see what would happen next. One of the
servants approached the host and gently poured the contents into
his cup. To the servants dismay, water did not come out,
(40:11):
but wine, deep, fragrant red wine flowed from the stone jar.
The host took a sip and laughed.
Speaker 6 (40:20):
Ha I see we have saved the best for last.
Speaker 4 (40:23):
He shouted. The servants were shocked, and the disciples were
left speechless. The rest of the guests were served wine
and the celebration continued. Mary looked over at Jesus from
the other side of the room. Jesus raised his cup
to her, smiled and nodded. Mary gave a look of contentment.
(40:44):
It was a truly special moment. The first public miracle
Jesus ever performed was not a grand gesture of strength,
nor was it a mighty act of nature. No, it
was a small favor to please his No one knew
where the wine had come from except the servants and
(41:05):
the disciples that quatch. In this act, Jesus showcased the
heart of Elisha. He showed that a miracle could be
a simple and kind act of service towards the ones
you love.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
Our king has arrived. This episode set the tone for
the rest of our story to unfold. In a short time,
Jesus's divinity, humanity, and personality were revealed to us, but
a few things needed to happen before Jesus entered the scene. First,
we had a prelude highlighting Israel's need for a savior.
(41:43):
Moses and Isaiah were two of many in the Old Testament,
to prophesy about a promised redeemer. Israel's problem from the
very beginning with slavery, not just slavery to foreign nations,
but to their own sin. They constantly found themselves captive
to their own depravity and selfishness. Their enslavement to Egypt, Babylon,
(42:04):
and Rome were merely pictures of their inner struggle. Israel
was continually captive, unable to break their chains, so they
pined after the promised deliverer to save them. How would
they know who this person was or when he would come.
God also promised a forerunner, someone to pave the way
for Jesus to come. That person was going to be
(42:26):
a voice crying out from the wilderness. That person ended
up being the one and only John the Baptist. The
episode begins with John the Baptist, a rugged and interesting character.
There was something mystic and strange about him, almost like
a sage or hermit found in fairy tales. His earthly
and naturalistic features were supposed to send us back to
(42:49):
an ancient time when people dwelt in the garden of Eden.
John was a messenger from a different plane, hearkening to
the coming of the promised son.
Speaker 4 (42:57):
Of Eve.
Speaker 3 (43:00):
Was simple, repent and be baptized. Although the message was straightforward,
it was far from easy. At this point in history,
the Jewish people were entrenched in ideology and dogma. Their
tendency towards vain religiosity made it difficult for the message
of repentance to sink in. The religious elite had a
particularly hard time receiving the message. John was proclaiming they
(43:24):
had spent centuries protecting themselves under religious system. John confronted
their hypocrisy, and Jesus would later continue in that fight.
John's passion drew a large crowd. Many people turned from
their sin and devoted their lives to God. John was
paving the way for a new hero to emerge, Jesus.
(43:44):
Jesus came unto the scene and was baptized by John.
It didn't take long for the story to reveal exactly
who Jesus was. The heavens opened up, the spirit descended,
and a voice cried out from the skies, declaring, this
is my beloved sink in whom I'm well pleased. This
event signaled the beginning of Jesus's ministry. By being baptized,
(44:07):
Jesus identified with humanity's need for repentance. Jesus didn't have
anything to repent from, but he was baptized to signal
the beginning of something glorious. After Jesus was baptized, he
retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray. It is
every leader's destiny to spend time in the wilderness. Moses, David,
(44:27):
Elijah all spent time alone in the wilderness. It is
the dry and hungry waste land where leaders find their
true strength in God. It was in the wilderness where
Satan tempted Jesus, and it was in the wilderness where
Jesus established his dominance over darkness. Everyone too as moments
of spiritual despair and temptation. In these moments, we realize
(44:48):
how strong our faith truly is. Faith that goes untested
is destined for failure. I want to focus on two
moments in this episode that have implications for you and me.
The first is the call of Nathaniel. Initially, Nathaniel was
skeptical that anything good could come from a dirty place
like Nazareth. His God was up as he walked to
(45:10):
me Jesus. However, his god was immediately thrown off when
Jesus acted like he knew him. Nathaniel asked if they
had met, and he responded, I could see you under
the fig tree. This was clearly a space where Nathaniel
met God. Nobody else but God could have known about
the fig tree. Jesus immediately broke down the walls in
(45:31):
Nathaniel's heart. It is not a stretch for us to
imagine what this fig tree was for Nathaniel. It was
probably a secret place where he wrestled with his feelings
about God, prayed and meditated on the Word. Perhaps it
was a quiet place of contemplation and rest. Whatever it was,
we knew it was a place where he was alone,
and only he and God knew what went on there.
(45:53):
We all have these areas of our lives, areas that
are unseen to the rest of the world. Moments of weakness, vulnerability,
the honesty, and maybe even dreams for the future. These
are hidden parts of who we are that nobody else
knows about. It is often in these secret places where
God desires to do his greatest work. Psalm fifty one says, behold,
(46:14):
you delight in truth in the inward being, and you
teach me wisdom in the secret heart. There is great
safety in having a God who knows us and is
not surprised by our flaws or skeptical of our gifts.
We saw Nathaniel's cynicism melt away when he felt known
by God. His skeptical posture shifted, and he declared, Rabbi,
(46:35):
you are the son of God. You are the King
of Israel. Do you see the shifting pasture he went from?
If this guy is from Nazareth, so he must be
worthless to you are the son of God. What changed?
What changed is that Nathaniel was disarmed. Jesus gave him
a word of encouragement that piqued his interests, and then
reminded him that he was there when Nathaniel was at
(46:58):
his most vulnerable and a lie. Jesus wants to remind
you today that he sees you and understands you when
nobody else sees you, and he is there when you
are at your most lonely. For any of you who
have felt forgotten, misunderstood, and alone, Jesus is with you
under the fig tree. The episode ended with Jesus's first miracle.
(47:19):
There are two points I want to make about this
event before we say goodbye. The first point is small
but important. Jesus's first miracle was doing a favor for
his mother. One of his final acts before dying on
the cross will also be taking care of his mother.
Jesus was the son of God, but he was also
the son of Mary. He was able to balance the
(47:40):
divine call of God and the earthly call of family.
The second point is a larger point, you, guys. No
scripture is multi layered. The Gospels are no exception. They
weren't written on accident, and John in particular inserts more
commentary in the words, imagery and sentence structure than any
other the Gospel writers. This story from a bird's eye
(48:03):
view is a look at the new work Jesus is
doing in replacement of the old Jewish law and tradition.
The old religious system has run out and fallen short.
Jesus is going to take what was lacking and fill
it with something new and spectacular. His work is new wine.
The tension we will see between him and the Pharisees
and future episodes exemplifies this concept. Jesus has come to
(48:26):
usher in a new and fresh way of living with God.
The old way has become empty and run out. New
work is ahead. In our next episode, Jesus is going
to showcase his new work through the Lowly Outcast and
people on the Fringe. His new work will not begin
with flash, pomp and glamour. It will begin with the sick, needy,
(48:46):
and poor. Join us next time for episode five The Outcast.
Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers
and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.
And to expe your heroes in the Bible Journey, download
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
(49:07):
Forward slash heroes. 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
And saying, the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the Gospel
Mark one fifteen. Dear Lord, you have perfect timing for
all things. The time of the fulfillment of the arrival
of the predicted Messiah was now. Jesus knew that after
(00:23):
John the Baptist was imprisoned, it was the fullness of
time for the world to know that Messiah was among them.
He began to preach the importance of knowing the time
was short and the Kingdom of God was at hand.
I have no idea when Christ is going to return
to the earth in the final days. No one but
the Father knows when the fullness of time will be,
(00:46):
so it's important to be ready. Just as Jesus called
the people to repent for their sins, I need to
keep my soul clean through repentance. Pentance can become despair
without faith in the Gospel of good News, and faith
can become presumption without repentance. Without faith and repentance, there's
(01:11):
no way to be saved. No human effort of good
works will achieve righteousness. When I put my faith in
the Gospel, I receive liberty from the law, peace, forgiveness,
the right standing with God through Christ. There is no
other way to salvation and eternal life except through the
(01:34):
grace of God through his son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen,
stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever
told from pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing
plant on the face of the earth, and every tree
that has fruit with seed in it. They will be
yours for food. It was so blessedly simple, right. But
with the serious health issues on the rise, you have
to wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking
in fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get
(02:13):
back to basics with Field of Greens. Each fruit and
vegetable and Field of Greens was medically selected for its
specific health benefit. Some support vital organs like heart, lungs,
and kidneys. Others support metabolism for healthy energy and weight loss.
Unlike the others with water down extracts, Field of Greens
uses organic whole fruits and vegetables because that's where the
(02:35):
healing nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens
works at your next checkup. Your doctor will notice your
improved health or your money back. For fifteen percent off,
visit Field Offgreens dot com and use promo code Bible.
That's Field of Greens dot com promo code Bible.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evan 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 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 greatest story
(03:15):
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
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. In this episode,
Jesus enters the public scene with the ushering in of
(03:36):
John the Baptist, the public ministry of Jesus begins. This
episode offers us dozens of glimpses into the divinity and
humanity of Jesus, foreshadowing the rest of his time on earth.
Jesus is fully man and fully God, and his story
showcases the spirit of God within him, overcoming the flesh.
This is the great war that rages within all of us.
(03:59):
It is the war that Jesus will ultimately win. This
episode shows us the communal heart of Jesus. Although he
is sufficient and powerful, he invites people into his ministry.
He gains followers, friends, and fellows to fight for the
freedom of mankind. We are introduced to a few of
the Disciples in this episode, and we should take note
(04:20):
of how they all met Jesus. Each individual met him
through another, reminding us that a relationship with God is
often shared between friends and family. Just like these new disciples,
we are just starting to get to know Jesus. This
episode is a great introduction and I am excited to
see what else comes. First, we will begin with a prelude,
(04:42):
a story captured from another time and place. This prelude
brings us to the time of Moses, when the Hebrew
slaves look to the future for deliverance. Here is episode four.
This is My.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Son Prelude, Chapter four. Their lives had been marked by blood,
tears and the sound of wills. The Hebrew people had
been enslaved by the Egyptian nation for hundreds of years.
(05:16):
Entire generations were raised in a cycle of heavy labor, hunger,
and fear. The God of their forefathers heard their cries
for redemption, so God sent them an advocate to proclaim
freedom and led them to the promised land. Moses was
the chosen hero of God, empowered by his spirit to
(05:39):
stand up the Pharaoh. Yet it was God that provided
the deliverance. God parted the seas, God drowned the armies
of Egypt, and God sent manna from heaven. Moses was
a lesser champion, ultimately pointing to the deliverer of mankind
promised from the very beginning. Moss often spoke of this deliverer,
(06:02):
a new prophet that would arise to bring ultimate freedom.
So the people of God waited. They were given the
law so that they might saturate themselves in the character
of God until He walked among them and fulfilled it.
Years had passed and the Kingdom of Israel had grown
(06:23):
in size and strength. It was a large target for
the ancient kingdoms of the East. God vanquished many of
their enemies, yet they turned their backs on him. The
people of Israel had descended into a pit of their
own filth and sin. Fathers sacrificed their children, kings erected
(06:45):
temples of fornication and murder. They had rejected the one
who brought them out of slavery. Instead, they chose to
enslave themselves to their own sin. Eventually, the king Kingdom
of Israel was faced with a great enemy, an enemy
they were ill prepared and ill equipped to defend. The
(07:08):
colossal nation of Babylon came to not waved, it consumed
the people of Israel. Families were separated, men's heads were
put on pikes, and the people of God were carted
off as captives once again. Yet there was a voice
of hope in the midst of despair. The prophet Isaiah
(07:28):
spoke of a coming redeemer, one who would vanquish the
darkness that raged within mankind since the fall. This redeemer
would end sin by suffering its eternal weight. He would
bear the iniquities of mankind and exchanged their filth for righteousness.
(07:49):
So the captive people awaited this redeemer. They longed for him.
Yet Isaiah spoke of another that would come. A voice
crying out from the wilderness, that would prepare the way
of the Redeemer, one like Elijah, a voice that would
precede the coming king and set the path for him
(08:09):
to enter. Malachi would call him the great Messenger. He
would be the one to gather people and prepare their
hearts for the Messiah. Chapter four. This is my son.
John's eyes opened as the morning light slowly slid its
(08:31):
way through the top of his tent.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
Ah.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Thank you Lord for another day.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
He smiled. Sitting up, John left the tent and stretched
his arms out wide, soaking in the new sun and
whistling along with the birds. The crisp morning air was
sharp and refreshing. He made his way down to the
stream beside his camp and washed his long, dreaded hair.
The light glistened across the wakes, singing a thousand different directions.
(09:03):
John grinned at the beauty around him, thanking the Lord
for yet another day to perform his will. After finishing
his prayers, he followed the Jordan River down towards a
small beach outside the city. He stood at the Jordan
shore and took a deep breath. Then, after basking in
(09:25):
the sun a little more, jumped into the water. John
was a well built man, yet clearly marked with years
of living in the wilderness. His long dreads revealed a
commitment to never cut his hair, for he had taken
the Nazarite vow. He lived as an outsider, camping in
the wilderness of Judea, living off locusts and honeycomb. He
(09:49):
was a strange man, quirky yet filled with chresma, passion,
and wisdom. However, the most distinct thing about John was
not his long dreads, cameou fur clothing, or strange diet.
It was his voice. John's voice was particularly special. It
(10:10):
was deep, smooth, yet also able to capture attention easily.
Words poured from his lips like a steady rain, enrapturing
all who would hear him. John floated in the water
for a while, considering the depths of God's love, power
and plans. There was a twinkle in John's eye when
(10:32):
he thought about his God. From an early age, he
had felt the prompting of his spirit. There was more
than a calling. It was a fire shut up in
his bones. If he were to remain silent, it would
surely consume him. As John continued to float in his
own little world with the Lord. A large group of
(10:54):
people made their way to the shore. Dozens became hundreds,
and hundreds quickly became thousands. People from the city of
Jerusalem and all of Judea had come for John. They
came to hear his voice. John waited his way to shore,
looking at the vast crowd gathered in front of him.
(11:15):
He looked at their faces. Some of the crowd had
come to hear from God. They were desperate for a
word of hope. Others from the crowd had come to
doubt John. They came to cast judgment and gather ammunition
against him. The people stood there in silence, waiting for
that special voice to speak. John smiled and turned his
(11:40):
head to Heaven. He spread his arms out wide and
bellowed repent. His voice resonated through the throng of people.
He spoke with the authority of an ancient prophet.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
The Kingdom of Heaven is nearer than you may think,
my brothers and sisters. Now is the time for the
people to turn away from their selfish ways and be
restored to God. Come and be baptized, Put away the
old habits of corruption, and seek God's forgiveness. His atonement
is on its way.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
John continued to speak of repentance and God's willingness to forgive.
He spoke of the coming Messiah and a new hope. Merging.
People were nodding their heads in agreement. They desired to
turn towards God once again. One by one, John would
lead them into the Jordan and baptize them. John would
(12:37):
dip them back into the water, then lead them back up.
The crowd would cheer as people dedicated their lives to
God once again. The hearts of God's people were being
primed for a new work. As the people were cheering,
John caught a glimpse of a few Pharisees scowling at
(12:58):
him from the crowd. John's blood boiled at the sight
of them. For decades, they had propped themselves up as
a false standard of holiness. They met John's piercing gaze
and began to turn back to leave. John would not
allow it. With the titanic voice of a prophet, John's
words boomed straight through the crowd.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Brood of vipers.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
He yelled. The Pharisees turned in dismay. They could see
in John's eyes a holy fire, a passion that should
be respected. John stepped out of the water and pointed
at them.
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Who warned you to flee the coming wrath, come, humble yourselves,
and bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
John could see the religious leaders stirring, looking for a
response to relieve themselves of responsibility. But John was too quick.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
Do not say to me, well, we are sons of Abraham,
so his favor is accounted to us. No hear my words.
God is able to make these rocks sons of Abraham
if he chooses.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
John picked up a rock and threw it into the water.
Many Jews had relied on their heritage to replace personal
holiness and closeness to God. John would not allow such excuses.
John stepped forward even more. His every word was filled
with the passion of a prophet. People were beginning to
(14:25):
wonder if John himself was the promised Messiah. Listen, John exhorted.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
The axe is laid out to the root of every tree.
If a tree does not bear good fruit, it will
be cut down.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
When John said these things, the entire crowd was stirred.
Then what shall we do, they asked, How shall we
bear good fruit? John was silent for a moment. The
people had been so entrenched in religious custom that they
had forgotten the purity of good natured actions. He pitied them,
(14:59):
using his voice gently. He encouraged them, saying.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
If you have two tunics, share with the one who
has none. It is that simple.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
The tax collector from the crown shouted another question.
Speaker 6 (15:12):
One of us tax collectors, how shall we repent and.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Bear good fruit?
Speaker 6 (15:16):
John smiled, Do not let greed guide your decisions. You
will have many opportunities to take more than you are
authorized too. Don't be fair and look out for those
who struggle.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
A few Roman soldiers were also in attendance.
Speaker 6 (15:31):
Teacher, what shall we do?
Speaker 4 (15:33):
They asked?
Speaker 6 (15:34):
You have much power as a soldier, do not use
it to threaten, extort, or bully. You also have much privilege.
Be sure to not grow discontent with your wages. Corruption
is knocking at your door continually. Do not give in,
like King Herod who stole his brother's wife.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
He replied, John was not afraid to speak truth to power. However,
those in power were The mob continued to hang on
every word John spoke. His proclamations about the Kingdom of
God hit their hearts like well aimed arrows. Whispers in
the crowd continued the surface of John being the Messiah.
(16:16):
As John was preaching, one man shouted out, are you
the promised One? Are you the Messiah? John froz For
a moment, a smile curled up behind his shaggy beard.
His glistening eyes reflected the water near his waist. He
looked down at the water and cupped some in his hand.
(16:37):
John's silence was palpable. He let the water spill out slowly,
making a soft, trickling noise.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
I baptize you with.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
Water, John said, breaking the silence.
Speaker 6 (16:50):
Yet there was one who is coming, one far mightier
than I. You think I am some special messenger, even
I am unworthy to bend down before him and tie
his sandals.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
John's nearly perfect voice began to tremble for a moment.
Speaker 6 (17:06):
I baptize you with water, he repeated. But the one
who is coming will baptize you with the fire of
the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Then who are you, they asked John.
Speaker 6 (17:15):
I am a voice crying out in the wilderness.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
John said. The people looked at one another, knowing that
he had just quoted the prophet Isaiah.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
I am here to prepare the way of the Lord.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
John continued, to exhort the crowd until a figure caught
his eye, a man standing amidst the people. There were
no physical traits or facial features that set him apart
from any other man, yet John's eyes were locked onto him.
The people quickly caught on that John was looking at
(17:50):
this man. The man smiled back at John and slowly
made his way to the front of the crowd. John
waited out of the water with his eyes watering with
unbelievable joy. Behold, John said, with awe in his voice.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
The Lamb of God come to take away the sense
of the world.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Standing before John was Jesus. The crowd did not know him,
but they soon would. Jesus held John's shoulders and embraced him.
Will you baptize me, John, he asked with a grin.
John seemed almost insulted by the notion.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Of course, not, my Lord, a sinful manlike me needs
to be baptized by you. Why would you come to me?
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Jesus made his way into the water, beckoning John to
follow him.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
You should baptize me, John, for you and I must
both carry out the will of God.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
John, amazed by the humility of Jesus, followed him. Into
the water. Jesus had no sins to repent of, however,
he was to identify with humanity in every way. By
being baptized, Jesus modeled repentance for all to see. The
(19:07):
crowd watched as John and Jesus stood beside one another
in the water. All were silent, perplexed by what was happening.
John took Jesus's back and slowly dipped him into the water.
Jesus was under for a moment, and when he emerged,
the heavens opened up like a breaking dam. Light poured
(19:31):
forth from the skies. People watched in amazement, and tears
fell down John's face as he beheld the glory of heaven.
Light spread in hundreds of directions, causing the crowd to
watch in awe. Then, from the opening in the skies,
the Spirit of God descended like a dove. Gracefully. The
(19:54):
spirit soared around Jesus and settled on his shoulders. Jesus
pulled his wet hair back and looked up with a smile.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, basking
in the light of the Lord. Cutting through the silence,
a voice poured forth from the heavens. It was a
(20:16):
voice that could be heard audibly, but also within the
hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. The voice spoke clearly, saying,
this is my beloved son. It is in him I
am pleased. Then, in an instant, the radiance dissipated into
the atmosphere. Without saying another word, Jesus hugged John and departed.
(20:44):
The baptism of Jesus signified the beginning of a new era,
a new chapter in the story of God. Immanuel, God
with Us, had entered the scene and began his ministry
with the favor of the fire and the power of
his spirit. Jesus was led into the wilderness. There was
(21:06):
an enemy waiting for him, a giant even greater than Goliath.
It was time for the Messiah to go into battle
on behalf of humanity. It was dusk and Jesus was
looking over the land of Judea. The sound of chirping
crickets began to harmonize with rustling grass. It was time
(21:29):
for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his body of
food for forty days. He would remove comfort and cling
to God. However, he was not alone. An ancient enemy
lurked among the reeds behind him, waiting for a moment
to strike. For forty days, Jesus had gone without food.
(21:51):
His body was beginning to eat away at itself, and
his mind was experiencing the dull effects of starvation. The
weaknesses of humanity was felt in full force by Jesus.
His body trembled, longing for any form of sustenance. It
was in this moment a slithering presence emerged from the darkness.
(22:15):
He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
Look, it is the son of God, shaking like a
starving animorimal Satan hissed.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
His voice was quiet and sharp, but the silent sting
of scorpion. If you truly are the son of God,
why not just just command these stones to become bred.
Surely the creator himself deserves some food. This was the
first temptation the lust of the flesh, a tactic that
(22:49):
worked for Adam and Eve. Once in the garden, Jesus's
body ached from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable. He
considered for a moment what a small piece of bread
would do. Yet Jesus came to identify with the weakness
of mankind. If he simply turned the stones into bread,
(23:11):
he would take advantage of the power God gave him. Besides,
he did not need bread. The comfort of the Father
was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him, replied with scripture, saying.
Speaker 5 (23:27):
It is written man does not live by bread alone,
but by the very words uttered from God himself.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
It was difficult for Jesus to speak. He had a
fever from the hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver. Satan,
still behind Jesus, scowled. In an instant, he took Jesus
up in his vision. The two of them stood overlooking
the earth. Satan showed Jesus the nations of the world, gold,
(24:01):
silver and jewels, armies, thrones and monuments. You see all this,
Satan hissed.
Speaker 7 (24:09):
These kingdoms are mine. They had been taken by me
and are mine. To keep all this power, all.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
This glory greeth, could be yours. Satan blinged in closer
to Jesus, Look, son of God, look in all that
could be yours. To rule. All you must do is
worshiped me. This was the second temptation, the lust for power,
(24:41):
a temptation Eve once fell for and Satan promised she
would be like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked upon the nations.
Satan made an enticing offer to rule over his people
once again. Yet corruption was not the way to win
the hearts of man. Jesus closed his eyes and quoted
(25:05):
the scriptures once again, saying.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God,
him and him alone, you shall surf.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around Jesus. All of
a sudden, the two of them were standing over the
Temple of Jerusalem. They were at its highest point, overlooking
the people below. The wind howled as Jesus stood at
the very tip of the massive structure look Satan screamed
(25:36):
through the wind, pointing to the people below.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
They are all here waiting for you to show yourself,
make a spectacle and jump off of For you and
I both know what the scriptures say. They claim that
the Lord will order his angels the preceptial.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
This was the third Temptation, the Pride of Life. Jesus
looked down at the people coming in and out of
the temple. If they were to see a man flying
on the wings of angels over the Holy temple. Surely
they would worship him, Yet it would be no greater
than a circus act. Jesus knew that it was not
(26:18):
signs and wonders that would save mankind. He knew what
his true purpose was.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
You must not test the Lord, your God.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
Jesus answered silently. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt
him again. Before he could speak, Jesus turned around, looking
him in the eyes for the first time. He Jesus
rebuked Satan jarred back. The two of them were standing
in the wilderness once again. The stars were settled high
(26:51):
in the sky, and the howling evening wind rolled over
the hills. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus. They
they were not equals. Jesus alone held the power, so
Satan retreated back into the grass so he may scheme
more about how to take the heart of man. Jesus
(27:15):
then departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully
resisted the temptations of the enemy, temptations that had caused
humanity to stumble for thousands of generations. Jesus, even in
his most weakened state, was able to overcome it. This
(27:36):
would be a foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus, even
at his most afflicted, would overcome. John was sitting beside
the shore next to two of his disciples. The three
men talked to each other, staring out at the tide
rising and falling. The ocean breeze gracefully swayed the arbored
(28:00):
boats back and forth. John knew that his time was
drawing to a close. Not only had he spoken out
against Herod won too many times, but Jesus had come.
It was time for his followers to bind themselves to him.
John looked to his left, seeing Jesus walking beside the ocean.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Look there, John pointed, there, he is the Lamb of God.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
The disciples stood and peered into the distance.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
This is the one you should follow.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
John said gently.
Speaker 6 (28:35):
Here's the one I've been speaking of this whole time.
Speaker 4 (28:38):
The two disciples looked at John with sorrowful eyes.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
John laughed, do not worry about me, my friends. I
must decrease so he may increase. Go now.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
John shewed his disciples away, and the two of them
ran to catch up to Jesus. The voice crying out
in the wilderness had said all that needed to be said.
His purpose had been fulfilled. John's example will be followed
by teachers for thousands of generations preached. The name of
(29:11):
Jesus then be forgotten. It was about four in the
afternoon and the heat of the day began to dissipate.
Jesus enjoyed the solitude as he walked beside the water.
He strolled for a while until he heard more footsteps
in the sand behind him. Smiling, Jesus stopped, Can I
(29:34):
help you? He asked the disciples, admittedly embarrassed they had
not spoken up sooner, asked Jesus where he was staying.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Come and see for yourself.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Jesus said. They went with him to where Jesus was lodging,
and the three of them spoke for a long while
about the things of God. One of the disciples was Andrew,
the son of a fisherman. After near Omens speaking with Jesus,
Andrew was convinced that this was indeed the Messiah. The
(30:07):
next day, Andrew hurried to his brother, Simon. Simon was
a rough man, a fisherman by trade. He was known
for his quick tongue, brash demeanor, and stubbornness. Simon was
tending to the nets on his boat after a long
night of fishing Simon Andrew yelled.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
We have found him. We have found the Messiah.
Speaker 4 (30:28):
He barely paid any attention to his brother. What makes
you so convinced? Simon's coughed It wasn't.
Speaker 6 (30:34):
The man in camel fur your Messiah.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
I cannot keep track.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
No, not John. Another is here, Andrew said, shaking his head.
Come and see for yourself. Andrew brought Simon over to
where Jesus was sitting. Simon looked down at him, a
bit underwhelmed. He thought the Messiah may be taller. The
two of them shook hands as Jesus rose to his feet.
Simon was surprised at Jesus's grip. He had the hands
(31:01):
of a craftsman, not a rabbi. No doubt Jesus had
spent many years working with stone and wood. The two
were silent for an awkward moment. Jesus peered into Simon's eyes, Simon,
son of John. Jesus said, your name will soon be
called Peter Stone. Simon did not know what this meant,
(31:25):
but he had a feeling this was not the last
time Jesus would perplex him. The next day, Jesus returned
to Galilee. He walked among the market place, enjoying the
busyness of the city. He watched the children playing in
the streets and venders talking amongst one another. His heart
(31:45):
was filled with love for them. Jesus strolled by the
corner of the market place. There he found a man
named Philip sitting on a ledge whittling a piece of wood.
Jesus stared up at him for a while. Philip was
lost in his own world, intent to be alone with
his craft. Philip, Jesus said, startled. Philip fell back and
(32:08):
landed on his back with a thud. Jesus helped him
to his feet. Philip was an awkward man, yet filled
with a passion for life. He brushed the dust off
his tunic and looked up at Jesus. May I help you,
Philip passed, follow me, Philip, Jesus answered. Philip had heard
about Jesus from Andrew, so he followed. The two of
(32:32):
them meandered through the market place talking. Philip was enamored
with the words of Jesus and marveled that such an
eloquent teacher would take time to speak with him. As
the day grew on, Philip was more convinced that Jesus
was whom people claimed him to be. After speaking with Jesus,
Philip had to find his friend Nathaniel, but he was
(32:55):
nowhere to be seen. Philip looked high and low, but
could not find him anywhere. So Philip waited outside his home.
At the bottom of a hill. About a quarter mile
away from Nathaniel's home was a fig tree. He often
sat under there speaking with God. Nathaniel leaned his back
(33:17):
against the trunk of a tree, looking up at the
rustling leaves above. Tears streamed down Nathaniel's face. There he
poured his soul out before God. The storms within Nathaniel's
heart and mind would often consume him. It was his
time away with the Lord that gave him strength. Nathaniel
(33:40):
was a good man of good reputation. He had a
tender heart and valued God's law. Yet his hard work
and character did not come without faults. After Nathaniel finished praying,
he picked up his cart of dry goods and went
back home. There he found Philip waiting for him. Philip
(34:00):
helped Nathaniel unload baskets from a cart into his home.
Speaker 8 (34:05):
We have found him, Nathaniel, Philip said. The Messiah. He
has come.
Speaker 9 (34:10):
I have been hearing rumors that John de Baptist was
the Messiah. Nathaniel said, is it not him?
Speaker 4 (34:16):
Philip shook his head.
Speaker 8 (34:17):
No, No, it is Jesus, the son of a craftsman
in Nazareth.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
Nathaniel let out a laugh, nearly dropping the basket of
dried figs.
Speaker 9 (34:26):
Did you just say Nazareth, Philip, you have never been
to that place. It is dull, dirty, and a breeding
crown for criminals. Can anything good come from that place?
Speaker 8 (34:36):
See for yourself, Philip replied, I am meeting him soon.
You can be the judge of whether anything good comes
from Nazareth.
Speaker 4 (34:43):
The two men came to meet Jesus. He had just
concluded teaching outside the synagogue. As Nathaniel approached, Jesus smiled
and opened his arms.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
Nathaniel, now here is a genuine son of Israel, a
man with a no heart and deep integrity.
Speaker 4 (35:03):
Nathaniel looked puzzled. Jesus spoke as if he knew him,
but surely they had never met. Perhaps Philip told Jesus
about him. Nathaniel looked at Philip. Philip shrugged. He had
not mentioned Nathaniel at all. How do you know who
I am, Nathaniel asked.
Speaker 5 (35:22):
I could see you under the vic tree.
Speaker 4 (35:24):
Jesus replied gently. Nathaniel's eyes immediately widened, his bottom lip
began to quiver. He was sure that he was alone
underneath that victory. No one else knew what he and God.
Those few words from Jesus were enough. Nathaniel bowed at
(35:45):
his feet, saying.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
Rabbi, you truly are the son of God, King of Israel.
It is an honor to be near you.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
Jesus knelt down at eye level with Nathaniel. He smiled
and gave a kind laugh.
Speaker 5 (36:00):
I believe all this because I saw you under a tree.
Speaker 1 (36:03):
I'm just you.
Speaker 5 (36:04):
Wait, my friend, even greater things are yet to come.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Jesus helped Nathaniel to his feet and brush the dust
off his tunic.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
I tell you the truth, Nathaniel. You will see Heaven
open and the angels of God showcasing the upward path
between heaven and earth.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
Nathaniel looked back at Philip. A sly grin was on
his face. Apparently something good could come out of Nazareth.
The next day, Jesus and a few of his new
friends attended a wedding celebration in Cana. The ceremony in
celebration had lasted days as guests, friends and family laughed
(36:46):
and danced. Mary, Jesus's mother, was also in attendance. Hundreds
of people were dancing to music, sharing stories, and allowing
the cares of the world to melt under the warmth
of friendship. Jesus loved listening to people laugh. He loved
watching the children dance. He looked as the bride and
(37:06):
groom cherished every moment together. These were the things he
created for man to enjoy, and he was pleased to
share it with them. As was custom in those days,
The wedding lasted several days. Food and wine flowed as
guests continued to dance and sing. Mary watched as wine
(37:27):
cups continued to fill and empty. She knew what was
going to happen. The hosts were going to run out
of wine, and sure enough they did. People began to stir,
and the hosts became more and more anxious about people
enjoying themselves. However, Mary was not worried. She had bore
and raised the Son of God, and he was several
(37:49):
feet away. Jesus was reclined at one of the tables
with a few of his followers. He looked up to
see his mother approaching with purpose. Jesus smirk. He had
seen that look before. Mary put her hands on her hips.
Speaker 6 (38:05):
They are out of wine.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
Mary said. Jesus knew exactly what she.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
Was saying, and what does that have to do with me.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Jesus playfully replied he knew what she wanted. She wanted
him to bring more wine. She wanted a miracle.
Speaker 5 (38:22):
You know my hour has not yet come to reveal myself, mother.
Speaker 4 (38:26):
Jesus said gently, in a way only a mother could.
Mary ignored her son's answer. She beckoned the servants to
come over and brought them to Jesus.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
This is my son.
Speaker 9 (38:38):
Do what he tells you to do.
Speaker 4 (38:41):
She said, and with a sly grin, Mary walked back
to her table to reassure the guests more wine was
coming soon. Jesus chuckled and rubbed his temple. Even the
son of God was not above listening to his mother.
Jesus stood to his feet and gathered the serve perce.
He greeted them and sent them to fill six stone
(39:03):
jars with water. The servants were confused, but they did
as they were told. The jars were massive and very heavy.
It took two servants to carry just one jar. They
traveled to the nearby well and filled the jars to
the brim. Although it seemed like nonsense, they did as
they were told, rolling up their sleeves. Jesus helped carry
(39:28):
some of the jugs back to the celebration. Then he
gestured for the servants to take the water and pour
them into people's cups. One of the servants darted his
eyes towards Jesus, then towards the bride's father.
Speaker 6 (39:42):
We will look like fools if we pour water into
his cup.
Speaker 4 (39:46):
He thought. Nevertheless, all the servants did as they were
told as they brought the jars of water to the guests.
Jesus reclined at his table. The disciples were beside him,
waiting to see what would happen next. One of the
servants approached the host and gently poured the contents into
his cup. To the servants dismay, water did not come out,
(40:11):
but wine, deep, fragrant red wine flowed from the stone jar.
The host took a sip and laughed.
Speaker 6 (40:20):
Ha I see we have saved the best for last.
Speaker 4 (40:23):
He shouted. The servants were shocked, and the disciples were
left speechless. The rest of the guests were served wine
and the celebration continued. Mary looked over at Jesus from
the other side of the room. Jesus raised his cup
to her, smiled and nodded. Mary gave a look of contentment.
(40:44):
It was a truly special moment. The first public miracle
Jesus ever performed was not a grand gesture of strength,
nor was it a mighty act of nature. No, it
was a small favor to please his No one knew
where the wine had come from except the servants and
(41:05):
the disciples that quatch. In this act, Jesus showcased the
heart of Elisha. He showed that a miracle could be
a simple and kind act of service towards the ones
you love.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
Our king has arrived. This episode set the tone for
the rest of our story to unfold. In a short time,
Jesus's divinity, humanity, and personality were revealed to us, but
a few things needed to happen before Jesus entered the scene. First,
we had a prelude highlighting Israel's need for a savior.
(41:43):
Moses and Isaiah were two of many in the Old Testament,
to prophesy about a promised redeemer. Israel's problem from the
very beginning with slavery, not just slavery to foreign nations,
but to their own sin. They constantly found themselves captive
to their own depravity and selfishness. Their enslavement to Egypt, Babylon,
(42:04):
and Rome were merely pictures of their inner struggle. Israel
was continually captive, unable to break their chains, so they
pined after the promised deliverer to save them. How would
they know who this person was or when he would come.
God also promised a forerunner, someone to pave the way
for Jesus to come. That person was going to be
(42:26):
a voice crying out from the wilderness. That person ended
up being the one and only John the Baptist. The
episode begins with John the Baptist, a rugged and interesting character.
There was something mystic and strange about him, almost like
a sage or hermit found in fairy tales. His earthly
and naturalistic features were supposed to send us back to
(42:49):
an ancient time when people dwelt in the garden of Eden.
John was a messenger from a different plane, hearkening to
the coming of the promised son.
Speaker 4 (42:57):
Of Eve.
Speaker 3 (43:00):
Was simple, repent and be baptized. Although the message was straightforward,
it was far from easy. At this point in history,
the Jewish people were entrenched in ideology and dogma. Their
tendency towards vain religiosity made it difficult for the message
of repentance to sink in. The religious elite had a
particularly hard time receiving the message. John was proclaiming they
(43:24):
had spent centuries protecting themselves under religious system. John confronted
their hypocrisy, and Jesus would later continue in that fight.
John's passion drew a large crowd. Many people turned from
their sin and devoted their lives to God. John was
paving the way for a new hero to emerge, Jesus.
(43:44):
Jesus came unto the scene and was baptized by John.
It didn't take long for the story to reveal exactly
who Jesus was. The heavens opened up, the spirit descended,
and a voice cried out from the skies, declaring, this
is my beloved sink in whom I'm well pleased. This
event signaled the beginning of Jesus's ministry. By being baptized,
(44:07):
Jesus identified with humanity's need for repentance. Jesus didn't have
anything to repent from, but he was baptized to signal
the beginning of something glorious. After Jesus was baptized, he
retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray. It is
every leader's destiny to spend time in the wilderness. Moses, David,
(44:27):
Elijah all spent time alone in the wilderness. It is
the dry and hungry waste land where leaders find their
true strength in God. It was in the wilderness where
Satan tempted Jesus, and it was in the wilderness where
Jesus established his dominance over darkness. Everyone too as moments
of spiritual despair and temptation. In these moments, we realize
(44:48):
how strong our faith truly is. Faith that goes untested
is destined for failure. I want to focus on two
moments in this episode that have implications for you and me.
The first is the call of Nathaniel. Initially, Nathaniel was
skeptical that anything good could come from a dirty place
like Nazareth. His God was up as he walked to
(45:10):
me Jesus. However, his god was immediately thrown off when
Jesus acted like he knew him. Nathaniel asked if they
had met, and he responded, I could see you under
the fig tree. This was clearly a space where Nathaniel
met God. Nobody else but God could have known about
the fig tree. Jesus immediately broke down the walls in
(45:31):
Nathaniel's heart. It is not a stretch for us to
imagine what this fig tree was for Nathaniel. It was
probably a secret place where he wrestled with his feelings
about God, prayed and meditated on the Word. Perhaps it
was a quiet place of contemplation and rest. Whatever it was,
we knew it was a place where he was alone,
and only he and God knew what went on there.
(45:53):
We all have these areas of our lives, areas that
are unseen to the rest of the world. Moments of weakness, vulnerability,
the honesty, and maybe even dreams for the future. These
are hidden parts of who we are that nobody else
knows about. It is often in these secret places where
God desires to do his greatest work. Psalm fifty one says, behold,
(46:14):
you delight in truth in the inward being, and you
teach me wisdom in the secret heart. There is great
safety in having a God who knows us and is
not surprised by our flaws or skeptical of our gifts.
We saw Nathaniel's cynicism melt away when he felt known
by God. His skeptical posture shifted, and he declared, Rabbi,
(46:35):
you are the son of God. You are the King
of Israel. Do you see the shifting pasture he went from?
If this guy is from Nazareth, so he must be
worthless to you are the son of God. What changed?
What changed is that Nathaniel was disarmed. Jesus gave him
a word of encouragement that piqued his interests, and then
reminded him that he was there when Nathaniel was at
(46:58):
his most vulnerable and a lie. Jesus wants to remind
you today that he sees you and understands you when
nobody else sees you, and he is there when you
are at your most lonely. For any of you who
have felt forgotten, misunderstood, and alone, Jesus is with you
under the fig tree. The episode ended with Jesus's first miracle.
(47:19):
There are two points I want to make about this
event before we say goodbye. The first point is small
but important. Jesus's first miracle was doing a favor for
his mother. One of his final acts before dying on
the cross will also be taking care of his mother.
Jesus was the son of God, but he was also
the son of Mary. He was able to balance the
(47:40):
divine call of God and the earthly call of family.
The second point is a larger point, you, guys. No
scripture is multi layered. The Gospels are no exception. They
weren't written on accident, and John in particular inserts more
commentary in the words, imagery and sentence structure than any
other the Gospel writers. This story from a bird's eye
(48:03):
view is a look at the new work Jesus is
doing in replacement of the old Jewish law and tradition.
The old religious system has run out and fallen short.
Jesus is going to take what was lacking and fill
it with something new and spectacular. His work is new wine.
The tension we will see between him and the Pharisees
and future episodes exemplifies this concept. Jesus has come to
(48:26):
usher in a new and fresh way of living with God.
The old way has become empty and run out. New
work is ahead. In our next episode, Jesus is going
to showcase his new work through the Lowly Outcast and
people on the Fringe. His new work will not begin
with flash, pomp and glamour. It will begin with the sick, needy,
(48:46):
and poor. Join us next time for episode five The Outcast.
Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers
and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.
And to expe your heroes in the Bible Journey, download
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
(49:07):
Forward slash heroes. 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
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.