March 29, 2024 • 50 mins
Chapter 5 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
The Outcasts - Jesus’ teaching goes viral, and he begins ministering to the broken, sick, and the outcasts. This episode showcases the slow-build of Jesus’ popularity, as well as his willingness to use the broken and imperfect to spread the kingdom of God.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. John three sixteen. Thank you, Heavenly Father,
for your unfathomable love for me. No one will ever
or could ever love me with the pure and unconditional
(00:22):
love you have for me. You ask me to believe,
believe in your son and the price he paid out
of his love for me. I wept in gratitude when
I realized how selfish I am in comparison to his
astounding love. I left my voice in praise and sing
(00:42):
joy to the world. The Lord has come, and Heaven
and nature sing. Prepare our hearts Lord to receive the
greatest gift of knowing. Jesus, fill our hearts with joy
as we sing praises for your glorious goodness. Amen. Stay
(01:03):
tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told
from prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
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Speaker 3 (02:14):
Hi.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
I'm doctor Tony Evan jehost for Heroes in the Bible. Jesus.
If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review
and let us know how this podcast has impacted your life.
Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the
story 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
(02:37):
and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart
of God right into the hearts of you and me.
In this episode, Jesus's heart for the outcast has put
on full display. This episode features one compelling interaction after another.
While some of the gospels put an emphasis on the
public ministry of Jesus, the Gospel of John is unique
(02:58):
with its greater emphasis on the one on one interactions
Jesus had with selected individuals. This episode highlights many of
those connections, reminding us that Jesus wasn't just a public figure,
but a friend and mentor. He took time for people,
noticed those on the fringe, and revealed his glory through
simple conversations. This episode introduces us to famous characters like
(03:21):
Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well, as well as
lesser known figures like the father with the sick son
and the invalid by the pools. All of these individuals
came face to face with Jesus and were changed forever
because of him. Nobody can truly meet Jesus and remain neutral.
Anyone who comes face to face with him must make
a decision about who he is to them. Ironically, the
(03:44):
religiously lead and pious leaders had a harder time accepting
him than the sick and social outcast. As it turns out,
self righteous religion can keep people from truly seeing Jesus
for who he is. In this episode, I want to
challenge all of us to see the ways in which
Jesus interacts with the outcast. How does he speak with
people who have been rejected by society? To what lengths
(04:07):
will Jesus go to comfort and compel people's hearts. Before
we dive into this next time in Jesus' ministry, we
will have a prelude, a story captured from another time
and space. We are introduced to David, an outcast in
his own way who became a king. His life is
an example to us all of God's heart for the
people on the fringe. The small Shepherd's Boys rise to
(04:30):
power shows us that God prefers to use the weak
things of the world to display his strength. I hope
it encourages you today. Here is episode five, The Outcast.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Prelude to Chapter five, one thousand years before the birth
of Christ. A young shepherd boy lounged under the clouds.
He watched the sheep gray and frolic while strumming the lyre.
The solitude of a shepherd's life did not bother him.
(05:07):
His father had nearly forgotten him altogether anyways, and his
brothers were self consumed. If he was being honest, he
preferred the company of sheep. As dull as they were,
they were endearing. They needed his guidance, protection, and provision.
Without him, they would surely fall off a cliff or
(05:28):
starve to death. The boy thought about his relationship with
God this way. He would often look at his sheep
and ponder how God was his shepherd, guiding, protecting, and
providing for him. In the solitude of the sheep pasture,
the young shepherd strummed him to the Lord. He played
(05:50):
passionately for an audience of one. These tender moments happened
often between him and God. He was constantly after his
He knew that his sheep's while being was dependent on
its closeness to the shepherd. So the boy drew close
to the Lord daily, singing to him and meditating on
(06:11):
his law. As small and unassuming as he was, he
was not without courage. Wolves and lions would often prowl
on the perimeter of the pasture, looking to feast on
the helpless sheep. The shepherd Boy was continually alert and
ready for battle. He had to slay a few wolves
and lions in his time. However, nobody would assume that
(06:34):
of the boy. He was ruddy and clearly the runt
of his family. He did not carry himself like his
brothers or his father. They were regal, sturdy, and kinglike. However,
the boy was content with his sheep. He loved that
they needed him. When the nation of Israel needed a
(06:55):
champion to rise up and defeat the giant Goliath and
his Philistine army, no soldier stepped forward. There were no princes, warriors,
or noblemen brave enough to fight. The prophet and judge
of Israel. Samuel was sent by God to find a
man worthy enough to lead the nation. He looked at
(07:15):
the strong, the tall, and the noble. He considered the
men who carried themselves like kings. However, the Lord had
rejected them as his chosen servant. Instead, he had Samuel
look to the pastors, where the shepherd Boy tended to
the sheep man looks at the outward appearance. God told Samuel, however,
(07:39):
I look beyond what men say, I look at the heart.
Samuel looked at the ruddy shepherd boy. He did not
have a keenly demeanor. He was the rejected son of
his family and an outcast. However, dwelling within him was
a heart after God. The Lord called the shepherd Boy
(08:02):
and empowered him to slay giants. He would go on
to be the greatest king Israel had ever known. The
otherwise unassuming and weak boy was a hero and God's
chosen champion, King David. These are the people God chose
to lead armies, restore nations, and proclaim his truths. He
(08:26):
chose the weak to showcase his strength. He chose the
homeless and gave them a home. He chose the rejected
and gave them purpose. For God chose the foolish things
of this world to put to shame all those who
felt wise or strong in their own right. God was
(08:47):
in the business for choosing the outcasts. Chapter five, The Outcasts.
Jesus's name began to grow in popularity. As John the
Baptist faded into anonymity. More and more people who used
to follow him began to follow Jesus. However, the true
(09:09):
identity of Jesus was still only seen in part. Some
people called him the Messiah, but they were still not
entirely sure what that meant. Many people thought the Messiah
would be a political hero. Some thought the Messiah would
be a man of war. However, not many predicted a
carpenter from a small town. Jesus's words reflected the prophetic
(09:34):
description of the Messiah, but the way he carried himself
seemed almost too humble and too unassuming, So people followed Jesus,
curious as to what he would do next. It was passover,
a time when people from the entire region would gather
near the temple to worship. Millions of people flowed in
(09:58):
and out of the city's streets, bringing their families, sacrifices,
and prayers to offer up to the Lord. It was
a grand celebration of God redeeming his people from slavery
in Egypt. It was also a time of deep contemplation.
Men and women considered the depth of God's love for
(10:20):
them and his blessing over them as a holy nation
and chosen people. Jesus walked among the sea of faces
towards the temple. The top of the temple could be
seen in the distance. It was radiant and a glorious
image of God's presence dwelling in the middle of the city.
(10:40):
It was Jesus' desire that all would experience God at
the center of their own lives. His heart was warmed
as he saw Jews, Greeks, and people of all creeds
and cultures gathering to worship. The Heart of God is
for all to enter in and seek his faith. Jesus
(11:02):
walked through the temple gates, his brow furrowed as he
saw the people within. In the temple courtyard, he found
people selling sacrifices and hackling prices. Men were bringing oxen, pigeons, goats,
and sheep, claiming they were special and therefore required to
make a sacrifice. The temple officials also had a special currency,
(11:26):
and the exchange rate was too steep for many people
to buy a sacrifice. Jesus watched in horror as the
temple was being used as a place to exploit people.
Foreigners brought their own sacrifices and were swiftly turned away
if they could not afford a new temple certified sacrifice.
(11:48):
Jesus's blood boiled within him. The courtyard he was standing
in was a special place. It was the courtyard that
gentiles and foreigners were allowed to come and worship, yet
the religious leaders used it to grow rich. A quiet
rage dwelled within the gentle son of God, a rage
(12:10):
so pure and so righteous that if he wished, he
could send fire down from heaven. Jesus looked at the
money changers and the swindlers haggling near the steps. They
were selling salvation. They were selling a connection with God.
Jesus would not allow it. He looked to his left
(12:31):
to see palm Franz laying on the floor. He also
saw some netting used the whole animals draped over the
side of the steps. Jesus gathered these things, sat down,
and began to weave. No one noticed him methodically sowing
leaves and rope together. They were too consumed with making
a prophet. When God established the nation of Israel, he
(12:55):
commanded that they would be a sanctuary for every nation,
that they be a safe haven for refugees and foreigners.
He also commanded that anyone who desired to repent and
seek his face would not be denied blessing. The people
appointed to reflect God's heart had given in to corruption.
(13:17):
Jesus would not allow anybody to be separated from the
loving and brace of God. He would not allow the
foreigner to be turned away. He would not allow the
poor to be put in debt because they couldn't afford
a nicer sacrifice. It was King David who said, for
you will not delight and sacrifice, or I would give it.
(13:40):
He would not be pleased with a burnt offering. The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and
contrite heart. O God, you will not despise. With these
words burning in his heart, Jesus rose to his feet.
He raised his hand high in the air to reveal
a whip of cords. Then, with a strong swing of
(14:03):
his hips, Jesus slashed the whip forward to hit the oxen.
The animals panicked, broke free from their cases. They knoked
over the carts and sent people fleeing in a panic.
Then Jesus marched over to the money changers. With the
mighty heart of God, Jesus lifted the stone tables and
flipped them over. The heavy structures crashed to the floor,
(14:27):
shaking the ground. Gold and silver spilled all over the
courtyard floor, and the money changers frantically picked them up
like birds pecking it bread. Jesus stood above the temple steps,
holding the whip in one hand in a crate of
doves in another. He had single handedly destroyed the temple marketplace.
(14:48):
Raising the doves in the air, he smashed the crate
to the ground, releasing the doves. People stopped their panicking
for a moment to look at Jesus. Huffing, he pointed
at the pharisee and scribes watching from the corner.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
This is where men and women are meant to seek
the face of their God. Yet you have set up
monuments to greed. You have made my father's house a
house of trade, and you have rejected the outcasts.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
The scribes had heard rumors of Jesus, but this was
their first time meeting him. What gives you the right
to do these things? What signs shall you give us
to prove your authority? They retorted. The crowd was stirring.
Jesus began walking towards them. The few of the disciples
(15:34):
saw Jesus. They looked at the fire in his eyes.
They remembered the words of David when he prophesied about
the Messiah, saying, zeal for your house will consume me.
They watched Jesus march forward, with his strength even greater
than David's. He had a passion for the House of
God and for all those who would seek him in it.
(15:58):
Destroy this temple, Jesus began, and in three days I
will raise it up. It will stand in greater glory
than before. A chuckle could be heard from the crowd.
One of them scoffed at him and said, it took
forty six years to rebuild that temple, and you think
you could do so in three days. Jesus shook his
(16:19):
head and walked down the steps. Jesus's words confused them. However,
Jesus was speaking of his own destruction and his own
resurrection to come. His disciples did not understand these things
at the time, but they would. Jesus dropped his whip
and left the temple. No one dared to go after him.
(16:43):
The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus leave. Then a
small applause followed. They looked out at the sea of
people cheering for Jesus. They looked at one another, afraid
of what this man from Nazareth might do to their power.
Many of the scribes, pharisees, and religious leaders scoffed at
(17:06):
Jesus and wrote him off as a madman. There were
many zealots and radicals during that time. They pegged him
as just another voice crying out in insanity. They were wrong,
They were dangerously wrong. They had not even come close
to what Jesus's purpose really was. His display of anger
(17:28):
was quickly dismissed and spat at. However, not all the
religious leaders were so flippant with Jesus. One of them
in particular, was curious. Nicodemus had been teaching God's law
for many years. He had spent his entire life poring
over the scriptures and encouraging the masses that one day
(17:50):
the Messiah would come. So when he saw Jesus, he
could not help but wonder. It was late and Jesus
was staying in a home before departing for Galilee. The
city streets were dark and silent, all except a single
hooded figure lurking its way towards the house. He held
(18:12):
a small lantern and approached the door with the utmost precaution.
Jesus heard a small knock at the door and opened it,
standing with his face slightly illuminated by the lantern. Was
Nicodemus come in? Jesus said, with a smile. Jesus knew
why Nicodemus had come so late. He was afraid to
(18:35):
be seen with Jesus after the day's events at the temple. However,
his curiosity piqued and he had questions that needed answering.
Jesus gestured for Nicodemus to have a seat and have
a drink. A few of Jesus's disciples were sitting by
the fire.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
To what do I owe this pleasure Nicodemus, Jesus asked, Surely,
a ruler of the Jews such as yourself, is busy
with many things.
Speaker 5 (19:01):
Nicodemus stared at his comp for a while. Where would
he begin? For so long Nicodemus had lived with this
angst about the direction of the Pharisees, he knew that
in many ways the people had fallen further from God.
He looked up to see Jesus staring at him attentively.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Rabbi Nicodemus said, there is no doubt in my mind
that you are a brilliant teacher with a heart that
is close to God. Truly, he must have set you,
for no one can do or say the things you
do without being blessed.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
Jesus nodded in agreement. He looked at the fire for
a moment to ponder what Nicodemus had just said. He
was more than just a teacher, and Nicodemus would soon
learn that Jesus saw in Nicodemus a man without answers,
yet forced to pretend he had them.
Speaker 6 (19:54):
Unless one is born again, he will be unable to
truly see the Kingdom of God.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled. He looked around at the
disciples they shroud. They didn't know what Jesus was saying either.
I'm not following, Nicodemus admitted, Are you saying that in
order to inherit heaven one must re enter his mother's
womb and be born a second time? Nicodemus was beginning
(20:20):
to fear Jesus actually was a madman.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
Jesus laughed, no, no, you see, we're all born in flesh, yes,
but we enter this world with our bodies from our
mother's womb.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Nicodemus nodded in agreement. Jesus continued, saying.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
But you must be born a second time, not a
flesh and not through a womb, but of God's spirit.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus was a teacher
himself and very respected among the religious elite. He was
not used to being lost in the discussion regarding philosophy.
Jesus sensed his confute usion and lean forward.
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Do not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and no
one can see it except when the leaves rustle. It
is the same with being borne by the spirit. You
cannot see the spirit itself. However, when it compels a
person it becomes obvious.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
Nicodemus was beginning to understand in part. However, more questions
flooded his mind.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
How can one be born again in the spirit?
Speaker 6 (21:26):
He asked, you are a teacher of God's word, Nicodemus,
Jesus replied, you should understand this. What I have begun
has been foretold, The words I speak have been poured out,
and the acts I perform have become evident. Yet you
and the rest of the pharise you still do not see.
You are blind. How could I possibly explain heavenly matters
(21:49):
to you when your eyes are fixed on earthly things.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
Jesus's words struck a chord with Nicodemus. He knew that greed, power,
and piety had tainted the good intentions of the religious leaders.
He was guilty of the same thing. How could he
truly see heaven if he was so focused on earthly
matters such as influence and money. Jesus discerned the shame
(22:14):
willing up with the Nicodemus. He could see his heart.
He was not like the others. Nicodemus truly longed to
see God move. Jesus stretched out his hands and warmed
them by the fire.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
Do you remember the bronze serpent that was raised up
by Moses to heal the people of Israel in the wilderness.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Jesus asked. Nicodemus nodded. It was a well known story.
The people of Israel had been affected with venomous snakes.
So Moses erected a bronze serpent high in the air,
and all who looked upon it were healed.
Speaker 6 (22:49):
It is the same thing for the Messiah, He too
must be lifted up. So that whoever believes in him
may have eternal life.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Jesus said. Nicodemus's eyes widened. Jesus removed his gaze from
the fire and looked at him. There was a moment
of silence as Nicodemus processed what Jesus had just said.
Just as the serpent was a representation of what was
killing Israel, so the son of Man must be lifted
(23:21):
up as a representation of what is killing humanity. Sin.
Jesus could see cogs turning in Nicodemus's mind.
Speaker 6 (23:30):
It is because of love, Nicodemus, Jesus said, for God
so loved the world that he gave up his only son,
And whoever looks upon him and believes will not perish.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
They will live, and.
Speaker 6 (23:43):
They will have life everlasting.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Nicodemus's heart was beating out of his chest as he
listened to Jesus speak. All was beginning to become clear.
Jesus continued, God did not send the Son to condemn
the world. No, he sent him so that all might
be saved. The fire popped and embers flew up in
(24:07):
the air next to the two men. It was joy
in Jesus's voice, although not everyone in the room understood
him fully. His words were powerful. They sank deep, like
a seed planted in rich soil. Jesus leaned over, and
the flickering flame of the fireplace reflected in his eyes.
Speaker 6 (24:27):
The light of God has come to the world, Jesus said.
If people love their darkness, they hid in it. The
sinful heart delights in the shadows. Evil hates the light,
because light exposes all that lurks in darkness. Yet there
will be those that cling to the truth. Those are
the people that dwell in the light. They will see
(24:50):
their works blessed by God.
Speaker 5 (24:52):
Nicodemus smiled and nodded. He could not quite grasp all
of what Jesus was saying. However, he had the feeling
that he had not heard the last from Jesus. Nicodemus
would keep a close watch on him, looking for signs
of God. Nicodemus stood to his feet and gestured good
(25:12):
bye to Jesus and the others in the room. He
thanked them and left without his hood. He did not
want to be another man dwelling in the shadows. The
next day, Jesus and his followers left Judea. The sun
was high above the skies, of Samaria. Its rays scorched
(25:33):
the earth below, beating down relentlessly. It was around the
valley of Samaria where Jesus was traveling on his way
to Galilee. The Jews hated the Samaritans and held deep
prejudices against them. Usually, any Jewish traveler walked around Samaria,
not Jesus. He decided to travel through it. About half
(25:56):
way through their journey, some of the disciples went into
town to retrieve some food. Jesus remained on the road.
Seeing a small well just a few feet ahead, Jesus
walked towards the well. A woman was there drawing water.
Jesus approached and sat on a small bench beside the well.
(26:17):
The woman noticed him, but paid no attention. Instead, she
methodically brought up the bucket and poured the water into
a basin. Jesus peered out at the sigh. Its light
was draining, and he found himself parched. He looked at
the woman.
Speaker 6 (26:34):
Would you mind drawing me some.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
Water, Jesus asked politely. The woman looked up at him.
Her eyes were glazed over and impassive. She shook her
head with apathy.
Speaker 7 (26:46):
Now, why would a Jewish man want a Samaritan woman
to draw him water. She asked, I seem to recall
your people hating my people. What do you call us again?
Dirty dogs?
Speaker 5 (26:57):
She continued drawing water for herself earth at Jesus, sitting
across from her. Jesus leaned back slightly. Unbothered by the
woman's tone, he smiled and squinted back up with the sun.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
If you knew who was asking you for water, you
wouldn't be so dismissive, Jesus said. In fact, you'd be
asking me for living water.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
The woman stopped, annoyed at Jesus's peppy tone.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
Ah, it looks like you have been traveling jew Where
would you even get living water from. You have no
bucket to draw water with, and there is not a
river for miles.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
The woman's tone was harsh. She was sweating from the
sweltering heat and wanted to be done drawing water. Normally,
the other women in the city would draw water in
the morning before the day became too hot. However, she
was not accepted by the other women. She was an
outcast and shamed by them. So to save herself the ridicule,
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she drew her water alone during the afternoon Jesus stood
up and walked closer to the well. He took the
bucket and drew from the well. He poured it into
the woman's basin and smiled. You see this water, Jesus asked.
Speaker 6 (28:12):
If you drink this water, you'll be thirsty again, and
then you'll need to come back, and the cycle will
repeat itself. Whoever drinks this water will inevitably need more. However,
whoever drinks the water I give them, they'll never thirst again.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
The woman perked up with interest. If she could get
her hands on some of that water, she wouldn't have
to come draw water in the middle of the day.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
How can I get this water.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
She asked, impatiently.
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Drawing water is difficult, and I would like to save
myself the time.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
Jesus continued to draw water and pour it into the
woman's basin, she was so intent on Jesus's words that
she didn't notice him drawing water for her. All right,
Jesus said.
Speaker 6 (28:56):
Go and call your husband, and I would.
Speaker 5 (28:58):
Tell you the woman's lips. She shrugged and looked down
at the ground.
Speaker 7 (29:03):
I don't really have a husband.
Speaker 5 (29:05):
She admitted. Jesus nodded in agreement.
Speaker 6 (29:09):
You are right. To say, you have no husband. You
have had five husbands in your past, and the man
you're sleeping with now isn't even your husband.
Speaker 5 (29:18):
The woman was taken aback. Her rough exterior was beginning
to crack as Jesus revealed these things about her. However,
she did her best to remain callous, holding back tears.
She put on a fake smile and changed the subject.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
I perceive you are a prophet.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
She said, clearing a frog in her throat.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
Then you probably know how sacred this well is. Our
forefathers worshiped on this very mountain. However, you Jews say
the temple is the correct place to worship now.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
The woman's voice was hoarse, her eyes were watering. She
thought religious small talk would deflect what Jesus had said.
Jesus sat beside the woman and gestured for her to
sit as well. He could feel the anguish in her heart.
His words had struck a deep chord. Her five divorces
(30:13):
were a source of shame for her. They were the
reason she was an outcast in her own city. Jesus
looked far off into the distance, knowing that eye contact
would only make the woman more uncomfortable.
Speaker 6 (30:26):
Believe me, the time is coming when people won't even
worship on a mountain or a temple. The true worshippers
we worship in spirit and in truth.
Speaker 5 (30:36):
Jesus said. The woman was pleased that Jesus was playing
along with her religious small talk. She nodded, saying.
Speaker 7 (30:45):
Yes, it is a mystery. However, I am sure the
Messiah will come and tell us all we need to
know about worship.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Jesus turned his gaze towards the woman. His smile was
warmer than the sun itself. Yes he will, Jesus said,
I am he. The woman turned her head swiftly. Her
eyes met Jesus's the second the words came out of
his mouth. She knew it to be true. That is
why he had known about the depth of her shame.
(31:15):
That is why he was able to slowly crack the
walls she put between her and others. As Jesus spoke
to the woman, his disciples were returning with lunch. They
could see Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman and immediately
judged him. However, they said nothing. They couldn't hear their conversation. However,
they saw the woman leap to her feet at something
(31:36):
Jesus said, and run off back to the city. The
woman ran fast in at the city, knocking on every
door she could find.
Speaker 7 (31:45):
I have found him, she yelled. Come and see for yourself.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
People began to emerge from their homes to see the commotion.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
You must meet this man by the well. He told
me everything about me. I believe he may be the Messiah.
Speaker 5 (31:59):
So many of the Samaritans dropped what they were doing
and came to Jesus. They sat at his feet and
listened as he spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven. The
woman was front and center, beaming from ear to ear
at every word proceeding from Jesus's mouth. She was once
an outcast, but in Jesus she found a sense of
(32:20):
belonging and hope. Many heard and believed. Then, after two days,
Jesus departed to Galilee. As Jesus and his followers came
to Galilee, word had spread that he had been preaching
new truths about the Kingdom of God. Eventually they reached
a town called Copernium. Only moments had passed before Jesus
(32:44):
heard the loud noise of a man yelling at the
distance Jesus. The voice yelled, Jesus, the group looked back
and saw a portly man huffing his way up and incline.
He was determined to reach them. Jesus stopped as the
man fell his feet.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Jesus, they said, you had come to Capernaum.
Speaker 5 (33:04):
The man was out of breath and keeled over from running.
Speaker 3 (33:08):
Please you must heal my son. He's dying.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
There were many who had approached Jesus, already asking for
signs and wonders to prove himself. Jesus was not interested
in being their magician or proving his deity to all
who asked.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not have faith.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Jesus said, beginning to walk away. The man was red
and could barely stand, but he was able to raise
himself and run after Jesus.
Speaker 3 (33:38):
No, my lord, please.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
The man fell on his face, whimpering from the pain.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
My son, Please heal my son. Please come before I
lose him.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
He begged. This was the heart Jesus desired. This man
genuinely desired for Jesus to use his power to heal,
not to put on a show prove a point. Jesus
knelt down and helped the man to his feet. He
brushed the dust off his cloak and smiled, Go your
(34:10):
son is healed, Jesus said. The man nodded and laughed.
That very hour, the man's son was healed. This was
the second miracle performed by Jesus. This time it was
in response to a father's heart for his son. This
was love, Jesus knew well. Eventually, Jesus made his way
(34:33):
to Nazareth alone. It had been a while since he
stepped foot in his home. Jesus walked down the bumpy road,
greeting people as he passed. He passed the well where
his mother would often take him as a boy. A
few children came up to Jesus and climbed up onto
his shoulders. Jesus was beloved in his town. He and
(34:56):
his family were craftsmen and were very much loved by
every one. He visited his mother and siblings and enjoined
the quaint and quiet atmosphere. Jesus gazed out at the
town where he grew up. It was dusty and dull,
but brimming with potential. The next day, Jesus went to
(35:16):
the synagogue. It was Sabbath, and it was custom for
one of the rabbis to stand up and read from
the word of God. Jesus stood up among the people
he knew and loved and opened the scroll of Isaiah.
The crowd smiled, pleased to see the son of Joseph
back in their midst Jesus straightened the scroll and spoke clearly, saying.
Speaker 6 (35:40):
The spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has
called me to proclaim good news to those who are poor.
He has sent me out so I may bring liberty
to the captives, give the blind this sight, and set
free all who are oppressed. It is I who proclaimed
the year of the Lord's favor.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Jesus rolled up the scroll and stood before the congregation.
He had just read a well known prophecy about the
mission of the Messiah. Jesus drew a deep breath and
opened up his arms.
Speaker 6 (36:12):
Today, my friends, this scripture has been fulfilled.
Speaker 5 (36:17):
The crowd stirred a little. They looked at one another, perplexed.
Did he just call himself the Messiah? One of them asked,
isn't this Joseph's son. A few of them rose to
their feet. Prove these claims to us, they shouted. The
crowd continued to bicker and laugh at Jesus for saying
such nonsense. They had all known him since he was
(36:37):
a boy. To them, he was just the carpenter's son
and nothing else. Jesus sighed, I know many.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Of you were looking for signs and wonders like the
ones I performed in Capernaum. However, no prophet is accepted
in his hometown. Jesus shook his head, although I suppose
it comes as no surprise. In the days of Elijah,
many people had rejected his works, and many gentiles accepted them.
Speaker 5 (37:05):
As Jesus said these things, the entire synagogue unleashed in
an uproar. Their objections grew violent, and they drove Jesus
out of the building. Foaming with rage. The people cornered
Jesus to the brow of a hill. Jesus took a
step back to see he had no more room. The
hill dropped off into a gorge below. They spat and
(37:28):
clawed at Jesus, proclaiming deity over them. Jesus was backed
against the bluff. He looked at the steep drop right
behind him. They were going to throw him off. Their
anger was from a deep well of insecurity. They could
not stand the thought of Jesus being elevated above them
the mob lunged at him. In the fury, Jesus had
(37:51):
very little time to think. He jumped to the side,
avoiding their initial attack. Jesus weaved through the crowd before
any could grab him. He left Nazareth without a good bye.
He was now an outcast in his own town and
rejected by his own people. Days had passed, and Jesus
(38:12):
was back in Jerusalem for the feast of the Jews.
By the sheep Gate there was a pool called Bethesda.
The pool was surrounded by five roofed colonnades that protected
the water below. Jesus drew closer to see hundreds of invalids, blind, lame,
and paralyzed surrounding the pools. Many loved ones were slowly
(38:35):
leading them beside the water. It was believed back then
that an angel would stir up the water once a
year to heal the sick, lame, blind, and afflicted. It
was a silly tradition, but Jesus admired the faith of
those who brought their loved ones down to the pool.
Jesus walked beside the pillars, observing those who had been
(38:57):
afflicted with disease, blindness, and other disabilities. His compassion was
stirred for them. As he was walking, he stumbled upon
a man sitting on the floor with his back leaned
up against a pillar. The man's brow was furrowed and
his lips were clenched as he glared at people by
the pool. Jesus could see that this man was an
(39:20):
invalid and had been for quite some time. The man
lay there, steaming in anger towards the crowd of people.
Jesus sat beside the man and turned to him.
Speaker 6 (39:31):
Do you want to be healed?
Speaker 5 (39:33):
Jesus asked. The man's body was ravaged with sickness. His
eyes were weary, and he looked at Jesus with complete disdain.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
There is no one to drop me in the pool.
Speaker 5 (39:44):
The man said. He looked away from Jesus, longing after
the pool. Jesus could sense that there was a deep
desire to be healed, but also a desire for someone
to care enough to bring him to the pool. He
was an outcast even among the crippled.
Speaker 3 (40:01):
Any time I have tried to go down to the pool,
another cuts in front of me. Why do I even bother?
Speaker 5 (40:10):
The man said, his eyes watered from pain and anguish.
Jesus stood to his feet. He had asked the man
if he wanted to be healed. Although the man did
not answer the question, Jesus knew the answer.
Speaker 6 (40:26):
Will get up, then, gather your things, take your bed.
Speaker 5 (40:30):
And walk. The man darted his eyes up, ready to yell,
but then he felt a jolt in his abdomen and legs.
A warm sensation rose from his toes to the top
of his head. The man's eyes widened in radiant glee.
He could not believe what was happening. The man placed
his hands and knees on the floor, then slowly stood
(40:52):
to his feet. Tears streamed down his face. He lucked
up to thank Jesus, but he was gone. The man
took his bed and ran to the temple. His smile
was infectious as he danced in the temple courtyard like
a child. The religious leaders saw that he was carrying
his bed and took notice.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
You cannot carry something that large on the Sabbath.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
They yelled. The man was too delighted by his freedom
to consider such things.
Speaker 3 (41:21):
Ah Ha.
Speaker 8 (41:22):
A few moments ago, I was unable to walk. A
man came and healed me, and he told me to
pick up my bed and go. So here I am
with my bed in my arms.
Speaker 5 (41:33):
Unashamed, the man ran out of the temple courtyard, skipping
and humming with new life. As the man left the gates,
a figure caught his eye. It was him, the man
who healed him. The man walked towards Jesus, overjoyed to
see him again. Jesus smiled and gave him a fatherly hug.
Speaker 6 (41:54):
Yes, you are well, Now go and sin no more.
Speaker 5 (41:59):
The man went away and eventually told the religious leaders
that it was Jesus who healed him. They scoffed that
Jesus would do such a thing on the Sabbath. Over
the years, the religious leaders had created a litany of
unnecessary laws around the Sabbath. A man could not drag
a chair across the dirt because it would be considered plowing.
(42:20):
So many rules, so much rigidity. The lack of joy
was choking the people of Israel, and Jesus was determined
to return them to the heart of God. Jesus stood
before the religious leaders and said, plainly, my.
Speaker 6 (42:36):
Father is working good things in his people, so why
shall do the same.
Speaker 5 (42:42):
This was the heart of Jesus. He would extend his
reach to the outcasts. He would bring people back to
a pure and simple devotion to God. Not only this,
but he would do just as Isaiah prophesied. He would
proclaim good news to the poor. He would bring liberty
(43:02):
to the captives, he would restore sight to the blind.
And for all who felt oppressed, rejected, or unloved, he
would pour forth his liberating spirit. It was now time
for the Lord to do a new work for his people.
Speaker 4 (43:21):
God's heart is for the outcast. This was exemplified in
the very beginning with our prelude. He chose a forgotten
son of a herdsman to become king. King David's life
and rise is a reminder to us that God cares
less about regality and religiosity and more about drawing close
to the heart of his people. Jesus reflected the heart
(43:42):
of God in this episode, especially when he confronts the
money changes in the temple. Jesus noticed that the religious
leaders had created a system to exploit the outsiders and
the poor. Unless you were wealthy, established, and local, it
was very hard to make a sacrifice at the temple.
Barriers were created between people and God, and Jesus had
come to build bridges. It is rare when we get
(44:05):
to see Jesus angry, so when it happens, we must
pay attention. The exploitation of the poor and powerless drove
Jesus to rage. He flipped tables, coiled a whip, and
released the animals into the streets. The scriptures concerning worship
and sacrifice were very clear. Everyone should be able to
come before God to repent. Jesus's mission was to make
(44:28):
God accessible to people of every culture, color, creed, and class.
Jesus violently flipping tables in the temple is a picture.
Just as Jesus destroyed these physical barriers between people and God,
he would also destroy the spiritual barriers between people and God.
The Cross of Christ was a proverbial flipping of tables,
(44:48):
breaking down the religious systems that kept people from a
connection with God. Jesus became a friend of the outcasts,
but an enemy of the establishment. The religious leaders questioned
Jesus authority, unable to understand what he was saying. Jesus
often confused the self righteous, those who thought they were
morally superior struggle to understand the concept of grace. Jesus
(45:10):
will have an ongoing ideological battle with the religious leaders.
The tension between them represents the tension between the old
and new covenants and the battle we all have between
our own righteousness and the righteousness given by God. Not
all religious leaders hated Jesus, though one in particular found
his words and actions compelling. Nicodemus met with Jesus under
(45:32):
the cover of midnight, seeking answers to his questions. Jesus
was happy to oblige the conversation with Nicodemus gave us
the famous John three point sixteen for God soul loved
the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whoever should believe in him will have everlasting life. Slowly,
but surely, Jesus is revealing to others and us who
(45:55):
he is. Nicodemus is astounded, but unable to make a
true commitment to Jesus. We see an important trait of
Jesus in this episode. He is always willing to engage
with the needy and the outcasts. This story highlighted three
times when Jesus was met by or went to meet
someone on the fringe. The first was the woman at
the Well. The Samaritan woman was rejected by her own
(46:18):
people due to her several affairs On top of that,
it was taboo for Jews to have any interaction with Samaritans,
let alone a Samardian woman. Jesus's willingness to engage with
this woman tells us at least three things. One, he
cares very little about societal norms, especially if they are
founded on prejudice. Two, he is willing to risk his
(46:40):
reputation in order to connect with people that need him. Three,
he desires to cross cultural boundaries to make connections. Another
thing worth mentioning about this interaction is the water in
the well. Not only does Jesus use it as a
conversation starter to talk about living water in reference to
the Holy Spirit, but the act of drawing water is
(47:01):
in and of itself a picture. This woman had deep
hurt within her, Like water in a well, Jesus patiently
and methodically, without her noticing, draws water out of the
well in the same way he is drawing out her
pain and pasted to refresh and renew her soul. The
next interaction Jesus had with someone in need was the
(47:23):
man whose son needed healing. Jesus showed him and his
son mercy because he too has a father's heart. Let
me pause for a moment and remind you that God
loves you like a devoted father. Some of you had
wonderful fathers, and you understand in some way the love
of Christ. However, some of you might have grown up
without the love of your father. Beingcurriaged that God loves
(47:44):
you with an undying and devoted fatherly love. He went
to great lengths to tell you how much He loves you.
Jesus made sure this man wasn't asking for a sign
from him out of pettiness. The fatherly heart of this
man was drawn out, just like the broken heart the
woman at the well. Jesus rewarded him and his son
was healed. The final interaction Jesus had with someone on
(48:07):
the fringe was the invalid. He said by the pools,
bitter at the world, that he couldn't be healed. This
man wasn't just on the fringe because he was an invalid,
but he wasn't even accepted among the crippled community. Jesus
asked him a simple question, do you want to be healed?
The answer to that question seems obvious, doesn't it. Of course,
this man wants to be healed, but instead of giving
(48:29):
a yes or no, the man explains how nobody cared
enough to lure him into the pool. To him, the
main reason he wasn't healed was because nobody paid attention
to him or showed him any mercy. Jesus was happy
to extend that mercy. The man walked, cheered, and ran
around proclaiming what had happened to him. I want to
point out an absurdity in this episode that can't go unnoticed.
(48:52):
The Pharisees, when seeing this man walking with his bed,
reprimand him for breaking the Sabbage traditions. Regulations like these
were not explicitly stated in the Law of Moses. Rather,
they were rules created by the religious leaders on top
of the law. In their attempt to be righteous, they
put undue burdens on people and kept them from closeness
(49:13):
with God. Conflicts around the Sabbath are going to be
a common occurrence between Jesus and the Pharisees. Look for
them as the series continues and ask yourself why Jesus
is so passionate about pushing the boundaries around Sabbath tradition.
Also ask yourself why these men were so passionate about
the Sabbath. In future episodes, we will explore the conflicting
(49:36):
philosophies of Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. For now,
I want to leave you with a thought to ponder.
If Jesus is supposed to be a greater king than David,
what do you think about his kingdom so far? On
the surface, it doesn't seem very grand or powerful. If
Jesus is establishing a kingdom on earth, then what is
(49:57):
that kingdom supposed to look like? Jesus's actions thus far,
how are we supposed to participate in building the Kingdom
of God? Where we are in our homes, churches, workplaces, schools,
and communities. Ponder these things and pray that his kingdom
would come and His will would be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Amen. Thank you for joining
(50:18):
me for today's episode. In our next episode, Jesus's popularity
grows and with it his need for helpers. He chooses
some men to walk alongside him, learn and perform miracles.
What war is Philosophers or noblemen? Do you think Jesus
will choose? Find out an episode six the twelve. Thanks
again for listening for more inspiring stories, daily prayers and
(50:40):
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. Please write a review and let me
know how Jesus in this podcast has impacted your life.
God bless
For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. John three sixteen. Thank you, Heavenly Father,
for your unfathomable love for me. No one will ever
or could ever love me with the pure and unconditional
(00:22):
love you have for me. You ask me to believe,
believe in your son and the price he paid out
of his love for me. I wept in gratitude when
I realized how selfish I am in comparison to his
astounding love. I left my voice in praise and sing
(00:42):
joy to the world. The Lord has come, and Heaven
and nature sing. Prepare our hearts Lord to receive the
greatest gift of knowing. Jesus, fill our hearts with joy
as we sing praises for your glorious goodness. Amen. Stay
(01:03):
tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told
from prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
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(01:55):
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Speaker 3 (02:14):
Hi.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
I'm doctor Tony Evan jehost for Heroes in the Bible. Jesus.
If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review
and let us know how this podcast has impacted your life.
Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the
story 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
(02:37):
and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart
of God right into the hearts of you and me.
In this episode, Jesus's heart for the outcast has put
on full display. This episode features one compelling interaction after another.
While some of the gospels put an emphasis on the
public ministry of Jesus, the Gospel of John is unique
(02:58):
with its greater emphasis on the one on one interactions
Jesus had with selected individuals. This episode highlights many of
those connections, reminding us that Jesus wasn't just a public figure,
but a friend and mentor. He took time for people,
noticed those on the fringe, and revealed his glory through
simple conversations. This episode introduces us to famous characters like
(03:21):
Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well, as well as
lesser known figures like the father with the sick son
and the invalid by the pools. All of these individuals
came face to face with Jesus and were changed forever
because of him. Nobody can truly meet Jesus and remain neutral.
Anyone who comes face to face with him must make
a decision about who he is to them. Ironically, the
(03:44):
religiously lead and pious leaders had a harder time accepting
him than the sick and social outcast. As it turns out,
self righteous religion can keep people from truly seeing Jesus
for who he is. In this episode, I want to
challenge all of us to see the ways in which
Jesus interacts with the outcast. How does he speak with
people who have been rejected by society? To what lengths
(04:07):
will Jesus go to comfort and compel people's hearts. Before
we dive into this next time in Jesus' ministry, we
will have a prelude, a story captured from another time
and space. We are introduced to David, an outcast in
his own way who became a king. His life is
an example to us all of God's heart for the
people on the fringe. The small Shepherd's Boys rise to
(04:30):
power shows us that God prefers to use the weak
things of the world to display his strength. I hope
it encourages you today. Here is episode five, The Outcast.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Prelude to Chapter five, one thousand years before the birth
of Christ. A young shepherd boy lounged under the clouds.
He watched the sheep gray and frolic while strumming the lyre.
The solitude of a shepherd's life did not bother him.
(05:07):
His father had nearly forgotten him altogether anyways, and his
brothers were self consumed. If he was being honest, he
preferred the company of sheep. As dull as they were,
they were endearing. They needed his guidance, protection, and provision.
Without him, they would surely fall off a cliff or
(05:28):
starve to death. The boy thought about his relationship with
God this way. He would often look at his sheep
and ponder how God was his shepherd, guiding, protecting, and
providing for him. In the solitude of the sheep pasture,
the young shepherd strummed him to the Lord. He played
(05:50):
passionately for an audience of one. These tender moments happened
often between him and God. He was constantly after his
He knew that his sheep's while being was dependent on
its closeness to the shepherd. So the boy drew close
to the Lord daily, singing to him and meditating on
(06:11):
his law. As small and unassuming as he was, he
was not without courage. Wolves and lions would often prowl
on the perimeter of the pasture, looking to feast on
the helpless sheep. The shepherd Boy was continually alert and
ready for battle. He had to slay a few wolves
and lions in his time. However, nobody would assume that
(06:34):
of the boy. He was ruddy and clearly the runt
of his family. He did not carry himself like his
brothers or his father. They were regal, sturdy, and kinglike. However,
the boy was content with his sheep. He loved that
they needed him. When the nation of Israel needed a
(06:55):
champion to rise up and defeat the giant Goliath and
his Philistine army, no soldier stepped forward. There were no princes, warriors,
or noblemen brave enough to fight. The prophet and judge
of Israel. Samuel was sent by God to find a
man worthy enough to lead the nation. He looked at
(07:15):
the strong, the tall, and the noble. He considered the
men who carried themselves like kings. However, the Lord had
rejected them as his chosen servant. Instead, he had Samuel
look to the pastors, where the shepherd Boy tended to
the sheep man looks at the outward appearance. God told Samuel, however,
(07:39):
I look beyond what men say, I look at the heart.
Samuel looked at the ruddy shepherd boy. He did not
have a keenly demeanor. He was the rejected son of
his family and an outcast. However, dwelling within him was
a heart after God. The Lord called the shepherd Boy
(08:02):
and empowered him to slay giants. He would go on
to be the greatest king Israel had ever known. The
otherwise unassuming and weak boy was a hero and God's
chosen champion, King David. These are the people God chose
to lead armies, restore nations, and proclaim his truths. He
(08:26):
chose the weak to showcase his strength. He chose the
homeless and gave them a home. He chose the rejected
and gave them purpose. For God chose the foolish things
of this world to put to shame all those who
felt wise or strong in their own right. God was
(08:47):
in the business for choosing the outcasts. Chapter five, The Outcasts.
Jesus's name began to grow in popularity. As John the
Baptist faded into anonymity. More and more people who used
to follow him began to follow Jesus. However, the true
(09:09):
identity of Jesus was still only seen in part. Some
people called him the Messiah, but they were still not
entirely sure what that meant. Many people thought the Messiah
would be a political hero. Some thought the Messiah would
be a man of war. However, not many predicted a
carpenter from a small town. Jesus's words reflected the prophetic
(09:34):
description of the Messiah, but the way he carried himself
seemed almost too humble and too unassuming, So people followed Jesus,
curious as to what he would do next. It was passover,
a time when people from the entire region would gather
near the temple to worship. Millions of people flowed in
(09:58):
and out of the city's streets, bringing their families, sacrifices,
and prayers to offer up to the Lord. It was
a grand celebration of God redeeming his people from slavery
in Egypt. It was also a time of deep contemplation.
Men and women considered the depth of God's love for
(10:20):
them and his blessing over them as a holy nation
and chosen people. Jesus walked among the sea of faces
towards the temple. The top of the temple could be
seen in the distance. It was radiant and a glorious
image of God's presence dwelling in the middle of the city.
(10:40):
It was Jesus' desire that all would experience God at
the center of their own lives. His heart was warmed
as he saw Jews, Greeks, and people of all creeds
and cultures gathering to worship. The Heart of God is
for all to enter in and seek his faith. Jesus
(11:02):
walked through the temple gates, his brow furrowed as he
saw the people within. In the temple courtyard, he found
people selling sacrifices and hackling prices. Men were bringing oxen, pigeons, goats,
and sheep, claiming they were special and therefore required to
make a sacrifice. The temple officials also had a special currency,
(11:26):
and the exchange rate was too steep for many people
to buy a sacrifice. Jesus watched in horror as the
temple was being used as a place to exploit people.
Foreigners brought their own sacrifices and were swiftly turned away
if they could not afford a new temple certified sacrifice.
(11:48):
Jesus's blood boiled within him. The courtyard he was standing
in was a special place. It was the courtyard that
gentiles and foreigners were allowed to come and worship, yet
the religious leaders used it to grow rich. A quiet
rage dwelled within the gentle son of God, a rage
(12:10):
so pure and so righteous that if he wished, he
could send fire down from heaven. Jesus looked at the
money changers and the swindlers haggling near the steps. They
were selling salvation. They were selling a connection with God.
Jesus would not allow it. He looked to his left
(12:31):
to see palm Franz laying on the floor. He also
saw some netting used the whole animals draped over the
side of the steps. Jesus gathered these things, sat down,
and began to weave. No one noticed him methodically sowing
leaves and rope together. They were too consumed with making
a prophet. When God established the nation of Israel, he
(12:55):
commanded that they would be a sanctuary for every nation,
that they be a safe haven for refugees and foreigners.
He also commanded that anyone who desired to repent and
seek his face would not be denied blessing. The people
appointed to reflect God's heart had given in to corruption.
(13:17):
Jesus would not allow anybody to be separated from the
loving and brace of God. He would not allow the
foreigner to be turned away. He would not allow the
poor to be put in debt because they couldn't afford
a nicer sacrifice. It was King David who said, for
you will not delight and sacrifice, or I would give it.
(13:40):
He would not be pleased with a burnt offering. The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and
contrite heart. O God, you will not despise. With these
words burning in his heart, Jesus rose to his feet.
He raised his hand high in the air to reveal
a whip of cords. Then, with a strong swing of
(14:03):
his hips, Jesus slashed the whip forward to hit the oxen.
The animals panicked, broke free from their cases. They knoked
over the carts and sent people fleeing in a panic.
Then Jesus marched over to the money changers. With the
mighty heart of God, Jesus lifted the stone tables and
flipped them over. The heavy structures crashed to the floor,
(14:27):
shaking the ground. Gold and silver spilled all over the
courtyard floor, and the money changers frantically picked them up
like birds pecking it bread. Jesus stood above the temple steps,
holding the whip in one hand in a crate of
doves in another. He had single handedly destroyed the temple marketplace.
(14:48):
Raising the doves in the air, he smashed the crate
to the ground, releasing the doves. People stopped their panicking
for a moment to look at Jesus. Huffing, he pointed
at the pharisee and scribes watching from the corner.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
This is where men and women are meant to seek
the face of their God. Yet you have set up
monuments to greed. You have made my father's house a
house of trade, and you have rejected the outcasts.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
The scribes had heard rumors of Jesus, but this was
their first time meeting him. What gives you the right
to do these things? What signs shall you give us
to prove your authority? They retorted. The crowd was stirring.
Jesus began walking towards them. The few of the disciples
(15:34):
saw Jesus. They looked at the fire in his eyes.
They remembered the words of David when he prophesied about
the Messiah, saying, zeal for your house will consume me.
They watched Jesus march forward, with his strength even greater
than David's. He had a passion for the House of
God and for all those who would seek him in it.
(15:58):
Destroy this temple, Jesus began, and in three days I
will raise it up. It will stand in greater glory
than before. A chuckle could be heard from the crowd.
One of them scoffed at him and said, it took
forty six years to rebuild that temple, and you think
you could do so in three days. Jesus shook his
(16:19):
head and walked down the steps. Jesus's words confused them. However,
Jesus was speaking of his own destruction and his own
resurrection to come. His disciples did not understand these things
at the time, but they would. Jesus dropped his whip
and left the temple. No one dared to go after him.
(16:43):
The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus leave. Then a
small applause followed. They looked out at the sea of
people cheering for Jesus. They looked at one another, afraid
of what this man from Nazareth might do to their power.
Many of the scribes, pharisees, and religious leaders scoffed at
(17:06):
Jesus and wrote him off as a madman. There were
many zealots and radicals during that time. They pegged him
as just another voice crying out in insanity. They were wrong,
They were dangerously wrong. They had not even come close
to what Jesus's purpose really was. His display of anger
(17:28):
was quickly dismissed and spat at. However, not all the
religious leaders were so flippant with Jesus. One of them
in particular, was curious. Nicodemus had been teaching God's law
for many years. He had spent his entire life poring
over the scriptures and encouraging the masses that one day
(17:50):
the Messiah would come. So when he saw Jesus, he
could not help but wonder. It was late and Jesus
was staying in a home before departing for Galilee. The
city streets were dark and silent, all except a single
hooded figure lurking its way towards the house. He held
(18:12):
a small lantern and approached the door with the utmost precaution.
Jesus heard a small knock at the door and opened it,
standing with his face slightly illuminated by the lantern. Was
Nicodemus come in? Jesus said, with a smile. Jesus knew
why Nicodemus had come so late. He was afraid to
(18:35):
be seen with Jesus after the day's events at the temple. However,
his curiosity piqued and he had questions that needed answering.
Jesus gestured for Nicodemus to have a seat and have
a drink. A few of Jesus's disciples were sitting by
the fire.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
To what do I owe this pleasure Nicodemus, Jesus asked, Surely,
a ruler of the Jews such as yourself, is busy
with many things.
Speaker 5 (19:01):
Nicodemus stared at his comp for a while. Where would
he begin? For so long Nicodemus had lived with this
angst about the direction of the Pharisees, he knew that
in many ways the people had fallen further from God.
He looked up to see Jesus staring at him attentively.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Rabbi Nicodemus said, there is no doubt in my mind
that you are a brilliant teacher with a heart that
is close to God. Truly, he must have set you,
for no one can do or say the things you
do without being blessed.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
Jesus nodded in agreement. He looked at the fire for
a moment to ponder what Nicodemus had just said. He
was more than just a teacher, and Nicodemus would soon
learn that Jesus saw in Nicodemus a man without answers,
yet forced to pretend he had them.
Speaker 6 (19:54):
Unless one is born again, he will be unable to
truly see the Kingdom of God.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled. He looked around at the
disciples they shroud. They didn't know what Jesus was saying either.
I'm not following, Nicodemus admitted, Are you saying that in
order to inherit heaven one must re enter his mother's
womb and be born a second time? Nicodemus was beginning
(20:20):
to fear Jesus actually was a madman.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
Jesus laughed, no, no, you see, we're all born in flesh, yes,
but we enter this world with our bodies from our
mother's womb.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Nicodemus nodded in agreement. Jesus continued, saying.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
But you must be born a second time, not a
flesh and not through a womb, but of God's spirit.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus was a teacher
himself and very respected among the religious elite. He was
not used to being lost in the discussion regarding philosophy.
Jesus sensed his confute usion and lean forward.
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Do not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and no
one can see it except when the leaves rustle. It
is the same with being borne by the spirit. You
cannot see the spirit itself. However, when it compels a
person it becomes obvious.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
Nicodemus was beginning to understand in part. However, more questions
flooded his mind.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
How can one be born again in the spirit?
Speaker 6 (21:26):
He asked, you are a teacher of God's word, Nicodemus,
Jesus replied, you should understand this. What I have begun
has been foretold, The words I speak have been poured out,
and the acts I perform have become evident. Yet you
and the rest of the pharise you still do not see.
You are blind. How could I possibly explain heavenly matters
(21:49):
to you when your eyes are fixed on earthly things.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
Jesus's words struck a chord with Nicodemus. He knew that greed, power,
and piety had tainted the good intentions of the religious leaders.
He was guilty of the same thing. How could he
truly see heaven if he was so focused on earthly
matters such as influence and money. Jesus discerned the shame
(22:14):
willing up with the Nicodemus. He could see his heart.
He was not like the others. Nicodemus truly longed to
see God move. Jesus stretched out his hands and warmed
them by the fire.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
Do you remember the bronze serpent that was raised up
by Moses to heal the people of Israel in the wilderness.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Jesus asked. Nicodemus nodded. It was a well known story.
The people of Israel had been affected with venomous snakes.
So Moses erected a bronze serpent high in the air,
and all who looked upon it were healed.
Speaker 6 (22:49):
It is the same thing for the Messiah, He too
must be lifted up. So that whoever believes in him
may have eternal life.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Jesus said. Nicodemus's eyes widened. Jesus removed his gaze from
the fire and looked at him. There was a moment
of silence as Nicodemus processed what Jesus had just said.
Just as the serpent was a representation of what was
killing Israel, so the son of Man must be lifted
(23:21):
up as a representation of what is killing humanity. Sin.
Jesus could see cogs turning in Nicodemus's mind.
Speaker 6 (23:30):
It is because of love, Nicodemus, Jesus said, for God
so loved the world that he gave up his only son,
And whoever looks upon him and believes will not perish.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
They will live, and.
Speaker 6 (23:43):
They will have life everlasting.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Nicodemus's heart was beating out of his chest as he
listened to Jesus speak. All was beginning to become clear.
Jesus continued, God did not send the Son to condemn
the world. No, he sent him so that all might
be saved. The fire popped and embers flew up in
(24:07):
the air next to the two men. It was joy
in Jesus's voice, although not everyone in the room understood
him fully. His words were powerful. They sank deep, like
a seed planted in rich soil. Jesus leaned over, and
the flickering flame of the fireplace reflected in his eyes.
Speaker 6 (24:27):
The light of God has come to the world, Jesus said.
If people love their darkness, they hid in it. The
sinful heart delights in the shadows. Evil hates the light,
because light exposes all that lurks in darkness. Yet there
will be those that cling to the truth. Those are
the people that dwell in the light. They will see
(24:50):
their works blessed by God.
Speaker 5 (24:52):
Nicodemus smiled and nodded. He could not quite grasp all
of what Jesus was saying. However, he had the feeling
that he had not heard the last from Jesus. Nicodemus
would keep a close watch on him, looking for signs
of God. Nicodemus stood to his feet and gestured good
(25:12):
bye to Jesus and the others in the room. He
thanked them and left without his hood. He did not
want to be another man dwelling in the shadows. The
next day, Jesus and his followers left Judea. The sun
was high above the skies, of Samaria. Its rays scorched
(25:33):
the earth below, beating down relentlessly. It was around the
valley of Samaria where Jesus was traveling on his way
to Galilee. The Jews hated the Samaritans and held deep
prejudices against them. Usually, any Jewish traveler walked around Samaria,
not Jesus. He decided to travel through it. About half
(25:56):
way through their journey, some of the disciples went into
town to retrieve some food. Jesus remained on the road.
Seeing a small well just a few feet ahead, Jesus
walked towards the well. A woman was there drawing water.
Jesus approached and sat on a small bench beside the well.
(26:17):
The woman noticed him, but paid no attention. Instead, she
methodically brought up the bucket and poured the water into
a basin. Jesus peered out at the sigh. Its light
was draining, and he found himself parched. He looked at
the woman.
Speaker 6 (26:34):
Would you mind drawing me some.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
Water, Jesus asked politely. The woman looked up at him.
Her eyes were glazed over and impassive. She shook her
head with apathy.
Speaker 7 (26:46):
Now, why would a Jewish man want a Samaritan woman
to draw him water. She asked, I seem to recall
your people hating my people. What do you call us again?
Dirty dogs?
Speaker 5 (26:57):
She continued drawing water for herself earth at Jesus, sitting
across from her. Jesus leaned back slightly. Unbothered by the
woman's tone, he smiled and squinted back up with the sun.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
If you knew who was asking you for water, you
wouldn't be so dismissive, Jesus said. In fact, you'd be
asking me for living water.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
The woman stopped, annoyed at Jesus's peppy tone.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
Ah, it looks like you have been traveling jew Where
would you even get living water from. You have no
bucket to draw water with, and there is not a
river for miles.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
The woman's tone was harsh. She was sweating from the
sweltering heat and wanted to be done drawing water. Normally,
the other women in the city would draw water in
the morning before the day became too hot. However, she
was not accepted by the other women. She was an
outcast and shamed by them. So to save herself the ridicule,
(27:56):
she drew her water alone during the afternoon Jesus stood
up and walked closer to the well. He took the
bucket and drew from the well. He poured it into
the woman's basin and smiled. You see this water, Jesus asked.
Speaker 6 (28:12):
If you drink this water, you'll be thirsty again, and
then you'll need to come back, and the cycle will
repeat itself. Whoever drinks this water will inevitably need more. However,
whoever drinks the water I give them, they'll never thirst again.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
The woman perked up with interest. If she could get
her hands on some of that water, she wouldn't have
to come draw water in the middle of the day.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
How can I get this water.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
She asked, impatiently.
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Drawing water is difficult, and I would like to save
myself the time.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
Jesus continued to draw water and pour it into the
woman's basin, she was so intent on Jesus's words that
she didn't notice him drawing water for her. All right,
Jesus said.
Speaker 6 (28:56):
Go and call your husband, and I would.
Speaker 5 (28:58):
Tell you the woman's lips. She shrugged and looked down
at the ground.
Speaker 7 (29:03):
I don't really have a husband.
Speaker 5 (29:05):
She admitted. Jesus nodded in agreement.
Speaker 6 (29:09):
You are right. To say, you have no husband. You
have had five husbands in your past, and the man
you're sleeping with now isn't even your husband.
Speaker 5 (29:18):
The woman was taken aback. Her rough exterior was beginning
to crack as Jesus revealed these things about her. However,
she did her best to remain callous, holding back tears.
She put on a fake smile and changed the subject.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
I perceive you are a prophet.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
She said, clearing a frog in her throat.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
Then you probably know how sacred this well is. Our
forefathers worshiped on this very mountain. However, you Jews say
the temple is the correct place to worship now.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
The woman's voice was hoarse, her eyes were watering. She
thought religious small talk would deflect what Jesus had said.
Jesus sat beside the woman and gestured for her to
sit as well. He could feel the anguish in her heart.
His words had struck a deep chord. Her five divorces
(30:13):
were a source of shame for her. They were the
reason she was an outcast in her own city. Jesus
looked far off into the distance, knowing that eye contact
would only make the woman more uncomfortable.
Speaker 6 (30:26):
Believe me, the time is coming when people won't even
worship on a mountain or a temple. The true worshippers
we worship in spirit and in truth.
Speaker 5 (30:36):
Jesus said. The woman was pleased that Jesus was playing
along with her religious small talk. She nodded, saying.
Speaker 7 (30:45):
Yes, it is a mystery. However, I am sure the
Messiah will come and tell us all we need to
know about worship.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Jesus turned his gaze towards the woman. His smile was
warmer than the sun itself. Yes he will, Jesus said,
I am he. The woman turned her head swiftly. Her
eyes met Jesus's the second the words came out of
his mouth. She knew it to be true. That is
why he had known about the depth of her shame.
(31:15):
That is why he was able to slowly crack the
walls she put between her and others. As Jesus spoke
to the woman, his disciples were returning with lunch. They
could see Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman and immediately
judged him. However, they said nothing. They couldn't hear their conversation. However,
they saw the woman leap to her feet at something
(31:36):
Jesus said, and run off back to the city. The
woman ran fast in at the city, knocking on every
door she could find.
Speaker 7 (31:45):
I have found him, she yelled. Come and see for yourself.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
People began to emerge from their homes to see the commotion.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
You must meet this man by the well. He told
me everything about me. I believe he may be the Messiah.
Speaker 5 (31:59):
So many of the Samaritans dropped what they were doing
and came to Jesus. They sat at his feet and
listened as he spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven. The
woman was front and center, beaming from ear to ear
at every word proceeding from Jesus's mouth. She was once
an outcast, but in Jesus she found a sense of
(32:20):
belonging and hope. Many heard and believed. Then, after two days,
Jesus departed to Galilee. As Jesus and his followers came
to Galilee, word had spread that he had been preaching
new truths about the Kingdom of God. Eventually they reached
a town called Copernium. Only moments had passed before Jesus
(32:44):
heard the loud noise of a man yelling at the
distance Jesus. The voice yelled, Jesus, the group looked back
and saw a portly man huffing his way up and incline.
He was determined to reach them. Jesus stopped as the
man fell his feet.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Jesus, they said, you had come to Capernaum.
Speaker 5 (33:04):
The man was out of breath and keeled over from running.
Speaker 3 (33:08):
Please you must heal my son. He's dying.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
There were many who had approached Jesus, already asking for
signs and wonders to prove himself. Jesus was not interested
in being their magician or proving his deity to all
who asked.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not have faith.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Jesus said, beginning to walk away. The man was red
and could barely stand, but he was able to raise
himself and run after Jesus.
Speaker 3 (33:38):
No, my lord, please.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
The man fell on his face, whimpering from the pain.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
My son, Please heal my son. Please come before I
lose him.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
He begged. This was the heart Jesus desired. This man
genuinely desired for Jesus to use his power to heal,
not to put on a show prove a point. Jesus
knelt down and helped the man to his feet. He
brushed the dust off his cloak and smiled, Go your
(34:10):
son is healed, Jesus said. The man nodded and laughed.
That very hour, the man's son was healed. This was
the second miracle performed by Jesus. This time it was
in response to a father's heart for his son. This
was love, Jesus knew well. Eventually, Jesus made his way
(34:33):
to Nazareth alone. It had been a while since he
stepped foot in his home. Jesus walked down the bumpy road,
greeting people as he passed. He passed the well where
his mother would often take him as a boy. A
few children came up to Jesus and climbed up onto
his shoulders. Jesus was beloved in his town. He and
(34:56):
his family were craftsmen and were very much loved by
every one. He visited his mother and siblings and enjoined
the quaint and quiet atmosphere. Jesus gazed out at the
town where he grew up. It was dusty and dull,
but brimming with potential. The next day, Jesus went to
(35:16):
the synagogue. It was Sabbath, and it was custom for
one of the rabbis to stand up and read from
the word of God. Jesus stood up among the people
he knew and loved and opened the scroll of Isaiah.
The crowd smiled, pleased to see the son of Joseph
back in their midst Jesus straightened the scroll and spoke clearly, saying.
Speaker 6 (35:40):
The spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has
called me to proclaim good news to those who are poor.
He has sent me out so I may bring liberty
to the captives, give the blind this sight, and set
free all who are oppressed. It is I who proclaimed
the year of the Lord's favor.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Jesus rolled up the scroll and stood before the congregation.
He had just read a well known prophecy about the
mission of the Messiah. Jesus drew a deep breath and
opened up his arms.
Speaker 6 (36:12):
Today, my friends, this scripture has been fulfilled.
Speaker 5 (36:17):
The crowd stirred a little. They looked at one another, perplexed.
Did he just call himself the Messiah? One of them asked,
isn't this Joseph's son. A few of them rose to
their feet. Prove these claims to us, they shouted. The
crowd continued to bicker and laugh at Jesus for saying
such nonsense. They had all known him since he was
(36:37):
a boy. To them, he was just the carpenter's son
and nothing else. Jesus sighed, I know many.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Of you were looking for signs and wonders like the
ones I performed in Capernaum. However, no prophet is accepted
in his hometown. Jesus shook his head, although I suppose
it comes as no surprise. In the days of Elijah,
many people had rejected his works, and many gentiles accepted them.
Speaker 5 (37:05):
As Jesus said these things, the entire synagogue unleashed in
an uproar. Their objections grew violent, and they drove Jesus
out of the building. Foaming with rage. The people cornered
Jesus to the brow of a hill. Jesus took a
step back to see he had no more room. The
hill dropped off into a gorge below. They spat and
(37:28):
clawed at Jesus, proclaiming deity over them. Jesus was backed
against the bluff. He looked at the steep drop right
behind him. They were going to throw him off. Their
anger was from a deep well of insecurity. They could
not stand the thought of Jesus being elevated above them
the mob lunged at him. In the fury, Jesus had
(37:51):
very little time to think. He jumped to the side,
avoiding their initial attack. Jesus weaved through the crowd before
any could grab him. He left Nazareth without a good bye.
He was now an outcast in his own town and
rejected by his own people. Days had passed, and Jesus
(38:12):
was back in Jerusalem for the feast of the Jews.
By the sheep Gate there was a pool called Bethesda.
The pool was surrounded by five roofed colonnades that protected
the water below. Jesus drew closer to see hundreds of invalids, blind, lame,
and paralyzed surrounding the pools. Many loved ones were slowly
(38:35):
leading them beside the water. It was believed back then
that an angel would stir up the water once a
year to heal the sick, lame, blind, and afflicted. It
was a silly tradition, but Jesus admired the faith of
those who brought their loved ones down to the pool.
Jesus walked beside the pillars, observing those who had been
(38:57):
afflicted with disease, blindness, and other disabilities. His compassion was
stirred for them. As he was walking, he stumbled upon
a man sitting on the floor with his back leaned
up against a pillar. The man's brow was furrowed and
his lips were clenched as he glared at people by
the pool. Jesus could see that this man was an
(39:20):
invalid and had been for quite some time. The man
lay there, steaming in anger towards the crowd of people.
Jesus sat beside the man and turned to him.
Speaker 6 (39:31):
Do you want to be healed?
Speaker 5 (39:33):
Jesus asked. The man's body was ravaged with sickness. His
eyes were weary, and he looked at Jesus with complete disdain.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
There is no one to drop me in the pool.
Speaker 5 (39:44):
The man said. He looked away from Jesus, longing after
the pool. Jesus could sense that there was a deep
desire to be healed, but also a desire for someone
to care enough to bring him to the pool. He
was an outcast even among the crippled.
Speaker 3 (40:01):
Any time I have tried to go down to the pool,
another cuts in front of me. Why do I even bother?
Speaker 5 (40:10):
The man said, his eyes watered from pain and anguish.
Jesus stood to his feet. He had asked the man
if he wanted to be healed. Although the man did
not answer the question, Jesus knew the answer.
Speaker 6 (40:26):
Will get up, then, gather your things, take your bed.
Speaker 5 (40:30):
And walk. The man darted his eyes up, ready to yell,
but then he felt a jolt in his abdomen and legs.
A warm sensation rose from his toes to the top
of his head. The man's eyes widened in radiant glee.
He could not believe what was happening. The man placed
his hands and knees on the floor, then slowly stood
(40:52):
to his feet. Tears streamed down his face. He lucked
up to thank Jesus, but he was gone. The man
took his bed and ran to the temple. His smile
was infectious as he danced in the temple courtyard like
a child. The religious leaders saw that he was carrying
his bed and took notice.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
You cannot carry something that large on the Sabbath.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
They yelled. The man was too delighted by his freedom
to consider such things.
Speaker 3 (41:21):
Ah Ha.
Speaker 8 (41:22):
A few moments ago, I was unable to walk. A
man came and healed me, and he told me to
pick up my bed and go. So here I am
with my bed in my arms.
Speaker 5 (41:33):
Unashamed, the man ran out of the temple courtyard, skipping
and humming with new life. As the man left the gates,
a figure caught his eye. It was him, the man
who healed him. The man walked towards Jesus, overjoyed to
see him again. Jesus smiled and gave him a fatherly hug.
Speaker 6 (41:54):
Yes, you are well, Now go and sin no more.
Speaker 5 (41:59):
The man went away and eventually told the religious leaders
that it was Jesus who healed him. They scoffed that
Jesus would do such a thing on the Sabbath. Over
the years, the religious leaders had created a litany of
unnecessary laws around the Sabbath. A man could not drag
a chair across the dirt because it would be considered plowing.
(42:20):
So many rules, so much rigidity. The lack of joy
was choking the people of Israel, and Jesus was determined
to return them to the heart of God. Jesus stood
before the religious leaders and said, plainly, my.
Speaker 6 (42:36):
Father is working good things in his people, so why
shall do the same.
Speaker 5 (42:42):
This was the heart of Jesus. He would extend his
reach to the outcasts. He would bring people back to
a pure and simple devotion to God. Not only this,
but he would do just as Isaiah prophesied. He would
proclaim good news to the poor. He would bring liberty
(43:02):
to the captives, he would restore sight to the blind.
And for all who felt oppressed, rejected, or unloved, he
would pour forth his liberating spirit. It was now time
for the Lord to do a new work for his people.
Speaker 4 (43:21):
God's heart is for the outcast. This was exemplified in
the very beginning with our prelude. He chose a forgotten
son of a herdsman to become king. King David's life
and rise is a reminder to us that God cares
less about regality and religiosity and more about drawing close
to the heart of his people. Jesus reflected the heart
(43:42):
of God in this episode, especially when he confronts the
money changes in the temple. Jesus noticed that the religious
leaders had created a system to exploit the outsiders and
the poor. Unless you were wealthy, established, and local, it
was very hard to make a sacrifice at the temple.
Barriers were created between people and God, and Jesus had
come to build bridges. It is rare when we get
(44:05):
to see Jesus angry, so when it happens, we must
pay attention. The exploitation of the poor and powerless drove
Jesus to rage. He flipped tables, coiled a whip, and
released the animals into the streets. The scriptures concerning worship
and sacrifice were very clear. Everyone should be able to
come before God to repent. Jesus's mission was to make
(44:28):
God accessible to people of every culture, color, creed, and class.
Jesus violently flipping tables in the temple is a picture.
Just as Jesus destroyed these physical barriers between people and God,
he would also destroy the spiritual barriers between people and God.
The Cross of Christ was a proverbial flipping of tables,
(44:48):
breaking down the religious systems that kept people from a
connection with God. Jesus became a friend of the outcasts,
but an enemy of the establishment. The religious leaders questioned
Jesus authority, unable to understand what he was saying. Jesus
often confused the self righteous, those who thought they were
morally superior struggle to understand the concept of grace. Jesus
(45:10):
will have an ongoing ideological battle with the religious leaders.
The tension between them represents the tension between the old
and new covenants and the battle we all have between
our own righteousness and the righteousness given by God. Not
all religious leaders hated Jesus, though one in particular found
his words and actions compelling. Nicodemus met with Jesus under
(45:32):
the cover of midnight, seeking answers to his questions. Jesus
was happy to oblige the conversation with Nicodemus gave us
the famous John three point sixteen for God soul loved
the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whoever should believe in him will have everlasting life. Slowly,
but surely, Jesus is revealing to others and us who
(45:55):
he is. Nicodemus is astounded, but unable to make a
true commitment to Jesus. We see an important trait of
Jesus in this episode. He is always willing to engage
with the needy and the outcasts. This story highlighted three
times when Jesus was met by or went to meet
someone on the fringe. The first was the woman at
the Well. The Samaritan woman was rejected by her own
(46:18):
people due to her several affairs On top of that,
it was taboo for Jews to have any interaction with Samaritans,
let alone a Samardian woman. Jesus's willingness to engage with
this woman tells us at least three things. One, he
cares very little about societal norms, especially if they are
founded on prejudice. Two, he is willing to risk his
(46:40):
reputation in order to connect with people that need him. Three,
he desires to cross cultural boundaries to make connections. Another
thing worth mentioning about this interaction is the water in
the well. Not only does Jesus use it as a
conversation starter to talk about living water in reference to
the Holy Spirit, but the act of drawing water is
(47:01):
in and of itself a picture. This woman had deep
hurt within her, Like water in a well, Jesus patiently
and methodically, without her noticing, draws water out of the
well in the same way he is drawing out her
pain and pasted to refresh and renew her soul. The
next interaction Jesus had with someone in need was the
(47:23):
man whose son needed healing. Jesus showed him and his
son mercy because he too has a father's heart. Let
me pause for a moment and remind you that God
loves you like a devoted father. Some of you had
wonderful fathers, and you understand in some way the love
of Christ. However, some of you might have grown up
without the love of your father. Beingcurriaged that God loves
(47:44):
you with an undying and devoted fatherly love. He went
to great lengths to tell you how much He loves you.
Jesus made sure this man wasn't asking for a sign
from him out of pettiness. The fatherly heart of this
man was drawn out, just like the broken heart the
woman at the well. Jesus rewarded him and his son
was healed. The final interaction Jesus had with someone on
(48:07):
the fringe was the invalid. He said by the pools,
bitter at the world, that he couldn't be healed. This
man wasn't just on the fringe because he was an invalid,
but he wasn't even accepted among the crippled community. Jesus
asked him a simple question, do you want to be healed?
The answer to that question seems obvious, doesn't it. Of course,
this man wants to be healed, but instead of giving
(48:29):
a yes or no, the man explains how nobody cared
enough to lure him into the pool. To him, the
main reason he wasn't healed was because nobody paid attention
to him or showed him any mercy. Jesus was happy
to extend that mercy. The man walked, cheered, and ran
around proclaiming what had happened to him. I want to
point out an absurdity in this episode that can't go unnoticed.
(48:52):
The Pharisees, when seeing this man walking with his bed,
reprimand him for breaking the Sabbage traditions. Regulations like these
were not explicitly stated in the Law of Moses. Rather,
they were rules created by the religious leaders on top
of the law. In their attempt to be righteous, they
put undue burdens on people and kept them from closeness
(49:13):
with God. Conflicts around the Sabbath are going to be
a common occurrence between Jesus and the Pharisees. Look for
them as the series continues and ask yourself why Jesus
is so passionate about pushing the boundaries around Sabbath tradition.
Also ask yourself why these men were so passionate about
the Sabbath. In future episodes, we will explore the conflicting
(49:36):
philosophies of Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. For now,
I want to leave you with a thought to ponder.
If Jesus is supposed to be a greater king than David,
what do you think about his kingdom so far? On
the surface, it doesn't seem very grand or powerful. If
Jesus is establishing a kingdom on earth, then what is
(49:57):
that kingdom supposed to look like? Jesus's actions thus far,
how are we supposed to participate in building the Kingdom
of God? Where we are in our homes, churches, workplaces, schools,
and communities. Ponder these things and pray that his kingdom
would come and His will would be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Amen. Thank you for joining
(50:18):
me for today's episode. In our next episode, Jesus's popularity
grows and with it his need for helpers. He chooses
some men to walk alongside him, learn and perform miracles.
What war is Philosophers or noblemen? Do you think Jesus
will choose? Find out an episode six the twelve. Thanks
again for listening for more inspiring stories, daily prayers and
(50:40):
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. Please write a review and let me
know how Jesus in this podcast has impacted your life.
God bless
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