July 12, 2025 • 17 mins
Welcome to the Christmas series! Mary continues to help Elizabeth and Zachariah. There, she witnesses the birth of God’s last living prophet - John.
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As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he
has visited and redeemed his people. Luke one sixty eight,
Dear Heavenly Father, as we prepare our hearts for the
celebration of the birth of your son, we are filled
with all and gratitude. We praise you for your divine
(00:23):
intervention and love so profound that you sent us a savior,
the greatest gift humanity has ever received. Let the miracle
of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of your promise,
resonate deeply within us. Help us remember and appreciate Christmas's
(00:46):
true meaning. Amidst the festive cheer, the lights, and the carols.
We praise you for your faithfulness, love that never fails,
and the promise of redemption that was beautifully fulfilled on
that first Christmas night. Help us to live each day
in the light of this truth. In Jesus' name, we
(01:09):
pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're
listening to stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider, Prepare
to be immersed in the wonder of the Nativity. Will
(01:32):
God always allow wickedness to prevail.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
The captive people of Israel wondered where is the God
of justice? They cried in despair and hurt. God's people
wondered if deliverance would ever come. The pain of sin
and oppression bit at their hearts. They needed deliverance from
the hopeless ashes of Israel. The God of all creation
made a promise through the prophet Malachi. He spoke a
(01:59):
song of hope. Behold, I will send my messenger to you,
he declared. He will prepare the way before me. He
will prepare the way of the Lord. He is coming.
The people's hearts ached for the promised deliverer. But before
he would come, a voice would cry out to hearken
(02:21):
his arrival, the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the
desert a highway for our God. Before the Saviour's arrival,
a voice would cry out, he would have the spirit
of the Lord. Like the prophet Elijah. He would be
(02:41):
the forerunner, the one to prepare the way.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of pray dot
COM's Story to the Messiah podcast. I'm Rabbi Schneider from
Discovering the Jewish Jesus. Today we are continuing the story
of Maryzabeth is in the throes of labor, and Mary
is about to glimpse her own future. The baby born
from Elizabeth and Zachariah as no ordinary child. He's the
(03:10):
forerunner for the Messiah, the voice that Malachi and Isaiah
prophesied about the birth of John the Baptist. Hearkens to
the beginning of God's redemptive Gospel. Just as the ministry
of John paved the way for the ministry of Jesus,
the birth of John paved the way for the birth
of Jesus. Without these events, Mary would not have been
(03:34):
ready for the struggles ahead. Her time with Elizabeth and
Zachariah gave her the strength and courage to face her
future with fearlessness. This story is inspired by the Gospel
of Luke. These events with Mary, Elizabeth, and Zachariah represent
a full crumb between the Old and New Testaments. The
(03:57):
Covenant of law, prophets, and pre rist are about to
transition into the new Covenant of grace, Christ and the
Holy Spirit. Elizabeth is an older woman about to give
birth to Israel's last prophet. Beside her is Mary, the
young virgin, carrying the promised Messiah. This moment represents the
(04:20):
passing of the torch. Tewod Corinthians five seventeen tells us
that the old is past and the New has come.
This moment encapsulates that idea Elizabeth and Zachariah won't be
mentioned again. Their story served as a transition from the
old to the new. As she beholds these events, Mary
(04:43):
will find the strength to carry out a role in
God's magnificent plan. So let's immerse ourselves now in the story,
and afterward will unpack Christmas truths to encourage our souls.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Under the mantle of the evening stars. Mary pushed open
the door to Elizabeth and Zachariah's home. The house was
a symphony of chaos in urgency, and at the center
was Elizabeth, crampled in the throes of labor.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Mary.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Elizabeth cried with a nervous smile, It's.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Time for this old woman to see what she's made of.
Come by my side.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Mary rushed to her side, her hands shaking as she
held on to Elizabeth's clammy fingers. The older woman's face
was flushed, her eyes brimming with a wild mixture of fear, anticipation,
and joy. Zachariah, rendered mute by the angel, paced outside
with worry edged across his weathered face. Mary glanced around
the room, her heart echoing the tumultuous atmosphere. The walls
(05:39):
seemed to pulsate with a life of their own, echoing
the rhythmic cries of the laboring woman. The room smelled
of sweats and fear, yet beneath it there was a
faint but persistent aroma of hope. You're doing wonderfully, Elizabeth,
Mary soothed, brushing the hair off Elizabeth's forehead.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
He's nearly here.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Elizabeth let out a primal cry, her body seized with
another contraction. There was a raw vulnerability in her eyes.
It hurts, Elizabeth gasped, squeezing Mary's hand. I know. Mary
murmured the heart aching with sympathy. She saw a glimpse
into her own future.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
But it'll be worth it just a little longer.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Finally, the sun began its rise over the hills, painting
the sky with hues of orange and pink. Elizabeth gave
one last mighty push, and the room was filled with
a cry of a lowborn. Mary felt a jolt of
joy surge as she saw him As soon as Zachariah
heard his son's screams, he burst through the door to
cradle his son in his arms, a mixture of awe
(06:40):
and disbelief on his face. As he beheld the miracle child,
a sense of divine realization seeped into the room. There
was a sweet stillness and purity to the moment. Mary
looked at the new born babe and remembered he was
no ordinary child. Mary approached and reached out a finger
to the child. He wrapped his tiny hand and around
(07:00):
her finger. Mary's heart fluttered with hope. This child was
going to be the forerunner for hers. A voice crying
out from the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.
Zachariah held the boy up high, still unable to speak,
and mouth to prayer to the Lord. He kissed the
son's forehead and gave him to Elizabeth. She caressed his
cheek with the back of her hand and sang a lullaby.
(07:22):
Mary's heart melted with affection. She watched Zachariah wrap his
arms around Elizabeth and couldn't help but think about Joseph.
She had often dreamed about them having children of their own.
She imagine him wrapping her in his arms as they
beheld their child.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Would that even be possible now, she wondered, will Joseph
even accept me?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Mary's heart ached out of longing for a normal life.
But God had other plans. She prayed silently to the
Lord again and rededicated herself to his plans. Eight days passed,
and the newborn was to be circumcised and given a name.
According to tradition, everyone gathered around for the occai. The
birth of this child had become famous. They marveled at
(08:03):
the baby, wondering what the Lord had in store for him.
He should be named Zachariah, after his father, they all suggested,
but the Lord had other plans. Zachariah held his child
tightly with a gentle yet resonating voice. Zachariah was finally
able to speak. His name is John. His voice rang
(08:24):
out clear and certain, slicing through the collective surprise. The
air seemed thickened with awe. Zachariah walked with his child
and held him up to the Lord. Small tears slowly
streaked down his crabbed cheeks. Beaming with fatherly pride and gratitude,
Zachariah spoke a prophecy, saying, Praise be to the Lord,
(08:46):
the God of Israel, for his eyes have not turned blind,
nor his heart death to the plight of his people.
He has visited us not as a ghost in the night,
but as a redeemer cloaked in daylight. Zacharai began his voice,
echoing through the people. From the lineage of his servant David.
(09:07):
He has kindled a beacon, a horn of salvation, as
his prophets those holy herolds of old once foretold. His
gaze moved across the faces, gathered their eyes, reflecting the
radiant hope kindled by his words. Salvation is upon us,
not just from our visible adversaries, but also from the
(09:28):
unseen enemies of hatred and malice that creep within the
hearts of men. His mercy on furls like the petals
of a sacred bloom, echoing the promise given to our forefathers.
Reverberating the holy covenant he etched in the sands of time,
Zacharai's voice took on a reflective timber. The oath he
(09:50):
made to our father Abraham has not been forgotten, for
his promises are not of the fleeting kind He has
pledged to del deliver us from the grasp of our foes,
to unshackle us from the chains of fear. In this
new found freedom, we are able to serve him our
(10:11):
lives as a testament of his grace, steeped in righteousness
and sanctity. A tender smile grazed his lips as he gazed.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Into the eyes of his son.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And you, my son, will be hailed as a prophet
of the most High. Your path is laid before the
face of the Lord, a trailblazer and the divine narrative.
Your voice will resonate with the knowledge of salvation, a
melody of redemption for his people, a song of sins forgiven.
(10:46):
His voice filled with fatherly pride, continued in the tender
mercy of our God. A new day dawns. The morning
light from the heavens above will touch us, and a
divine and to heal and guide us. It will shine
upon those who dwell in the shadows. A pond os
(11:07):
ensnared by the fear of death, a beacon to guide
our steps into the path of peace. As Zacharaia's voice
tapered off, a reverent silence filled the air. Their hearts
brimming with hope. They gazed at the baby in Elizabeth's arms,
the prophet of the Most High, the voice that would
echo in the wilderness, preparing for the way of the Lord.
(11:30):
They felt the stirrings of a new dawn, a divine
narrative unfolding, the whisper of prophecy dancing in the wind,
and they noon the long night was ending, The day
of redemption was at hand. As days turned into weeks,
Mary watched John grow his every milestone a quiet prelude
to her own impending motherhood. Yet amidst the joy, her
(11:53):
heart fluttered with a fresh wave of uncertainty. How was
she going to tell Joseph? The law regarding adultery clear
about such matters, and the consequences were harsh. How was
she going to convince him that she was not unfaithful?
How would she convince her own father? On the last night,
Mary gazed up at the twinkling tapestry of stars, her
heart heavy with silent prayers and unspoken fears. Tomorrow she
(12:17):
would return to Nazareth. Tomorrow, she would tell Joseph. Tomorrow
her life would change forever. But tonight she was just merry,
cradling the promise of salvation in her womb. As she
closed her eyes, the whispers of the night seemed to
draw her into a dance of destiny, promising a tale
of faith, love, and divine miracles. Yet with the promise
(12:41):
came a shadow of uncertainty, a mystery that would shape
the destiny of humankind.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Luke's account of the birth and naming of John the Baptist,
intertwined with the Christmas narrative, is a tale of prophetic
fulfillment and new life brimming with potential. Upon the birth
the naming of a son, Zacharias fill with the Holy
Spirit and offers a prophetic song now known as the Benedictus.
(13:10):
His prophecy reaffirms God's promises to Israel, and specifically, it
prophesies the role his son John will play in the
divine plan, stating, and you child will be called the
prophet of the Most High, for you will go before
the Lord to prepare his ways. This prophecy underscores the
(13:34):
role of John the Baptist paving the way for the Messiah,
the essence of the Christmas story. If you visit our
ministry discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com. You will discover
a wealth of resources connecting the depth of the Old
Testament with the beauty of the New Testament. This story
provides one of those moments. When comparing Elijah to John
(13:57):
the Baptist, the similarities between John and the prophet Elijah
are striking and significant. Both were prophetic voices in their generations,
calling people back to God. Both led lies marked by
simplicity and separation from societal norms. John, like Elijah, was
(14:18):
a fearless preacher confronting the wrongs of his time. Jesus
affirmed this parallel when he said in Matthew eleven, for
all the prophets and the law prophesied until John, and
if you're willing to accept it, he is Elijah who
was to come. That's really powerful. Yeshiah called John Elijah
(14:43):
who was to come. As we reflect on the Christmas story,
the vigor of John akin to Elijah is a powerful
reminder of God's faithfulness in sending messengers to prepare his
people for his coming. The birth of John the Baptist
is a story of new life and potential. Zecharai and
(15:04):
Elizabeth consider too old tabed children. We're blessed with the
son vital to God's selvific plan. John's life filled with
great potential, reminds us that it's never too late for
new beginnings with God. The Christmas season embodies this message
of new life and potential. With the birth of Jesus,
(15:26):
new life was given to all who believe in him.
This season invites us to see our lives, no matter
our past or present circumstances, as brimming with divine potential.
As we reflect on this story, let's be reminded of
God's prophetic promises fulfilled in the Christmas story, and the
(15:49):
beautiful themes of new life and potential that are relevant
for you and I right now. May these reflections inspire
us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ
and to embrace the potential God is placed within each
of us, not just during the Christmas season, but all
throughout our entire lives, from beginning to end. In our
(16:13):
next episode, we finally meet Joseph Joseph in Hebrew miry
or Miriam's betrothed. Will he accept Mary's explanation or take
advantage it was right to stoner? We'll find out next time.
On stories of the Messiah to dwelve deeper into the
story of Jesus. You're welcome to visit discovering the Jewish
(16:37):
Jesus dot com. I'd also like to recommend my new book,
Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the
Hebrew Bible. It's available for purchase on my website now.
If this podcast has blessed you, be sure to follow
and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and remember
to download pray dot com to hear even more great
(16:59):
stories and make prayer a priority in your life.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he
has visited and redeemed his people. Luke one sixty eight,
Dear Heavenly Father, as we prepare our hearts for the
celebration of the birth of your son, we are filled
with all and gratitude. We praise you for your divine
(00:23):
intervention and love so profound that you sent us a savior,
the greatest gift humanity has ever received. Let the miracle
of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of your promise,
resonate deeply within us. Help us remember and appreciate Christmas's
(00:46):
true meaning. Amidst the festive cheer, the lights, and the carols.
We praise you for your faithfulness, love that never fails,
and the promise of redemption that was beautifully fulfilled on
that first Christmas night. Help us to live each day
in the light of this truth. In Jesus' name, we
(01:09):
pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're
listening to stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider, Prepare
to be immersed in the wonder of the Nativity. Will
(01:32):
God always allow wickedness to prevail.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
The captive people of Israel wondered where is the God
of justice? They cried in despair and hurt. God's people
wondered if deliverance would ever come. The pain of sin
and oppression bit at their hearts. They needed deliverance from
the hopeless ashes of Israel. The God of all creation
made a promise through the prophet Malachi. He spoke a
(01:59):
song of hope. Behold, I will send my messenger to you,
he declared. He will prepare the way before me. He
will prepare the way of the Lord. He is coming.
The people's hearts ached for the promised deliverer. But before
he would come, a voice would cry out to hearken
(02:21):
his arrival, the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the
desert a highway for our God. Before the Saviour's arrival,
a voice would cry out, he would have the spirit
of the Lord. Like the prophet Elijah. He would be
(02:41):
the forerunner, the one to prepare the way.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of pray dot
COM's Story to the Messiah podcast. I'm Rabbi Schneider from
Discovering the Jewish Jesus. Today we are continuing the story
of Maryzabeth is in the throes of labor, and Mary
is about to glimpse her own future. The baby born
from Elizabeth and Zachariah as no ordinary child. He's the
(03:10):
forerunner for the Messiah, the voice that Malachi and Isaiah
prophesied about the birth of John the Baptist. Hearkens to
the beginning of God's redemptive Gospel. Just as the ministry
of John paved the way for the ministry of Jesus,
the birth of John paved the way for the birth
of Jesus. Without these events, Mary would not have been
(03:34):
ready for the struggles ahead. Her time with Elizabeth and
Zachariah gave her the strength and courage to face her
future with fearlessness. This story is inspired by the Gospel
of Luke. These events with Mary, Elizabeth, and Zachariah represent
a full crumb between the Old and New Testaments. The
(03:57):
Covenant of law, prophets, and pre rist are about to
transition into the new Covenant of grace, Christ and the
Holy Spirit. Elizabeth is an older woman about to give
birth to Israel's last prophet. Beside her is Mary, the
young virgin, carrying the promised Messiah. This moment represents the
(04:20):
passing of the torch. Tewod Corinthians five seventeen tells us
that the old is past and the New has come.
This moment encapsulates that idea Elizabeth and Zachariah won't be
mentioned again. Their story served as a transition from the
old to the new. As she beholds these events, Mary
(04:43):
will find the strength to carry out a role in
God's magnificent plan. So let's immerse ourselves now in the story,
and afterward will unpack Christmas truths to encourage our souls.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Under the mantle of the evening stars. Mary pushed open
the door to Elizabeth and Zachariah's home. The house was
a symphony of chaos in urgency, and at the center
was Elizabeth, crampled in the throes of labor.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Mary.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Elizabeth cried with a nervous smile, It's.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Time for this old woman to see what she's made of.
Come by my side.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Mary rushed to her side, her hands shaking as she
held on to Elizabeth's clammy fingers. The older woman's face
was flushed, her eyes brimming with a wild mixture of fear, anticipation,
and joy. Zachariah, rendered mute by the angel, paced outside
with worry edged across his weathered face. Mary glanced around
the room, her heart echoing the tumultuous atmosphere. The walls
(05:39):
seemed to pulsate with a life of their own, echoing
the rhythmic cries of the laboring woman. The room smelled
of sweats and fear, yet beneath it there was a
faint but persistent aroma of hope. You're doing wonderfully, Elizabeth,
Mary soothed, brushing the hair off Elizabeth's forehead.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
He's nearly here.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Elizabeth let out a primal cry, her body seized with
another contraction. There was a raw vulnerability in her eyes.
It hurts, Elizabeth gasped, squeezing Mary's hand. I know. Mary
murmured the heart aching with sympathy. She saw a glimpse
into her own future.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
But it'll be worth it just a little longer.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Finally, the sun began its rise over the hills, painting
the sky with hues of orange and pink. Elizabeth gave
one last mighty push, and the room was filled with
a cry of a lowborn. Mary felt a jolt of
joy surge as she saw him As soon as Zachariah
heard his son's screams, he burst through the door to
cradle his son in his arms, a mixture of awe
(06:40):
and disbelief on his face. As he beheld the miracle child,
a sense of divine realization seeped into the room. There
was a sweet stillness and purity to the moment. Mary
looked at the new born babe and remembered he was
no ordinary child. Mary approached and reached out a finger
to the child. He wrapped his tiny hand and around
(07:00):
her finger. Mary's heart fluttered with hope. This child was
going to be the forerunner for hers. A voice crying
out from the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.
Zachariah held the boy up high, still unable to speak,
and mouth to prayer to the Lord. He kissed the
son's forehead and gave him to Elizabeth. She caressed his
cheek with the back of her hand and sang a lullaby.
(07:22):
Mary's heart melted with affection. She watched Zachariah wrap his
arms around Elizabeth and couldn't help but think about Joseph.
She had often dreamed about them having children of their own.
She imagine him wrapping her in his arms as they
beheld their child.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Would that even be possible now, she wondered, will Joseph
even accept me?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Mary's heart ached out of longing for a normal life.
But God had other plans. She prayed silently to the
Lord again and rededicated herself to his plans. Eight days passed,
and the newborn was to be circumcised and given a name.
According to tradition, everyone gathered around for the occai. The
birth of this child had become famous. They marveled at
(08:03):
the baby, wondering what the Lord had in store for him.
He should be named Zachariah, after his father, they all suggested,
but the Lord had other plans. Zachariah held his child
tightly with a gentle yet resonating voice. Zachariah was finally
able to speak. His name is John. His voice rang
(08:24):
out clear and certain, slicing through the collective surprise. The
air seemed thickened with awe. Zachariah walked with his child
and held him up to the Lord. Small tears slowly
streaked down his crabbed cheeks. Beaming with fatherly pride and gratitude,
Zachariah spoke a prophecy, saying, Praise be to the Lord,
(08:46):
the God of Israel, for his eyes have not turned blind,
nor his heart death to the plight of his people.
He has visited us not as a ghost in the night,
but as a redeemer cloaked in daylight. Zacharai began his voice,
echoing through the people. From the lineage of his servant David.
(09:07):
He has kindled a beacon, a horn of salvation, as
his prophets those holy herolds of old once foretold. His
gaze moved across the faces, gathered their eyes, reflecting the
radiant hope kindled by his words. Salvation is upon us,
not just from our visible adversaries, but also from the
(09:28):
unseen enemies of hatred and malice that creep within the
hearts of men. His mercy on furls like the petals
of a sacred bloom, echoing the promise given to our forefathers.
Reverberating the holy covenant he etched in the sands of time,
Zacharai's voice took on a reflective timber. The oath he
(09:50):
made to our father Abraham has not been forgotten, for
his promises are not of the fleeting kind He has
pledged to del deliver us from the grasp of our foes,
to unshackle us from the chains of fear. In this
new found freedom, we are able to serve him our
(10:11):
lives as a testament of his grace, steeped in righteousness
and sanctity. A tender smile grazed his lips as he gazed.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Into the eyes of his son.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And you, my son, will be hailed as a prophet
of the most High. Your path is laid before the
face of the Lord, a trailblazer and the divine narrative.
Your voice will resonate with the knowledge of salvation, a
melody of redemption for his people, a song of sins forgiven.
(10:46):
His voice filled with fatherly pride, continued in the tender
mercy of our God. A new day dawns. The morning
light from the heavens above will touch us, and a
divine and to heal and guide us. It will shine
upon those who dwell in the shadows. A pond os
(11:07):
ensnared by the fear of death, a beacon to guide
our steps into the path of peace. As Zacharaia's voice
tapered off, a reverent silence filled the air. Their hearts
brimming with hope. They gazed at the baby in Elizabeth's arms,
the prophet of the Most High, the voice that would
echo in the wilderness, preparing for the way of the Lord.
(11:30):
They felt the stirrings of a new dawn, a divine
narrative unfolding, the whisper of prophecy dancing in the wind,
and they noon the long night was ending, The day
of redemption was at hand. As days turned into weeks,
Mary watched John grow his every milestone a quiet prelude
to her own impending motherhood. Yet amidst the joy, her
(11:53):
heart fluttered with a fresh wave of uncertainty. How was
she going to tell Joseph? The law regarding adultery clear
about such matters, and the consequences were harsh. How was
she going to convince him that she was not unfaithful?
How would she convince her own father? On the last night,
Mary gazed up at the twinkling tapestry of stars, her
heart heavy with silent prayers and unspoken fears. Tomorrow she
(12:17):
would return to Nazareth. Tomorrow, she would tell Joseph. Tomorrow
her life would change forever. But tonight she was just merry,
cradling the promise of salvation in her womb. As she
closed her eyes, the whispers of the night seemed to
draw her into a dance of destiny, promising a tale
of faith, love, and divine miracles. Yet with the promise
(12:41):
came a shadow of uncertainty, a mystery that would shape
the destiny of humankind.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Luke's account of the birth and naming of John the Baptist,
intertwined with the Christmas narrative, is a tale of prophetic
fulfillment and new life brimming with potential. Upon the birth
the naming of a son, Zacharias fill with the Holy
Spirit and offers a prophetic song now known as the Benedictus.
(13:10):
His prophecy reaffirms God's promises to Israel, and specifically, it
prophesies the role his son John will play in the
divine plan, stating, and you child will be called the
prophet of the Most High, for you will go before
the Lord to prepare his ways. This prophecy underscores the
(13:34):
role of John the Baptist paving the way for the Messiah,
the essence of the Christmas story. If you visit our
ministry discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com. You will discover
a wealth of resources connecting the depth of the Old
Testament with the beauty of the New Testament. This story
provides one of those moments. When comparing Elijah to John
(13:57):
the Baptist, the similarities between John and the prophet Elijah
are striking and significant. Both were prophetic voices in their generations,
calling people back to God. Both led lies marked by
simplicity and separation from societal norms. John, like Elijah, was
(14:18):
a fearless preacher confronting the wrongs of his time. Jesus
affirmed this parallel when he said in Matthew eleven, for
all the prophets and the law prophesied until John, and
if you're willing to accept it, he is Elijah who
was to come. That's really powerful. Yeshiah called John Elijah
(14:43):
who was to come. As we reflect on the Christmas story,
the vigor of John akin to Elijah is a powerful
reminder of God's faithfulness in sending messengers to prepare his
people for his coming. The birth of John the Baptist
is a story of new life and potential. Zecharai and
(15:04):
Elizabeth consider too old tabed children. We're blessed with the
son vital to God's selvific plan. John's life filled with
great potential, reminds us that it's never too late for
new beginnings with God. The Christmas season embodies this message
of new life and potential. With the birth of Jesus,
(15:26):
new life was given to all who believe in him.
This season invites us to see our lives, no matter
our past or present circumstances, as brimming with divine potential.
As we reflect on this story, let's be reminded of
God's prophetic promises fulfilled in the Christmas story, and the
(15:49):
beautiful themes of new life and potential that are relevant
for you and I right now. May these reflections inspire
us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ
and to embrace the potential God is placed within each
of us, not just during the Christmas season, but all
throughout our entire lives, from beginning to end. In our
(16:13):
next episode, we finally meet Joseph Joseph in Hebrew miry
or Miriam's betrothed. Will he accept Mary's explanation or take
advantage it was right to stoner? We'll find out next time.
On stories of the Messiah to dwelve deeper into the
story of Jesus. You're welcome to visit discovering the Jewish
(16:37):
Jesus dot com. I'd also like to recommend my new book,
Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the
Hebrew Bible. It's available for purchase on my website now.
If this podcast has blessed you, be sure to follow
and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and remember
to download pray dot com to hear even more great
(16:59):
stories and make prayer a priority in your life.
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