1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:09,057 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,097 --> 00:00:13,817 Speaker 2: Did you know that Jesus Calling has its own YouTube channel. 3 00:00:14,257 --> 00:00:17,417 Speaker 2: It's full of great content that will enhance your spiritual life. 4 00:00:17,617 --> 00:00:20,577 Speaker 2: You'll find beautiful videos with short devotional moments to help 5 00:00:20,617 --> 00:00:23,096 Speaker 2: you through your day, as well as stories on video 6 00:00:23,217 --> 00:00:27,257 Speaker 2: from celebrities, authors, pastors, and everyday people who share what 7 00:00:27,297 --> 00:00:30,217 Speaker 2: their faith journey has meant to them. You'll also find 8 00:00:30,257 --> 00:00:33,737 Speaker 2: that Jesus Listens Stories of Prayer series hosted by Susie 9 00:00:33,817 --> 00:00:38,497 Speaker 2: McIntyre Eaton, featuring new guests monthly. Subscribe today for new 10 00:00:38,577 --> 00:00:41,016 Speaker 2: videos each week. 11 00:00:41,857 --> 00:00:44,336 Speaker 3: I think probably my favorite book of the Bible of 12 00:00:44,377 --> 00:00:47,817 Speaker 3: is Matthew. I love it because it's the connective tissue 13 00:00:48,297 --> 00:00:51,777 Speaker 3: between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Death is defeated, 14 00:00:52,377 --> 00:00:55,937 Speaker 3: the story finds its symmetry, and we feel great about it, 15 00:00:56,457 --> 00:01:00,057 Speaker 3: but even better when we realize we are in this story. 16 00:01:00,777 --> 00:01:03,457 Speaker 2: Welcome to a special scripture focused bonus episode of the 17 00:01:03,537 --> 00:01:07,737 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling Podcast. Matt Whitman helps us explore the Book 18 00:01:07,777 --> 00:01:11,177 Speaker 2: of Matthew, spanning its genealogy, the Sermon on the Mount, 19 00:01:11,377 --> 00:01:16,017 Speaker 2: and jesus Crucifixion and resurrection by examining jesus ministry and 20 00:01:16,097 --> 00:01:19,897 Speaker 2: life as fulfilled prophecy. The episode reveals the foundations of 21 00:01:19,977 --> 00:01:23,417 Speaker 2: Christianity and the hope found in realizing our place in 22 00:01:23,417 --> 00:01:23,977 Speaker 2: the narrative. 23 00:01:25,537 --> 00:01:26,577 Speaker 1: My name is Matt Whitman. 24 00:01:27,177 --> 00:01:35,857 Speaker 3: I'm a longtime evangelical free church pastor. I think probably 25 00:01:35,897 --> 00:01:38,257 Speaker 3: my favorite book of the Bible of is Matthew. I 26 00:01:38,297 --> 00:01:41,697 Speaker 3: love it because it's the connective tissue between the Old 27 00:01:41,737 --> 00:01:46,217 Speaker 3: Testament and the New Testament. It really reads a lot 28 00:01:46,217 --> 00:01:50,337 Speaker 3: of sense back into the Old Testament for me, because 29 00:01:50,817 --> 00:01:52,937 Speaker 3: even if you've gone a round it for your whole life, 30 00:01:53,337 --> 00:01:57,337 Speaker 3: the Old Testament can be a little overwhelming. It's just huge. 31 00:01:57,377 --> 00:02:01,377 Speaker 3: It's a ton of words. It's epic and sweeping. The 32 00:02:01,537 --> 00:02:04,057 Speaker 3: human characters come and go off the page really quickly. 33 00:02:04,097 --> 00:02:07,617 Speaker 3: Some of their names can blame together. Different empires come 34 00:02:07,657 --> 00:02:09,617 Speaker 3: and go on and off the scene. It can be 35 00:02:09,657 --> 00:02:12,817 Speaker 3: a little hard to keep that straight. And it seems 36 00:02:12,857 --> 00:02:18,457 Speaker 3: like things just don't work out very well for the 37 00:02:18,497 --> 00:02:20,537 Speaker 3: primary human characters along the way, and you're kind of 38 00:02:20,617 --> 00:02:25,457 Speaker 3: left with this hollow feeling of man. Humanity tried everything. 39 00:02:25,897 --> 00:02:29,737 Speaker 3: They tried strong kings, they tried total anarchy, and no kings. 40 00:02:30,457 --> 00:02:33,817 Speaker 3: They tried, well, what if we just judged all the 41 00:02:33,817 --> 00:02:35,857 Speaker 3: bad people we'll just have a flood. If God just 42 00:02:35,937 --> 00:02:37,817 Speaker 3: purged all the bad people and only the good people 43 00:02:37,897 --> 00:02:40,657 Speaker 3: were still around, then maybe humanity would be fixed. But 44 00:02:40,697 --> 00:02:42,737 Speaker 3: they screwed that up within like ten minutes of getting 45 00:02:42,737 --> 00:02:46,057 Speaker 3: off the boat. They tried having a civil war and 46 00:02:46,097 --> 00:02:49,657 Speaker 3: having two separate kingdoms. They tried being good citizens under 47 00:02:49,697 --> 00:02:53,257 Speaker 3: somebody else's empire and somebody else's kingdom, and that didn't work. 48 00:02:53,297 --> 00:02:54,577 Speaker 3: And so you get to the end of the Old 49 00:02:54,577 --> 00:02:57,337 Speaker 3: Testament and You've got these promises hanging out there that 50 00:02:57,377 --> 00:03:01,697 Speaker 3: God's going to redeem everything through some descendant of David 51 00:03:01,857 --> 00:03:05,097 Speaker 3: who is to come, but there isn't a clear timeline 52 00:03:05,097 --> 00:03:07,857 Speaker 3: on it. We don't know exactly how that's going to look. 53 00:03:08,217 --> 00:03:10,057 Speaker 3: You can tell as you turn the page from the 54 00:03:10,057 --> 00:03:13,297 Speaker 3: Old Testament to the New that people were feeling despair. 55 00:03:13,737 --> 00:03:16,417 Speaker 3: When will God redeem? What is it going to look like? 56 00:03:16,977 --> 00:03:19,537 Speaker 3: And can you give us something to make sense of 57 00:03:19,577 --> 00:03:23,497 Speaker 3: this human chaos and wreckage that is so relatable but 58 00:03:23,537 --> 00:03:28,497 Speaker 3: also so bleak from the Old Testament. And then you 59 00:03:28,577 --> 00:03:32,657 Speaker 3: turn the page over to Matthew and it starts with 60 00:03:32,737 --> 00:03:36,257 Speaker 3: this big, long list of names, indicating an awareness that 61 00:03:36,297 --> 00:03:37,897 Speaker 3: this is a follow up to the story you just 62 00:03:37,937 --> 00:03:40,017 Speaker 3: got done reading, and then as soon as you get 63 00:03:40,017 --> 00:03:42,577 Speaker 3: to the end of that list of names, the hope starts, 64 00:03:43,017 --> 00:03:45,457 Speaker 3: and the clarification on what you just read starts, and 65 00:03:45,457 --> 00:03:49,137 Speaker 3: the clarification on the whole arc of history starts, and 66 00:03:49,177 --> 00:03:51,337 Speaker 3: I feel like this is where the Bible really begins 67 00:03:51,337 --> 00:03:53,377 Speaker 3: to come into focus. And then you meet Jesus and 68 00:03:53,457 --> 00:03:56,217 Speaker 3: his personality and his teaching, and you see what he's 69 00:03:56,297 --> 00:03:59,217 Speaker 3: up to, and it really starts to crystallize, and it 70 00:03:59,217 --> 00:04:02,097 Speaker 3: gets exciting because it not only makes sense of how 71 00:04:02,097 --> 00:04:03,737 Speaker 3: the Bible all works and where you're at in the 72 00:04:03,737 --> 00:04:06,017 Speaker 3: Bible now, but you start to realize this is for me. 73 00:04:06,737 --> 00:04:08,217 Speaker 1: I am a part of this story. 74 00:04:08,577 --> 00:04:10,657 Speaker 3: I am invited into this thing, and I'm getting a 75 00:04:10,657 --> 00:04:17,697 Speaker 3: sense of where I fit. Matthew was written primarily to 76 00:04:17,777 --> 00:04:21,417 Speaker 3: a Jewish audience. The original audience would have seen all 77 00:04:21,416 --> 00:04:23,657 Speaker 3: these names, and almost every name on the list would 78 00:04:23,657 --> 00:04:25,856 Speaker 3: have reminded them of a chapter in this story. They 79 00:04:25,936 --> 00:04:28,457 Speaker 3: know like the back of their hand, the way somebody 80 00:04:28,457 --> 00:04:32,897 Speaker 3: today you say any name from the Star Wars universe 81 00:04:33,017 --> 00:04:35,816 Speaker 3: or the Marvel universe or whatever you're into, and you're like, ah, 82 00:04:35,856 --> 00:04:38,337 Speaker 3: that conjures this great moment, and that great scene or 83 00:04:38,337 --> 00:04:41,376 Speaker 3: this great tragedy, these names. The first time you read 84 00:04:41,376 --> 00:04:43,457 Speaker 3: the New Testament, you're like, Okay, I know a couple. 85 00:04:43,217 --> 00:04:43,816 Speaker 1: Of those whatever. 86 00:04:43,856 --> 00:04:46,537 Speaker 3: But the original audience would have known all these people, 87 00:04:46,976 --> 00:04:49,176 Speaker 3: and they would have felt all the pain, all the yearning, 88 00:04:49,337 --> 00:04:52,577 Speaker 3: all the agony, all the near misses, all the disappointment 89 00:04:53,017 --> 00:04:55,776 Speaker 3: that goes along with all of these stories, and also 90 00:04:55,856 --> 00:04:58,296 Speaker 3: all of the little hints at the glory of God 91 00:04:58,337 --> 00:05:00,576 Speaker 3: and what it looks like when somebody does get it 92 00:05:00,657 --> 00:05:03,856 Speaker 3: right and by the grace of God is faithful. So 93 00:05:03,897 --> 00:05:07,216 Speaker 3: that genealogy, it hints at what you're about to get. 94 00:05:07,496 --> 00:05:10,816 Speaker 3: It hints that Jesus is going to be the completion 95 00:05:11,176 --> 00:05:14,416 Speaker 3: of this chaotic story. So right there at the front 96 00:05:14,496 --> 00:05:18,377 Speaker 3: end of Matthew, what we're being told is this is 97 00:05:18,416 --> 00:05:21,736 Speaker 3: the completion of the story. Jesus is not a new thing. 98 00:05:22,176 --> 00:05:24,377 Speaker 3: He's not a new God. This is not a new 99 00:05:24,416 --> 00:05:29,336 Speaker 3: religion replacing a failed old religion. This was always the plan. 100 00:05:29,616 --> 00:05:31,736 Speaker 3: There's a symmetry to it, there's a math to it. 101 00:05:32,376 --> 00:05:35,736 Speaker 3: This is more than just the next step in the plan. 102 00:05:35,856 --> 00:05:40,657 Speaker 3: This is the culminating event in the plans. Skip over 103 00:05:40,697 --> 00:05:43,457 Speaker 3: to verse twenty three. The Virgin will be with child 104 00:05:43,496 --> 00:05:45,657 Speaker 3: and will give birth to a son, and they will 105 00:05:45,657 --> 00:05:49,057 Speaker 3: call him Emmanuel, which means God with us. And that's 106 00:05:49,097 --> 00:05:53,217 Speaker 3: where the hope of Matthew really starts to pop. Finally, 107 00:05:53,657 --> 00:05:56,736 Speaker 3: this is the thing we've needed, the fullness of God 108 00:05:57,217 --> 00:06:00,496 Speaker 3: present with humanity. We've had glimpses of it. We've had 109 00:06:00,816 --> 00:06:04,657 Speaker 3: God appearing in a cloud. We've had God appearing in fire. 110 00:06:05,017 --> 00:06:10,576 Speaker 3: We've had God manifesting in a burning bush. God occupied 111 00:06:10,856 --> 00:06:12,657 Speaker 3: one of the two temples. He didn't show up at 112 00:06:12,697 --> 00:06:16,936 Speaker 3: the dedication of the second temple. God has physically been 113 00:06:17,056 --> 00:06:23,657 Speaker 3: present in a semi tangible way. But now God is 114 00:06:23,736 --> 00:06:28,697 Speaker 3: here in the flesh, tabernacling among us, to borrow from 115 00:06:28,816 --> 00:06:33,616 Speaker 3: John's language, dwelling among us. This is what the whole 116 00:06:33,616 --> 00:06:36,816 Speaker 3: Old Testament has really been crying out for. We can't 117 00:06:36,856 --> 00:06:39,137 Speaker 3: solve the problem. We need God to step into the 118 00:06:39,217 --> 00:06:41,976 Speaker 3: muck and into the mess. If there is any solution 119 00:06:42,257 --> 00:06:45,017 Speaker 3: to the curse from all the way back in the garden, 120 00:06:45,496 --> 00:06:48,736 Speaker 3: any solution to the human problem of sin and frailty 121 00:06:48,777 --> 00:06:51,617 Speaker 3: and the death that comes along with that, inherently, this 122 00:06:51,816 --> 00:06:54,056 Speaker 3: solution is going to have to come from God. And 123 00:06:54,097 --> 00:06:58,056 Speaker 3: now here we are just one page into Matthew, and 124 00:06:58,137 --> 00:07:01,376 Speaker 3: we're being told, Okay, he's here in a new way, 125 00:07:01,457 --> 00:07:03,176 Speaker 3: in a way that you have not seen before. 126 00:07:03,856 --> 00:07:07,056 Speaker 1: Rejoice, hope. This is the completion of this whole story. 127 00:07:07,537 --> 00:07:09,257 Speaker 3: That all the prophets, that all the law, that all 128 00:07:09,257 --> 00:07:11,337 Speaker 3: these characters, and all the things they got right and wrong, 129 00:07:11,617 --> 00:07:14,057 Speaker 3: it's all been pointing to this. And Matthew is saying, 130 00:07:14,457 --> 00:07:17,097 Speaker 3: let the reader understand. They open your eyes. This is 131 00:07:17,137 --> 00:07:18,816 Speaker 3: the moment we've all been waiting for. 132 00:07:19,897 --> 00:07:29,097 Speaker 2: Stay tuned for more with Matt Whitman after a brief message. 133 00:07:30,657 --> 00:07:34,337 Speaker 2: These uncertain times bring anxiety and fear, but Jesus Listens 134 00:07:34,337 --> 00:07:37,297 Speaker 2: Prayers for Every Season gives you daily prayers of comfort 135 00:07:38,097 --> 00:07:42,377 Speaker 2: with seasonally inspired illustrations. This beautiful book includes prayers that 136 00:07:42,497 --> 00:07:45,657 Speaker 2: speak to your situation, whether it's a time of stress 137 00:07:45,816 --> 00:07:49,777 Speaker 2: or strength. Look for Jesus Listens Prayers for Every Season 138 00:07:49,977 --> 00:07:52,776 Speaker 2: wherever you buy books. 139 00:07:56,457 --> 00:07:59,177 Speaker 3: So the Book of Matthew is built around five big 140 00:07:59,497 --> 00:08:04,696 Speaker 3: speeches from Jesus, and they're all hugely important. The first 141 00:08:05,177 --> 00:08:07,537 Speaker 3: is maybe the most important speech has ever been given 142 00:08:07,577 --> 00:08:10,217 Speaker 3: by anybody ever, and that's the Sermon on the Mount. 143 00:08:10,457 --> 00:08:15,017 Speaker 3: And maybe the reason that it is so important is 144 00:08:15,057 --> 00:08:19,777 Speaker 3: because it's Jesus' big debut. We've had four hundred years 145 00:08:19,777 --> 00:08:23,937 Speaker 3: of silence biblically, so it's been forever. Think about what 146 00:08:23,977 --> 00:08:27,777 Speaker 3: you were doing four hundred years ago. I mean, imagine 147 00:08:27,897 --> 00:08:30,497 Speaker 3: a chunk of time that goes back to Shakespeare, and 148 00:08:30,537 --> 00:08:33,337 Speaker 3: you've been waiting on a thing as a people group, 149 00:08:33,777 --> 00:08:38,097 Speaker 3: as a religious promise for that amount of time, and 150 00:08:38,137 --> 00:08:42,256 Speaker 3: nothing has happened. It's just been quiet. Well, John the 151 00:08:42,257 --> 00:08:45,297 Speaker 3: Baptist comes along, and people are understandably excited. Some people 152 00:08:45,337 --> 00:08:48,097 Speaker 3: are pretty interested in what Jesus is going to be about. 153 00:08:48,257 --> 00:08:51,217 Speaker 3: Rumors are probably starting to circulate. But now it goes 154 00:08:51,217 --> 00:08:53,697 Speaker 3: big with this Sermon on the Mount, and the Sermon 155 00:08:53,737 --> 00:08:57,897 Speaker 3: on the Mount is directed at Jesus' disciples, but the 156 00:08:58,017 --> 00:09:01,737 Speaker 3: other two primary audience members that we see throughout the 157 00:09:01,737 --> 00:09:04,097 Speaker 3: Book of Matthew or present for this. So you always 158 00:09:04,097 --> 00:09:06,697 Speaker 3: have the disciples as one group. They're committed therein They 159 00:09:06,737 --> 00:09:09,617 Speaker 3: maybe don't understand everything about Jesus, but they're there. And 160 00:09:09,617 --> 00:09:12,417 Speaker 3: then you got the people who don't like Jesus, and 161 00:09:12,457 --> 00:09:15,697 Speaker 3: eventually they don't like him so much that they conspire 162 00:09:15,737 --> 00:09:18,657 Speaker 3: to have him killed. And then the majority of people 163 00:09:19,297 --> 00:09:22,777 Speaker 3: are the squishy middle we're in that as first time 164 00:09:22,817 --> 00:09:25,497 Speaker 3: readers of Matthew, I don't know quite what to make 165 00:09:25,497 --> 00:09:29,297 Speaker 3: of Jesus yet. And the first stuff that Jesus teaches 166 00:09:29,337 --> 00:09:37,537 Speaker 3: publicly is the beloved Beatitude section. It's an articulation of 167 00:09:37,577 --> 00:09:38,697 Speaker 3: the values. 168 00:09:38,257 --> 00:09:38,897 Speaker 1: Of the Kingdom. 169 00:09:39,297 --> 00:09:43,337 Speaker 3: And what we discover is all these values are beautiful 170 00:09:43,577 --> 00:09:46,817 Speaker 3: and the stuff that deep down everybody wants and knows 171 00:09:46,977 --> 00:09:52,657 Speaker 3: are right, but also they're backwards from the world. The 172 00:09:52,657 --> 00:09:57,297 Speaker 3: stuff the world celebrates is informed by world values. It's 173 00:09:57,337 --> 00:10:01,457 Speaker 3: informed by you're born, you eat and drink and get 174 00:10:01,457 --> 00:10:04,097 Speaker 3: old and make kids and have a job, and then 175 00:10:04,137 --> 00:10:09,577 Speaker 3: you die. World values are informed by that naturalistic, godless 176 00:10:09,857 --> 00:10:10,457 Speaker 3: arc to. 177 00:10:10,497 --> 00:10:13,697 Speaker 1: Life that can result in a soft nihilism. 178 00:10:13,737 --> 00:10:17,097 Speaker 3: But the values Jesus articulates in the Sermon on the Mount, 179 00:10:17,417 --> 00:10:21,497 Speaker 3: in the Beatitudes, they are forward looking, they're bigger, they're 180 00:10:21,577 --> 00:10:24,817 Speaker 3: eternally informed. They flow out of the idea of a 181 00:10:24,857 --> 00:10:28,657 Speaker 3: timeless king and a timeless kingdom and his character, and 182 00:10:28,697 --> 00:10:32,017 Speaker 3: they're absolutely beautiful. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for 183 00:10:32,057 --> 00:10:34,857 Speaker 3: theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, 184 00:10:34,977 --> 00:10:37,417 Speaker 3: for they will be comforted. Blessed or the meek you've 185 00:10:37,457 --> 00:10:39,417 Speaker 3: heard this one before, for they will inherit the earth. 186 00:10:39,897 --> 00:10:42,297 Speaker 3: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for 187 00:10:42,377 --> 00:10:45,457 Speaker 3: they will be filled. That's how Jesus starts it. He 188 00:10:45,537 --> 00:10:48,177 Speaker 3: throws down this gauntlet and is saying, right out of 189 00:10:48,177 --> 00:10:50,417 Speaker 3: the gate, Yeah, I'm a king. There is a kingdom, 190 00:10:50,497 --> 00:10:53,537 Speaker 3: and the rules of my kingdom are different than world 191 00:10:53,617 --> 00:10:56,497 Speaker 3: kingdom stuff. Then at the end of the Sermon on 192 00:10:56,497 --> 00:10:58,897 Speaker 3: the Mount, at the end of Matthew chapter seven, it 193 00:10:58,977 --> 00:11:02,017 Speaker 3: says when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowd 194 00:11:02,057 --> 00:11:05,137 Speaker 3: were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one 195 00:11:05,137 --> 00:11:08,777 Speaker 3: who had authority and not as their teachers. 196 00:11:08,417 --> 00:11:11,337 Speaker 1: Of the law. Then, over the next few chapters after 197 00:11:11,377 --> 00:11:12,097 Speaker 1: the Sermon on the. 198 00:11:12,057 --> 00:11:15,297 Speaker 3: Mount, the question is, well, what does this look like 199 00:11:15,337 --> 00:11:16,177 Speaker 3: when you do it? 200 00:11:16,457 --> 00:11:19,897 Speaker 1: Jesus, do you actually live this out? And what does it. 201 00:11:19,817 --> 00:11:22,297 Speaker 3: Look like to live out these values of the kingdom? 202 00:11:22,617 --> 00:11:25,057 Speaker 3: And he answers both of those questions just in how 203 00:11:25,057 --> 00:11:28,057 Speaker 3: he does business over the next few chapters. 204 00:11:28,057 --> 00:11:28,937 Speaker 1: Really, over the rest. 205 00:11:28,737 --> 00:11:35,937 Speaker 3: Of Matthew, he demonstrates power over everything, the death, distance, disease, nature. 206 00:11:36,457 --> 00:11:41,817 Speaker 3: He demonstrates the ability to navigate seemingly impossible social situations. 207 00:11:42,497 --> 00:11:45,737 Speaker 3: He navigates challenges from people who don't like him very 208 00:11:45,777 --> 00:11:47,937 Speaker 3: much and are threatened by the stuff that he's saying 209 00:11:47,977 --> 00:11:50,776 Speaker 3: that is true. And then he sends out his disciples 210 00:11:50,777 --> 00:11:54,617 Speaker 3: who are barely even equipped yet with this message just 211 00:11:54,737 --> 00:11:56,937 Speaker 3: repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. They 212 00:11:56,977 --> 00:11:59,256 Speaker 3: don't have a Bible or anything to take with them, 213 00:11:59,257 --> 00:12:02,977 Speaker 3: not a New Testament at least, and yet he says 214 00:12:03,537 --> 00:12:07,297 Speaker 3: that somehow they're ready, and so out they go. And 215 00:12:07,977 --> 00:12:09,937 Speaker 3: so we've learned a lot in just a couple of 216 00:12:10,017 --> 00:12:13,617 Speaker 3: chapters about Jesus' character. But then we get this great 217 00:12:13,657 --> 00:12:17,977 Speaker 3: moment of tenderness from Jesus at the end of chapter eleven. 218 00:12:19,017 --> 00:12:23,577 Speaker 1: We've seen Jesus repeatedly point out that. 219 00:12:23,177 --> 00:12:27,417 Speaker 3: He is soft hearted towards the lost, that this isn't 220 00:12:27,497 --> 00:12:29,697 Speaker 3: the day of the Lord that comes with great judgment, 221 00:12:30,457 --> 00:12:32,777 Speaker 3: that how he acts is an expression of the softness 222 00:12:32,777 --> 00:12:35,457 Speaker 3: and long sufferingness of God. And then we get this 223 00:12:35,577 --> 00:12:38,297 Speaker 3: great line from him at the end of chapter eleven. 224 00:12:38,497 --> 00:12:42,337 Speaker 3: He's demonstrated power of life death distance. I mean, he 225 00:12:42,417 --> 00:12:44,537 Speaker 3: seems like he should be so completely other, that he 226 00:12:44,577 --> 00:12:47,617 Speaker 3: would be detached from humanity and indifferent because he's so 227 00:12:47,737 --> 00:12:50,337 Speaker 3: much better and so much more powerful. But instead he 228 00:12:50,377 --> 00:12:53,017 Speaker 3: says this in verse twenty eight. Come to me, all 229 00:12:53,097 --> 00:12:55,977 Speaker 3: you who are weary and burdened, and I'll give you rest. 230 00:12:56,297 --> 00:12:58,577 Speaker 3: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, from 231 00:12:58,697 --> 00:13:01,097 Speaker 3: gentle and humble and heart, and you'll find rest for 232 00:13:01,177 --> 00:13:04,097 Speaker 3: your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden 233 00:13:04,177 --> 00:13:09,497 Speaker 3: is light. Saying it to a religiously weary people who 234 00:13:10,017 --> 00:13:13,137 Speaker 3: we're trying a new way to please God, Jesus is 235 00:13:13,137 --> 00:13:16,017 Speaker 3: saying that he is not coming to heap more things 236 00:13:16,097 --> 00:13:20,017 Speaker 3: upon people. Rather, the point has been made. The load 237 00:13:20,137 --> 00:13:21,897 Speaker 3: is very heavy, the load of sin, the load of 238 00:13:21,937 --> 00:13:26,777 Speaker 3: human frailty, the shortcomings of the flesh. And the answer 239 00:13:26,777 --> 00:13:31,497 Speaker 3: to this is Christ. It is his life, his death, 240 00:13:31,577 --> 00:13:35,777 Speaker 3: his teachings, perfect sacrifice, his resurrection. That is where hope 241 00:13:35,777 --> 00:13:38,817 Speaker 3: is to be found. And it's not really something that 242 00:13:38,937 --> 00:13:42,657 Speaker 3: you go and earn so that nobody can boast. It's 243 00:13:42,697 --> 00:13:46,057 Speaker 3: through Christ that we have this life. And that is 244 00:13:46,097 --> 00:13:50,097 Speaker 3: in profound contrast to the religious sensibilities of the day, 245 00:13:50,617 --> 00:13:54,017 Speaker 3: and it demonstrates the tenderness that flows out of these 246 00:13:54,097 --> 00:14:02,097 Speaker 3: values of the kingdom. The more people start to figure 247 00:14:02,097 --> 00:14:04,337 Speaker 3: out and connect the dots so that he might be 248 00:14:04,457 --> 00:14:07,657 Speaker 3: the promised Messiah. The more two things occur, people get 249 00:14:07,697 --> 00:14:10,617 Speaker 3: really excited and want to follow him, but other people 250 00:14:10,657 --> 00:14:14,737 Speaker 3: get really threatened and upset by that possibility, and Jesus 251 00:14:14,857 --> 00:14:17,657 Speaker 3: seems to indicate that that's okay, that's just how the 252 00:14:17,697 --> 00:14:21,137 Speaker 3: things work. Jesus goes through a personal tragedy. John the 253 00:14:21,217 --> 00:14:24,337 Speaker 3: Baptist is executed somewhere in the mix with all of this, 254 00:14:24,657 --> 00:14:26,657 Speaker 3: and he doesn't even get a moment to go and 255 00:14:26,817 --> 00:14:29,617 Speaker 3: think about it. He's immediately followed by all these people 256 00:14:29,857 --> 00:14:32,977 Speaker 3: who are starting to suspect that he is the promised Messiah. 257 00:14:33,017 --> 00:14:36,057 Speaker 3: And he feeds them and meets their needs miraculously and 258 00:14:36,137 --> 00:14:39,017 Speaker 3: takes care of them. But despite all of that good stuff, 259 00:14:39,217 --> 00:14:42,497 Speaker 3: his enemies keep nipping at his heels, and Jesus starts 260 00:14:42,537 --> 00:14:46,137 Speaker 3: to pivot his attention toward a reality he knows is coming. 261 00:14:46,217 --> 00:14:48,297 Speaker 1: He knows he's headed to the cross. 262 00:14:50,697 --> 00:14:52,897 Speaker 3: And he starts to put more and more energy into 263 00:14:52,897 --> 00:14:56,137 Speaker 3: this inner circle of disciples who've been with him. But 264 00:14:56,177 --> 00:14:59,377 Speaker 3: when we get to chapter sixteen, Jesus has decided to 265 00:14:59,537 --> 00:15:01,457 Speaker 3: looks like take a little road trip with the guys 266 00:15:01,657 --> 00:15:03,977 Speaker 3: up north. Jesus knows he doesn't have a ton of 267 00:15:04,017 --> 00:15:06,977 Speaker 3: time left, and he also knows that the big elephant 268 00:15:06,977 --> 00:15:09,777 Speaker 3: in the room hasn't been dealt with. So here they 269 00:15:09,777 --> 00:15:13,537 Speaker 3: are sitting in the region of cesarea Philippi, and Jesus 270 00:15:13,537 --> 00:15:16,017 Speaker 3: asks his disciples, who do people. 271 00:15:15,817 --> 00:15:16,817 Speaker 1: Say the son of Man is? 272 00:15:17,137 --> 00:15:20,977 Speaker 3: And some of them reply John the Baptist, others say Elijah, 273 00:15:21,137 --> 00:15:23,497 Speaker 3: still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 274 00:15:24,457 --> 00:15:27,897 Speaker 1: But what about you, Jesus asks, who do you say 275 00:15:27,897 --> 00:15:29,697 Speaker 1: that I am? Simon? 276 00:15:29,777 --> 00:15:32,257 Speaker 3: Peter answered, you are the Christ, the son of the 277 00:15:32,297 --> 00:15:37,897 Speaker 3: Living God. Remember, Jesus gets executed like ten pages later 278 00:15:38,657 --> 00:15:42,897 Speaker 3: for people suspecting that what Peter just said is true. 279 00:15:43,577 --> 00:15:46,897 Speaker 3: This was a high risk thing for Peter to say, 280 00:15:47,657 --> 00:15:50,417 Speaker 3: yet he says it in the moment when everybody else 281 00:15:50,537 --> 00:15:54,337 Speaker 3: is kind of tiptoeing around the obvious thing. So when 282 00:15:54,337 --> 00:15:57,657 Speaker 3: you read this text, pause for a moment and let 283 00:15:57,657 --> 00:16:01,057 Speaker 3: the tensions sit. Maybe cover the next verse with your pinky, 284 00:16:01,537 --> 00:16:06,657 Speaker 3: and just imagine the baited breath, the nerves of everybody 285 00:16:06,657 --> 00:16:09,577 Speaker 3: else in that circle around that campfire. It's not just 286 00:16:09,657 --> 00:16:13,177 Speaker 3: the silence of that one storytelling beat, It's the silence 287 00:16:13,217 --> 00:16:14,577 Speaker 3: of all of the Book of Matthew. 288 00:16:17,417 --> 00:16:19,897 Speaker 1: Finally, here's the payoff. 289 00:16:20,417 --> 00:16:24,897 Speaker 3: Jesus replied, blessed or you Simon's son of Jonah. For 290 00:16:25,017 --> 00:16:27,657 Speaker 3: this was not revealed to you by man, but by 291 00:16:27,697 --> 00:16:30,177 Speaker 3: my Father in Heaven. And I tell you that you 292 00:16:30,177 --> 00:16:32,537 Speaker 3: are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, 293 00:16:32,577 --> 00:16:34,377 Speaker 3: and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 294 00:16:34,697 --> 00:16:36,297 Speaker 1: I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. 295 00:16:36,337 --> 00:16:38,337 Speaker 3: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, 296 00:16:38,537 --> 00:16:40,817 Speaker 3: and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 297 00:16:41,657 --> 00:16:42,897 Speaker 1: Jesus say, yes, you're right. 298 00:16:43,377 --> 00:16:46,177 Speaker 3: I am the Christ, the Messiah, the one who's promised 299 00:16:46,177 --> 00:16:48,537 Speaker 3: to reign on the throne of David forever, the son 300 00:16:48,577 --> 00:16:51,657 Speaker 3: of the Living God. It's a beautiful scene with massive 301 00:16:51,697 --> 00:16:56,297 Speaker 3: theological historic ramifications, but it's also a personal scene. I mean, 302 00:16:56,377 --> 00:16:58,657 Speaker 3: imagine yourself sitting around that campfire and you get asked 303 00:16:58,737 --> 00:16:59,257 Speaker 3: that question. 304 00:17:00,017 --> 00:17:01,737 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, but what about. 305 00:17:01,497 --> 00:17:06,736 Speaker 3: You, Mike? What about you, Matt? What about you Carol? 306 00:17:07,097 --> 00:17:09,657 Speaker 3: What about any of us? Who do you say that 307 00:17:09,697 --> 00:17:13,377 Speaker 3: I am? The answer is pretty evident. This is the Christ, 308 00:17:13,577 --> 00:17:16,017 Speaker 3: This is the one who's promised, This is God in 309 00:17:16,057 --> 00:17:17,736 Speaker 3: the flesh. This passage is. 310 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:19,537 Speaker 1: One that is meant to be celebratory. 311 00:17:19,617 --> 00:17:21,817 Speaker 3: It is meant to be one of the most exciting 312 00:17:21,857 --> 00:17:24,537 Speaker 3: moments in the entire Bible, because if you're reading straight 313 00:17:24,577 --> 00:17:27,216 Speaker 3: through with open eyes and you're really starting to get it, 314 00:17:27,657 --> 00:17:29,337 Speaker 3: you get to this point you're like, man, there's only 315 00:17:29,417 --> 00:17:31,496 Speaker 3: this much Bible left before I get to the maps. 316 00:17:32,057 --> 00:17:34,217 Speaker 1: We got to get to the answer here at some point. 317 00:17:34,577 --> 00:17:38,497 Speaker 3: And finally somebody says it, and what Simon gets right, 318 00:17:38,977 --> 00:17:42,457 Speaker 3: Jesus affirms, you didn't figure that out with theology math. 319 00:17:42,537 --> 00:17:45,857 Speaker 1: Your eyes were opened by God. And the very next thing. 320 00:17:45,777 --> 00:17:48,657 Speaker 3: Jesus does is he says, great, you get it, and 321 00:17:48,977 --> 00:17:52,097 Speaker 3: now I'm going to go to Jerusalem and die, and 322 00:17:52,137 --> 00:17:54,577 Speaker 3: they all rightly freak out. Peter tries to talk him 323 00:17:54,577 --> 00:17:57,817 Speaker 3: out of it, and Jesus, who just praised Peter five 324 00:17:57,897 --> 00:18:01,097 Speaker 3: sentences earlier, now says you do not have in mind 325 00:18:01,137 --> 00:18:06,337 Speaker 3: the things of God, but the things of men. What 326 00:18:06,377 --> 00:18:08,016 Speaker 3: we see throughout the rest of the Book of Matthew 327 00:18:08,057 --> 00:18:10,897 Speaker 3: is Jesus demonstrating again and again that he is indeed 328 00:18:10,897 --> 00:18:13,737 Speaker 3: what Peter said he is, and then he backs it 329 00:18:13,817 --> 00:18:15,977 Speaker 3: up in the most ultimate way, going to the cross 330 00:18:16,137 --> 00:18:20,497 Speaker 3: voluntarily and being raised on the third day. Matthew sixteen 331 00:18:20,537 --> 00:18:23,417 Speaker 3: on toward the end of the chapter, exactly what Jesus 332 00:18:23,417 --> 00:18:27,057 Speaker 3: predicted is what happens. They move towards Jerusalem, right into 333 00:18:27,137 --> 00:18:30,177 Speaker 3: the hive of scum and villainy, where the bad guys 334 00:18:30,377 --> 00:18:33,657 Speaker 3: get their midst on Jesus. They find him guilty. They're 335 00:18:33,697 --> 00:18:36,417 Speaker 3: not allowed to execute him, but their buddy buddy with 336 00:18:36,457 --> 00:18:39,377 Speaker 3: the government, so they have ponscious Pilot do that for them. 337 00:18:39,697 --> 00:18:42,777 Speaker 3: Pilot doesn't exactly know what to make of it either. Ultimately, 338 00:18:43,537 --> 00:18:49,017 Speaker 3: Jesus goes to the cross basically alone. He dies and 339 00:18:49,137 --> 00:18:53,137 Speaker 3: agonizing death on the cross, and as predicted, he's raised 340 00:18:53,177 --> 00:18:56,817 Speaker 3: back to life on the third day, and it fully 341 00:18:56,857 --> 00:19:01,617 Speaker 3: manifests and is present with the disciples and everything about him, 342 00:19:01,617 --> 00:19:03,777 Speaker 3: everything that he's done, everything that he said, that he's taught, 343 00:19:03,777 --> 00:19:06,137 Speaker 3: the whole story you and I have been following, not 344 00:19:06,257 --> 00:19:09,217 Speaker 3: just through Matthew, but through the entire Old Testament. It's 345 00:19:09,297 --> 00:19:14,737 Speaker 3: all vindicated, it's all true. Death is defeated. The story 346 00:19:14,857 --> 00:19:18,217 Speaker 3: finds its symmetry, and we feel great about it, but 347 00:19:18,417 --> 00:19:25,456 Speaker 3: even better when we realize we are in this story. 348 00:19:25,497 --> 00:19:27,976 Speaker 3: There's a final commissioning that happens at the very end 349 00:19:28,377 --> 00:19:31,817 Speaker 3: of Matthew. In Matthew twenty eight, where Jesus gets the 350 00:19:31,857 --> 00:19:36,017 Speaker 3: disciples together in Galilee. When they saw him, they worshiped him. 351 00:19:36,017 --> 00:19:39,137 Speaker 3: But some doubt it. Doubt and wobbling is part of 352 00:19:39,137 --> 00:19:42,137 Speaker 3: the human condition. Maybe some of you have the gift 353 00:19:42,177 --> 00:19:44,777 Speaker 3: of faith. Your eyes have been open to the reality 354 00:19:44,817 --> 00:19:47,617 Speaker 3: of who Christ is, and you just see it in 355 00:19:47,697 --> 00:19:50,097 Speaker 3: ways some people might see it the hand in front 356 00:19:50,137 --> 00:19:53,617 Speaker 3: of their face. You see the reality of God and 357 00:19:53,657 --> 00:19:55,577 Speaker 3: his presence, the work of Christ, the work of the 358 00:19:55,617 --> 00:19:58,696 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit. That's an amazing blessing from God. But I 359 00:19:58,697 --> 00:20:00,057 Speaker 3: know there's some of you who are part of this 360 00:20:00,137 --> 00:20:03,577 Speaker 3: conversation who that isn't the case. It's up and down, 361 00:20:03,977 --> 00:20:06,297 Speaker 3: and some of the troughs and dips in there are tough. 362 00:20:06,577 --> 00:20:09,537 Speaker 3: There's so many different ways that our hearts get dinged up, 363 00:20:10,137 --> 00:20:13,377 Speaker 3: and that the barnacles of the ick of life attached 364 00:20:13,417 --> 00:20:16,817 Speaker 3: to the whole of our ship as we sail through life. 365 00:20:17,857 --> 00:20:20,777 Speaker 3: Even these guys who had seen all of this with 366 00:20:20,897 --> 00:20:26,257 Speaker 3: their eyes touched it with their hands, they still wobbled. 367 00:20:27,097 --> 00:20:29,456 Speaker 3: Jesus knew that he knew everything. He knew who he 368 00:20:29,497 --> 00:20:32,496 Speaker 3: was dealing with. You're not just sons and daughters, you 369 00:20:32,537 --> 00:20:37,297 Speaker 3: are heirs and agents of this Kingdom disciples, and you 370 00:20:37,417 --> 00:20:40,177 Speaker 3: listening to this conversation. If you're in Christ, you're not 371 00:20:40,337 --> 00:20:43,257 Speaker 3: just in by the skinny your teeth. You are an 372 00:20:43,297 --> 00:20:46,777 Speaker 3: honored son or daughter of the King. You are an agent, 373 00:20:46,977 --> 00:20:49,617 Speaker 3: You are an heir. And if that feels intimidating and 374 00:20:49,737 --> 00:20:51,337 Speaker 3: like too much, and like you're going to screw it 375 00:20:51,417 --> 00:20:53,456 Speaker 3: up and embarrass God or not get it right all 376 00:20:53,497 --> 00:20:56,377 Speaker 3: the time, well guess what. Surely He is with you 377 00:20:56,497 --> 00:21:00,257 Speaker 3: always to the very end of the age. That promise 378 00:21:00,337 --> 00:21:02,057 Speaker 3: wasn't just for the disciples, It's for you and me 379 00:21:02,137 --> 00:21:02,577 Speaker 3: as well. 380 00:21:03,737 --> 00:21:06,897 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to the special scripture focused bonus episode. 381 00:21:07,057 --> 00:21:11,657 Speaker 2: To learn more about Matt, please visit the TMBH dot 382 00:21:11,697 --> 00:21:14,097 Speaker 2: com and be sure to check out his book, The 383 00:21:14,177 --> 00:21:17,497 Speaker 2: Lightning Fast Feel Guide to the Bible, your compact companion 384 00:21:17,537 --> 00:21:20,977 Speaker 2: for exploring the best book ever available at your favorite retailer. 385 00:21:22,097 --> 00:21:25,017 Speaker 2: Enjoy our entire series of scripture studies, each with different 386 00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:28,817 Speaker 2: Bible teachers and experts guiding us through specific books, topics, 387 00:21:28,857 --> 00:21:31,817 Speaker 2: and people in the Bible on the Jesus Calling YouTube channel. 388 00:21:32,377 --> 00:21:36,217 Speaker 2: To discover more inspiring stories of faith, visit Jesus Calling 389 00:21:36,257 --> 00:21:43,456 Speaker 2: dot com slash podcast. Thanks for listening to the Jesus 390 00:21:43,537 --> 00:21:46,857 Speaker 2: Calling Stories of Faith podcast on the Life Audio Network. 391 00:21:47,537 --> 00:21:50,057 Speaker 2: Every week, we'll bring you stories from people who share 392 00:21:50,057 --> 00:21:53,297 Speaker 2: their journeys of faith and how prayer and a relationship 393 00:21:53,297 --> 00:21:56,857 Speaker 2: with God transformed their lives. Be sure to follow us 394 00:21:56,897 --> 00:22:01,057 Speaker 2: on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you listen to podcasts, 395 00:22:01,537 --> 00:22:04,137 Speaker 2: and leave us a review so others can be inspired 396 00:22:04,137 --> 00:22:07,777 Speaker 2: weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, you can find 397 00:22:07,897 --> 00:22:11,776 Speaker 2: encouragement resources and more on the Jesus Calling website at 398 00:22:11,857 --> 00:22:13,496 Speaker 2: Jesuscalling dot com.