1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: For God so loved the world that he gave his 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, 3 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 1: but have everlasting life. John three sixteen. Thank you, Heavenly Father, 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: for your unfathomable love for me. No one will ever 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: or could ever love me with the pure and unconditional 6 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: love you have for me. You ask me to believe, 7 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: believe in your son and the price he paid out 8 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:33,639 Speaker 1: of his love for me. I wept in gratitude when 9 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: I realized how selfish I am in comparison to his 10 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: astounding love. I left my voice in praise and sing 11 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: joy to the world. The Lord has come, and Heaven 12 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: and nature sing. Prepare our hearts Lord to receive the 13 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: greatest gift of knowing. Jesus, fill our hearts with joy 14 00:00:55,200 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: as we sing praises for your glorious goodness. Amen. Stay 15 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 1: tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told 16 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: from prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible. 17 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,199 Speaker 2: In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing 18 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 2: plant on the face of the earth, and every tree 19 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 2: that has fruit with seed in it. They will be 20 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 2: yours for food. It is so blessedly simple, right but 21 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 2: with the serious health issues on the rise, you have 22 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 2: to wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking 23 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 2: in fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get 24 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 2: back to basics with Field of Greens. Each fruit and 25 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 2: vegetable in Field of Greens was medically selected for its 26 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: specific health benefit. Some support vital organs like heart, lungs, 27 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 2: and kidneys. Others support metabolism for healthy energy and weight loss. 28 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 2: Unlike the others with water down extracts, Field of Greens 29 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 2: uses organic whole fruits and vegetables because that's where the 30 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 2: healing nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens 31 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: works At your next checkout, your doctor will notice your 32 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 2: improved health or your money back. For fifteen percent off, 33 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 2: visit Field Offgreens dot com and use promo code Bible. 34 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 2: That's Field of Greens dot com promo code Bible. 35 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 3: Hi. 36 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 4: I'm doctor Tony Evan jehost for Heroes in the Bible. Jesus. 37 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 4: If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review 38 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,080 Speaker 4: and let us know how this podcast has impacted your life. 39 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 4: Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the 40 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 4: story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's 41 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 4: love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death 42 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 4: and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape 43 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 4: and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart 44 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 4: of God right into the hearts of you and me. 45 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 4: In this episode, Jesus's heart for the outcast has put 46 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 4: on full display. This episode features one compelling interaction after another. 47 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 4: While some of the gospels put an emphasis on the 48 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 4: public ministry of Jesus, the Gospel of John is unique 49 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 4: with its greater emphasis on the one on one interactions 50 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 4: Jesus had with selected individuals. This episode highlights many of 51 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 4: those connections, reminding us that Jesus wasn't just a public figure, 52 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 4: but a friend and mentor. He took time for people, 53 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 4: noticed those on the fringe, and revealed his glory through 54 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 4: simple conversations. This episode introduces us to famous characters like 55 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 4: Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well, as well as 56 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 4: lesser known figures like the father with the sick son 57 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 4: and the invalid by the pools. All of these individuals 58 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 4: came face to face with Jesus and were changed forever 59 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 4: because of him. Nobody can truly meet Jesus and remain neutral. 60 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 4: Anyone who comes face to face with him must make 61 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 4: a decision about who he is to them. Ironically, the 62 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 4: religiously lead and pious leaders had a harder time accepting 63 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 4: him than the sick and social outcast. As it turns out, 64 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,880 Speaker 4: self righteous religion can keep people from truly seeing Jesus 65 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 4: for who he is. In this episode, I want to 66 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 4: challenge all of us to see the ways in which 67 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 4: Jesus interacts with the outcast. How does he speak with 68 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 4: people who have been rejected by society? To what lengths 69 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 4: will Jesus go to comfort and compel people's hearts. Before 70 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 4: we dive into this next time in Jesus' ministry, we 71 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:18,119 Speaker 4: will have a prelude, a story captured from another time 72 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 4: and space. We are introduced to David, an outcast in 73 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 4: his own way who became a king. His life is 74 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 4: an example to us all of God's heart for the 75 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 4: people on the fringe. The small Shepherd's Boys rise to 76 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 4: power shows us that God prefers to use the weak 77 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 4: things of the world to display his strength. I hope 78 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 4: it encourages you today. Here is episode five, The Outcast. 79 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 5: Prelude to Chapter five, one thousand years before the birth 80 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 5: of Christ. A young shepherd boy lounged under the clouds. 81 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 5: He watched the sheep gray and frolic while strumming the lyre. 82 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 5: The solitude of a shepherd's life did not bother him. 83 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 5: His father had nearly forgotten him altogether anyways, and his 84 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 5: brothers were self consumed. If he was being honest, he 85 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 5: preferred the company of sheep. As dull as they were, 86 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:24,799 Speaker 5: they were endearing. They needed his guidance, protection, and provision. 87 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 5: Without him, they would surely fall off a cliff or 88 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 5: starve to death. The boy thought about his relationship with 89 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 5: God this way. He would often look at his sheep 90 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 5: and ponder how God was his shepherd, guiding, protecting, and 91 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 5: providing for him. In the solitude of the sheep pasture, 92 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 5: the young shepherd strummed him to the Lord. He played 93 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 5: passionately for an audience of one. These tender moments happened 94 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 5: often between him and God. He was constantly after his 95 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 5: He knew that his sheep's while being was dependent on 96 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 5: its closeness to the shepherd. So the boy drew close 97 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 5: to the Lord daily, singing to him and meditating on 98 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 5: his law. As small and unassuming as he was, he 99 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 5: was not without courage. Wolves and lions would often prowl 100 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 5: on the perimeter of the pasture, looking to feast on 101 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 5: the helpless sheep. The shepherd Boy was continually alert and 102 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 5: ready for battle. He had to slay a few wolves 103 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 5: and lions in his time. However, nobody would assume that 104 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:38,239 Speaker 5: of the boy. He was ruddy and clearly the runt 105 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 5: of his family. He did not carry himself like his 106 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 5: brothers or his father. They were regal, sturdy, and kinglike. However, 107 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 5: the boy was content with his sheep. He loved that 108 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 5: they needed him. When the nation of Israel needed a 109 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 5: champion to rise up and defeat the giant Goliath and 110 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 5: his Philistine army, no soldier stepped forward. There were no princes, warriors, 111 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 5: or noblemen brave enough to fight. The prophet and judge 112 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 5: of Israel. Samuel was sent by God to find a 113 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 5: man worthy enough to lead the nation. He looked at 114 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 5: the strong, the tall, and the noble. He considered the 115 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 5: men who carried themselves like kings. However, the Lord had 116 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 5: rejected them as his chosen servant. Instead, he had Samuel 117 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 5: look to the pastors, where the shepherd Boy tended to 118 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 5: the sheep man looks at the outward appearance. God told Samuel, however, 119 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 5: I look beyond what men say, I look at the heart. 120 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 5: Samuel looked at the ruddy shepherd boy. He did not 121 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 5: have a keenly demeanor. He was the rejected son of 122 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 5: his family and an outcast. However, dwelling within him was 123 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 5: a heart after God. The Lord called the shepherd Boy 124 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 5: and empowered him to slay giants. He would go on 125 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 5: to be the greatest king Israel had ever known. The 126 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 5: otherwise unassuming and weak boy was a hero and God's 127 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 5: chosen champion, King David. These are the people God chose 128 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 5: to lead armies, restore nations, and proclaim his truths. He 129 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 5: chose the weak to showcase his strength. He chose the 130 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 5: homeless and gave them a home. He chose the rejected 131 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 5: and gave them purpose. For God chose the foolish things 132 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 5: of this world to put to shame all those who 133 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:47,719 Speaker 5: felt wise or strong in their own right. God was 134 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 5: in the business for choosing the outcasts. Chapter five, The Outcasts. 135 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 5: Jesus's name began to grow in popularity. As John the 136 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 5: Baptist faded into anonymity. More and more people who used 137 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 5: to follow him began to follow Jesus. However, the true 138 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 5: identity of Jesus was still only seen in part. Some 139 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 5: people called him the Messiah, but they were still not 140 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 5: entirely sure what that meant. Many people thought the Messiah 141 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 5: would be a political hero. Some thought the Messiah would 142 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 5: be a man of war. However, not many predicted a 143 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 5: carpenter from a small town. Jesus's words reflected the prophetic 144 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 5: description of the Messiah, but the way he carried himself 145 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 5: seemed almost too humble and too unassuming, So people followed Jesus, 146 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 5: curious as to what he would do next. It was passover, 147 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 5: a time when people from the entire region would gather 148 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 5: near the temple to worship. Millions of people flowed in 149 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 5: and out of the city's streets, bringing their families, sacrifices, 150 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 5: and prayers to offer up to the Lord. It was 151 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 5: a grand celebration of God redeeming his people from slavery 152 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 5: in Egypt. It was also a time of deep contemplation. 153 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 5: Men and women considered the depth of God's love for 154 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 5: them and his blessing over them as a holy nation 155 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 5: and chosen people. Jesus walked among the sea of faces 156 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 5: towards the temple. The top of the temple could be 157 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 5: seen in the distance. It was radiant and a glorious 158 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 5: image of God's presence dwelling in the middle of the city. 159 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:44,679 Speaker 5: It was Jesus' desire that all would experience God at 160 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 5: the center of their own lives. His heart was warmed 161 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 5: as he saw Jews, Greeks, and people of all creeds 162 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:57,160 Speaker 5: and cultures gathering to worship. The Heart of God is 163 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 5: for all to enter in and seek his faith. Jesus 164 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 5: walked through the temple gates, his brow furrowed as he 165 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 5: saw the people within. In the temple courtyard, he found 166 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 5: people selling sacrifices and hackling prices. Men were bringing oxen, pigeons, goats, 167 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 5: and sheep, claiming they were special and therefore required to 168 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:26,439 Speaker 5: make a sacrifice. The temple officials also had a special currency, 169 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 5: and the exchange rate was too steep for many people 170 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 5: to buy a sacrifice. Jesus watched in horror as the 171 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:38,720 Speaker 5: temple was being used as a place to exploit people. 172 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 5: Foreigners brought their own sacrifices and were swiftly turned away 173 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:48,679 Speaker 5: if they could not afford a new temple certified sacrifice. 174 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 5: Jesus's blood boiled within him. The courtyard he was standing 175 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 5: in was a special place. It was the courtyard that 176 00:11:56,440 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 5: gentiles and foreigners were allowed to come and worship, yet 177 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:06,079 Speaker 5: the religious leaders used it to grow rich. A quiet 178 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 5: rage dwelled within the gentle son of God, a rage 179 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 5: so pure and so righteous that if he wished, he 180 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 5: could send fire down from heaven. Jesus looked at the 181 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 5: money changers and the swindlers haggling near the steps. They 182 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 5: were selling salvation. They were selling a connection with God. 183 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 5: Jesus would not allow it. He looked to his left 184 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 5: to see palm Franz laying on the floor. He also 185 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 5: saw some netting used the whole animals draped over the 186 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 5: side of the steps. Jesus gathered these things, sat down, 187 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 5: and began to weave. No one noticed him methodically sowing 188 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:50,959 Speaker 5: leaves and rope together. They were too consumed with making 189 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 5: a prophet. When God established the nation of Israel, he 190 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 5: commanded that they would be a sanctuary for every nation, 191 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 5: that they be a safe haven for refugees and foreigners. 192 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 5: He also commanded that anyone who desired to repent and 193 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 5: seek his face would not be denied blessing. The people 194 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 5: appointed to reflect God's heart had given in to corruption. 195 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 5: Jesus would not allow anybody to be separated from the 196 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 5: loving and brace of God. He would not allow the 197 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 5: foreigner to be turned away. He would not allow the 198 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 5: poor to be put in debt because they couldn't afford 199 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 5: a nicer sacrifice. It was King David who said, for 200 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 5: you will not delight and sacrifice, or I would give it. 201 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 5: He would not be pleased with a burnt offering. The 202 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 5: sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and 203 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 5: contrite heart. O God, you will not despise. With these 204 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 5: words burning in his heart, Jesus rose to his feet. 205 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 5: He raised his hand high in the air to reveal 206 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 5: a whip of cords. Then, with a strong swing of 207 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 5: his hips, Jesus slashed the whip forward to hit the oxen. 208 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 5: The animals panicked, broke free from their cases. They knoked 209 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 5: over the carts and sent people fleeing in a panic. 210 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 5: Then Jesus marched over to the money changers. With the 211 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 5: mighty heart of God, Jesus lifted the stone tables and 212 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 5: flipped them over. The heavy structures crashed to the floor, 213 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 5: shaking the ground. Gold and silver spilled all over the 214 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 5: courtyard floor, and the money changers frantically picked them up 215 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 5: like birds pecking it bread. Jesus stood above the temple steps, 216 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 5: holding the whip in one hand in a crate of 217 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 5: doves in another. He had single handedly destroyed the temple marketplace. 218 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 5: Raising the doves in the air, he smashed the crate 219 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 5: to the ground, releasing the doves. People stopped their panicking 220 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 5: for a moment to look at Jesus. Huffing, he pointed 221 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 5: at the pharisee and scribes watching from the corner. 222 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 6: This is where men and women are meant to seek 223 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 6: the face of their God. Yet you have set up 224 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 6: monuments to greed. You have made my father's house a 225 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 6: house of trade, and you have rejected the outcasts. 226 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 5: The scribes had heard rumors of Jesus, but this was 227 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 5: their first time meeting him. What gives you the right 228 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 5: to do these things? What signs shall you give us 229 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 5: to prove your authority? They retorted. The crowd was stirring. 230 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 5: Jesus began walking towards them. The few of the disciples 231 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 5: saw Jesus. They looked at the fire in his eyes. 232 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 5: They remembered the words of David when he prophesied about 233 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 5: the Messiah, saying, zeal for your house will consume me. 234 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 5: They watched Jesus march forward, with his strength even greater 235 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 5: than David's. He had a passion for the House of 236 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 5: God and for all those who would seek him in it. 237 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 5: Destroy this temple, Jesus began, and in three days I 238 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 5: will raise it up. It will stand in greater glory 239 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 5: than before. A chuckle could be heard from the crowd. 240 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 5: One of them scoffed at him and said, it took 241 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 5: forty six years to rebuild that temple, and you think 242 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,880 Speaker 5: you could do so in three days. Jesus shook his 243 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 5: head and walked down the steps. Jesus's words confused them. However, 244 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 5: Jesus was speaking of his own destruction and his own 245 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 5: resurrection to come. His disciples did not understand these things 246 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 5: at the time, but they would. Jesus dropped his whip 247 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:43,359 Speaker 5: and left the temple. No one dared to go after him. 248 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 5: The scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus leave. Then a 249 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 5: small applause followed. They looked out at the sea of 250 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 5: people cheering for Jesus. They looked at one another, afraid 251 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 5: of what this man from Nazareth might do to their power. 252 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:06,239 Speaker 5: Many of the scribes, pharisees, and religious leaders scoffed at 253 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 5: Jesus and wrote him off as a madman. There were 254 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 5: many zealots and radicals during that time. They pegged him 255 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 5: as just another voice crying out in insanity. They were wrong, 256 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 5: They were dangerously wrong. They had not even come close 257 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:27,959 Speaker 5: to what Jesus's purpose really was. His display of anger 258 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 5: was quickly dismissed and spat at. However, not all the 259 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 5: religious leaders were so flippant with Jesus. One of them 260 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 5: in particular, was curious. Nicodemus had been teaching God's law 261 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 5: for many years. He had spent his entire life poring 262 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 5: over the scriptures and encouraging the masses that one day 263 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 5: the Messiah would come. So when he saw Jesus, he 264 00:17:54,880 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 5: could not help but wonder. It was late and Jesus 265 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 5: was staying in a home before departing for Galilee. The 266 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 5: city streets were dark and silent, all except a single 267 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 5: hooded figure lurking its way towards the house. He held 268 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:16,400 Speaker 5: a small lantern and approached the door with the utmost precaution. 269 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 5: Jesus heard a small knock at the door and opened it, 270 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 5: standing with his face slightly illuminated by the lantern. Was 271 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 5: Nicodemus come in? Jesus said, with a smile. Jesus knew 272 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 5: why Nicodemus had come so late. He was afraid to 273 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 5: be seen with Jesus after the day's events at the temple. However, 274 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 5: his curiosity piqued and he had questions that needed answering. 275 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 5: Jesus gestured for Nicodemus to have a seat and have 276 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 5: a drink. A few of Jesus's disciples were sitting by 277 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:52,639 Speaker 5: the fire. 278 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 6: To what do I owe this pleasure Nicodemus, Jesus asked, Surely, 279 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,160 Speaker 6: a ruler of the Jews such as yourself, is busy 280 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 6: with many things. 281 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 5: Nicodemus stared at his comp for a while. Where would 282 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:08,119 Speaker 5: he begin? For so long Nicodemus had lived with this 283 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 5: angst about the direction of the Pharisees, he knew that 284 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 5: in many ways the people had fallen further from God. 285 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:18,640 Speaker 5: He looked up to see Jesus staring at him attentively. 286 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:24,160 Speaker 3: Rabbi Nicodemus said, there is no doubt in my mind 287 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 3: that you are a brilliant teacher with a heart that 288 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 3: is close to God. Truly, he must have set you, 289 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,159 Speaker 3: for no one can do or say the things you 290 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:34,600 Speaker 3: do without being blessed. 291 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 5: Jesus nodded in agreement. He looked at the fire for 292 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 5: a moment to ponder what Nicodemus had just said. He 293 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:46,120 Speaker 5: was more than just a teacher, and Nicodemus would soon 294 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 5: learn that Jesus saw in Nicodemus a man without answers, 295 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,880 Speaker 5: yet forced to pretend he had them. 296 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 6: Unless one is born again, he will be unable to 297 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:00,160 Speaker 6: truly see the Kingdom of God. 298 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 5: Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled. He looked around at the 299 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:09,080 Speaker 5: disciples they shroud. They didn't know what Jesus was saying either. 300 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,679 Speaker 5: I'm not following, Nicodemus admitted, Are you saying that in 301 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 5: order to inherit heaven one must re enter his mother's 302 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 5: womb and be born a second time? Nicodemus was beginning 303 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:23,120 Speaker 5: to fear Jesus actually was a madman. 304 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 6: Jesus laughed, no, no, you see, we're all born in flesh, yes, 305 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,359 Speaker 6: but we enter this world with our bodies from our 306 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 6: mother's womb. 307 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 5: Nicodemus nodded in agreement. Jesus continued, saying. 308 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 6: But you must be born a second time, not a 309 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 6: flesh and not through a womb, but of God's spirit. 310 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 5: Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus was a teacher 311 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 5: himself and very respected among the religious elite. He was 312 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 5: not used to being lost in the discussion regarding philosophy. 313 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:01,440 Speaker 5: Jesus sensed his confute usion and lean forward. 314 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 6: Do not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and no 315 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 6: one can see it except when the leaves rustle. It 316 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 6: is the same with being borne by the spirit. You 317 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 6: cannot see the spirit itself. However, when it compels a 318 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 6: person it becomes obvious. 319 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:22,400 Speaker 5: Nicodemus was beginning to understand in part. However, more questions 320 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 5: flooded his mind. 321 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 3: How can one be born again in the spirit? 322 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 6: He asked, you are a teacher of God's word, Nicodemus, 323 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:33,959 Speaker 6: Jesus replied, you should understand this. What I have begun 324 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 6: has been foretold, The words I speak have been poured out, 325 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 6: and the acts I perform have become evident. Yet you 326 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 6: and the rest of the pharise you still do not see. 327 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 6: You are blind. How could I possibly explain heavenly matters 328 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 6: to you when your eyes are fixed on earthly things. 329 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:58,399 Speaker 5: Jesus's words struck a chord with Nicodemus. He knew that greed, power, 330 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 5: and piety had tainted the good intentions of the religious leaders. 331 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,880 Speaker 5: He was guilty of the same thing. How could he 332 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 5: truly see heaven if he was so focused on earthly 333 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 5: matters such as influence and money. Jesus discerned the shame 334 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 5: willing up with the Nicodemus. He could see his heart. 335 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 5: He was not like the others. Nicodemus truly longed to 336 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:27,840 Speaker 5: see God move. Jesus stretched out his hands and warmed 337 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:28,639 Speaker 5: them by the fire. 338 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:31,719 Speaker 6: Do you remember the bronze serpent that was raised up 339 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 6: by Moses to heal the people of Israel in the wilderness. 340 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:39,120 Speaker 5: Jesus asked. Nicodemus nodded. It was a well known story. 341 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 5: The people of Israel had been affected with venomous snakes. 342 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 5: So Moses erected a bronze serpent high in the air, 343 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,120 Speaker 5: and all who looked upon it were healed. 344 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,440 Speaker 6: It is the same thing for the Messiah, He too 345 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 6: must be lifted up. So that whoever believes in him 346 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 6: may have eternal life. 347 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 5: Jesus said. Nicodemus's eyes widened. Jesus removed his gaze from 348 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 5: the fire and looked at him. There was a moment 349 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:13,440 Speaker 5: of silence as Nicodemus processed what Jesus had just said. 350 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 5: Just as the serpent was a representation of what was 351 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 5: killing Israel, so the son of Man must be lifted 352 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:25,400 Speaker 5: up as a representation of what is killing humanity. Sin. 353 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 5: Jesus could see cogs turning in Nicodemus's mind. 354 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 6: It is because of love, Nicodemus, Jesus said, for God 355 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 6: so loved the world that he gave up his only son, 356 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 6: And whoever looks upon him and believes will not perish. 357 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:43,640 Speaker 5: They will live, and. 358 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 6: They will have life everlasting. 359 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 5: Nicodemus's heart was beating out of his chest as he 360 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 5: listened to Jesus speak. All was beginning to become clear. 361 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:58,359 Speaker 5: Jesus continued, God did not send the Son to condemn 362 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 5: the world. No, he sent him so that all might 363 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 5: be saved. The fire popped and embers flew up in 364 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 5: the air next to the two men. It was joy 365 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 5: in Jesus's voice, although not everyone in the room understood 366 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:18,679 Speaker 5: him fully. His words were powerful. They sank deep, like 367 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 5: a seed planted in rich soil. Jesus leaned over, and 368 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 5: the flickering flame of the fireplace reflected in his eyes. 369 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 6: The light of God has come to the world, Jesus said. 370 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:34,679 Speaker 6: If people love their darkness, they hid in it. The 371 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:38,960 Speaker 6: sinful heart delights in the shadows. Evil hates the light, 372 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 6: because light exposes all that lurks in darkness. Yet there 373 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 6: will be those that cling to the truth. Those are 374 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 6: the people that dwell in the light. They will see 375 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 6: their works blessed by God. 376 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 5: Nicodemus smiled and nodded. He could not quite grasp all 377 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:01,200 Speaker 5: of what Jesus was saying. However, he had the feeling 378 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:05,040 Speaker 5: that he had not heard the last from Jesus. Nicodemus 379 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:08,040 Speaker 5: would keep a close watch on him, looking for signs 380 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 5: of God. Nicodemus stood to his feet and gestured good 381 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 5: bye to Jesus and the others in the room. He 382 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 5: thanked them and left without his hood. He did not 383 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 5: want to be another man dwelling in the shadows. The 384 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:29,359 Speaker 5: next day, Jesus and his followers left Judea. The sun 385 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 5: was high above the skies, of Samaria. Its rays scorched 386 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:37,639 Speaker 5: the earth below, beating down relentlessly. It was around the 387 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 5: valley of Samaria where Jesus was traveling on his way 388 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 5: to Galilee. The Jews hated the Samaritans and held deep 389 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:50,359 Speaker 5: prejudices against them. Usually, any Jewish traveler walked around Samaria, 390 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:56,200 Speaker 5: not Jesus. He decided to travel through it. About half 391 00:25:56,240 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 5: way through their journey, some of the disciples went into 392 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 5: town to retrieve some food. Jesus remained on the road. 393 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 5: Seeing a small well just a few feet ahead, Jesus 394 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:12,160 Speaker 5: walked towards the well. A woman was there drawing water. 395 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,880 Speaker 5: Jesus approached and sat on a small bench beside the well. 396 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 5: The woman noticed him, but paid no attention. Instead, she 397 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,640 Speaker 5: methodically brought up the bucket and poured the water into 398 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 5: a basin. Jesus peered out at the sigh. Its light 399 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 5: was draining, and he found himself parched. He looked at 400 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 5: the woman. 401 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:36,240 Speaker 6: Would you mind drawing me some. 402 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 5: Water, Jesus asked politely. The woman looked up at him. 403 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,679 Speaker 5: Her eyes were glazed over and impassive. She shook her 404 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:45,640 Speaker 5: head with apathy. 405 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 7: Now, why would a Jewish man want a Samaritan woman 406 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 7: to draw him water. She asked, I seem to recall 407 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 7: your people hating my people. What do you call us again? 408 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:57,360 Speaker 7: Dirty dogs? 409 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 5: She continued drawing water for herself earth at Jesus, sitting 410 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 5: across from her. Jesus leaned back slightly. Unbothered by the 411 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:10,960 Speaker 5: woman's tone, he smiled and squinted back up with the sun. 412 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:13,960 Speaker 6: If you knew who was asking you for water, you 413 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 6: wouldn't be so dismissive, Jesus said. In fact, you'd be 414 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 6: asking me for living water. 415 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:24,000 Speaker 5: The woman stopped, annoyed at Jesus's peppy tone. 416 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 7: Ah, it looks like you have been traveling jew Where 417 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 7: would you even get living water from. You have no 418 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:33,199 Speaker 7: bucket to draw water with, and there is not a 419 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:34,360 Speaker 7: river for miles. 420 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 5: The woman's tone was harsh. She was sweating from the 421 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 5: sweltering heat and wanted to be done drawing water. Normally, 422 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,119 Speaker 5: the other women in the city would draw water in 423 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 5: the morning before the day became too hot. However, she 424 00:27:48,280 --> 00:27:51,359 Speaker 5: was not accepted by the other women. She was an 425 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:55,760 Speaker 5: outcast and shamed by them. So to save herself the ridicule, 426 00:27:56,160 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 5: she drew her water alone during the afternoon Jesus stood 427 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 5: up and walked closer to the well. He took the 428 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 5: bucket and drew from the well. He poured it into 429 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 5: the woman's basin and smiled. You see this water, Jesus asked. 430 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:15,919 Speaker 6: If you drink this water, you'll be thirsty again, and 431 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 6: then you'll need to come back, and the cycle will 432 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 6: repeat itself. Whoever drinks this water will inevitably need more. However, 433 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 6: whoever drinks the water I give them, they'll never thirst again. 434 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:32,040 Speaker 5: The woman perked up with interest. If she could get 435 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 5: her hands on some of that water, she wouldn't have 436 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:36,200 Speaker 5: to come draw water in the middle of the day. 437 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 7: How can I get this water. 438 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:39,560 Speaker 5: She asked, impatiently. 439 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 7: Drawing water is difficult, and I would like to save 440 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 7: myself the time. 441 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 5: Jesus continued to draw water and pour it into the 442 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:51,560 Speaker 5: woman's basin, she was so intent on Jesus's words that 443 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 5: she didn't notice him drawing water for her. All right, 444 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 5: Jesus said. 445 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 6: Go and call your husband, and I would. 446 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 5: Tell you the woman's lips. She shrugged and looked down 447 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 5: at the ground. 448 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 7: I don't really have a husband. 449 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:08,960 Speaker 5: She admitted. Jesus nodded in agreement. 450 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 6: You are right. To say, you have no husband. You 451 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:15,479 Speaker 6: have had five husbands in your past, and the man 452 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,600 Speaker 6: you're sleeping with now isn't even your husband. 453 00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 5: The woman was taken aback. Her rough exterior was beginning 454 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 5: to crack as Jesus revealed these things about her. However, 455 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 5: she did her best to remain callous, holding back tears. 456 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 5: She put on a fake smile and changed the subject. 457 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 7: I perceive you are a prophet. 458 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:39,720 Speaker 5: She said, clearing a frog in her throat. 459 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:44,120 Speaker 7: Then you probably know how sacred this well is. Our 460 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 7: forefathers worshiped on this very mountain. However, you Jews say 461 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:50,280 Speaker 7: the temple is the correct place to worship now. 462 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 5: The woman's voice was hoarse, her eyes were watering. She 463 00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:58,520 Speaker 5: thought religious small talk would deflect what Jesus had said. 464 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:03,360 Speaker 5: Jesus sat beside the woman and gestured for her to 465 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:08,040 Speaker 5: sit as well. He could feel the anguish in her heart. 466 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 5: His words had struck a deep chord. Her five divorces 467 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 5: were a source of shame for her. They were the 468 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 5: reason she was an outcast in her own city. Jesus 469 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:23,400 Speaker 5: looked far off into the distance, knowing that eye contact 470 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 5: would only make the woman more uncomfortable. 471 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 6: Believe me, the time is coming when people won't even 472 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:33,080 Speaker 6: worship on a mountain or a temple. The true worshippers 473 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:36,240 Speaker 6: we worship in spirit and in truth. 474 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:40,440 Speaker 5: Jesus said. The woman was pleased that Jesus was playing 475 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 5: along with her religious small talk. She nodded, saying. 476 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 7: Yes, it is a mystery. However, I am sure the 477 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:51,080 Speaker 7: Messiah will come and tell us all we need to 478 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 7: know about worship. 479 00:30:53,160 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 5: Jesus turned his gaze towards the woman. His smile was 480 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 5: warmer than the sun itself. Yes he will, Jesus said, 481 00:31:01,680 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 5: I am he. The woman turned her head swiftly. Her 482 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:09,440 Speaker 5: eyes met Jesus's the second the words came out of 483 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:12,560 Speaker 5: his mouth. She knew it to be true. That is 484 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:14,640 Speaker 5: why he had known about the depth of her shame. 485 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:17,600 Speaker 5: That is why he was able to slowly crack the 486 00:31:17,640 --> 00:31:21,720 Speaker 5: walls she put between her and others. As Jesus spoke 487 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:25,160 Speaker 5: to the woman, his disciples were returning with lunch. They 488 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:28,720 Speaker 5: could see Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman and immediately 489 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 5: judged him. However, they said nothing. They couldn't hear their conversation. However, 490 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:36,800 Speaker 5: they saw the woman leap to her feet at something 491 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 5: Jesus said, and run off back to the city. The 492 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:43,600 Speaker 5: woman ran fast in at the city, knocking on every 493 00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:44,520 Speaker 5: door she could find. 494 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 7: I have found him, she yelled. Come and see for yourself. 495 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,800 Speaker 5: People began to emerge from their homes to see the commotion. 496 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:54,760 Speaker 7: You must meet this man by the well. He told 497 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 7: me everything about me. I believe he may be the Messiah. 498 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:02,160 Speaker 5: So many of the Samaritans dropped what they were doing 499 00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:05,800 Speaker 5: and came to Jesus. They sat at his feet and 500 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:09,520 Speaker 5: listened as he spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven. The 501 00:32:09,560 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 5: woman was front and center, beaming from ear to ear 502 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 5: at every word proceeding from Jesus's mouth. She was once 503 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:20,560 Speaker 5: an outcast, but in Jesus she found a sense of 504 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:27,040 Speaker 5: belonging and hope. Many heard and believed. Then, after two days, 505 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:32,400 Speaker 5: Jesus departed to Galilee. As Jesus and his followers came 506 00:32:32,440 --> 00:32:35,840 Speaker 5: to Galilee, word had spread that he had been preaching 507 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 5: new truths about the Kingdom of God. Eventually they reached 508 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:44,680 Speaker 5: a town called Copernium. Only moments had passed before Jesus 509 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:46,840 Speaker 5: heard the loud noise of a man yelling at the 510 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 5: distance Jesus. The voice yelled, Jesus, the group looked back 511 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,760 Speaker 5: and saw a portly man huffing his way up and incline. 512 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:59,400 Speaker 5: He was determined to reach them. Jesus stopped as the 513 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:00,600 Speaker 5: man fell his feet. 514 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:04,280 Speaker 3: Jesus, they said, you had come to Capernaum. 515 00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:07,280 Speaker 5: The man was out of breath and keeled over from running. 516 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 3: Please you must heal my son. He's dying. 517 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:16,560 Speaker 5: There were many who had approached Jesus, already asking for 518 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:20,680 Speaker 5: signs and wonders to prove himself. Jesus was not interested 519 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,800 Speaker 5: in being their magician or proving his deity to all 520 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:24,360 Speaker 5: who asked. 521 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 6: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not have faith. 522 00:33:28,560 --> 00:33:32,360 Speaker 5: Jesus said, beginning to walk away. The man was red 523 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,480 Speaker 5: and could barely stand, but he was able to raise 524 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:37,160 Speaker 5: himself and run after Jesus. 525 00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:40,200 Speaker 3: No, my lord, please. 526 00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:43,760 Speaker 5: The man fell on his face, whimpering from the pain. 527 00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:48,840 Speaker 3: My son, Please heal my son. Please come before I 528 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:49,520 Speaker 3: lose him. 529 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:54,200 Speaker 5: He begged. This was the heart Jesus desired. This man 530 00:33:54,320 --> 00:33:57,720 Speaker 5: genuinely desired for Jesus to use his power to heal, 531 00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:02,080 Speaker 5: not to put on a show prove a point. Jesus 532 00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:05,800 Speaker 5: knelt down and helped the man to his feet. He 533 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:10,120 Speaker 5: brushed the dust off his cloak and smiled, Go your 534 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:14,520 Speaker 5: son is healed, Jesus said. The man nodded and laughed. 535 00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:20,440 Speaker 5: That very hour, the man's son was healed. This was 536 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:24,520 Speaker 5: the second miracle performed by Jesus. This time it was 537 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:28,160 Speaker 5: in response to a father's heart for his son. This 538 00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:33,919 Speaker 5: was love, Jesus knew well. Eventually, Jesus made his way 539 00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:37,160 Speaker 5: to Nazareth alone. It had been a while since he 540 00:34:37,200 --> 00:34:41,240 Speaker 5: stepped foot in his home. Jesus walked down the bumpy road, 541 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:45,520 Speaker 5: greeting people as he passed. He passed the well where 542 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:48,920 Speaker 5: his mother would often take him as a boy. A 543 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,920 Speaker 5: few children came up to Jesus and climbed up onto 544 00:34:51,920 --> 00:34:56,560 Speaker 5: his shoulders. Jesus was beloved in his town. He and 545 00:34:56,600 --> 00:34:59,640 Speaker 5: his family were craftsmen and were very much loved by 546 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 5: every one. He visited his mother and siblings and enjoined 547 00:35:04,160 --> 00:35:08,640 Speaker 5: the quaint and quiet atmosphere. Jesus gazed out at the 548 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:12,120 Speaker 5: town where he grew up. It was dusty and dull, 549 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:16,680 Speaker 5: but brimming with potential. The next day, Jesus went to 550 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:20,480 Speaker 5: the synagogue. It was Sabbath, and it was custom for 551 00:35:20,520 --> 00:35:22,960 Speaker 5: one of the rabbis to stand up and read from 552 00:35:22,960 --> 00:35:26,360 Speaker 5: the word of God. Jesus stood up among the people 553 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:30,799 Speaker 5: he knew and loved and opened the scroll of Isaiah. 554 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:33,920 Speaker 5: The crowd smiled, pleased to see the son of Joseph 555 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:39,839 Speaker 5: back in their midst Jesus straightened the scroll and spoke clearly, saying. 556 00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:42,880 Speaker 6: The spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has 557 00:35:42,960 --> 00:35:45,720 Speaker 6: called me to proclaim good news to those who are poor. 558 00:35:46,520 --> 00:35:48,680 Speaker 6: He has sent me out so I may bring liberty 559 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:52,239 Speaker 6: to the captives, give the blind this sight, and set 560 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:56,600 Speaker 6: free all who are oppressed. It is I who proclaimed 561 00:35:56,600 --> 00:35:58,800 Speaker 6: the year of the Lord's favor. 562 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:02,600 Speaker 5: Jesus rolled up the scroll and stood before the congregation. 563 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:06,319 Speaker 5: He had just read a well known prophecy about the 564 00:36:06,360 --> 00:36:10,799 Speaker 5: mission of the Messiah. Jesus drew a deep breath and 565 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:12,080 Speaker 5: opened up his arms. 566 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:16,680 Speaker 6: Today, my friends, this scripture has been fulfilled. 567 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:21,120 Speaker 5: The crowd stirred a little. They looked at one another, perplexed. 568 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:24,480 Speaker 5: Did he just call himself the Messiah? One of them asked, 569 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:27,480 Speaker 5: isn't this Joseph's son. A few of them rose to 570 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:31,480 Speaker 5: their feet. Prove these claims to us, they shouted. The 571 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:34,720 Speaker 5: crowd continued to bicker and laugh at Jesus for saying 572 00:36:34,760 --> 00:36:37,520 Speaker 5: such nonsense. They had all known him since he was 573 00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:40,839 Speaker 5: a boy. To them, he was just the carpenter's son 574 00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:46,120 Speaker 5: and nothing else. Jesus sighed, I know many. 575 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:48,520 Speaker 6: Of you were looking for signs and wonders like the 576 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:52,360 Speaker 6: ones I performed in Capernaum. However, no prophet is accepted 577 00:36:52,360 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 6: in his hometown. Jesus shook his head, although I suppose 578 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:00,000 Speaker 6: it comes as no surprise. In the days of Elijah, 579 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:05,000 Speaker 6: many people had rejected his works, and many gentiles accepted them. 580 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 5: As Jesus said these things, the entire synagogue unleashed in 581 00:37:09,239 --> 00:37:13,440 Speaker 5: an uproar. Their objections grew violent, and they drove Jesus 582 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:17,160 Speaker 5: out of the building. Foaming with rage. The people cornered 583 00:37:17,239 --> 00:37:20,719 Speaker 5: Jesus to the brow of a hill. Jesus took a 584 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:24,160 Speaker 5: step back to see he had no more room. The 585 00:37:24,239 --> 00:37:28,560 Speaker 5: hill dropped off into a gorge below. They spat and 586 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:33,160 Speaker 5: clawed at Jesus, proclaiming deity over them. Jesus was backed 587 00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:36,319 Speaker 5: against the bluff. He looked at the steep drop right 588 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:40,399 Speaker 5: behind him. They were going to throw him off. Their 589 00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:44,120 Speaker 5: anger was from a deep well of insecurity. They could 590 00:37:44,160 --> 00:37:47,719 Speaker 5: not stand the thought of Jesus being elevated above them 591 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:51,680 Speaker 5: the mob lunged at him. In the fury, Jesus had 592 00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:54,760 Speaker 5: very little time to think. He jumped to the side, 593 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:58,839 Speaker 5: avoiding their initial attack. Jesus weaved through the crowd before 594 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:02,680 Speaker 5: any could grab him. He left Nazareth without a good bye. 595 00:38:03,360 --> 00:38:06,520 Speaker 5: He was now an outcast in his own town and 596 00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:12,680 Speaker 5: rejected by his own people. Days had passed, and Jesus 597 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:15,000 Speaker 5: was back in Jerusalem for the feast of the Jews. 598 00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:19,239 Speaker 5: By the sheep Gate there was a pool called Bethesda. 599 00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:23,360 Speaker 5: The pool was surrounded by five roofed colonnades that protected 600 00:38:23,360 --> 00:38:29,560 Speaker 5: the water below. Jesus drew closer to see hundreds of invalids, blind, lame, 601 00:38:29,640 --> 00:38:34,960 Speaker 5: and paralyzed surrounding the pools. Many loved ones were slowly 602 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:38,600 Speaker 5: leading them beside the water. It was believed back then 603 00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:41,160 Speaker 5: that an angel would stir up the water once a 604 00:38:41,239 --> 00:38:46,480 Speaker 5: year to heal the sick, lame, blind, and afflicted. It 605 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:50,040 Speaker 5: was a silly tradition, but Jesus admired the faith of 606 00:38:50,080 --> 00:38:52,280 Speaker 5: those who brought their loved ones down to the pool. 607 00:38:53,680 --> 00:38:57,239 Speaker 5: Jesus walked beside the pillars, observing those who had been 608 00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:03,279 Speaker 5: afflicted with disease, blindness, and other disabilities. His compassion was 609 00:39:03,320 --> 00:39:07,160 Speaker 5: stirred for them. As he was walking, he stumbled upon 610 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:09,719 Speaker 5: a man sitting on the floor with his back leaned 611 00:39:09,800 --> 00:39:13,840 Speaker 5: up against a pillar. The man's brow was furrowed and 612 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 5: his lips were clenched as he glared at people by 613 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:20,560 Speaker 5: the pool. Jesus could see that this man was an 614 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:24,359 Speaker 5: invalid and had been for quite some time. The man 615 00:39:24,480 --> 00:39:27,560 Speaker 5: lay there, steaming in anger towards the crowd of people. 616 00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:31,120 Speaker 5: Jesus sat beside the man and turned to him. 617 00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:32,960 Speaker 6: Do you want to be healed? 618 00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:37,400 Speaker 5: Jesus asked. The man's body was ravaged with sickness. His 619 00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:40,920 Speaker 5: eyes were weary, and he looked at Jesus with complete disdain. 620 00:39:41,520 --> 00:39:44,439 Speaker 3: There is no one to drop me in the pool. 621 00:39:44,280 --> 00:39:48,359 Speaker 5: The man said. He looked away from Jesus, longing after 622 00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:51,600 Speaker 5: the pool. Jesus could sense that there was a deep 623 00:39:51,680 --> 00:39:55,000 Speaker 5: desire to be healed, but also a desire for someone 624 00:39:55,040 --> 00:39:58,400 Speaker 5: to care enough to bring him to the pool. He 625 00:39:58,520 --> 00:40:00,920 Speaker 5: was an outcast even among the crippled. 626 00:40:01,560 --> 00:40:04,160 Speaker 3: Any time I have tried to go down to the pool, 627 00:40:05,280 --> 00:40:09,760 Speaker 3: another cuts in front of me. Why do I even bother? 628 00:40:10,360 --> 00:40:16,440 Speaker 5: The man said, his eyes watered from pain and anguish. 629 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:19,440 Speaker 5: Jesus stood to his feet. He had asked the man 630 00:40:19,640 --> 00:40:22,719 Speaker 5: if he wanted to be healed. Although the man did 631 00:40:22,760 --> 00:40:25,840 Speaker 5: not answer the question, Jesus knew the answer. 632 00:40:26,160 --> 00:40:30,240 Speaker 6: Will get up, then, gather your things, take your bed. 633 00:40:30,440 --> 00:40:33,640 Speaker 5: And walk. The man darted his eyes up, ready to yell, 634 00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:37,880 Speaker 5: but then he felt a jolt in his abdomen and legs. 635 00:40:39,320 --> 00:40:42,600 Speaker 5: A warm sensation rose from his toes to the top 636 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:46,560 Speaker 5: of his head. The man's eyes widened in radiant glee. 637 00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:49,600 Speaker 5: He could not believe what was happening. The man placed 638 00:40:49,640 --> 00:40:52,320 Speaker 5: his hands and knees on the floor, then slowly stood 639 00:40:52,320 --> 00:40:57,120 Speaker 5: to his feet. Tears streamed down his face. He lucked 640 00:40:57,160 --> 00:41:01,560 Speaker 5: up to thank Jesus, but he was gone. The man 641 00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:04,440 Speaker 5: took his bed and ran to the temple. His smile 642 00:41:04,520 --> 00:41:07,319 Speaker 5: was infectious as he danced in the temple courtyard like 643 00:41:07,360 --> 00:41:10,920 Speaker 5: a child. The religious leaders saw that he was carrying 644 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:12,600 Speaker 5: his bed and took notice. 645 00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:16,520 Speaker 3: You cannot carry something that large on the Sabbath. 646 00:41:16,360 --> 00:41:19,720 Speaker 5: They yelled. The man was too delighted by his freedom 647 00:41:19,760 --> 00:41:21,000 Speaker 5: to consider such things. 648 00:41:21,600 --> 00:41:21,880 Speaker 3: Ah Ha. 649 00:41:22,320 --> 00:41:25,239 Speaker 8: A few moments ago, I was unable to walk. A 650 00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:28,160 Speaker 8: man came and healed me, and he told me to 651 00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:31,640 Speaker 8: pick up my bed and go. So here I am 652 00:41:31,880 --> 00:41:33,440 Speaker 8: with my bed in my arms. 653 00:41:33,680 --> 00:41:37,600 Speaker 5: Unashamed, the man ran out of the temple courtyard, skipping 654 00:41:37,640 --> 00:41:40,840 Speaker 5: and humming with new life. As the man left the gates, 655 00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:44,120 Speaker 5: a figure caught his eye. It was him, the man 656 00:41:44,160 --> 00:41:48,279 Speaker 5: who healed him. The man walked towards Jesus, overjoyed to 657 00:41:48,320 --> 00:41:53,440 Speaker 5: see him again. Jesus smiled and gave him a fatherly hug. 658 00:41:54,239 --> 00:41:58,480 Speaker 6: Yes, you are well, Now go and sin no more. 659 00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:02,240 Speaker 5: The man went away and eventually told the religious leaders 660 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:06,120 Speaker 5: that it was Jesus who healed him. They scoffed that 661 00:42:06,200 --> 00:42:09,439 Speaker 5: Jesus would do such a thing on the Sabbath. Over 662 00:42:09,480 --> 00:42:12,719 Speaker 5: the years, the religious leaders had created a litany of 663 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:16,920 Speaker 5: unnecessary laws around the Sabbath. A man could not drag 664 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:20,280 Speaker 5: a chair across the dirt because it would be considered plowing. 665 00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:25,120 Speaker 5: So many rules, so much rigidity. The lack of joy 666 00:42:25,480 --> 00:42:28,880 Speaker 5: was choking the people of Israel, and Jesus was determined 667 00:42:28,920 --> 00:42:33,440 Speaker 5: to return them to the heart of God. Jesus stood 668 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:36,799 Speaker 5: before the religious leaders and said, plainly, my. 669 00:42:36,840 --> 00:42:40,239 Speaker 6: Father is working good things in his people, so why 670 00:42:40,320 --> 00:42:41,160 Speaker 6: shall do the same. 671 00:42:42,040 --> 00:42:45,759 Speaker 5: This was the heart of Jesus. He would extend his 672 00:42:45,920 --> 00:42:49,560 Speaker 5: reach to the outcasts. He would bring people back to 673 00:42:49,640 --> 00:42:54,120 Speaker 5: a pure and simple devotion to God. Not only this, 674 00:42:54,719 --> 00:42:58,239 Speaker 5: but he would do just as Isaiah prophesied. He would 675 00:42:58,320 --> 00:43:02,200 Speaker 5: proclaim good news to the poor. He would bring liberty 676 00:43:02,320 --> 00:43:05,760 Speaker 5: to the captives, he would restore sight to the blind. 677 00:43:06,200 --> 00:43:10,120 Speaker 5: And for all who felt oppressed, rejected, or unloved, he 678 00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:14,800 Speaker 5: would pour forth his liberating spirit. It was now time 679 00:43:15,080 --> 00:43:18,640 Speaker 5: for the Lord to do a new work for his people. 680 00:43:21,680 --> 00:43:25,279 Speaker 4: God's heart is for the outcast. This was exemplified in 681 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:28,840 Speaker 4: the very beginning with our prelude. He chose a forgotten 682 00:43:28,920 --> 00:43:32,160 Speaker 4: son of a herdsman to become king. King David's life 683 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:35,000 Speaker 4: and rise is a reminder to us that God cares 684 00:43:35,120 --> 00:43:39,000 Speaker 4: less about regality and religiosity and more about drawing close 685 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:42,160 Speaker 4: to the heart of his people. Jesus reflected the heart 686 00:43:42,200 --> 00:43:45,120 Speaker 4: of God in this episode, especially when he confronts the 687 00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:48,800 Speaker 4: money changes in the temple. Jesus noticed that the religious 688 00:43:48,880 --> 00:43:52,440 Speaker 4: leaders had created a system to exploit the outsiders and 689 00:43:52,480 --> 00:43:56,080 Speaker 4: the poor. Unless you were wealthy, established, and local, it 690 00:43:56,120 --> 00:43:58,280 Speaker 4: was very hard to make a sacrifice at the temple. 691 00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:02,120 Speaker 4: Barriers were created between people and God, and Jesus had 692 00:44:02,120 --> 00:44:05,040 Speaker 4: come to build bridges. It is rare when we get 693 00:44:05,080 --> 00:44:08,000 Speaker 4: to see Jesus angry, so when it happens, we must 694 00:44:08,040 --> 00:44:11,600 Speaker 4: pay attention. The exploitation of the poor and powerless drove 695 00:44:11,680 --> 00:44:15,840 Speaker 4: Jesus to rage. He flipped tables, coiled a whip, and 696 00:44:15,960 --> 00:44:19,960 Speaker 4: released the animals into the streets. The scriptures concerning worship 697 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:23,600 Speaker 4: and sacrifice were very clear. Everyone should be able to 698 00:44:23,680 --> 00:44:28,279 Speaker 4: come before God to repent. Jesus's mission was to make 699 00:44:28,320 --> 00:44:32,960 Speaker 4: God accessible to people of every culture, color, creed, and class. 700 00:44:33,760 --> 00:44:36,640 Speaker 4: Jesus violently flipping tables in the temple is a picture. 701 00:44:37,400 --> 00:44:40,920 Speaker 4: Just as Jesus destroyed these physical barriers between people and God, 702 00:44:41,320 --> 00:44:44,520 Speaker 4: he would also destroy the spiritual barriers between people and God. 703 00:44:45,040 --> 00:44:48,080 Speaker 4: The Cross of Christ was a proverbial flipping of tables, 704 00:44:48,400 --> 00:44:51,480 Speaker 4: breaking down the religious systems that kept people from a 705 00:44:51,520 --> 00:44:55,279 Speaker 4: connection with God. Jesus became a friend of the outcasts, 706 00:44:55,280 --> 00:44:58,800 Speaker 4: but an enemy of the establishment. The religious leaders questioned 707 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:02,920 Speaker 4: Jesus authority, unable to understand what he was saying. Jesus 708 00:45:02,920 --> 00:45:06,279 Speaker 4: often confused the self righteous, those who thought they were 709 00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:10,640 Speaker 4: morally superior struggle to understand the concept of grace. Jesus 710 00:45:10,640 --> 00:45:14,000 Speaker 4: will have an ongoing ideological battle with the religious leaders. 711 00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:18,200 Speaker 4: The tension between them represents the tension between the old 712 00:45:18,320 --> 00:45:21,320 Speaker 4: and new covenants and the battle we all have between 713 00:45:21,360 --> 00:45:24,880 Speaker 4: our own righteousness and the righteousness given by God. Not 714 00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:28,439 Speaker 4: all religious leaders hated Jesus, though one in particular found 715 00:45:28,440 --> 00:45:32,680 Speaker 4: his words and actions compelling. Nicodemus met with Jesus under 716 00:45:32,719 --> 00:45:37,240 Speaker 4: the cover of midnight, seeking answers to his questions. Jesus 717 00:45:37,280 --> 00:45:40,839 Speaker 4: was happy to oblige the conversation with Nicodemus gave us 718 00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:44,640 Speaker 4: the famous John three point sixteen for God soul loved 719 00:45:44,640 --> 00:45:47,840 Speaker 4: the world that he gave his only begotten son, that 720 00:45:47,920 --> 00:45:51,960 Speaker 4: whoever should believe in him will have everlasting life. Slowly, 721 00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:55,839 Speaker 4: but surely, Jesus is revealing to others and us who 722 00:45:55,880 --> 00:45:59,279 Speaker 4: he is. Nicodemus is astounded, but unable to make a 723 00:45:59,320 --> 00:46:02,719 Speaker 4: true commitment to Jesus. We see an important trait of 724 00:46:02,840 --> 00:46:06,239 Speaker 4: Jesus in this episode. He is always willing to engage 725 00:46:06,239 --> 00:46:09,839 Speaker 4: with the needy and the outcasts. This story highlighted three 726 00:46:09,880 --> 00:46:12,759 Speaker 4: times when Jesus was met by or went to meet 727 00:46:12,800 --> 00:46:15,560 Speaker 4: someone on the fringe. The first was the woman at 728 00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:18,919 Speaker 4: the Well. The Samaritan woman was rejected by her own 729 00:46:18,960 --> 00:46:21,919 Speaker 4: people due to her several affairs On top of that, 730 00:46:22,480 --> 00:46:25,520 Speaker 4: it was taboo for Jews to have any interaction with Samaritans, 731 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:29,480 Speaker 4: let alone a Samardian woman. Jesus's willingness to engage with 732 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:33,360 Speaker 4: this woman tells us at least three things. One, he 733 00:46:33,440 --> 00:46:36,759 Speaker 4: cares very little about societal norms, especially if they are 734 00:46:36,760 --> 00:46:40,319 Speaker 4: founded on prejudice. Two, he is willing to risk his 735 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:44,680 Speaker 4: reputation in order to connect with people that need him. Three, 736 00:46:44,760 --> 00:46:49,360 Speaker 4: he desires to cross cultural boundaries to make connections. Another 737 00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:52,360 Speaker 4: thing worth mentioning about this interaction is the water in 738 00:46:52,440 --> 00:46:55,360 Speaker 4: the well. Not only does Jesus use it as a 739 00:46:55,400 --> 00:46:58,640 Speaker 4: conversation starter to talk about living water in reference to 740 00:46:58,680 --> 00:47:01,799 Speaker 4: the Holy Spirit, but the act of drawing water is 741 00:47:01,960 --> 00:47:05,120 Speaker 4: in and of itself a picture. This woman had deep 742 00:47:05,239 --> 00:47:08,920 Speaker 4: hurt within her, Like water in a well, Jesus patiently 743 00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:13,040 Speaker 4: and methodically, without her noticing, draws water out of the 744 00:47:13,080 --> 00:47:16,160 Speaker 4: well in the same way he is drawing out her 745 00:47:16,239 --> 00:47:20,680 Speaker 4: pain and pasted to refresh and renew her soul. The 746 00:47:20,719 --> 00:47:23,880 Speaker 4: next interaction Jesus had with someone in need was the 747 00:47:23,920 --> 00:47:27,160 Speaker 4: man whose son needed healing. Jesus showed him and his 748 00:47:27,239 --> 00:47:30,799 Speaker 4: son mercy because he too has a father's heart. Let 749 00:47:30,840 --> 00:47:32,759 Speaker 4: me pause for a moment and remind you that God 750 00:47:32,800 --> 00:47:35,560 Speaker 4: loves you like a devoted father. Some of you had 751 00:47:35,600 --> 00:47:38,200 Speaker 4: wonderful fathers, and you understand in some way the love 752 00:47:38,239 --> 00:47:41,000 Speaker 4: of Christ. However, some of you might have grown up 753 00:47:41,000 --> 00:47:44,600 Speaker 4: without the love of your father. Beingcurriaged that God loves 754 00:47:44,640 --> 00:47:48,200 Speaker 4: you with an undying and devoted fatherly love. He went 755 00:47:48,239 --> 00:47:50,560 Speaker 4: to great lengths to tell you how much He loves you. 756 00:47:51,360 --> 00:47:54,279 Speaker 4: Jesus made sure this man wasn't asking for a sign 757 00:47:54,360 --> 00:47:57,480 Speaker 4: from him out of pettiness. The fatherly heart of this 758 00:47:57,640 --> 00:48:00,320 Speaker 4: man was drawn out, just like the broken heart the 759 00:48:00,360 --> 00:48:03,640 Speaker 4: woman at the well. Jesus rewarded him and his son 760 00:48:03,800 --> 00:48:07,200 Speaker 4: was healed. The final interaction Jesus had with someone on 761 00:48:07,280 --> 00:48:10,320 Speaker 4: the fringe was the invalid. He said by the pools, 762 00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:13,480 Speaker 4: bitter at the world, that he couldn't be healed. This 763 00:48:13,560 --> 00:48:16,480 Speaker 4: man wasn't just on the fringe because he was an invalid, 764 00:48:16,840 --> 00:48:20,880 Speaker 4: but he wasn't even accepted among the crippled community. Jesus 765 00:48:20,920 --> 00:48:23,560 Speaker 4: asked him a simple question, do you want to be healed? 766 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:27,120 Speaker 4: The answer to that question seems obvious, doesn't it. Of course, 767 00:48:27,200 --> 00:48:29,760 Speaker 4: this man wants to be healed, but instead of giving 768 00:48:29,760 --> 00:48:32,959 Speaker 4: a yes or no, the man explains how nobody cared 769 00:48:33,080 --> 00:48:36,200 Speaker 4: enough to lure him into the pool. To him, the 770 00:48:36,239 --> 00:48:38,960 Speaker 4: main reason he wasn't healed was because nobody paid attention 771 00:48:39,000 --> 00:48:42,360 Speaker 4: to him or showed him any mercy. Jesus was happy 772 00:48:42,360 --> 00:48:46,000 Speaker 4: to extend that mercy. The man walked, cheered, and ran 773 00:48:46,040 --> 00:48:49,080 Speaker 4: around proclaiming what had happened to him. I want to 774 00:48:49,120 --> 00:48:52,240 Speaker 4: point out an absurdity in this episode that can't go unnoticed. 775 00:48:52,800 --> 00:48:55,400 Speaker 4: The Pharisees, when seeing this man walking with his bed, 776 00:48:55,920 --> 00:49:00,520 Speaker 4: reprimand him for breaking the Sabbage traditions. Regulations like these 777 00:49:00,560 --> 00:49:03,719 Speaker 4: were not explicitly stated in the Law of Moses. Rather, 778 00:49:04,160 --> 00:49:06,879 Speaker 4: they were rules created by the religious leaders on top 779 00:49:06,920 --> 00:49:10,080 Speaker 4: of the law. In their attempt to be righteous, they 780 00:49:10,120 --> 00:49:13,320 Speaker 4: put undue burdens on people and kept them from closeness 781 00:49:13,360 --> 00:49:16,440 Speaker 4: with God. Conflicts around the Sabbath are going to be 782 00:49:16,520 --> 00:49:20,680 Speaker 4: a common occurrence between Jesus and the Pharisees. Look for 783 00:49:20,760 --> 00:49:24,480 Speaker 4: them as the series continues and ask yourself why Jesus 784 00:49:24,520 --> 00:49:28,480 Speaker 4: is so passionate about pushing the boundaries around Sabbath tradition. 785 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:32,640 Speaker 4: Also ask yourself why these men were so passionate about 786 00:49:32,680 --> 00:49:36,480 Speaker 4: the Sabbath. In future episodes, we will explore the conflicting 787 00:49:36,480 --> 00:49:40,759 Speaker 4: philosophies of Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. For now, 788 00:49:41,160 --> 00:49:43,120 Speaker 4: I want to leave you with a thought to ponder. 789 00:49:43,680 --> 00:49:46,600 Speaker 4: If Jesus is supposed to be a greater king than David, 790 00:49:46,920 --> 00:49:49,719 Speaker 4: what do you think about his kingdom so far? On 791 00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:53,680 Speaker 4: the surface, it doesn't seem very grand or powerful. If 792 00:49:53,800 --> 00:49:57,200 Speaker 4: Jesus is establishing a kingdom on earth, then what is 793 00:49:57,239 --> 00:50:01,239 Speaker 4: that kingdom supposed to look like? Jesus's actions thus far, 794 00:50:01,719 --> 00:50:04,400 Speaker 4: how are we supposed to participate in building the Kingdom 795 00:50:04,400 --> 00:50:08,480 Speaker 4: of God? Where we are in our homes, churches, workplaces, schools, 796 00:50:08,520 --> 00:50:12,600 Speaker 4: and communities. Ponder these things and pray that his kingdom 797 00:50:12,600 --> 00:50:14,600 Speaker 4: would come and His will would be done on earth 798 00:50:14,640 --> 00:50:18,480 Speaker 4: as it is in heaven. Amen. Thank you for joining 799 00:50:18,520 --> 00:50:22,920 Speaker 4: me for today's episode. In our next episode, Jesus's popularity 800 00:50:22,960 --> 00:50:25,840 Speaker 4: grows and with it his need for helpers. He chooses 801 00:50:25,840 --> 00:50:29,160 Speaker 4: some men to walk alongside him, learn and perform miracles. 802 00:50:29,719 --> 00:50:32,360 Speaker 4: What war is Philosophers or noblemen? Do you think Jesus 803 00:50:32,400 --> 00:50:36,520 Speaker 4: will choose? Find out an episode six the twelve. Thanks 804 00:50:36,520 --> 00:50:40,000 Speaker 4: again for listening for more inspiring stories, daily prayers and 805 00:50:40,040 --> 00:50:42,800 Speaker 4: wisdom to last A lifetime. Go to pray dot com 806 00:50:43,080 --> 00:50:46,239 Speaker 4: and to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download 807 00:50:46,520 --> 00:50:50,319 Speaker 4: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org 808 00:50:50,440 --> 00:50:53,840 Speaker 4: Forward slash Heroes. Please write a review and let me 809 00:50:53,960 --> 00:50:57,520 Speaker 4: know how Jesus in this podcast has impacted your life. 810 00:50:57,680 --> 00:50:58,280 Speaker 4: God bless