1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:03,820 Speaker 1: But whoever desires to become great among you shall be 2 00:00:03,860 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: your servant. Matthew 20.26 Lord Jesus, we thank you for 3 00:00:11,380 --> 00:00:16,419 Speaker 1: your profound example in Matthew 20.26 where you taught us 4 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,860 Speaker 1: that whoever wants to become great among you must be 5 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:25,900 Speaker 1: your servant. We are deeply grateful for the ultimate act 6 00:00:25,940 --> 00:00:29,650 Speaker 1: of service you showed on the cross. laying down your 7 00:00:29,710 --> 00:00:36,740 Speaker 1: life for us. Your love and humility inspire us to 8 00:00:36,820 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: serve others selflessly. Holy Spirit, empower us to follow in Jesus' footsteps, 9 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,900 Speaker 1: giving us hearts that seek to serve rather than be served. 10 00:00:51,930 --> 00:00:58,170 Speaker 1: Fill us with compassion, patience, and kindness. so that we 11 00:00:58,230 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: may uplift and care for those around us. Let our 12 00:01:03,980 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: actions reflect your love, bringing glory to God and drawing 13 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:17,690 Speaker 1: others closer to you. In your precious name we pray. Amen. 14 00:01:22,030 --> 00:01:25,449 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 15 00:01:25,470 --> 00:01:30,660 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini-series on the 16 00:01:30,750 --> 00:01:34,820 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 17 00:01:35,380 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: we would love it if you left a review. Doing 18 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,340 Speaker 1: so makes a huge impact on our team. 19 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:49,420 Speaker 2: This is your final warning, Peter and John. Leave here 20 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,290 Speaker 2: and do not mention Jesus of Nazareth again. 21 00:01:53,890 --> 00:01:57,390 Speaker 1: Neither man said a word in response. There was no 22 00:01:57,490 --> 00:02:02,270 Speaker 1: nod of recognition or acknowledgement. They were impassive and allowed 23 00:02:02,310 --> 00:02:06,410 Speaker 1: the guards to throw them outside. Saul slipped out of 24 00:02:06,450 --> 00:02:09,190 Speaker 1: the back of the hall into the courtyard and watched 25 00:02:09,230 --> 00:02:12,630 Speaker 1: the men get thrown into the dirt. He was curious 26 00:02:12,690 --> 00:02:16,190 Speaker 1: to see what these men would do next. Would they 27 00:02:16,290 --> 00:02:22,220 Speaker 1: remain there in defeat? Would they curse God and the temple? No, 28 00:02:22,860 --> 00:02:27,770 Speaker 1: they neither wept nor cursed. Saul watched curiously as they 29 00:02:27,830 --> 00:02:31,889 Speaker 1: helped each other up and dusted themselves off. The man 30 00:02:31,990 --> 00:02:35,350 Speaker 1: called Peter held his ribs as he laughed. 31 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,620 Speaker 3: I have been beaten many times in my life, John. 32 00:02:43,340 --> 00:02:47,540 Speaker 3: But this is the first time I am pleased by it. 33 00:02:49,150 --> 00:02:53,050 Speaker 2: We suffer as he suffered. Come, let's go back to 34 00:02:53,090 --> 00:02:55,010 Speaker 2: the courtyards. We have much to do. 35 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: The two men limped away, holding each other up shoulder 36 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: to shoulder. Saul was both perplexed and annoyed. How could 37 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:08,850 Speaker 1: they be so joyful after such a brutal beating? Didn't 38 00:03:08,889 --> 00:03:13,150 Speaker 1: they learn their lesson? By responding to judgment with joy, 39 00:03:13,889 --> 00:03:18,070 Speaker 1: they removed the power of punishment. If beating them didn't 40 00:03:18,130 --> 00:03:23,169 Speaker 1: deter them, then what would? Quiet contempt began to already 41 00:03:23,290 --> 00:03:29,010 Speaker 1: settle in Saul's heart. His predisposition to righteous rage flared. 42 00:03:30,030 --> 00:03:33,700 Speaker 1: He straightened his robes and went back into the hall 43 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: of polished stones. 44 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,860 Speaker 4: Let me ask you a question. What does it mean 45 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 4: to be great in God's kingdom? Are those who occupy 46 00:03:43,090 --> 00:03:46,370 Speaker 4: the stage and have thousands of followers complimenting them really 47 00:03:46,430 --> 00:03:49,990 Speaker 4: considered great in God's eyes? Jesus said that those who 48 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:52,130 Speaker 4: want to be great in God's kingdom are must not 49 00:03:52,150 --> 00:03:55,210 Speaker 4: be rulers, must not have a big stick that they 50 00:03:55,270 --> 00:03:59,420 Speaker 4: wave around, but they must be servants. Welcome to the 51 00:03:59,460 --> 00:04:04,420 Speaker 4: Jesus Podcast. This podcast is centered around finding gospel stories 52 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,300 Speaker 4: and reimagining them in different ways with cinematic flair and 53 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 4: dramatic tension. Then we have short but wonderful reflections that 54 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,010 Speaker 4: help apply these stories to our lives. If you've been 55 00:04:16,050 --> 00:04:18,570 Speaker 4: enjoying this podcast so far, make sure to follow it 56 00:04:18,589 --> 00:04:21,370 Speaker 4: so you never have to miss an episode. Today, we 57 00:04:21,450 --> 00:04:24,390 Speaker 4: dive back into the life of Saul of Tarsus. From 58 00:04:24,410 --> 00:04:26,670 Speaker 4: what we know of scripture and history, Saul was chosen 59 00:04:26,730 --> 00:04:29,890 Speaker 4: by the high priest to persecute the early church. This 60 00:04:29,930 --> 00:04:32,190 Speaker 4: was no doubt because of Saul's skill in debating the 61 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 4: law of Moses and his charismatic teaching style. But there 62 00:04:35,450 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 4: was another quality about Saul of Tarsus that made him 63 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,500 Speaker 4: enticing for the Sanhedrin to choose him. He was a 64 00:04:41,820 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 4: Roman citizen. Through Roman rites and connections, Saul could get 65 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,500 Speaker 4: away with a lot more. Let's dive into this dramatized 66 00:04:49,620 --> 00:04:52,780 Speaker 4: adaptation of Saul being chosen. In this, he'll meet a 67 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:54,940 Speaker 4: man who may not be great in the eyes of men, 68 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:57,779 Speaker 4: but is certainly great in the kingdom of God. 69 00:05:00,470 --> 00:05:03,810 Speaker 2: Saul of Tarsus, if you were only here a few 70 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:06,990 Speaker 2: moments ago, you would have seen why we've called you here. 71 00:05:07,010 --> 00:05:12,350 Speaker 3: I saw the whole thing. Where did these men come from? 72 00:05:12,940 --> 00:05:18,020 Speaker 2: Their so-called Messiah was from Nazareth. A dirty region from 73 00:05:18,060 --> 00:05:24,650 Speaker 2: an even dirtier place. You have missed much since being gone, Saul. Come, 74 00:05:25,310 --> 00:05:27,630 Speaker 2: I shall inform you of what has taken place. 75 00:05:28,270 --> 00:05:31,550 Speaker 1: Ananias took Saul by the arm and led him out 76 00:05:31,589 --> 00:05:35,589 Speaker 1: of the great hall. Saul glanced at Gamaliel for a moment, 77 00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: then turned away. Gamaliel's advocacy for men had lost him 78 00:05:40,940 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: the respect of Saul and many others. Ananias walked with 79 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:49,140 Speaker 1: Saul and told him about Jesus of Nazareth. He told 80 00:05:49,190 --> 00:05:52,810 Speaker 1: him about how Jesus had come from nowhere and gathered 81 00:05:52,850 --> 00:05:57,150 Speaker 1: a large following of people. The high priest recounted Jesus' 82 00:05:57,230 --> 00:06:01,849 Speaker 1: Sabbath miracles and blasphemous preaching. He told Saul about the 83 00:06:01,890 --> 00:06:04,910 Speaker 1: two times he caused an uproar in the temple courtyards 84 00:06:05,470 --> 00:06:08,710 Speaker 1: and threatened to destroy the temple altogether. 85 00:06:09,010 --> 00:06:12,210 Speaker 2: We had no choice but to rid ourselves of him. 86 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:16,429 Speaker 2: He claimed to be God And people worshipped him as God. 87 00:06:17,150 --> 00:06:19,599 Speaker 2: There was no way we could allow him to continue 88 00:06:19,660 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: corrupting the people's minds. 89 00:06:22,020 --> 00:06:27,020 Speaker 3: So, why not kill his followers and be done with it? 90 00:06:27,660 --> 00:06:29,700 Speaker 1: Ananias grinned at the young man's zeal. 91 00:06:30,610 --> 00:06:35,650 Speaker 2: Ah, Saul, your heart burns with the justice of Yahweh. 92 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:39,210 Speaker 2: That is why we have summoned you here. I need 93 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 2: a man at the front. I need someone to do 94 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:45,580 Speaker 2: battle for the hearts and minds of our people. Every day, 95 00:06:46,220 --> 00:06:50,980 Speaker 2: hundreds are converting to this new way. They are calling 96 00:06:51,060 --> 00:06:55,020 Speaker 2: this dead Nazarene the Messiah. We need a man of 97 00:06:55,060 --> 00:06:58,540 Speaker 2: your debating prowess at the courtyards making a case against them. 98 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: The Sanhedrin were still discussing the people of the way. 99 00:07:06,450 --> 00:07:10,250 Speaker 1: Paul finally made himself known to the high priest and Sanhedrin. 100 00:07:11,090 --> 00:07:15,550 Speaker 1: He walked with intention, keeping his shoulders back and chin up. 101 00:07:16,250 --> 00:07:19,820 Speaker 1: The council Ananias looked over his shoulder and brought Saul 102 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: in close. 103 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:24,220 Speaker 2: But we also need your connections as a Roman citizen. 104 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:28,460 Speaker 2: We cannot simply remove people from their homes and imprison 105 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:33,060 Speaker 2: them without the approval of Rome. We need your citizenship 106 00:07:33,110 --> 00:07:37,500 Speaker 2: to leverage the local centurions, We cannot squash these people 107 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:38,060 Speaker 2: without you. 108 00:07:38,780 --> 00:07:39,820 Speaker 3: Where should I begin? 109 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:44,020 Speaker 2: These men still pray at the temple and attend synagogue 110 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 2: as if they still worship our Lord. Afterwards, they spread 111 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:53,950 Speaker 2: their venomous blasphemies in the courtyards. Remain there and contend 112 00:07:54,030 --> 00:07:56,650 Speaker 2: with them so we do not lose any more ground. 113 00:07:57,590 --> 00:08:00,190 Speaker 2: As soon as everything is ready, I will summon you 114 00:08:00,270 --> 00:08:02,470 Speaker 2: to begin worshiping. The Inquisition. 115 00:08:03,230 --> 00:08:06,270 Speaker 1: Saul nodded in agreement, and then began to walk out. 116 00:08:06,930 --> 00:08:09,250 Speaker 1: As he was leaving, Ananias. 117 00:08:08,790 --> 00:08:14,390 Speaker 2: Warned, Be prudent, Saul of Tarsus. These men, as filthy 118 00:08:14,470 --> 00:08:18,420 Speaker 2: and uneducated as they are, hold a similar power as 119 00:08:18,450 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 2: their master. Even some of our priests have fallen under 120 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 2: their spell. Do not underestimate them. 121 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:31,300 Speaker 1: Saul bowed his head again in acknowledgement, and departed. Saul 122 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: had trained his whole life to take his place in 123 00:08:34,300 --> 00:08:38,060 Speaker 1: the Hall of Polished Stones. Now that he had finally arrived, 124 00:08:38,620 --> 00:08:42,420 Speaker 1: there was a looming threat to his power. These followers 125 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:47,099 Speaker 1: of Jesus needed to be silenced so Paul could ultimately 126 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: rule in peace. Saul rose early in the morning before sunrise. 127 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,930 Speaker 1: The crisp air bit at his cheeks, and the gentle 128 00:08:58,030 --> 00:09:02,290 Speaker 1: autumn breeze wafted through the lattice. He wrapped himself up 129 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 1: and looked out to the city below. He couldn't sleep. 130 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: He was anxiously discontent. His heart raged against an unknown foe. 131 00:09:12,700 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: He had barely witnessed the people of the way, yet 132 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: already hated them. The smiles of those two men, after 133 00:09:20,140 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 1: they were beaten, kept coming back to his mind. 134 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,199 Speaker 3: Those arrogant blasphemers. 135 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: He dressed himself in the blue-fringed robe of the Pharisees, 136 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: and placed his leather amulet around his white turban. He 137 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:37,830 Speaker 1: tucked scrolls under his arm and straightened his back. He 138 00:09:37,870 --> 00:09:40,449 Speaker 1: left his home and walked the streets in the quietness 139 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:44,969 Speaker 1: of dawn. The sun's warm touch kissed the earth below, 140 00:09:46,030 --> 00:09:49,290 Speaker 1: and light drifted through the city of Jerusalem like a 141 00:09:49,350 --> 00:09:53,150 Speaker 1: trickling stream. Saul was on his way to the synagogue 142 00:09:53,190 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: of the freedmen, where Hellenistic Jews, such as himself, went 143 00:09:58,030 --> 00:10:01,929 Speaker 1: to worship and hear from the law. Saul was a 144 00:10:02,010 --> 00:10:05,870 Speaker 1: local celebrity there, and hundreds of people flocked to listen 145 00:10:05,910 --> 00:10:09,620 Speaker 1: to him teach. Saul knew he needed to build a 146 00:10:09,700 --> 00:10:13,980 Speaker 1: base against the people of the way. If the Sanhedrin 147 00:10:14,020 --> 00:10:17,020 Speaker 1: were going to be successful against them, he needed to 148 00:10:17,100 --> 00:10:21,550 Speaker 1: rally more people and stir them up. Saul marched through 149 00:10:21,610 --> 00:10:26,020 Speaker 1: the city streets, ignoring the blind and sick beggars calling 150 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:26,460 Speaker 1: out to him. 151 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 3: If they or their parents hadn't sinned, they wouldn't be 152 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 3: in such a predicament. 153 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:37,090 Speaker 1: Saul often thought to himself. It was a convenient excuse 154 00:10:37,150 --> 00:10:40,830 Speaker 1: for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate, an excuse 155 00:10:40,910 --> 00:10:45,290 Speaker 1: Jesus had refuted only a couple of years before. But 156 00:10:45,350 --> 00:10:48,230 Speaker 1: Saul was not there when Jesus walked those same streets. 157 00:10:49,340 --> 00:10:52,220 Speaker 1: Saul wished he had been there to see Jesus himself. 158 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: He fantasized about what he would have said. Saul hadn't 159 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,230 Speaker 1: been there to argue against him. He had not been 160 00:11:00,270 --> 00:11:03,870 Speaker 1: there to question him on his credentials. Nor had Saul 161 00:11:03,890 --> 00:11:07,070 Speaker 1: been there to conspire against him with Caiaphas and the 162 00:11:07,110 --> 00:11:11,020 Speaker 1: other members of the council. He wished he had. Perhaps 163 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: the movement of his disciples would not have been as significant. 164 00:11:15,300 --> 00:11:19,959 Speaker 1: Saul pondered these things and continued to strut toward the synagogue. 165 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: Lost in thought, he did not notice the man walking 166 00:11:24,260 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 1: towards him with a basket of bread and cakes. The 167 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:30,380 Speaker 1: two of them bumped into each other and stumbled to 168 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,660 Speaker 1: the ground. The basket of bread and cakes fell onto 169 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 1: the floor. Saul brushed off his robes and huffed. 170 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:38,540 Speaker 3: What were you going? 171 00:11:39,300 --> 00:11:40,199 Speaker 2: Sorry about that, Rabbi. 172 00:11:41,210 --> 00:11:44,170 Speaker 1: The young man smiled. He helped Saul to his feet 173 00:11:44,750 --> 00:11:46,510 Speaker 1: and helped dust off his nice robes. 174 00:11:47,550 --> 00:11:49,910 Speaker 5: This basket was so full of fig cakes and bread 175 00:11:49,990 --> 00:11:52,070 Speaker 5: I could barely see where I was going. 176 00:11:52,690 --> 00:11:55,660 Speaker 1: The young man picked up the fallen loaves and placed 177 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: them back in the basket. He looked Saul up and 178 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:02,940 Speaker 1: down and tilted his head. He observed Saul's blue robe 179 00:12:03,340 --> 00:12:03,980 Speaker 1: and the amulet. 180 00:12:04,820 --> 00:12:04,900 Speaker 2: Ah! 181 00:12:05,610 --> 00:12:09,010 Speaker 5: You are a Pharisee, a man commissioned by God to 182 00:12:09,070 --> 00:12:10,050 Speaker 5: minister to the people. 183 00:12:10,530 --> 00:12:14,030 Speaker 1: Saul couldn't help but smile at the recognition. He bowed 184 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: his head and nodded. The young man grinned ear to 185 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,179 Speaker 1: ear and placed a few of the loaves of bread 186 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 1: in his arms. 187 00:12:21,780 --> 00:12:24,780 Speaker 5: That's perfect. Surely a man of God like you has 188 00:12:24,820 --> 00:12:25,620 Speaker 5: time to help me. 189 00:12:26,500 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 3: Excuse me? 190 00:12:27,179 --> 00:12:28,980 Speaker 2: It will only take a moment. 191 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:30,579 Speaker 5: Come, come quickly around the corner. 192 00:12:31,460 --> 00:12:34,610 Speaker 1: Saul, confused and taken back by the arrogance of this 193 00:12:34,660 --> 00:12:38,220 Speaker 1: young man, followed him with loaves of bread in his hands. 194 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: Around the corner was a group of beggars, some blind, 195 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,979 Speaker 1: some lame, and some sick. The sun had not yet 196 00:12:47,059 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 1: touched the alley, and it was cold and damp. Saul 197 00:12:51,140 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 1: stopped and watched the young man bend to the people 198 00:12:54,179 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: and serve them cakes and loaves. The children flocked to 199 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:02,210 Speaker 1: see him, jumped on his back. The elderly tugged at 200 00:13:02,250 --> 00:13:04,250 Speaker 1: his robe and asked him to pray for them. 201 00:13:04,890 --> 00:13:05,650 Speaker 2: And he did. 202 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: He knelt down to each of them and gave them 203 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:13,140 Speaker 1: a blessing before giving them food. Once the basket was empty, 204 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:16,140 Speaker 1: he walked back to Saul and took the bread out 205 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 1: of his hands. 206 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 2: Thank you, Rabbi. 207 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 5: Would you like to stay and help some more? These 208 00:13:21,059 --> 00:13:23,229 Speaker 5: people would love to hear a blessing from the law. 209 00:13:23,830 --> 00:13:26,710 Speaker 1: Saul looked over the man's shoulder and peered at him. 210 00:13:27,990 --> 00:13:30,510 Speaker 3: They shall be working for their bread like the rest 211 00:13:30,550 --> 00:13:33,309 Speaker 3: of us. If you really want to give to God, 212 00:13:33,350 --> 00:13:36,530 Speaker 3: you should offer it to the temple. The Lord declares 213 00:13:36,620 --> 00:13:40,260 Speaker 3: in Malachi, Bring your full tithe into the storehouse, that 214 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,980 Speaker 3: there may be food in my house. Put me to 215 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 3: the test, if I will not open the windows of 216 00:13:45,460 --> 00:13:47,900 Speaker 3: heaven for you and pour down you a blessing. 217 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,660 Speaker 5: The Lord has blessed me with plenty. As the law says, 218 00:13:52,420 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 5: I gave to the temple, and now it is a 219 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:58,210 Speaker 5: joy to share even more of my abundance with those 220 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:02,900 Speaker 5: in need. After all, The scriptures tell us a generous 221 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 5: person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will he himself 222 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 5: be refreshed. 223 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:13,460 Speaker 1: The young man's response surprised Saul. He was about the 224 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:18,770 Speaker 1: same age as him, and a quick thinker. Sensing Saul's confusion, 225 00:14:19,370 --> 00:14:20,550 Speaker 1: the man spoke again. 226 00:14:21,110 --> 00:14:24,610 Speaker 5: The Lord also says whoever wants to become great must 227 00:14:24,650 --> 00:14:25,690 Speaker 5: be a servant of all. 228 00:14:26,330 --> 00:14:29,370 Speaker 1: Saul peered at the smiling stranger and scoffed. 229 00:14:29,970 --> 00:14:30,110 Speaker 5: Huh. 230 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,980 Speaker 3: I am a Pharisee and know all the law and 231 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 3: the prophets. I do not recall any Moses, David, or 232 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 3: the prophets saying those words. 233 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,340 Speaker 1: The young man tried to hide his enthusiastic grin. 234 00:14:43,860 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 5: You will know soon enough where those words come from. 235 00:14:46,710 --> 00:14:49,450 Speaker 5: But for now, I will let you go. I'm sure 236 00:14:49,490 --> 00:14:51,390 Speaker 5: you have a very busy day ahead of you teaching 237 00:14:51,410 --> 00:14:52,070 Speaker 5: in the synagogue. 238 00:14:52,690 --> 00:14:55,570 Speaker 1: The young man bowed and began walking back with the bread. 239 00:14:56,510 --> 00:14:59,910 Speaker 1: Saul was intrigued by the energy of this man. It 240 00:14:59,970 --> 00:15:04,450 Speaker 1: challenged him in an uncomfortable way. He looked down at 241 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:07,260 Speaker 1: the bread, then counted the remaining people. 242 00:15:09,460 --> 00:15:11,900 Speaker 3: You will not have enough for all of them. There 243 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:15,020 Speaker 3: are only a few loaves of bread left, and dozens 244 00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 3: of people here. 245 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:20,260 Speaker 1: The man paused and gave an even larger smile. He 246 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: chuckled and nodded his head. 247 00:15:22,300 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 5: I think we'll have enough. 248 00:15:23,870 --> 00:15:26,910 Speaker 1: Before turning back, he slapped his palm on his head. 249 00:15:27,270 --> 00:15:27,910 Speaker 1: How rude of me. 250 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,260 Speaker 5: Rabbi did not even ask your name. 251 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 3: Saul of Tarsus. 252 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 2: Shalom, Saul. I am Stephen. 253 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:37,740 Speaker 5: God be with you as you go to teach. 254 00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:41,060 Speaker 1: Stephen went back and continued to pass out food to 255 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: the people. Saul rolled his eyes and began walking back. However, 256 00:15:46,970 --> 00:15:50,730 Speaker 1: something caught the corner of his eye before leaving. He 257 00:15:50,770 --> 00:15:55,090 Speaker 1: turned around and took another look. Stephen had fed all 258 00:15:55,150 --> 00:15:58,070 Speaker 1: the people and was going back to give them seconds. 259 00:15:59,220 --> 00:16:03,310 Speaker 1: Somehow there was enough food for all of them. Saul 260 00:16:03,330 --> 00:16:07,950 Speaker 1: was confused, but too prideful to ask questions. He shook 261 00:16:07,990 --> 00:16:11,830 Speaker 1: his head and continued on his way to the synagogue. 262 00:16:14,110 --> 00:16:15,830 Speaker 4: All right, all right. So we know what you might 263 00:16:15,850 --> 00:16:18,590 Speaker 4: be thinking. That was a lot of creative license taken 264 00:16:18,610 --> 00:16:21,350 Speaker 4: in this episode. You see, these interactions that Saul has 265 00:16:21,370 --> 00:16:23,729 Speaker 4: with the high priest and with Stephen were definitely made 266 00:16:23,770 --> 00:16:26,850 Speaker 4: up by us. But there were some key biblical themes 267 00:16:26,910 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 4: explored in this episode that we can focus on. First, 268 00:16:29,860 --> 00:16:32,220 Speaker 4: we want to revisit what it means to be great. 269 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:35,380 Speaker 4: We've talked about this in previous episodes, especially when Jesus 270 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 4: is washing the feet of his disciples or helping the 271 00:16:38,380 --> 00:16:42,690 Speaker 4: downcast and the lonely. We know that Jesus defines greatness differently. 272 00:16:43,130 --> 00:16:45,310 Speaker 4: You see, for so long, Saul wanted to be great. 273 00:16:45,810 --> 00:16:47,910 Speaker 4: We know from church history that Saul was vying for 274 00:16:47,930 --> 00:16:50,710 Speaker 4: a position on the Sanhedrin, the greats of the greats 275 00:16:50,750 --> 00:16:53,910 Speaker 4: of the Jewish religion. If Pharisees were lawyers and judges, 276 00:16:54,110 --> 00:16:58,570 Speaker 4: then the Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court. Saul finally had 277 00:16:58,630 --> 00:17:01,470 Speaker 4: his chance to be recognized, and on his way, he 278 00:17:01,530 --> 00:17:05,310 Speaker 4: stumbled upon a man named Stephen. We've met Stephen already. 279 00:17:05,690 --> 00:17:07,590 Speaker 4: We know that his primary role in the church was 280 00:17:07,630 --> 00:17:11,020 Speaker 4: to serve food to the needy. The contrast between Saul 281 00:17:11,060 --> 00:17:13,300 Speaker 4: and Stephen is supposed to draw something out of us 282 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 4: and beg the question, what does it mean to be great? 283 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:21,620 Speaker 4: Jesus said this in Matthew 20, 25-28. Jesus called his 284 00:17:21,660 --> 00:17:24,300 Speaker 4: disciples together and said, You know that the rulers of 285 00:17:24,340 --> 00:17:27,510 Speaker 4: the Gentiles lorded over them. and their high officials exercise 286 00:17:27,550 --> 00:17:31,250 Speaker 4: authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants 287 00:17:31,290 --> 00:17:33,730 Speaker 4: to become great among you must be your servant, and 288 00:17:33,770 --> 00:17:36,770 Speaker 4: whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just 289 00:17:36,830 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 4: as the Son of Man did not come to be served, 290 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,460 Speaker 4: but to serve, and to give his life as a 291 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 4: ransom for many. Jesus defined greatness by one's sacrifice. While 292 00:17:46,700 --> 00:17:49,540 Speaker 4: the world seeks to define greatness by what one can get, 293 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 4: Jesus flips the concept and declares greatness is gained in 294 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,489 Speaker 4: what we give. Saul is going to wrestle with this 295 00:17:56,530 --> 00:17:59,409 Speaker 4: concept in the next few episodes, but not before Stephen 296 00:17:59,450 --> 00:18:02,810 Speaker 4: makes the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel. Join us for 297 00:18:02,850 --> 00:18:05,899 Speaker 4: our next episode where Stephen meets the bitter end, all 298 00:18:05,940 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 4: the while Saul stands and watches with twisted glee. Thank 299 00:18:09,580 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 4: you from the bottom of our hearts for listening to 300 00:18:11,820 --> 00:18:14,619 Speaker 4: this podcast. We put a lot of time and effort 301 00:18:14,700 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 4: into these reflections and into these dramatized stories. If you're 302 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 4: interested in any of the other content that we create 303 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:24,020 Speaker 4: with cinematic flair and honest reflection, you can check out 304 00:18:24,060 --> 00:18:26,419 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year with Pastor Jack Graham. You can 305 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 4: look at Heroes in the Bible with Tony Evans and 306 00:18:28,420 --> 00:18:31,010 Speaker 4: Ed Young. And you can keep an eye out for 307 00:18:31,050 --> 00:18:34,030 Speaker 4: a new podcast coming out with the International Fellowship of 308 00:18:34,070 --> 00:18:37,109 Speaker 4: Christians and Jews called The Chosen People.