WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 30 - 7:30 pm 0:00:01.430 --> 0:00:04.950 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John 0:00:05.010 --> 0:00:08.770 his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, 0:00:09.690 --> 0:00:16.430 and was transfigured before them. Matthew 17, 1 and 2 0:00:16.470 --> 0:00:20.550 Like Peter, James, and John, I thank you, Jesus, that 0:00:20.570 --> 0:00:25.730 you are giving me uncommon access to understanding and experiencing 0:00:25.790 --> 0:00:31.070 you in new and powerful ways. I praise you for 0:00:31.090 --> 0:00:35.890 your continued desire to take me higher and deeper into 0:00:35.930 --> 0:00:39.529 the things of the Lord. In the same way that 0:00:39.590 --> 0:00:43.150 you were transfigured, Jesus, I thank you that I am 0:00:43.210 --> 0:00:47.240 being transformed into the very likeness and image of you. 0:00:49.420 --> 0:00:53.240 In the same way our Heavenly Father validated your purpose, Jesus, 0:00:53.659 --> 0:00:58.160 with John the Baptist, I also am recognizing the validation 0:00:58.420 --> 0:01:01.780 I have from you, Lord, to be seen and heard. 0:01:03.300 --> 0:01:07.860 Transform me from the inside out, and let me bring 0:01:08.020 --> 0:01:11.199 others who are close to me in on the journey 0:01:11.800 --> 0:01:13.399 of a transformed life. 0:01:15.780 --> 0:01:19.010 In Jesus' name. Amen. 0:01:19.990 --> 0:01:23.569 Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 0:01:23.610 --> 0:01:27.690 told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 0:01:30.620 --> 0:01:30.979 I'm Dr. 0:01:31.020 --> 0:01:33.200 Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you to join me 0:01:33.319 --> 0:01:37.459 on Heroes in the Bible, Jesus. Please follow this podcast 0:01:37.520 --> 0:01:40.620 on Apple or Spotify to get the latest episodes so 0:01:40.670 --> 0:01:45.350 you can continue strengthening your relationship with Jesus. Welcome to 0:01:45.370 --> 0:01:47.850 the greatest story ever told. It is a tale of 0:01:47.910 --> 0:01:50.350 a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for 0:01:50.370 --> 0:01:54.010 his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. 0:01:54.700 --> 0:01:57.200 This is a story that continues to shape and mold 0:01:57.260 --> 0:02:00.400 the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God 0:02:00.480 --> 0:02:04.630 right into the hearts of you and me. In this episode, Jesus' 0:02:04.730 --> 0:02:08.609 identity is revealed in splendor. Up until now, the true 0:02:08.650 --> 0:02:11.650 nature of Jesus has been somewhat hidden, as if a 0:02:11.669 --> 0:02:15.230 thin veil has been hiding parts of his deity. This 0:02:15.350 --> 0:02:19.800 episode culminates in a grand revelation of Christ's divine nature. 0:02:20.320 --> 0:02:24.630 Before we get there, though, Jesus wrestles, metaphorically speaking, with 0:02:24.650 --> 0:02:29.010 the Pharisees and religious leaders. Their hardened hearts and dogmatic 0:02:29.050 --> 0:02:33.470 beliefs have entrenched them in bitterness. Even as Jesus clearly 0:02:33.530 --> 0:02:36.470 shows himself to be the Messiah, they do not allow 0:02:36.510 --> 0:02:39.800 themselves to see it. This episode will offer us some 0:02:39.900 --> 0:02:43.320 grand revelations about Jesus, but it will also give us 0:02:43.340 --> 0:02:46.400 some warnings. I will do my best to walk you 0:02:46.440 --> 0:02:51.040 through these revelations and warnings after the episode. Before the episode, 0:02:51.300 --> 0:02:54.360 we have a prelude. a story captured from a different 0:02:54.400 --> 0:02:58.140 time and space. We will meet the great prophet Elijah 0:02:58.600 --> 0:03:01.530 and his battle with the prophets of Baal. The name 0:03:01.570 --> 0:03:04.209 of Elijah will be mentioned quite a bit in this episode, 0:03:04.250 --> 0:03:07.810 so pay close attention and listen carefully for the connections 0:03:07.850 --> 0:03:10.450 between him and Jesus. One of the reasons for the 0:03:10.510 --> 0:03:13.480 preludes is to remind us that Scripture is a grand 0:03:13.520 --> 0:03:17.660 tapestry with small threads interwoven uniquely to show us a 0:03:17.740 --> 0:03:21.850 grand picture. Each moment in Scripture points forward or backward 0:03:21.910 --> 0:03:25.110 to another moment, making it the greatest story ever told. 0:03:25.750 --> 0:03:29.669 I pray this episode blesses you. Here is Episode 11, 0:03:29.669 --> 0:03:31.610 Beware and Behold. 0:03:38.770 --> 0:03:43.710 Prelude to Chapter 11. 0:03:41.750 --> 0:03:44.030 We shall see which God is worthy of. 0:03:44.060 --> 0:03:48.200 Our worship, Elijah said, staring out at the people of Israel. 0:03:49.550 --> 0:03:52.550 He stood before a throng of people, hovering over a 0:03:52.620 --> 0:03:57.020 bull placed on an altar of wood. He found himself 0:03:57.340 --> 0:04:01.920 in a clash of gods. He had watched the 450 0:04:01.920 --> 0:04:05.380 prophets of Baal cut themselves and dance in front of 0:04:05.420 --> 0:04:09.980 their sacrifice. Yet their god did not hear them. Their 0:04:10.000 --> 0:04:14.560 god was distant and worthless. No matter how hard they strived, 0:04:14.920 --> 0:04:17.870 they could not conjure up the favor of their god. 0:04:19.310 --> 0:04:23.320 Elijah scanned the crowd. They had turned from their creator 0:04:23.660 --> 0:04:28.219 and protector. They left him and adopted the perverse practices 0:04:28.560 --> 0:04:33.690 of their crooked king Ahab. Come closer, Elijah yelled, beckoning 0:04:33.770 --> 0:04:38.370 the people to look. Elijah took twelve stones, representing the 0:04:38.430 --> 0:04:41.490 twelve tribes of Israel, and placed them on the altar. 0:04:42.270 --> 0:04:47.440 The stones clacked together, echoing over the silent crowd. The 0:04:47.500 --> 0:04:51.510 people were eagerly awaiting a sign. They had worshipped Baal 0:04:51.770 --> 0:04:55.650 instead of Yahweh, yet they watched as the prophets of 0:04:55.730 --> 0:05:00.050 Baal made fools of themselves. For all their numbers, they 0:05:00.089 --> 0:05:05.610 had no substance. They were like whitewashed tombs. They wore 0:05:05.690 --> 0:05:10.210 robes of decadence and self-importance, yet they were empty inside. 0:05:10.890 --> 0:05:15.200 They lacked power. Elijah took a pickaxe and began to 0:05:15.260 --> 0:05:18.760 dig a trench around his altar. He gestured to the 0:05:18.820 --> 0:05:22.200 prophets and asked them to pour water over his sacrifice. 0:05:23.160 --> 0:05:28.110 They did it. Again, Elijah said. So they poured more 0:05:28.170 --> 0:05:33.930 water onto the wood and bull. More, Elijah snapped. So 0:05:33.950 --> 0:05:37.490 they poured more water. The entire trench around the altar 0:05:37.810 --> 0:05:41.470 was filled with water, and the sacrifice of wood and 0:05:41.550 --> 0:05:47.099 flesh was completely drenched. Elijah stood near his altar, and 0:05:47.200 --> 0:05:48.099 looked to the heavens. 0:05:48.740 --> 0:05:52.390 God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, let it be known 0:05:52.430 --> 0:05:56.130 this day that you alone are the God of Israel. 0:05:57.029 --> 0:05:59.350 Elijah lifted his hands in surrender. 0:06:00.050 --> 0:06:01.450 I am your servant. 0:06:02.170 --> 0:06:04.040 I have done everything according to your word. 0:06:04.839 --> 0:06:07.660 Answer me. Answer me so the people may know that 0:06:07.720 --> 0:06:08.700 you are God. 0:06:09.279 --> 0:06:12.860 Your people must return to you. So show yourself mighty. 0:06:13.720 --> 0:06:17.230 As Elijah said these things, A great flash of lightning 0:06:17.370 --> 0:06:20.810 burst forth from heaven. Its bolt was radiant and its 0:06:20.870 --> 0:06:25.490 course was direct. The altar erupted into flames, sending sparks 0:06:25.650 --> 0:06:28.930 flying in the air. Ash and debris flew into the 0:06:28.990 --> 0:06:33.310 faces of the prophets nearby. The bull, the wood, and 0:06:33.370 --> 0:06:37.229 the stones were reduced to a powder under the intense heat. 0:06:38.290 --> 0:06:42.150 The water was evaporated into a hot steam, burning the 0:06:42.190 --> 0:06:47.520 skin of people too close. The flames raged. People praised. 0:06:49.089 --> 0:06:52.910 The might of God had descended upon the altar. The 0:06:52.950 --> 0:06:57.130 people of Israel fell onto their faces. The Lord is God, 0:06:57.450 --> 0:07:01.670 they chanted. They desired a sign from heaven. They desired 0:07:01.830 --> 0:07:07.380 proof of God's power. They received it. However, people that 0:07:07.460 --> 0:07:11.700 needed a sign once would need it again. God knew 0:07:11.720 --> 0:07:15.900 that the people would forget him again. They would turn 0:07:15.980 --> 0:07:19.720 from him and cling to false idols. They strayed so 0:07:19.860 --> 0:07:24.320 often because their hearts were far from his. God knew 0:07:24.660 --> 0:07:28.490 that unless the people had a transformed heart, they would 0:07:28.550 --> 0:07:32.890 continue to stray from him. One day, God would send 0:07:33.070 --> 0:07:37.510 another light from heaven. This time, it would consume more 0:07:37.830 --> 0:07:41.980 than just an altar. It would consume the very heart 0:07:42.330 --> 0:07:51.450 of mankind. Chapter 11 Beware and Behold Jesus rested in 0:07:51.510 --> 0:07:54.800 a home in the region of Tyre and Sidon, enjoying 0:07:54.860 --> 0:07:58.300 a brief moment of anonymity. It was the land of 0:07:58.320 --> 0:08:01.500 the Gentiles, a place where a Jewish rabbi would never 0:08:01.540 --> 0:08:07.020 be found. However, Jesus did not follow such prejudiced traditions. 0:08:08.000 --> 0:08:11.180 He knew that the love of God would eventually reach 0:08:11.260 --> 0:08:15.930 the nations of Gentiles. However, for now, His mission was 0:08:16.000 --> 0:08:19.730 focused on the Hebrews. He had entered the house of 0:08:19.770 --> 0:08:22.770 a faithful follower, but did not want anyone to know 0:08:22.790 --> 0:08:26.570 he was staying there. He was content to be alone 0:08:26.590 --> 0:08:30.250 with his disciples and pour into them the wisdom of God. 0:08:31.450 --> 0:08:36.770 He needed them ready and prepared for the coming days. However, Jesus' 0:08:36.850 --> 0:08:41.200 fame had stretched beyond the borders of Judea. Before Jesus 0:08:41.220 --> 0:08:45.809 could even raise his feet to rest, the door knocked. Relentlessly, 0:08:47.010 --> 0:08:50.740 Jesus walked in the door and opened it softly. A 0:08:50.800 --> 0:08:54.260 Gentile woman stood at the entrance, holding her daughter in 0:08:54.320 --> 0:08:58.860 her arms. The little girl was stirring and grunting. Her 0:08:59.040 --> 0:09:01.580 eyes were rolled back, and she screamed at the sight 0:09:01.620 --> 0:09:05.260 of Jesus. It was clear she was possessed by a demon. 0:09:06.220 --> 0:09:08.990 The woman fell to her knees, holding her daughter up 0:09:09.020 --> 0:09:12.850 to Jesus. Tears streamed down her face as. 0:09:12.830 --> 0:09:18.130 She pleaded, Please, cast this demon out of my child. 0:09:18.950 --> 0:09:21.469 I do not want her to suffer any longer. 0:09:22.670 --> 0:09:26.250 Jesus remained standing at the door, looking down at the woman. 0:09:27.130 --> 0:09:29.070 Do you not know that I need to feed the 0:09:29.170 --> 0:09:32.850 children before allowing the puppies a chance to eat? Why 0:09:32.890 --> 0:09:34.720 would I give the children's food to them? 0:09:35.150 --> 0:09:39.440 Jesus asked. He said this regarding his mission towards the 0:09:39.480 --> 0:09:44.390 Jews before the Gentiles. The woman winced at Jesus' reply. 0:09:45.170 --> 0:09:47.610 She knew that she was a Gentile. There was no 0:09:47.670 --> 0:09:52.540 escaping her birth. However, she knew deep down her birth 0:09:52.640 --> 0:09:57.110 did not disqualify her from the grace Jesus offered. She 0:09:57.150 --> 0:09:58.690 looked up at him and said. 0:09:59.130 --> 0:09:59.960 That may be so. 0:10:00.190 --> 0:10:03.220 My lord, but even the pups are allowed under the 0:10:03.250 --> 0:10:05.040 table to eat of the crumbs that fall. 0:10:05.600 --> 0:10:10.400 Jesus nodded, amazed at the woman's persistence and tact. He 0:10:10.480 --> 0:10:13.100 knelt down and laid his hand on the girl's head. 0:10:14.179 --> 0:10:17.620 Her gaze would not meet his. She thrashed her head 0:10:17.860 --> 0:10:21.400 and grunted in her mother's arms, Of course Jesus would 0:10:21.420 --> 0:10:24.500 not allow this woman to leave without healing her daughter. 0:10:25.960 --> 0:10:28.459 He looked at the woman, then back at the girl. 0:10:29.179 --> 0:10:32.940 For your statement, you may leave in peace. The demon 0:10:32.980 --> 0:10:34.020 has left your daughter. 0:10:34.500 --> 0:10:38.780 After these things, Jesus returned from Tyre and Sidon to Decapolis, 0:10:39.220 --> 0:10:43.900 near the Sea of Galilee. I have to try, the 0:10:43.950 --> 0:10:45.120 man said incessantly. 0:10:45.830 --> 0:10:48.130 Perhaps the teacher might have more important matters. 0:10:48.610 --> 0:10:51.950 The woman replied, He's my brother, he shouted. 0:10:52.309 --> 0:10:54.990 I would do anything for him, even risk looking like 0:10:55.030 --> 0:10:55.449 a fool. 0:10:55.870 --> 0:10:58.689 The man and his wife debated on whether to approach 0:10:58.809 --> 0:11:02.030 Jesus or not. They had spotted him in the marketplace 0:11:02.410 --> 0:11:05.850 near the fisherman's quarter. They were looking and pointing at him, 0:11:06.130 --> 0:11:10.350 debating on whether to reveal themselves. However, it wasn't long 0:11:10.410 --> 0:11:13.850 until Jesus spotted them on the corner. Now is our chance, 0:11:14.170 --> 0:11:17.980 the man said. His wife nodded, and together they brought 0:11:18.030 --> 0:11:21.550 forth the man's brother. He was deaf and could barely 0:11:21.630 --> 0:11:25.660 speak due to an impediment. The lack of language had 0:11:25.720 --> 0:11:28.400 caused him a great deal of pain. He could not 0:11:28.480 --> 0:11:33.660 truly connect or share his deepest feelings. They brought him 0:11:33.700 --> 0:11:34.200 to Jesus. 0:11:35.110 --> 0:11:37.750 Please, Lord, please heal my brother. 0:11:38.170 --> 0:11:42.070 The man wept. Jesus looked at the deaf man. He 0:11:42.130 --> 0:11:45.030 tried his best to mumble a greeting but could not. 0:11:45.890 --> 0:11:49.160 His tongue had been unable to utter one coherent syllable. 0:11:49.630 --> 0:11:52.710 Come with me, Jesus said, leading them to an alley 0:11:53.030 --> 0:11:57.140 away from the busy marketplace. Jesus looked at the family 0:11:57.520 --> 0:12:02.559 with compassion. He held the man's head firmly. He placed 0:12:02.600 --> 0:12:05.400 his fingers in his ears and then spat into his 0:12:05.440 --> 0:12:09.630 hands and touched the man's tongue. Jesus gazed up to heaven, 0:12:10.270 --> 0:12:14.150 speaking with great authority and power. With a loud voice, 0:12:14.490 --> 0:12:19.079 Jesus yelled, A father! Which means, Be opened! The man 0:12:19.140 --> 0:12:22.850 staggered back and fell onto his side. All of a sudden, 0:12:23.170 --> 0:12:26.830 he could hear the bustling marketplace and the chirping of birds. 0:12:27.290 --> 0:12:31.390 The sound was overwhelming. However, as he calmed down, he 0:12:31.429 --> 0:12:34.890 was able to hear the gentle and steady voice of Jesus. 0:12:35.630 --> 0:12:39.790 You are well, he said with a grin. Jesus extended 0:12:39.860 --> 0:12:42.739 a hand and led him to his feet. The man 0:12:42.800 --> 0:12:45.960 touched his tongue and held his ears. He looked to 0:12:46.000 --> 0:12:46.960 his brother and sister. 0:12:47.520 --> 0:12:48.570 I am. 0:12:49.410 --> 0:12:52.950 Healed, he said. They were the first words he had 0:12:53.070 --> 0:12:57.670 uttered clearly his whole life. Tears of joy streamed down 0:12:57.710 --> 0:13:01.430 their cheeks as they embraced. Jesus brought them in close 0:13:01.850 --> 0:13:03.929 and placed his finger over his lips. 0:13:04.110 --> 0:13:07.270 Be sure you don't tell anyone about this. Instead, worship 0:13:07.410 --> 0:13:09.189 God and give him thanks. 0:13:09.450 --> 0:13:13.910 He said. However, they did not listen. With his new voice, 0:13:14.270 --> 0:13:17.110 the man proclaimed the name of Jesus to every person 0:13:17.150 --> 0:13:21.220 he met. Their praise increased. knew no bounds. So Jesus 0:13:21.300 --> 0:13:25.260 continued to grow in fame. As Jesus' name continued to 0:13:25.320 --> 0:13:29.300 capture the ears of the people, the Pharisees stirred in anger. 0:13:30.040 --> 0:13:34.120 Their rage towards him boiled more with each day. Every 0:13:34.160 --> 0:13:38.210 miracle and every sermon only increased their desire to thwart him. 0:13:39.010 --> 0:13:43.410 They stirred and plotted against him. Give us a sign, 0:13:43.630 --> 0:13:47.069 the Pharisees shouted to Jesus. They had caught him in 0:13:47.110 --> 0:13:50.500 the city streets preaching to a group of people. The 0:13:50.530 --> 0:13:54.140 Pharisees sauntered into view with their chests out and their 0:13:54.179 --> 0:13:55.620 noses raised high. 0:13:56.260 --> 0:13:58.960 You come here wearing the confidence of a man sent 0:13:59.000 --> 0:14:02.940 from God. Yet each time we ask you to prove yourself, 0:14:03.000 --> 0:14:05.840 you refuse. Do you not care what we think? 0:14:06.700 --> 0:14:10.330 The Pharisees were no longer tactful with their accusations. They 0:14:10.350 --> 0:14:13.150 had been left to their own bitterness for far too long. 0:14:14.090 --> 0:14:17.470 At this point, their rage toward Jesus was unquenchable. 0:14:17.880 --> 0:14:22.160 Send fire down like Elijah, they said. Call for fire 0:14:22.250 --> 0:14:23.350 to fall down from heaven. 0:14:23.950 --> 0:14:28.210 They goaded. Jesus looked at them with intensity. They were 0:14:28.290 --> 0:14:33.550 whitewashed tombs. Outwardly, they wore decadent robes and carried themselves 0:14:33.590 --> 0:14:37.290 with piety. Yet there was no life within them. They 0:14:37.330 --> 0:14:40.480 were dead inside and had cut off their hearts from 0:14:40.500 --> 0:14:43.680 the work of God. They bore no more fruitfulness than 0:14:43.720 --> 0:14:48.390 the ancient prophets of Baal. Jesus stretched out his arms. 0:14:49.250 --> 0:14:51.010 When you look to the sky and see no clouds, 0:14:51.050 --> 0:14:53.980 you perceive it will be fair weather. When you look 0:14:54.020 --> 0:14:57.280 up and see storm clouds, you know how to protect yourselves. 0:14:57.960 --> 0:15:00.100 Jesus said, How is it that you can look. 0:14:59.980 --> 0:15:02.360 To the sky and interpret the weather, but you can't 0:15:02.380 --> 0:15:04.820 see the signs that are right in front of you? 0:15:05.080 --> 0:15:08.910 The crowd around him chuckled. Yet the Pharisees were not amused, 0:15:09.490 --> 0:15:13.359 and neither was Jesus. He stepped forward and looked at 0:15:13.420 --> 0:15:14.280 them intently. 0:15:14.540 --> 0:15:16.640 I will give you no sign. 0:15:16.980 --> 0:15:19.220 I will not dance for you when you ask me to. 0:15:19.240 --> 0:15:21.840 I will not play all these games you desire from me. 0:15:22.220 --> 0:15:24.490 The only sign that will be given to you is 0:15:24.520 --> 0:15:26.910 the sign of Jonah, who was in the grave for 0:15:26.990 --> 0:15:29.930 three days and then emerged back into life. 0:15:30.230 --> 0:15:34.430 After saying these things, Jesus departed, wanting nothing else to 0:15:34.470 --> 0:15:37.880 do with him. He and his disciples boarded a boat 0:15:37.960 --> 0:15:42.290 and left for the other side of Galilee. The boat rocked, 0:15:42.660 --> 0:15:44.640 and the group gently made their way to the other 0:15:44.680 --> 0:15:47.400 side of the sea. John was at the front of 0:15:47.440 --> 0:15:52.160 the boat, looking longingly at the shoreline. He sighed, holding 0:15:52.200 --> 0:15:56.730 his stomach. We forgot bread, he said with a groan. 0:15:57.450 --> 0:16:00.850 How could we forget bread? This journey takes a whole day. 0:16:01.390 --> 0:16:04.690 Jesus continued to look out at the horizon. He was 0:16:04.750 --> 0:16:08.950 stirred up by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Their ignorance 0:16:09.010 --> 0:16:11.980 towards God and their contempt for the kingdom of heaven 0:16:12.460 --> 0:16:16.820 made him angry. Beware, Jesus said, looking out at sea. 0:16:17.380 --> 0:16:19.200 Beware the leaven of the Pharisees. 0:16:19.620 --> 0:16:23.000 The disciples gave each other looks of confusion. Is he 0:16:23.060 --> 0:16:25.560 talking about our lack of bread? John asked. 0:16:25.960 --> 0:16:28.760 I think he is asking us to be careful when 0:16:28.800 --> 0:16:29.920 we do find bread. 0:16:30.420 --> 0:16:34.540 Andrew replied. The disciples could not get their minds off 0:16:34.590 --> 0:16:37.820 of their lack of bread. Their stomachs rumbled. and they 0:16:37.840 --> 0:16:40.360 could not perceive what Jesus was trying to tell them. 0:16:41.620 --> 0:16:42.620 Jesus shook his head. 0:16:42.640 --> 0:16:45.140 Do you not understand what I'm saying? 0:16:45.900 --> 0:16:48.640 We just witnessed a feeding of thousands of people. We 0:16:48.680 --> 0:16:49.590 gave them bread. 0:16:50.930 --> 0:16:52.609 So I speak in these terms. 0:16:53.510 --> 0:16:54.010 Beware. 0:16:54.750 --> 0:16:57.170 Beware of the leaven that lies within the Pharisees and 0:16:57.190 --> 0:17:00.490 the Sadducees. They enter in and ruin the good work 0:17:00.550 --> 0:17:02.170 that we strive for. 0:17:03.680 --> 0:17:08.840 He scolded. There was... frustration in Jesus' voice. Clearly, the 0:17:08.880 --> 0:17:12.639 Pharisees caused him to stir. He could not stand the 0:17:12.720 --> 0:17:16.310 thought of religious leaders causing others to fall away from God. 0:17:16.990 --> 0:17:21.370 It made his blood boil. After Jesus clarified, they understood 0:17:21.410 --> 0:17:23.209 that he did not tell them to beware of the 0:17:23.270 --> 0:17:26.570 leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees 0:17:26.930 --> 0:17:32.609 and the Sadducees. They reached Bethsaida, and as always, there 0:17:32.630 --> 0:17:36.109 was a crowd awaiting Jesus. This time, there was a 0:17:36.170 --> 0:17:39.780 blind man brought to him. The entire crowd begged him 0:17:39.820 --> 0:17:43.740 to heal him. Jesus took notice that the crowds were 0:17:43.780 --> 0:17:47.400 beginning to advocate for one another. Now that they understood 0:17:47.500 --> 0:17:52.200 Jesus had power and compassion, they felt empowered to notice 0:17:52.260 --> 0:17:56.360 the needs of others. Jesus came close to the man 0:17:56.880 --> 0:18:01.820 and observed his eyes like a physician. Jesus breathed in deeply. 0:18:02.740 --> 0:18:06.720 The crowd looked intently. waiting for something majestic to take place. 0:18:07.900 --> 0:18:12.860 Waiting for something majestic to take place. Instead, Jesus spat 0:18:12.960 --> 0:18:17.240 into the man's eyes. The crowd winced in slight disgust 0:18:17.680 --> 0:18:20.510 as Jesus took his saliva and rubbed it into the 0:18:20.550 --> 0:18:25.149 man's eyes. Jesus perceived that the man's eyelids were sealed 0:18:25.230 --> 0:18:28.910 shut by residue. So he spat on them and began 0:18:28.950 --> 0:18:30.010 to massage them open. 0:18:30.350 --> 0:18:31.330 Do you see anything? 0:18:31.850 --> 0:18:35.730 Jesus asked. The man was struggling to understand the shapes 0:18:35.790 --> 0:18:39.790 he was seeing. He saw blurred images silhouetted in light. 0:18:40.630 --> 0:18:44.230 I think I see people, yet they seem to me 0:18:44.350 --> 0:18:45.490 like trees. 0:18:46.150 --> 0:18:48.790 Jesus laid his hands on the man's eyes again and 0:18:48.830 --> 0:18:53.209 continued to rub. This time, the man could see everything clearly. 0:18:54.280 --> 0:18:57.240 Jesus sent the man home to worship God and bask 0:18:57.280 --> 0:19:01.179 in the beauty of his creation. Even the smallest of actions, 0:19:01.560 --> 0:19:05.470 if they blessed someone, were miracles. Jesus did not need 0:19:05.510 --> 0:19:08.090 to call down fire from heaven or speak in the 0:19:08.150 --> 0:19:12.710 language of angels. He simply needed to look, see, and 0:19:12.840 --> 0:19:17.420 care enough to act. Jesus then departed into the hills 0:19:17.500 --> 0:19:22.220 with his disciples, where they camped for the night. It 0:19:22.280 --> 0:19:27.340 was late. The fire crackled under the evening stars. Jesus 0:19:27.400 --> 0:19:31.669 and the disciples were all quiet, Their usual revelry was 0:19:31.730 --> 0:19:36.460 replaced with a quiet contemplation that came with exhaustion. The 0:19:36.500 --> 0:19:41.480 week's events had proven to be taxing. The fire was mesmerizing. 0:19:42.320 --> 0:19:46.609 The flames flickered to the sound of chirping crickets. John 0:19:46.670 --> 0:19:49.950 huddled in close to Jesus. He was the youngest of 0:19:49.990 --> 0:19:54.130 the disciples, no older than 16. He looked out into 0:19:54.170 --> 0:19:57.690 the darkness beyond the fire, listening to the howling of 0:19:57.780 --> 0:20:03.020 wolves in the distance. It was a calm moment. It 0:20:03.060 --> 0:20:07.760 was a precious moment that Jesus cherished. He looked among 0:20:07.800 --> 0:20:10.760 his disciples and filled with love for who they were 0:20:11.619 --> 0:20:14.600 and who they would become. He looked to the other 0:20:14.660 --> 0:20:18.680 side of the fire. They were staring at the fire mindlessly. 0:20:20.330 --> 0:20:22.180 Jesus decided to break the silence. 0:20:22.900 --> 0:20:24.550 Who do people say that I am? 0:20:24.990 --> 0:20:29.770 He asked. The disciples shrugged. Andrew looked up. 0:20:30.470 --> 0:20:32.169 Some say that you are John the. 0:20:32.170 --> 0:20:34.830 Baptist, he said while poking the fire. 0:20:35.550 --> 0:20:38.480 After he was beheaded, there were rumors that Herod thought 0:20:38.530 --> 0:20:40.070 you were him returned from the dead. 0:20:40.790 --> 0:20:44.429 The disciples chuckled, thinking resurrection from the dead was an 0:20:44.530 --> 0:20:45.330 absurd notion. 0:20:45.990 --> 0:20:48.030 Others say you are Elisha who has returned. 0:20:48.350 --> 0:20:50.950 James answered, He was taken up to heaven in a 0:20:51.030 --> 0:20:51.949 chariot of fire. 0:20:52.430 --> 0:20:54.409 Many believe he is bound to return someday. 0:20:55.040 --> 0:20:58.859 Jesus looked around the fire at his disciples. He nodded 0:20:58.900 --> 0:21:03.060 at their answers. John the Baptist was a skilled reformer, 0:21:03.600 --> 0:21:07.649 and Elijah was an influential prophet. No doubt, Both of 0:21:07.700 --> 0:21:11.689 these titles suited Jesus. However, they did not get to 0:21:11.710 --> 0:21:15.990 the core of who he was. He needed his disciples 0:21:16.330 --> 0:21:18.490 to truly grasp his identity. 0:21:18.630 --> 0:21:21.619 Yes, this is what people say, but who do you 0:21:21.880 --> 0:21:22.740 say that I am? 0:21:22.940 --> 0:21:27.419 Jesus asked. There was silence for a long while as 0:21:27.460 --> 0:21:32.270 the disciples pondered the question. Simon Peter lifted his gaze 0:21:32.330 --> 0:21:36.540 to Jesus. He stared through the fire. He was not 0:21:36.619 --> 0:21:39.720 known as a deep thinker. He was not a profound 0:21:39.780 --> 0:21:44.419 historian like Matthew, or an intellectual like Thomas. He was 0:21:44.460 --> 0:21:47.960 not known for his wit. Conversely, he was known for 0:21:48.000 --> 0:21:51.760 his fast mouth and brash actions. They got him into 0:21:51.840 --> 0:21:57.010 trouble his whole childhood. Yet this answer came easily, as 0:21:57.090 --> 0:21:59.730 if it was a voice locked deep within his heart 0:22:00.230 --> 0:22:01.609 that had been unhinged. 0:22:02.130 --> 0:22:06.060 You are the Christ, he said. You are the son 0:22:06.560 --> 0:22:10.500 of the living God. The disciples stirred. Many of them 0:22:10.560 --> 0:22:15.060 had believed that Jesus was the Christ and the promised Messiah. However, 0:22:15.500 --> 0:22:19.200 they were apprehensive to say it out loud. Yet Simon 0:22:19.270 --> 0:22:22.770 Peter declared it, making it known for all to proclaim. 0:22:23.710 --> 0:22:27.150 Jesus sat there, staring at Simon Peter for a moment. 0:22:28.369 --> 0:22:29.830 He smiled and nodded. 0:22:30.670 --> 0:22:34.850 Yes, he said, what you have said. The rest of 0:22:34.890 --> 0:22:39.510 the disciples were in awe. Jesus had affirmed all their 0:22:39.590 --> 0:22:43.630 perceptions of him. Jesus pointed to Simon Peter and. 0:22:43.600 --> 0:22:47.380 Said, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. For flesh 0:22:47.420 --> 0:22:50.560 and blood has not shown you these things. No man 0:22:50.660 --> 0:22:53.740 or woman whispered these truths to you. You once stood 0:22:53.800 --> 0:22:57.140 before me a skeptic, wondering who I was. Yet now 0:22:57.250 --> 0:22:59.929 my Father has revealed to you who I am. 0:23:00.730 --> 0:23:05.120 Simon Peter was moved with humility. He had only said 0:23:05.160 --> 0:23:08.560 what had been dwelling deep within. He knew from the 0:23:08.619 --> 0:23:12.000 moment Jesus helped him catch those fish that he was 0:23:12.060 --> 0:23:16.770 the Messiah. Jesus held up a stone and gestured towards 0:23:17.010 --> 0:23:17.609 Simon Peter. 0:23:18.210 --> 0:23:20.689 From this day forward, you are Peter. 0:23:21.570 --> 0:23:22.770 Rock, Jesus said. 0:23:23.090 --> 0:23:27.350 You are a rock, Peter, an integral brick in the 0:23:27.410 --> 0:23:31.780 household of God. However, I am the rock. And it 0:23:31.840 --> 0:23:34.879 is on this rock I will build my church. The 0:23:34.920 --> 0:23:37.189 gates of hell will not prevail against it. 0:23:37.440 --> 0:23:39.980 Jesus then gestured to the rest of his disciples. 0:23:40.790 --> 0:23:42.389 I will give each of you the keys to the 0:23:42.450 --> 0:23:45.409 kingdom of heaven. Whatever work you do here will have 0:23:45.450 --> 0:23:46.830 eternal weight. 0:23:47.810 --> 0:23:50.430 Jesus picked up a stick from the fire. The end 0:23:50.450 --> 0:23:54.369 of the stick was bright red and emanating flames. Jesus 0:23:54.490 --> 0:23:58.150 waved it around methodically. I will go to Jerusalem, he said. 0:23:58.980 --> 0:24:01.290 There I will suffer many things at the hands of 0:24:01.310 --> 0:24:05.109 the elders and the chief priests. Jesus continued to wave 0:24:05.190 --> 0:24:09.450 the stick gently, leaving a trail of light behind. They 0:24:09.490 --> 0:24:13.369 will kill me, Jesus said, driving the stick into the dirt. 0:24:14.450 --> 0:24:17.100 The flame at the end of the stick was extinguished, 0:24:18.200 --> 0:24:19.800 yet a small spark remained. 0:24:20.460 --> 0:24:23.340 Have no fear, though, for I will be raised on 0:24:23.380 --> 0:24:24.100 the third day. 0:24:24.400 --> 0:24:27.740 He blew gently on the stick, and a small flame returned, 0:24:28.310 --> 0:24:32.530 growing larger and larger. The stars were shifting in the sky, 0:24:32.830 --> 0:24:35.879 and the disciples were deep into the night. Many of 0:24:35.920 --> 0:24:39.840 the men were asleep soundly beside the fire. However, Jesus 0:24:40.200 --> 0:24:45.730 and Peter were still awake. Peter looked earnestly at Jesus. Master, 0:24:45.990 --> 0:24:49.790 he said. Jesus looked up and gave him his attention. 0:24:50.350 --> 0:24:50.869 Yes, Peter? 0:24:51.609 --> 0:24:52.770 Peter shifted in place. 0:24:53.730 --> 0:24:56.370 Far be it from you to be delivered to die. 0:24:56.630 --> 0:24:58.770 Of course, this will never happen to you. 0:24:59.119 --> 0:25:02.879