1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, 2 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:08,479 Speaker 1: and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, 3 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: and that they might have it more abundantly. John ten ten, 4 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father. Satan is a thief who is out to 5 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 1: destroy every living being because he knows that this is 6 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: the only way he can strike at your heart. He 7 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: knows how much you love humanity, so if he can 8 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: keep them from connecting you, he wins. You came to 9 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: expose his plots, plans, and schemes and set your people free. 10 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: You have provided everything we need, but it is still 11 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,200 Speaker 1: a choice we have to make. You came to offer 12 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: us power over death and eternal life. You came to 13 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: bless us with hope, peace and love. In the midst 14 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: of turmoil. You showed us your goodness through your son, Jesus. 15 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: How can people not see that? Use me today to 16 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: reach them with your truth. 17 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 2: Amen. 18 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:10,759 Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 19 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: told from pray dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 20 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:19,400 Speaker 3: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in 21 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 3: the Bible. Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, 22 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,039 Speaker 3: please share it with your family and friends so they 23 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 3: can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing 24 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 3: Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to 25 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,399 Speaker 3: the greatest story ever told. It is a story of 26 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 3: it with shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love 27 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 3: for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. 28 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 3: This is a story that continues to shape and mold 29 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 3: the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God 30 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 3: right into the hearts of you and me. This episode 31 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 3: reminds us of Jesus's heart for the downtrodden, defenseless, and 32 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 3: pure of heart. As we have gone through the life 33 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 3: of Jesus so far, can't help but be compelled by 34 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 3: just how many stories there are of Jesus caring for 35 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 3: the individual. He helped people who were sick, listen to 36 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,680 Speaker 3: people who were broken, and rebuke the powers of darkness 37 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 3: that sought to corrupt people. Jesus cared deeply, and that 38 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 3: should make us want to do the same. These stories 39 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 3: are powerful and they cut at the parts of us 40 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 3: that just want to look out for Number One, I 41 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 3: pray this episode grips your soul, especially as you hear 42 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 3: Jesus's heart for children. Before we dive into the works 43 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 3: and words of Jesus, we will begin with the prelude. 44 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 3: This prelude features a character very few people know about. 45 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 3: His story is short and often lost behind the shimmering 46 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 3: veneer of King David's life. However, this mighty man of 47 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 3: Valor's moment in scripture reminds us that God's heart is 48 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 3: for the weak and feeble. He will stop at nothing 49 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 3: to defend the helpless from evil. The prelude and the 50 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 3: episode afterward invite us to ask how we can defend 51 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 3: the defenseless and love the outcasts. My prayer for you 52 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 3: today is that the shepherding heart of God would be 53 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 3: on full display for you to see. I pray Jesus' 54 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 3: words would remind you that you are loved despite your brokenness. 55 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:15,640 Speaker 3: I pray that this episode would inspire you to seek 56 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 3: Jesus for guidance, provision, healing, acceptance, just as the characters 57 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: of this story did. Here is episode twelve, The Good Shepherd. 58 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 2: Prailud to Chapter twelve. Shama breathed him deeply, looking out 59 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 2: onto the Philistine horde approaching. Their spears were set and 60 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 2: their swords were secured tightly. Shama exhaled, listening to the 61 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 2: steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The farmers of Lehigh had 62 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 2: retreated into their homes, watching from the windows as shamaspit alone. 63 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 2: He stood in the lentil field. Bushes swayed gently to 64 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 2: the wind. The earth began to shake as the Philistines 65 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: came closer. All the men of the city had fled, 66 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: but not Shama. He knew that this little patch of 67 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 2: farm was the only livelihood the people of Lehigh had. 68 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 2: He would not let it be taken by Philistine dogs. 69 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 2: The opposing army picked up their pace, working their way 70 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 2: into a sprint. Shama set his feet, widening his stance. 71 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: He drew his sword and braced his shield. The two 72 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 2: dozen Philistines closed the gap and lunged at in with 73 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 2: spears and swords. Shama lifted his stance like an elegant dancer, 74 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,359 Speaker 2: shifting and moving his feet and hits. He dodged every 75 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 2: advance and responded with a swift swing of his sword. 76 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 2: One Philistine got an edge on him and drew him 77 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 2: back with his shield. However, Shama regained balance quickly and 78 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 2: tossed a dagger that was attached to his hip a 79 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: direct hit. Two more advanced towards him. One was met 80 00:04:58,160 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: with a quick jab to the belly, and the other 81 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: other was sent to his back with a blow from 82 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: Shama's shield. He fought for what seemed like ours. As 83 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: he held his ground, the Philistines that were still alive retreated, 84 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: leaving the Lentil field alone to the people of Lehigh. 85 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 2: Shama panted, blood dripped down his armor, and his face 86 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 2: was covered in dust and sweat. But he had done it. 87 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 2: He defended the Lentil Field from the Philistines. He did 88 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 2: not defeat a giant, nor did he lead an army 89 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: into battle. This mighty man of David stood his ground 90 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 2: against a foe that sought to take advantage of the 91 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,799 Speaker 2: weak and helpless. He was one man against many, yet 92 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: God empowered him to victory. This is because God's heart 93 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 2: is always for those who cannot help themselves. God's heart 94 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,479 Speaker 2: is for the vulnerable, the weak, and the helpless, so 95 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 2: he sends his heroes to respond to the needs of 96 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 2: those who cannot help themselves. This is the heart of 97 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 2: God and the heart of his Messiah. Chapter twelve, the 98 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 2: good Shepherd Jesus descended down the mountain with Peter, James, 99 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 2: and John. Their faces still wore the shock and awe 100 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 2: of what had just occurred. They were able to see 101 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: the heavenly radiance of Jesus unveiled for a moment on 102 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 2: that mountain, they were able to comprehend the greatest miracle 103 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: of Jesus. His greatest miracle was not turning water in 104 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 2: the wine, healing the blind, or calm in the storm. 105 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 2: The miracle occurred every day as he continually held back 106 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:51,799 Speaker 2: the entirety of his glory. As they reached the base 107 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 2: of the mountain, a large commotion could be heard from camp. 108 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: Peter was the first to respond and run. The others followed, 109 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,479 Speaker 2: hurrying down the path. They reached camp and found a 110 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 2: large crowd violently arguing with the rest of the disciples. 111 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 2: Jesus saw a few members pointing at the disciples frauds. 112 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 2: They shouted, who were you to call yourselves disciples of Jesus. 113 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: Peter lunged himself into the crowd, separating them from the disciples. 114 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 2: It only made them more angry. One of them swung 115 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: at Peter, but before he could respond, Jesus rushed into 116 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 2: the scene, and the attention of the crowd was diverted. 117 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 2: His very presence changed their countenance. What is going on here, 118 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:39,679 Speaker 2: Jesus asked. The crowd parted and a man emerged, holding 119 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 2: his son in his arms. He was a short and 120 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 2: portly man, quite possibly a butcher by trade. His strong 121 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 2: arms held up his boy, who could not have been 122 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: older than ten years of age. The boy was limp 123 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 2: in his father's arms, grunting incessantly. Teacher, the man said, 124 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 2: bowing before Jesus. 125 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 4: It brought my son to you. A spirit has taken him. 126 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: Jesus peered at the boy. His eyes were rolled back 127 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 2: and his neck twitched from side to side. He scanned 128 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 2: the boy's body. It was covered in burn marks. The 129 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 2: father took notice of Jesus's eyes and began to weep. 130 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 4: The spirit comes without notice. 131 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 2: He said, with watered eyes. 132 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 4: He'll take control of my son and throw him into 133 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 4: the fire. He foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, 134 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 4: and then he will throw my son into the water 135 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 4: to drown. 136 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 2: The man clinched his eyes closed, holding his son tightly. 137 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 4: I came to your disciples so they might cast out 138 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 4: the demon, but they couldn't. They gave me hope, and 139 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 4: it has been shattered. 140 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 2: The man broke down, unable to console himself. Jesus caught 141 00:08:56,840 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 2: a glimpse of the Pharisees and scribes smirking in the corner. 142 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 2: They reveled in the disciples inability to cast out the demon. 143 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 2: Jesus walked forward with his chest held high and fists clenched. 144 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 2: He pointed to them with his gaze as intense as 145 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:15,319 Speaker 2: a bolt of lightning. 146 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 5: You crooked and perverse generation, he shouted, fithless, that is 147 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:21,439 Speaker 5: what you are. 148 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 6: How long must I endure you? 149 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 2: Jesus looked at the child. He was in much pain. 150 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 2: Bring me the boy, Jesus said. As the father lifted 151 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,080 Speaker 2: his arms to hand the boy to Jesus, the demon 152 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 2: awoke from his slumber. He had felt the presence of 153 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 2: the Messiah and knew his time was almost up. The 154 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 2: demon was determined to do as much damage as he 155 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 2: could with a few moments he had left. The boy 156 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 2: leaped out of the father's arms on to the ground. 157 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 2: The demon thrashed his body under the floor, banging his 158 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 2: head against the rocks. Foam spit forth from the boy's mouth, 159 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 2: and his eyes rolled back into their sockets. The crowd 160 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 2: recoiled terrifying that the boy might harm them if they 161 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 2: got too close. The father fell on top of his son, 162 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 2: trying to restrain him, but the demon was too powerful. 163 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 2: He threw the father off of him and leaped towards him, 164 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 2: grabbing his throat. The entire crowd could hear the slight 165 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 2: cracking of the father's throat. The demon was unnaturally strong. 166 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 2: Jesus stepped forward, grabbing the boy from on top of 167 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,199 Speaker 2: his father. He restrained him in his arms. The boy 168 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 2: thrashed back and forth, screaming with blood curdling volume. The 169 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: father gasped her air, sobbing at the sight of his son. 170 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 2: The boy writhed in Jesus's arms, yet Jesus remained calm, 171 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: making sure to not harm him. He looked at the 172 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 2: father and asked. 173 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 6: Do you believe I can heal you? 174 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 2: So the father opened up his hands to Jesus and 175 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 2: shook his head. 176 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 4: I'm I believe. Lord. 177 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 2: There was a pause as the father stared at his son. 178 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 2: For years, this demon had plagued him. He had begun 179 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 2: to lose hope that anything would change. 180 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 4: I believe, but help my unbelief. 181 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 2: Jesus nodded. The man's response was honest and pure. He 182 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 2: did not give any false platitudes or promises. He simply 183 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 2: shared the state of his heart. He'd brought his real 184 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: and honest emotions. Jesus held the boy close, hugging him 185 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 2: as he struggled. Jesus's teeth clenched and his brow furrowed. 186 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 2: He hugged the boy with the loving embrace of a father. Then, 187 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:47,719 Speaker 2: with authority, he spoke to the demon deep within you. 188 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 6: Mute and deaf spirit, hear the voice of your creator. 189 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 5: I command you to come out of this boy and 190 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 5: plague him no more. 191 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 2: The boy's screams increased to a deafening level. He convulsed 192 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 2: and brushed his body, until finally going limb, Jesus set 193 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,839 Speaker 2: him down gently on the floor. The boy seemed dead 194 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 2: for a moment. However, Jesus grabbed his hand and lifted 195 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 2: him up on two feet. The boy was restored, and 196 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 2: the father felt like he was meeting his son for 197 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: the first time. The disciples departed from Galilee, concerned about 198 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 2: what they had just seen. Jesus knew that there were 199 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 2: greater troubles ahead for them, yet there was no way 200 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 2: for them to truly understand. How could they in many ways, 201 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 2: the Kingdom of Heaven was upside down compared to the 202 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 2: common culture of mankind. However, Jesus still saw it fitting 203 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 2: to prepare his disciples for events to come. 204 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:51,959 Speaker 6: The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands 205 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 6: of men, Jesus said, They will kill him, and he 206 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 6: will raise himself up on the third Day. 207 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 2: As Jesus spoke these things, the disciples struggled. They said nothing, 208 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 2: afraid of the answers to their questions. They had made 209 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 2: their way to Copernium and a large group was gathering 210 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 2: in a household. Peter reclined at the table, enjoying a 211 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 2: rare moment of silence with his own thoughts. However, the 212 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:22,959 Speaker 2: moment was quickly interrupted as a temple official approached him. 213 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 2: Ah Simon, the man said. As he sat down, he 214 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 2: panted Peter on the back and said. 215 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 7: I heard you might be here with Jesus. It has 216 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 7: been a while. 217 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 2: Peter gulped. The man was a temple tax collector, and 218 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 2: Peter had been behind on his temple tax for quite 219 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 2: some time. The man sat next to him and poured 220 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 2: a drink from the basin. Sitting on the table, he 221 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 2: sipped casually enjoying the tension, he caused. 222 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 7: Peter, tell me, Simon, did your teacher pay his taxes 223 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 7: unlike some in this room. 224 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 2: Peter buried his head into his hands and sighed. He 225 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 2: was a lowly fisherman without much coin to spair. On 226 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 2: top of this, he was responsible for his wife and 227 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 2: father in law. He does, Peter answered quickly. Then he 228 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 2: got up from his seat and walked out of the house. 229 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 2: The collector smirked as Peter walked away. Peter stepped out 230 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 2: on to the patio. He rubbed his temples and sighed. 231 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 2: He felt a great deal of guilt about not being 232 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 2: able to afford his temple tax. It was one thing 233 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 2: to avoid taxes imposed by Rome, but to not contribute 234 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 2: to the temple of God was a source of shame. 235 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 2: Peter looked up to the stars, unaware of Jesus sitting 236 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 2: a few feet in front of him. Peter was lost 237 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 2: in thought, reeling in guilt. Then he heard Jesus speak 238 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 2: into the silence. Come and sit, Peter, Jesus said, gesturing 239 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 2: to a spot on the small wall next to him. 240 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 2: Jesus would all often retreat to be alone with God. 241 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: Peter felt honored to sit next to him. During one 242 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 2: of these moments, Jesus turned to Peter. 243 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 6: Tell me what you think, Peter, when kings tax the land, 244 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 6: do you think they taxed their own sons or others? 245 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 2: Jesus asked others. Peter answered plainly. 246 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 6: Jesus nodded, sons are free. A father would never let 247 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 6: his son pay the taxes of everyone else. However, in 248 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 6: order to not needlessly offend others, I pay the tax, 249 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 6: and so should you. 250 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 2: Peter held his head low as he spoke. Jesus gave 251 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 2: him a pat on the shoulder. 252 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 6: Spend some time down by the sea to clear your mind. 253 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 6: Cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up. 254 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 6: Open its mouth. There you'll find a shekel that should 255 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 6: cover the tax. 256 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 2: For me and for you. Peter did as he was told. 257 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 2: He sat with a rod and life in the water, 258 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 2: watching the moonlight reflected in the sea. The lion tugged 259 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 2: and a fish appeared out of the water. Peter opened 260 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 2: its mouth and lo and behold something shined in the moonlight. 261 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 2: Peter pulled out a shekel. He could not help but chuckle. 262 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 2: Jesus had strange ways of providing, but he always came 263 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 2: through the next day, Jesus was teaching to a large 264 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 2: group near the Sea of Galilee. The seagulls flew high 265 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 2: above them, descending into the waters below. Jesus sat at 266 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 2: the edge of an elevated stone, and hundreds of people 267 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 2: sat below on the shore. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom 268 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 2: of Heaven. He spoke about the greatness of God's will 269 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 2: acted out in the hearts of people. 270 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 4: Teacher, who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? 271 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 4: How can I or any of us truly be great? 272 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 2: Someone asked. Jesus nodded at the question. He gestured towards 273 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:04,399 Speaker 2: some of the children playing in the sand near the water. 274 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 2: He waved at them to come over, and they happily 275 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 2: ran and climbed up the rock. One of the children 276 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,879 Speaker 2: leapt onto Jesus's lap, and the other climbed up on 277 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 2: top of his shoulders. Jesus laughed, allowing them to play 278 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:20,880 Speaker 2: with his hair and jump off his back. You see 279 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 2: these children, Jesus asked, how. 280 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 6: Humble and approached me with joy. Their faith is pure 281 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 6: and undefiled. Whoever is like one of these children his 282 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 6: greatest in the Kingdom of God. 283 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:36,879 Speaker 2: One of the children sat quietly on Jesus's lap, playing 284 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 2: with a stone she found on the shore. Jesus looked 285 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 2: at each child with love. Then he looked seriously at 286 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 2: the crowd. 287 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,960 Speaker 6: Whoever accepts and loves a child in my name also 288 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 6: receives me. However, whoever causes one of these little ones 289 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 6: harm or causes them to sin, it would be better 290 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 6: for him to have a stone fastened around his neck 291 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,160 Speaker 6: and throan into the bottom of the sea. 292 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 2: The people gasped at Jesus's intensity. However, he had a 293 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 2: heart for the innocent and needed to make it clear 294 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 2: that those who harmed the innocent will not go unpunished. 295 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 2: The children jumped off the stone and ran back to 296 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 2: find shells on the shore. Jesus smiled, then returned his 297 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 2: gaze to the crowd. 298 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:25,439 Speaker 6: Temptation to sin is everywhere. There's a great sorrow in 299 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 6: the world because of it, he said. However, it is 300 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,919 Speaker 6: necessary that temptations come in this way. Our faith is 301 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:34,399 Speaker 6: strengthened in them. 302 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 5: However, you must be careful. If your hand or foot 303 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,359 Speaker 5: causes you to sin, cut it off. 304 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 2: Jesus gestured with his hands, cutting off his arm. The 305 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 2: crowd gasped and flinched. However, Jesus spoke in metaphor, showcasing 306 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 2: the lengths we must go to separate ourselves from sin. 307 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:55,719 Speaker 8: It is better for you to be without an arm 308 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 8: or a leg than to be thrown in eternal fire. 309 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:01,920 Speaker 8: So if you are causes you to sin, pluck it out, 310 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 8: throw it away. It is better that you enter life 311 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 8: with one eye than two eyes in eternal death. 312 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 2: The people nodded, understanding the severity of their sin. However, 313 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 2: it would be hard to uphold the high standard of Jesus. 314 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 2: They would need help, and Jesus was determined to give it. 315 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:28,719 Speaker 2: Jesus gestured at the children again. People watched as they 316 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:33,199 Speaker 2: played innocently near the water. Their laughter was contagious and 317 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: caused the crowd to laugh as well. Jesus smiled and 318 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 2: looked at the crowd. Looking at the children, they were 319 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 2: his little ones. He saw them in the same way 320 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 2: they saw the children. He lifted his voice and reminded 321 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 2: them of his heart. 322 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:53,199 Speaker 6: Let us say a shepherd has a hundred sheep. He 323 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 6: tends to them well within his pasture. However, one of 324 00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 6: them falls astray and wanders oft into the wilderness. Were 325 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 6: lie and wait the shepherd takes action and leaves the 326 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,440 Speaker 6: ninety nine sheep in search of the one. He ascends 327 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 6: into the mountains. He risks death an injury to save 328 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 6: the one sheep who went astray. Then he finds the sheep, 329 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 6: and his entire household rejoices. 330 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 5: That is the heart of my father in heaven. 331 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 6: It is not his will that any should perish. 332 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 2: Jesus peered out into the crowd. In the corner, he 333 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 2: could see two men facing each other disputing silently. 334 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 6: Forgive one another. 335 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:40,679 Speaker 2: Jesus shouted. The men quickly ceased their arguing. Embarrassed that 336 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 2: Jesus had caught them, he smiled and shook his head. 337 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 2: Then he turned to the rest of the crowd. 338 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 6: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him 339 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 6: his fault. Do not bring others into it unless you've 340 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 6: spoken to him first. Be honest with one another. If 341 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 6: he does not listen, bring a few more, so they 342 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 6: may be witnesses to your dispute and help. If he 343 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 6: refuse this to listen, still bring him to the church 344 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 6: so they might lovingly lead him. Wherever two or three 345 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:11,639 Speaker 6: are gathered in the midst of dispute, I will be 346 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 6: in their midst to aid. 347 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,680 Speaker 2: Peter looked at his brother Andrew. He smirked. The two 348 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:21,120 Speaker 2: of them had had many disputes in their lives. Andrew 349 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:26,679 Speaker 2: was more level handed, quiet, However, Peter was brash and loud. 350 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 9: How many times should I forgive my brother? Peter asked 351 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 9: the rabbis, tell us to forgive three times? Shall we 352 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 9: forgive more? Perhaps seven times? 353 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 2: Peter's number was generous. However, Jesus had a different number 354 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 2: in mine. 355 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:46,439 Speaker 6: No, Peter, not seven seventy seven. 356 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 2: The crowd laughed at the absurd number. However, Jesus was 357 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:55,400 Speaker 2: not joking. He held up his hand and told them 358 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:55,879 Speaker 2: a story. 359 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,919 Speaker 6: There was a ruler who wished to settle his accounts 360 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 6: with servants. He lent money to one of the servants, 361 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:07,199 Speaker 6: owed him ten thousand talents. Surely it was a number 362 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 6: two great to repay. Since he could not pay the debt, 363 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 6: the ruler offered for the servant and his family to 364 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 6: be sold into slavery to. 365 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:16,360 Speaker 4: Repay the payment. 366 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:19,679 Speaker 5: The servant leaped onto the floor and fell on his face. 367 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 5: He begged the ruler forgive me, forgive me of my debt. 368 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 5: Although he did not deserve forgiveness, The ruler gave it anyway, 369 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 5: for he was merciful and kind. The very same day, 370 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 5: the ruler was walking about the city when he caught 371 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:37,720 Speaker 5: a glimpse of the very same servant arguing with another man. 372 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 5: He watched as the servant swung at the man, hitting. 373 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:41,439 Speaker 6: Him to the floor. 374 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:43,959 Speaker 5: The two of them fought and thrashed at one another 375 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 5: until the servant came on top of him and began. 376 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 2: To choke him. Pay me what you owe me. 377 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 6: The servant yelled. As it turns out, the servant owed 378 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 6: the man one hundred talents. The man gasped for air 379 00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 6: and begged for mercy. 380 00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 5: Please forgive me of the debt. 381 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,679 Speaker 6: Yet did not have mercy. When the ruler heard this, 382 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 6: they summoned. 383 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 5: Him, you wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, 384 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 5: yet you choke this man for a hundred. 385 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:16,080 Speaker 6: In his anger, the ruler sent him out into the prison. 386 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 2: Jesus paused and allowed the crowd to understand the message. 387 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 2: You have been forgiven much, Jesus said, the same will 388 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 2: happen to you if you do not forgive others. With that, 389 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 2: Jesus departed with his disciples. There were things to prepare for, 390 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 2: for Jesus was about to set his face to Jerusalem. 391 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 2: Desiring for the entire region around him to hear the 392 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 2: proclaimed gospel, Jesus sent out his disciples into different regions 393 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 2: so he might preach. However, the Samaritan village nearby would 394 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:54,719 Speaker 2: not receive him. James and John boiled with rage that 395 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:58,680 Speaker 2: they would reject Jesus. They steamed with anger and bickered 396 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 2: amongst themselves on how while they should respond. Finally, they 397 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 2: came to Jesus and said. 398 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 10: Lord, shall we call down fire from heaven to obliterate 399 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 10: those who reject you. 400 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:13,959 Speaker 2: Jesus looked at them dismayed. His face showed shock, worry, 401 00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: and anger that they would even suggest such a thing. 402 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 2: Of course, not. Thus he nicknamed both of them sons 403 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 2: of Thunder. As the rest of them were walking into 404 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:30,160 Speaker 2: another town, a man came to them. He approached Jesus smugly, 405 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 2: prepared to follow Jesus wherever he went. 406 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,640 Speaker 4: Lord, allow me to follow you wherever you. 407 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:40,920 Speaker 2: Go, the man said, with a grin. He held himself 408 00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 2: with confidence. He had seen Jesus heal the sick and 409 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 2: multiply food. He saw the crowds call to make him king, 410 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 2: and await his revolution to the throne. To him, Jesus's 411 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 2: life seemed glamorous. He desired to be a part of 412 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 2: it and share in the glory. Jesus did not shew 413 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 2: the man away. Instead, he painted him a picture of 414 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,760 Speaker 2: what it was truly like to follow him. 415 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,960 Speaker 6: Foxes have holes and birds have nests, But the son 416 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 6: of man has no place to lay his head. He 417 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 6: has no home to call, his owner comforts to return to. 418 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 6: So follow me if you desire. 419 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 2: The man paused for a moment. He responded trepidaciously, saying. 420 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 4: Well, perhaps I should first tend to my father before 421 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:35,119 Speaker 4: he passes and secure my inheritance. Once he is gone 422 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,199 Speaker 4: and I have buried him, I can return to follow you. 423 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:40,200 Speaker 2: Jesus shook his head. 424 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 6: Leave the dead to bury their own dead, as for you, 425 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,639 Speaker 6: go and proclaim the kingdom of God. 426 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,000 Speaker 2: Another man approached Jesus and. 427 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 4: Said, Lord, I will follow you, but first allow me 428 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 4: to say goodbye to my family. 429 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 2: Jesus shook his head again. 430 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:00,200 Speaker 6: You do not understand yet the weights of them what 431 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 6: you are seeking. No man can put his hand to 432 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,760 Speaker 6: the plow and look back. The line becomes jacket and crooked. 433 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 6: No man is fit to commit to the Kingdom of 434 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:12,879 Speaker 6: God if he looks back. 435 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:17,560 Speaker 2: Jesus sat on a stone beside the road. A large 436 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 2: caravan of people were packing to depart from Galilee to Jerusalem. 437 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 2: Jesus watched as families packed food, instruments, and sacrifices for 438 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 2: the Feast of Booths. It was an entire celebration where 439 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:36,919 Speaker 2: families camped in makeshift booths outside Jerusalem to remember Israel's 440 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 2: time in the wilderness. 441 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 10: Are you coming, Jesus? 442 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 2: Jesus looked up and saw his brothers approaching. James, Jude, Joseph, 443 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 2: and Simon were all packing their things to depart. Jesus 444 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:52,680 Speaker 2: would not go with them. The religious leaders were waiting 445 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 2: for him there. He had known about their plot to 446 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 2: kill him, and there were still a few things to 447 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 2: do before he would give him himself up. His brothers 448 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 2: stood over him with their arms crossed. They knew better 449 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 2: than anyone that Jesus was unique, yet they were skeptical 450 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:14,639 Speaker 2: of his miracles and had issues with his claims to 451 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:16,119 Speaker 2: be the son of God. 452 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 10: Why have you remain in Galilee so long? Jude asked, 453 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 10: No one respects Galileans. If you really want to be 454 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 10: known for all your words and miracles. You would do 455 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 10: them in Jerusalem. That is where the people that matter are. 456 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 5: If you really do these things, why remain in an 457 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:34,440 Speaker 5: anonymous region of Galilee. 458 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 2: James chimed in, Come with. 459 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 4: Us, we would also like to see you make a 460 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:39,840 Speaker 4: name for yourself. 461 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:44,160 Speaker 2: There was sarcasm and snark in their voices. They did 462 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:47,879 Speaker 2: not believe in him. However, they would soon see for 463 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 2: themselves what was to come. James and Jude in particular 464 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:57,160 Speaker 2: would be completely transformed by the work Jesus did. Yet, 465 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,640 Speaker 2: for now, Jesus was content to allow them poke fun. 466 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:05,239 Speaker 2: They were his brothers after all. Jesus stood to his 467 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 2: feet and panted Jude on the shoulders. 468 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 6: Ah, my brothers, you shall have to go on without me. 469 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 6: My time has not yet come. 470 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 2: Simon scoffed. 471 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 11: Do you not have people waiting for you in Jerusalem? 472 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 11: How is it that you claim to be so close 473 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:25,120 Speaker 11: to God but avoid the people of God. Stop wasting 474 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:27,679 Speaker 11: your time in Galilee with all these fishermen. 475 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:31,679 Speaker 6: Jesus shrugged as I said, my time to show myself 476 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:35,719 Speaker 6: has not yet come. However, for you, my brothers, it 477 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 6: is always time. The world hates me because I testify 478 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 6: to its wickedness. If the world does not hate you, 479 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,000 Speaker 6: nobody lies and wait for you, and nobody seeking to 480 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,239 Speaker 6: kill you. So go, go and be free. I am 481 00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 6: sure I will see you soon. 482 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:52,960 Speaker 2: So his brothers departed with the rest of the caravan. 483 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 2: Musicians sat in their carriages with their liars, and the 484 00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 2: children played their flutes. It was a joyous occasion for 485 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 2: any Jew. However, Jesus had a mission. Once the caravan left, 486 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:12,160 Speaker 2: he silently and secretly made his way to Jerusalem. The 487 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 2: brothers approached the grand city of Jerusalem. It was teeming 488 00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:20,640 Speaker 2: with life. The market places were bustling with fresh produce 489 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 2: and fine items. Families from different nations and regions danced 490 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 2: through the city streets, taking in the glory of God's city. 491 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 2: The temple was central, like the beating heart of the city. 492 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:37,920 Speaker 2: From it, thousands of people poured in and out daily, 493 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:43,520 Speaker 2: making sacrifices and offering prayers to God. On the outskirts 494 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 2: of the city, hundreds of tents and booths were set 495 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 2: up to celebrate the feast of booths. Children ran to 496 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 2: and from each tent, rolling around in the grass. Women 497 00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 2: started fires to cook food. As the men sat among 498 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 2: one another, laughing and craft their tents. The brothers of 499 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:07,040 Speaker 2: Jesus could not help but feel slightly sorrowful that Jesus 500 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 2: was not with them. For three years now, he had 501 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 2: been traveling from region to region preaching and healing. They 502 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 2: missed him. Perhaps that is why they ridiculed him so often. 503 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,959 Speaker 2: The brothers sat by the fire, waiting for the feast 504 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:30,000 Speaker 2: to begin. They exchanged stories of their childhood and laughed, 505 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 2: making mention of Jesus. Often the few of the people 506 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 2: around them took notice and approached their fire. 507 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:39,200 Speaker 4: Are you the brothers of Jesus. 508 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:41,600 Speaker 2: They asked. The brothers nodded. 509 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:44,040 Speaker 4: Where is he? Has he come with you to the feast? 510 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:46,520 Speaker 6: He is remaining in Galilee. 511 00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:50,440 Speaker 2: Joseph replied quickly. They often grew tired of answering questions 512 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,720 Speaker 2: about Jesus. However, more and more people listened in and 513 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,920 Speaker 2: huddled near the fire. They disputed among themselves. Some would 514 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,480 Speaker 2: say he is a good man. Others would whisper he 515 00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:07,760 Speaker 2: is the Messiah. Then more would respond, he's leading people astray. 516 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 2: Nobody was in agreement to the character of Jesus, not 517 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:17,480 Speaker 2: even his own brothers. Meanwhile, in the temple, the religious 518 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 2: leaders were teaching a large crowd. They spoke of the 519 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:24,920 Speaker 2: law and devotion to the temple economy. As they spoke, 520 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:29,400 Speaker 2: Jesus weaved his way through the crowns, remaining anonymous under 521 00:31:29,400 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 2: a cloak. He remained hidden, observing the people as they 522 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:39,000 Speaker 2: sought answers to life's greatest questions. He listened to the 523 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 2: Pharisees fumble the word of God and teach it as 524 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 2: a means to control and manipulate. Without a word, Jesus 525 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: removed his hood and walked to the other side of 526 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:57,080 Speaker 2: the temple. Slowly people began to recognize him. The Pharisees 527 00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,160 Speaker 2: watched as the attention of the crowd was diverted to 528 00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:04,000 Speaker 2: the other side of the temple, like his shifting tide. 529 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:07,920 Speaker 2: The amount of people listening to them reduced to nearly nothing. 530 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:11,239 Speaker 2: They looked to the other side of the temple and 531 00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:17,240 Speaker 2: saw Jesus proclaiming the mercy, justice, love, and triumph of 532 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:22,120 Speaker 2: the Kingdom of God. The Jews marveled. Many of them 533 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 2: had not listened to him before. The locals of Jerusalem 534 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:29,720 Speaker 2: were connoisseurs of good teaching. They listened often to the 535 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:34,200 Speaker 2: rhetoric of Hebrew scholars and debate between rabbis However, as 536 00:32:34,240 --> 00:32:37,560 Speaker 2: they listened to Jesus, they heard things that they had 537 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:42,600 Speaker 2: never heard before. How is it that this uneducated man 538 00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:48,160 Speaker 2: can say such things? They asked. Jesus held out his arms. 539 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,080 Speaker 6: My teaching is not my own, It is from the 540 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 6: one who sent me. 541 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:55,479 Speaker 2: Some in the crowd began to recognize Jesus as the 542 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:57,640 Speaker 2: one whom the Pharisees were plotting to kill. 543 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:00,320 Speaker 12: How is it that people in the city are wanting 544 00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:02,800 Speaker 12: to kill him, yet he stands here boldly for all 545 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:03,240 Speaker 12: to see. 546 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:08,400 Speaker 2: The crowd was stirring, questioning who Jesus really was. Who 547 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:11,680 Speaker 2: is this man? They asked? Can it be that he 548 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:17,200 Speaker 2: really is the Christ? Jesus scanned the crowd. He stretched 549 00:33:17,240 --> 00:33:19,240 Speaker 2: out his arms and gestured to them. 550 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:22,840 Speaker 13: You know who I am. You know where I came from. 551 00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:27,240 Speaker 13: I've been sent by God. I know him. I come 552 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:30,360 Speaker 13: from him, and is he who guides me. 553 00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:34,800 Speaker 2: As the words left Jesus's mouth, the crowd erupted in rage. 554 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:38,080 Speaker 2: They called for him to be arrested. They spat in 555 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:42,800 Speaker 2: his direction and called him a Blasphever, yet many people 556 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 2: believed in him. At the edge of the temple, Jesus's 557 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:52,440 Speaker 2: brothers watched in awe. As Jesus continued speaking, the Pharisees 558 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:54,080 Speaker 2: called for the guards to arrest him. 559 00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:57,880 Speaker 7: He is a blasphemer, they yelled, seize him. 560 00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:01,680 Speaker 2: So the guards approached the platform were Jesus taught. They 561 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:06,400 Speaker 2: marched with their swords drawn, ready to take Jesus by force. However, 562 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:11,000 Speaker 2: they slowed their pursuit as they heard Jesus speak. They 563 00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:15,719 Speaker 2: heard about depths of God's goodness, the origin of justice, 564 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:20,040 Speaker 2: and the meaning behind the law. They were enraptured by 565 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:24,080 Speaker 2: his sermon, so instead of arresting him, they sheathed their 566 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:28,920 Speaker 2: swords and listened. The Pharisees were outraged that they could 567 00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:31,880 Speaker 2: not lay a hand on Jesus, so they sought to 568 00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:36,400 Speaker 2: end him in secret. Their rage boiled with a quiet 569 00:34:36,440 --> 00:34:40,440 Speaker 2: and ancient evil. They did not know it, but they 570 00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:43,200 Speaker 2: were being played as pawns in the hand of a 571 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:48,280 Speaker 2: great enemy. And the secrecy of night, the Pharisees ploted 572 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 2: how they might kill him. Nicodemus remained in the back 573 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:57,040 Speaker 2: of the room, silently listening. Nobody knew that he had 574 00:34:57,080 --> 00:35:01,480 Speaker 2: once visited Jesus and had been transform formed by his words. 575 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:07,080 Speaker 2: He cleared his throat to get the room's attention. Nicodemus 576 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:12,000 Speaker 2: was respected among the Pharisees. His teaching was highly sought after, 577 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:14,760 Speaker 2: and he was known as one of the deepest thinkers 578 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:19,279 Speaker 2: of the day. All were silent as Nicodemus stood, you. 579 00:35:19,239 --> 00:35:23,319 Speaker 4: Would condemn this man without a trial. Nicodemus asked, why 580 00:35:23,320 --> 00:35:27,439 Speaker 4: would we not truly inquire about his actions to see 581 00:35:27,440 --> 00:35:29,560 Speaker 4: if he really is who people say he is. 582 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:34,480 Speaker 2: Yet his words fell flat. The group was more concerned 583 00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:39,279 Speaker 2: with their power than the truth, so Nicodemus shrunk back, 584 00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:43,000 Speaker 2: scheming about how he could possibly stop what was about 585 00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:48,960 Speaker 2: to happen. It was morning and the sun was peeking 586 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:53,440 Speaker 2: through the fig trees as Jesus lay underneath. The morning 587 00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:57,520 Speaker 2: haze caused the light to disperse in hundreds of directions, 588 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:03,319 Speaker 2: illuminating the blooming flowers and morning dew. Jesus walked the 589 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:07,800 Speaker 2: garden at the Mount of Olives and prayed. He breathed 590 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:10,480 Speaker 2: in the crisp air and felt the first rays of 591 00:36:10,520 --> 00:36:14,880 Speaker 2: the sun gently touch his face. He listened to the 592 00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:18,640 Speaker 2: babbling brook Kidron and watched the clear water run through 593 00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:22,959 Speaker 2: the garden. He would be back here soon. It would 594 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:27,080 Speaker 2: be a less peaceful experience than this. The day was 595 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:32,480 Speaker 2: getting closer. Jesus departed from the mount of Olives and 596 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:36,200 Speaker 2: sat at the temple courtyard. He leaned his head against 597 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:39,359 Speaker 2: the wall, enjoying a moment of silence with his God. 598 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:44,120 Speaker 2: Then he heard a mob of people approaching. In front 599 00:36:44,160 --> 00:36:46,960 Speaker 2: of the throng of people were a few pharisees and 600 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:50,799 Speaker 2: scribes dragging a woman through the dirt by her hair. 601 00:36:52,200 --> 00:36:55,960 Speaker 2: Her screams were louder than the mob of people. Jesus 602 00:36:56,160 --> 00:36:59,719 Speaker 2: stood to his feet and marched towards them. They saw 603 00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:03,160 Speaker 2: Jesus and threw the woman to the ground at his feet. 604 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:08,040 Speaker 2: Her face hit the dirt with a thud. She gasped 605 00:37:08,080 --> 00:37:11,919 Speaker 2: for air. As she turned to her side. Jesus could 606 00:37:11,920 --> 00:37:14,319 Speaker 2: see the bruises on her wrists from the men who 607 00:37:14,360 --> 00:37:18,720 Speaker 2: grabbed her. Her clothes were torn and falling off her body, 608 00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:23,160 Speaker 2: and blood was running down her temple. Jesus looked up 609 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:26,719 Speaker 2: at the man standing over her. They wore smug grims 610 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:31,800 Speaker 2: and pointed to the woman, Tisha. One of the pharisees shouted. 611 00:37:31,800 --> 00:37:35,759 Speaker 14: This woman has been caught in adultery. According to the 612 00:37:35,840 --> 00:37:36,960 Speaker 14: law of Moses. 613 00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:40,600 Speaker 2: She should be stoned, they said, trying to trap him 614 00:37:40,600 --> 00:37:44,000 Speaker 2: into forgiving a woman who was clearly guilty. One of 615 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:47,759 Speaker 2: the pharisees grabbed the woman by the hair and shouted, so. 616 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:51,480 Speaker 14: What do you say now, Jesus, what shall be done 617 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:55,440 Speaker 14: to her? Will you obey the law of Moses? A 618 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,800 Speaker 14: compromise yet again to befriend whores and sinners. 619 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:04,400 Speaker 2: Jesus's heart beat faster. They had made a spectacle of 620 00:38:04,440 --> 00:38:09,040 Speaker 2: this woman. They had reduced her to nothing. The whole 621 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:12,760 Speaker 2: crowd looked upon her with disgust and spat in her direction. 622 00:38:14,360 --> 00:38:19,600 Speaker 2: The woman shrunk in shame. She curled into herself, covering 623 00:38:19,640 --> 00:38:23,000 Speaker 2: her ears as she listened to people scoff at her. 624 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:27,080 Speaker 2: She knew what people did to women caught an adultery. 625 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,919 Speaker 2: She knew she was about to be stoned. Jesus looked 626 00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:37,239 Speaker 2: up at the people. Underneath Jesus's blank expression was a 627 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:41,680 Speaker 2: rumbling of anger. Not anger towards the woman, but the 628 00:38:41,760 --> 00:38:44,399 Speaker 2: men who would treat her like an animal to prove 629 00:38:44,440 --> 00:38:47,480 Speaker 2: a point. He knew. They did not care about the 630 00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:51,200 Speaker 2: woman's sin. They desired to trap Jesus, and they were 631 00:38:51,239 --> 00:38:57,040 Speaker 2: willing to stone this woman to validate themselves. Within Jesus 632 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:01,160 Speaker 2: was the power of Heaven bed in the common frame 633 00:39:01,239 --> 00:39:05,120 Speaker 2: of a Hebrew was the creator of the universe. With 634 00:39:05,239 --> 00:39:08,680 Speaker 2: a word, he could destroy all of them. Yet he 635 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:13,279 Speaker 2: kept his power sheathed. He would not address them in 636 00:39:13,360 --> 00:39:17,400 Speaker 2: the way they deserved. Even the corrupt deserved a chance 637 00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:23,000 Speaker 2: to repent. So Jesus took two steps forward and crouched 638 00:39:23,080 --> 00:39:26,319 Speaker 2: down in the dirt. He began to write words in 639 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:31,440 Speaker 2: the dust with his finger. There was a silence as 640 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:36,000 Speaker 2: the religious leaders read what Jesus was writing. The woman 641 00:39:36,080 --> 00:39:39,040 Speaker 2: peeked her eyes over. She could not see what Jesus 642 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:41,960 Speaker 2: was writing, but she could notice that it made the 643 00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:48,000 Speaker 2: Pharisees uncomfortable. Jesus stood to his feet and looked at them. 644 00:39:48,840 --> 00:39:51,560 Speaker 2: He picked up a stone off the floor and walked 645 00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:58,200 Speaker 2: towards them. Their eyes widened. Jesus was unpredictable to them 646 00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,880 Speaker 2: what he stoned the woman, or would he attacked them. 647 00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:05,360 Speaker 2: The crowd took a few steps back, bracing for Jesus 648 00:40:05,400 --> 00:40:09,759 Speaker 2: to strike them down. Instead, he reached out with the 649 00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:11,680 Speaker 2: stone resting on his palm. 650 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:16,560 Speaker 5: If any one among you is without sin, let him 651 00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:18,280 Speaker 5: throw the first stone. 652 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:22,080 Speaker 2: Jesus dropped the stone in front of the woman and Pharisees. 653 00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:27,520 Speaker 2: It fell to the floor with a thud. Everyone was silent. 654 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:31,880 Speaker 2: Jesus knelt down again and continued writing in the dirt. 655 00:40:32,960 --> 00:40:35,520 Speaker 2: The men looked at his words written in the dust, 656 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:40,120 Speaker 2: and one by one they began to leave. Each man, 657 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:44,800 Speaker 2: beginning with the oldest, departed in a hurry. The woman 658 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:48,800 Speaker 2: watched as the men grumbled. Their faces were filled with worry. 659 00:40:49,440 --> 00:40:52,040 Speaker 2: Perhaps they did not want anyone to read what Jesus 660 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:58,640 Speaker 2: was writing. Perhaps it was about them. The pharisees and 661 00:40:58,719 --> 00:41:03,080 Speaker 2: scribes left without a word. They grumbled as they departed, 662 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:04,560 Speaker 2: swiftly so no one. 663 00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:05,759 Speaker 6: Would talk to them. 664 00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:08,759 Speaker 2: The crowns also departed, for there was no longer a 665 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:13,840 Speaker 2: spectacle to watch. All that remained was Jesus and the woman. 666 00:41:14,920 --> 00:41:17,880 Speaker 2: Her body was bruised and gleeding from being dragged in 667 00:41:17,920 --> 00:41:22,480 Speaker 2: the dirt. She covered herself best she could. They had 668 00:41:22,560 --> 00:41:25,040 Speaker 2: drug her out of her bed, right in the act 669 00:41:25,040 --> 00:41:29,400 Speaker 2: of adultery, yet the man had not been taken. She 670 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:35,239 Speaker 2: was frustrated, ashamed, and alone. Jesus walked over to her 671 00:41:35,440 --> 00:41:38,320 Speaker 2: and knelt on to the floor. He took the robe 672 00:41:38,520 --> 00:41:42,480 Speaker 2: off his back and draped it over her shoulders. He 673 00:41:42,560 --> 00:41:46,200 Speaker 2: met the woman's eyes and then gestured to the empty courtyard. 674 00:41:46,719 --> 00:41:50,480 Speaker 6: Tell me, he said, who is left to shame you. 675 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:55,520 Speaker 2: The woman looked around her tears fell into the dirt 676 00:41:55,640 --> 00:42:00,520 Speaker 2: before Jesus. She shook her head and answered, no one, 677 00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:04,600 Speaker 2: my lord. Jesus propped up her chin so her eyes 678 00:42:04,719 --> 00:42:05,040 Speaker 2: met his. 679 00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:07,279 Speaker 6: Then neither do I sheme you. 680 00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:09,960 Speaker 2: He helped the woman to her feet and brush the 681 00:42:10,040 --> 00:42:11,280 Speaker 2: dirt off her clothes. 682 00:42:11,840 --> 00:42:16,360 Speaker 6: Leave now in freedom, Go and sin no more so. 683 00:42:16,520 --> 00:42:22,680 Speaker 2: The woman departed, feeling the full weight of grace. Jesus 684 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:26,839 Speaker 2: outstretched his arms to the people and proclaimed, I am 685 00:42:26,880 --> 00:42:28,440 Speaker 2: the good Shepherd. 686 00:42:29,120 --> 00:42:32,240 Speaker 6: The good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. 687 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:34,239 Speaker 2: He then pointed to the pharisees. 688 00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:37,880 Speaker 6: The hired hand sees the wolf coming and leaves the 689 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:41,640 Speaker 6: sheep to save himself. He cares nothing for the sheep. 690 00:42:41,920 --> 00:42:44,520 Speaker 2: Jesus paced the ground outside the temple. 691 00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:47,439 Speaker 5: I am the good Shepherd, and I will lay down 692 00:42:47,560 --> 00:42:49,160 Speaker 5: my life for the sheep. 693 00:42:49,880 --> 00:42:52,560 Speaker 6: They will hear me and listen to my voice. 694 00:42:53,400 --> 00:42:57,320 Speaker 5: Know this, whatever may come in the future, nobody takes 695 00:42:57,400 --> 00:43:00,440 Speaker 5: my life from me. I lay it down will for 696 00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:02,160 Speaker 5: the sake of those. 697 00:43:02,000 --> 00:43:05,080 Speaker 6: God has given to me. I have the authority to 698 00:43:05,120 --> 00:43:08,279 Speaker 6: lay down my life. I have the authority to raise 699 00:43:08,320 --> 00:43:09,440 Speaker 6: it up again. 700 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:12,720 Speaker 2: As he said these things, there was another division among 701 00:43:12,760 --> 00:43:14,799 Speaker 2: the Jews. Many of them said. 702 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:19,520 Speaker 12: He has a demon, he's insane, Why listen to him. 703 00:43:19,840 --> 00:43:22,560 Speaker 12: Others said, these are not the words of one who 704 00:43:22,600 --> 00:43:25,879 Speaker 12: is oppressed by demon. Can a demon open the eyes 705 00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:26,520 Speaker 12: of the blind? 706 00:43:27,520 --> 00:43:31,080 Speaker 2: Jesus left from there, healing the blind and rebuking the 707 00:43:31,080 --> 00:43:35,680 Speaker 2: Pharisees for their lack of compassion over the laws, all 708 00:43:35,719 --> 00:43:39,400 Speaker 2: the while their hatred for him grew. The name of 709 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:43,520 Speaker 2: Jesus became a point of debate between people in Jerusalem. 710 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:47,920 Speaker 2: While people from Galilee rejoiced in his miracles, the religious 711 00:43:47,920 --> 00:43:53,360 Speaker 2: elite of Jerusalem analyzed and debated them. All the while 712 00:43:53,760 --> 00:43:57,400 Speaker 2: Jesus set his heart towards the final act of his ministry. 713 00:43:58,360 --> 00:44:00,719 Speaker 2: He was beginning to set his gaze on the hill 714 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:06,160 Speaker 2: outside the city, the place of the skull Convary. 715 00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:11,440 Speaker 3: God's heart is always for those who cannot help themselves. 716 00:44:12,040 --> 00:44:14,960 Speaker 3: God's heart is for the vulnerable, the weak, and the helpless, 717 00:44:15,400 --> 00:44:18,000 Speaker 3: So he sends his heroes to respond to the needs 718 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:21,160 Speaker 3: of those who cannot help themselves. This is the heart 719 00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:24,440 Speaker 3: of God and the heart of his Messiah. During the 720 00:44:24,480 --> 00:44:27,879 Speaker 3: time of Jesus, there were a variety of different predictions 721 00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:30,439 Speaker 3: on who the Messiah would be. Very few of those 722 00:44:30,480 --> 00:44:33,719 Speaker 3: predictions involved the carpenter who hung out with blind men, 723 00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:39,320 Speaker 3: tax collectors, and fishermen. Jesus flipped everybody's expectations upside down. 724 00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:44,200 Speaker 3: His constant attendance to the sick demon possessed an outcast 725 00:44:44,239 --> 00:44:47,440 Speaker 3: gives us a good idea of how God defines heroism. 726 00:44:47,640 --> 00:44:51,279 Speaker 3: When Samaid defended the little feel from the Philistines, he 727 00:44:51,400 --> 00:44:55,160 Speaker 3: displayed true heroism. He fought for the helpless and defended 728 00:44:55,200 --> 00:44:59,440 Speaker 3: the dignity of something small. Jesus was constantly paying attention 729 00:44:59,520 --> 00:45:04,200 Speaker 3: to the feels, those seemingly small and insignificant people who 730 00:45:04,239 --> 00:45:07,320 Speaker 3: needed help. Shama use the sword, but Jesus had a 731 00:45:07,400 --> 00:45:10,960 Speaker 3: different weapon at his disposal, the spirit of God. His 732 00:45:11,040 --> 00:45:14,640 Speaker 3: disciples found themselves incapable of casting out a demon from 733 00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:18,480 Speaker 3: a small boy. The boy's father was angry, confused, and 734 00:45:18,520 --> 00:45:22,440 Speaker 3: beside himself with grief. Wouldn't you be the Demon's grip 735 00:45:22,480 --> 00:45:24,960 Speaker 3: on this boy caused him to harm himself and the 736 00:45:24,960 --> 00:45:28,160 Speaker 3: people around him. If you are a parent listening to this, 737 00:45:28,640 --> 00:45:31,640 Speaker 3: you can only imagine the anguish this father was feeling. 738 00:45:32,480 --> 00:45:35,440 Speaker 3: Jesus knew what the father was thinking, but he also 739 00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:39,240 Speaker 3: knew what the Pharisees and scribes were thinking. They snickered 740 00:45:39,280 --> 00:45:42,279 Speaker 3: at the disciples' inability to heal the boy, and that 741 00:45:42,440 --> 00:45:47,160 Speaker 3: made Jesus enraged. They were so self righteous that they 742 00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:51,200 Speaker 3: had closed their hearts off to compassion. The contrast between 743 00:45:51,280 --> 00:45:54,680 Speaker 3: Jesus and the Pharisees only becomes more parent as this 744 00:45:54,800 --> 00:45:58,800 Speaker 3: series continues. They would rather this boy continue to suffer 745 00:45:58,840 --> 00:46:02,440 Speaker 3: than give Jesus a victory. When we have prioritized our 746 00:46:02,440 --> 00:46:06,040 Speaker 3: own idea of morality over compassion and charity, we have 747 00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:09,959 Speaker 3: taken a dark turn. Jesus confronted the demon and held 748 00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:12,440 Speaker 3: the boy tightly so that he couldn't harm himself or 749 00:46:12,480 --> 00:46:15,800 Speaker 3: anyone else. He embraced the boy with love and rebuke 750 00:46:15,920 --> 00:46:19,120 Speaker 3: the tormenting spirit within him. If you have a chance 751 00:46:19,200 --> 00:46:21,759 Speaker 3: to go back and listen to this scene again, I 752 00:46:21,840 --> 00:46:25,600 Speaker 3: suggest you do. Imagine all the darkness that plagues your mind. 753 00:46:26,000 --> 00:46:30,840 Speaker 3: Then imagine Jesus's strong arms wrapping around you. You thrash, 754 00:46:31,000 --> 00:46:34,319 Speaker 3: you tug away, but he doesn't let go. Instead, he 755 00:46:34,360 --> 00:46:37,040 Speaker 3: speaks truth to your soul and rebukes the lies you 756 00:46:37,120 --> 00:46:37,640 Speaker 3: have believed. 757 00:46:38,360 --> 00:46:38,880 Speaker 2: Powerful. 758 00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:42,239 Speaker 3: I also love the Father's prayer in this episode. Did 759 00:46:42,280 --> 00:46:45,000 Speaker 3: you notice it. At first, it doesn't seem like a prayer, 760 00:46:45,200 --> 00:46:48,040 Speaker 3: but it is. It is a prayer. You and I 761 00:46:48,080 --> 00:46:51,280 Speaker 3: can both pray every time we doubt. Lord, I believe, 762 00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:55,080 Speaker 3: but help my unbelief. What an honest and simple prayer. 763 00:46:55,760 --> 00:46:58,359 Speaker 3: It is a prayer I can relate to. I want 764 00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:01,800 Speaker 3: to believe Jesus can do anything, but sometimes I can't 765 00:47:01,840 --> 00:47:05,239 Speaker 3: get myself to a place of full surrendering trust. Pray 766 00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:09,000 Speaker 3: to God, declare your belief in him, but also ask 767 00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:12,040 Speaker 3: him to help you where your faith may fail. After 768 00:47:12,120 --> 00:47:14,600 Speaker 3: Jesus helped the boy, he had a moment alone with 769 00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:17,240 Speaker 3: his disciples to prepare their heart for the troubles ahead. 770 00:47:17,840 --> 00:47:20,040 Speaker 3: The son of Man will be delivered into the hands 771 00:47:20,040 --> 00:47:22,799 Speaker 3: of men, Jesus said. They will kill him, and he 772 00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:25,800 Speaker 3: will be raised again on the third day. Our hero 773 00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:29,200 Speaker 3: will eventually be taken by soldiers and nailed to a cross. 774 00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:32,720 Speaker 3: He will bleed and hang like a criminal. He wanted 775 00:47:32,760 --> 00:47:35,560 Speaker 3: to prepare his disciples so that they might have hope, 776 00:47:35,880 --> 00:47:38,759 Speaker 3: but they never seemed to get it. I wonder why 777 00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:42,360 Speaker 3: that was. Why did the cross still seem like a surprise. 778 00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:45,960 Speaker 3: Jesus spent a lot of time warning them of his 779 00:47:46,080 --> 00:47:49,719 Speaker 3: death and resurrection. I think God is often speaking to us, 780 00:47:50,160 --> 00:47:54,920 Speaker 3: giving us reminders and guidance for the future. However, some 781 00:47:55,000 --> 00:47:57,319 Speaker 3: things go in one ear and out the other. It 782 00:47:57,400 --> 00:48:01,200 Speaker 3: is only when we truly experience those things ourselves that 783 00:48:01,239 --> 00:48:05,480 Speaker 3: we possess what God has been telling us all along. Nevertheless, 784 00:48:05,560 --> 00:48:08,440 Speaker 3: Jesus was patient with his disciples. He loved them like 785 00:48:08,480 --> 00:48:11,560 Speaker 3: a shepherd loves his sheep. Jesus loved Peter as well, 786 00:48:12,120 --> 00:48:14,879 Speaker 3: providing for him in the small ways and the being. 787 00:48:15,719 --> 00:48:19,359 Speaker 3: They're probably a thousand profound points we could extrapolate from 788 00:48:19,400 --> 00:48:22,040 Speaker 3: the fish and the coin, but I would rather remind 789 00:48:22,120 --> 00:48:26,240 Speaker 3: us of a simple point. God cares about the small things, 790 00:48:26,760 --> 00:48:29,880 Speaker 3: like paying your bills or getting your car fixed. He 791 00:48:30,040 --> 00:48:34,960 Speaker 3: notices your minor insecurities and hidden embarrassments. All these things 792 00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:37,480 Speaker 3: are seen by Jesus, and he wants to attend to 793 00:48:37,520 --> 00:48:41,920 Speaker 3: your needs. If you feel like the small accumulated issues 794 00:48:41,960 --> 00:48:44,640 Speaker 3: in your life don't matter to God, let me remind 795 00:48:44,719 --> 00:48:48,480 Speaker 3: you that they do. Speaking of Jesus's heart for small things, 796 00:48:48,920 --> 00:48:51,520 Speaker 3: this episode gave us a glimpse in of Jesus's heart 797 00:48:51,560 --> 00:48:54,799 Speaker 3: for children would ask about what it takes to be 798 00:48:54,840 --> 00:48:58,600 Speaker 3: great in God's kingdom. Jesus answered, with you see these children, 799 00:48:59,239 --> 00:49:02,160 Speaker 3: they are humble, and approach me with joy. That faith 800 00:49:02,239 --> 00:49:05,319 Speaker 3: is pure and undefiled. Whoever is like one of these 801 00:49:05,400 --> 00:49:08,719 Speaker 3: children is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. God wants 802 00:49:08,800 --> 00:49:11,880 Speaker 3: us to approach him with childlike faith. The faith a 803 00:49:12,000 --> 00:49:15,120 Speaker 3: child has when they jump into their parents' arms or 804 00:49:15,200 --> 00:49:17,480 Speaker 3: run to them when they are afraid, is the same 805 00:49:17,520 --> 00:49:20,719 Speaker 3: faith we are called to. Is the same faith we're 806 00:49:20,800 --> 00:49:24,480 Speaker 3: called to. Children have no problem expressing their needs or 807 00:49:24,520 --> 00:49:29,040 Speaker 3: acknowledging their emotions. They also hopefully trust their parents and 808 00:49:29,120 --> 00:49:32,000 Speaker 3: lean on their understanding of the world. This is how 809 00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:36,040 Speaker 3: God desires us to approach him honestly, with pure hearts 810 00:49:36,200 --> 00:49:40,240 Speaker 3: and humble spirits. This episode was not all good feelings 811 00:49:40,239 --> 00:49:43,240 Speaker 3: and pleasant sayings, though, As the children ran off to play, 812 00:49:43,719 --> 00:49:46,960 Speaker 3: Jesus gives the crowd a stern mourning. It was perhaps 813 00:49:47,040 --> 00:49:50,920 Speaker 3: one of the harshest things Jesus ever said. Whoever accepts 814 00:49:51,440 --> 00:49:55,840 Speaker 3: and loves a child in my name also receives me. However, 815 00:49:55,880 --> 00:49:59,320 Speaker 3: whoever causes one of these little ones harm or causes 816 00:49:59,360 --> 00:50:01,640 Speaker 3: them to sin, it would be better for him to 817 00:50:01,680 --> 00:50:05,120 Speaker 3: have a stone fastened around his neck and thrown into 818 00:50:05,120 --> 00:50:08,640 Speaker 3: the bottom of the sea. You heard that correctly. Jesus 819 00:50:08,640 --> 00:50:10,800 Speaker 3: said it would be better to drown in the bottom 820 00:50:10,840 --> 00:50:13,759 Speaker 3: of the sea than to be caught abusing a child. 821 00:50:14,760 --> 00:50:17,120 Speaker 3: That's how harsh the punishment will be for those who 822 00:50:17,120 --> 00:50:22,800 Speaker 3: mistreat children. Jesus was ferociously passionate about preserving the joy 823 00:50:22,840 --> 00:50:25,719 Speaker 3: and faith of the little ones. Children are not just 824 00:50:25,760 --> 00:50:28,800 Speaker 3: our future, they are our present. They are a present 825 00:50:28,840 --> 00:50:34,200 Speaker 3: reminder of joy, faith, and honesty. Preserving the innocence of 826 00:50:34,320 --> 00:50:37,480 Speaker 3: children preserves our own innocence in a way. May we 827 00:50:37,560 --> 00:50:41,320 Speaker 3: never neglect them or sit idly by while others harmed them. 828 00:50:41,800 --> 00:50:45,200 Speaker 3: The episode ended with a famous scene. A woman was 829 00:50:45,320 --> 00:50:47,520 Speaker 3: dragged out in shame. She was caught in the act 830 00:50:47,560 --> 00:50:51,360 Speaker 3: of adultery and brought before Jesus for judgment. The religious 831 00:50:51,400 --> 00:50:54,320 Speaker 3: leaders wanted to test Jesus. If he showed a mercy, 832 00:50:54,800 --> 00:50:57,640 Speaker 3: they would say he didn't take the law seriously. If 833 00:50:57,680 --> 00:51:00,000 Speaker 3: he showed a judgment, they would say he was a hipoce. 834 00:51:00,920 --> 00:51:04,640 Speaker 3: So what does Jesus do? He writes in the sand. 835 00:51:04,920 --> 00:51:07,920 Speaker 3: Many have speculated what this writing was. Some say he 836 00:51:08,000 --> 00:51:11,160 Speaker 3: was listing the sins of the Pharisees. I personally liked 837 00:51:11,200 --> 00:51:14,120 Speaker 3: that theory. Others say that he may have been writing 838 00:51:14,200 --> 00:51:18,120 Speaker 3: Jeremiah thirteen when it says, Oh, Lord, the Hope of Israel, 839 00:51:18,280 --> 00:51:21,120 Speaker 3: all who forsake you shall be put to shame. Those 840 00:51:21,160 --> 00:51:23,840 Speaker 3: who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, 841 00:51:24,040 --> 00:51:26,840 Speaker 3: for they have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living water. 842 00:51:27,280 --> 00:51:30,799 Speaker 3: Either way, it struck a chord with the mob. One 843 00:51:30,840 --> 00:51:34,279 Speaker 3: by one they started to leave. All that remained were 844 00:51:34,440 --> 00:51:37,920 Speaker 3: Jesus and this woman. I want us all to pause 845 00:51:37,960 --> 00:51:40,560 Speaker 3: for a moment and consider this woman. She had been 846 00:51:40,600 --> 00:51:43,680 Speaker 3: forcibly taken from her room, having been caught in the 847 00:51:43,680 --> 00:51:47,360 Speaker 3: act of adultery. She was probably poorly clothed, without a 848 00:51:47,400 --> 00:51:50,520 Speaker 3: head covering, and a shame. On top of that, the 849 00:51:50,520 --> 00:51:53,240 Speaker 3: man who was also committing adultery was nowhere to be found. 850 00:51:53,680 --> 00:51:56,480 Speaker 3: She was brought out as a spectacle and nothing else. 851 00:51:57,000 --> 00:51:59,880 Speaker 3: Nobody cared about her story, her past, or her shame. 852 00:52:00,520 --> 00:52:03,360 Speaker 3: They wanted to judge her to feel better about themselves, 853 00:52:03,680 --> 00:52:06,719 Speaker 3: no matter what it cost her. The law allowed for 854 00:52:06,760 --> 00:52:10,120 Speaker 3: public stoning, so you can imagine a fear when Jesus 855 00:52:10,120 --> 00:52:13,040 Speaker 3: picked up a stone. However, all he said was, if 856 00:52:13,080 --> 00:52:16,480 Speaker 3: anyone among you is without sin, let him throw the 857 00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:19,720 Speaker 3: first stone. People left, and she stood face to face 858 00:52:19,760 --> 00:52:23,520 Speaker 3: with Love incarnate. What do you think she felt? What 859 00:52:23,760 --> 00:52:27,440 Speaker 3: world wind of emotions were circling in her head? She 860 00:52:27,520 --> 00:52:31,000 Speaker 3: got a taste of pure and undefiled mercy. That day 861 00:52:31,680 --> 00:52:34,839 Speaker 3: Jesus charged her to go and sin no more. And 862 00:52:34,880 --> 00:52:37,920 Speaker 3: that is the charge for you and me today. We 863 00:52:38,000 --> 00:52:41,160 Speaker 3: have been given an abundance of mercy. The punishment we 864 00:52:41,239 --> 00:52:45,400 Speaker 3: deserve was removed from us. Jesus has shown compassion, kindness, 865 00:52:45,400 --> 00:52:48,560 Speaker 3: and grace. What should we do with it? Paul says 866 00:52:48,600 --> 00:52:50,759 Speaker 3: in Romani. What shall we say? 867 00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:50,960 Speaker 2: Then? 868 00:52:51,360 --> 00:52:53,800 Speaker 3: Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound 869 00:52:54,160 --> 00:52:56,759 Speaker 3: by no means? How can we who died the sin 870 00:52:56,840 --> 00:52:59,520 Speaker 3: still live in it? Do you not know that all 871 00:52:59,560 --> 00:53:02,560 Speaker 3: of us been baptizing to Christ. Jesus were baptizing to 872 00:53:02,640 --> 00:53:05,680 Speaker 3: his death. We were buried therefore with him, by baptism 873 00:53:05,680 --> 00:53:08,480 Speaker 3: and to death, in order that, just as Jesus was 874 00:53:08,600 --> 00:53:10,520 Speaker 3: raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, 875 00:53:11,040 --> 00:53:14,160 Speaker 3: we too might walk in the newness of life. Christ 876 00:53:14,280 --> 00:53:17,319 Speaker 3: died the death we deserved so that we might live 877 00:53:17,400 --> 00:53:20,880 Speaker 3: the life he lived. Mercy gives us the freedom to 878 00:53:20,920 --> 00:53:23,920 Speaker 3: go and sin no more. He hung like us, so 879 00:53:24,040 --> 00:53:28,239 Speaker 3: we can walk like him. Hallelujah. Jesus truly is the 880 00:53:28,280 --> 00:53:31,640 Speaker 3: good shepherd. He laid down his life for us, We, 881 00:53:31,880 --> 00:53:35,560 Speaker 3: as his sheep, can live in freedom from fear and shame. 882 00:53:36,280 --> 00:53:38,800 Speaker 3: My parting prayer for you is that you would listen 883 00:53:38,840 --> 00:53:41,680 Speaker 3: to his voice and be empowered to go and sin 884 00:53:41,800 --> 00:53:45,000 Speaker 3: no more. In our next episode, we will witness the 885 00:53:45,040 --> 00:53:49,440 Speaker 3: miracle that sealed Jesus's fate. So far, the religious leaders 886 00:53:49,480 --> 00:53:52,200 Speaker 3: have been able to tolerate his healings on the Sabbath 887 00:53:52,480 --> 00:53:56,400 Speaker 3: and signs in small towns, but this next miracle was 888 00:53:56,440 --> 00:53:59,960 Speaker 3: too big to ignore. Join us next time for episode thirteen, 889 00:54:00,800 --> 00:54:05,800 Speaker 3: Lazarus Come Out. Thank you for listening. For more inspiring stories, 890 00:54:05,920 --> 00:54:08,840 Speaker 3: daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to 891 00:54:08,880 --> 00:54:11,719 Speaker 3: pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the 892 00:54:11,719 --> 00:54:15,799 Speaker 3: Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at 893 00:54:15,840 --> 00:54:20,560 Speaker 3: Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with 894 00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:22,920 Speaker 3: a family member or friend so that they can know 895 00:54:23,080 --> 00:54:26,280 Speaker 3: Jesus in a personal way. You never know how great 896 00:54:26,320 --> 00:54:28,759 Speaker 3: of an impact the Bible and this podcast can have 897 00:54:29,239 --> 00:54:31,440 Speaker 3: on someone's life. God bless