1 00:00:00,370 --> 00:00:03,830 Speaker 1: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he 2 00:00:03,930 --> 00:00:11,180 Speaker 1: has visited and redeemed his people. Luke 1.68 Dear Heavenly Father, 3 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:15,420 Speaker 1: As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the 4 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: birth of your Son, we are filled with awe and gratitude. 5 00:00:21,980 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 1: We praise you for your divine intervention and love so 6 00:00:25,300 --> 00:00:30,180 Speaker 1: profound that you sent us a Saviour the greatest gift 7 00:00:30,220 --> 00:00:35,710 Speaker 1: humanity has ever received. Let the miracle of Christmas, the 8 00:00:35,750 --> 00:00:40,590 Speaker 1: birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of your promise, resonate deeply 9 00:00:40,770 --> 00:00:46,690 Speaker 1: within us. Help us remember and appreciate Christmas' true meaning 10 00:00:47,170 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: amidst the festive cheer, the lights, and the carols. We 11 00:00:51,780 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: praise you for your faithfulness, love that never fails, and 12 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,700 Speaker 1: the promise of redemption. that was beautifully fulfilled on that 13 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: first Christmas night. Help us to live each day in 14 00:01:05,380 --> 00:01:10,990 Speaker 1: the light of this truth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 15 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:15,970 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:16,030 --> 00:01:20,690 Speaker 1: Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. Prepare to be 17 00:01:20,730 --> 00:01:32,860 Speaker 1: immersed in the wonder of the Nativity. Will God always 18 00:01:32,940 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 1: allow wickedness to prevail? 19 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 2: The captive people of Israel wondered, Where is the God 20 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:44,180 Speaker 2: of justice? They cried. In despair and hurt, God's people 21 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:47,750 Speaker 2: wondered if deliverance would ever come. The pain of sin 22 00:01:47,830 --> 00:01:51,830 Speaker 2: and oppression bit at their hearts. They needed deliverance. From 23 00:01:51,870 --> 00:01:54,990 Speaker 2: the hopeless ashes of Israel, the God of all creation 24 00:01:55,030 --> 00:01:58,890 Speaker 2: made a promise. Through the prophet Malachi, he spoke a 25 00:01:58,950 --> 00:02:03,790 Speaker 2: song of hope. Behold, I will send my messenger to you, 26 00:02:04,250 --> 00:02:09,490 Speaker 2: he declared. He will prepare the way before me. He 27 00:02:09,530 --> 00:02:14,340 Speaker 2: will prepare the way of the Lord. He is coming. 28 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: The people's hearts ached for the promised deliverer. But before 29 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,180 Speaker 2: he would come, a voice would cry out to hearken 30 00:02:21,220 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 2: his arrival. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 31 00:02:26,540 --> 00:02:30,739 Speaker 2: prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the 32 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:35,839 Speaker 2: desert a highway for our God. Before the Savior's arrival, 33 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,770 Speaker 2: a voice would cry out. He would have the spirit 34 00:02:38,810 --> 00:02:41,669 Speaker 2: of the Lord like the prophet Elijah. He would be 35 00:02:41,690 --> 00:02:44,650 Speaker 2: the forerunner, the one to prepare the way. 36 00:02:47,380 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 3: Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Pray.com's Stories 37 00:02:51,540 --> 00:02:55,210 Speaker 3: of the Messiah podcast. I'm Rabbi Schneider from Discovering the 38 00:02:55,250 --> 00:02:58,950 Speaker 3: Jewish Jesus. Today, we are continuing the story of Mary. 39 00:02:59,650 --> 00:03:02,610 Speaker 3: Elizabeth is in the throes of labor, and Mary is 40 00:03:02,650 --> 00:03:06,070 Speaker 3: about to glimpse her own future. The baby born from 41 00:03:06,130 --> 00:03:10,829 Speaker 3: Elizabeth and Zechariah is no ordinary child. He's the forerunner 42 00:03:10,870 --> 00:03:15,130 Speaker 3: for the Messiah, the voice that Malachi and Isaiah prophesied about. 43 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 3: The birth of John the Baptist hearkens to the beginning 44 00:03:18,780 --> 00:03:22,930 Speaker 3: of God's redemptive gospel. Just as the ministry of John 45 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,769 Speaker 3: paved the way for the ministry of Jesus, the birth 46 00:03:26,810 --> 00:03:30,090 Speaker 3: of John paved the way for the birth of Jesus. 47 00:03:31,870 --> 00:03:35,070 Speaker 3: Without these events, Mary would not have been ready for 48 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:40,110 Speaker 3: the struggles ahead. Her time with Elizabeth and Zachariah gave 49 00:03:40,150 --> 00:03:44,500 Speaker 3: her the strength and courage to face her future with fearlessness. 50 00:03:45,910 --> 00:03:50,230 Speaker 3: This story is inspired by the Gospel of Luke. These 51 00:03:50,310 --> 00:03:55,030 Speaker 3: events with Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah represent a fulcrum between 52 00:03:55,060 --> 00:03:59,580 Speaker 3: the Old and New Testaments. The covenant of law, prophets, 53 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,740 Speaker 3: and priests are about to transition into the new covenant 54 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:08,900 Speaker 3: of grace, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth is an 55 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 3: older woman about to give birth to Israel's last prophet. 56 00:04:13,050 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 3: Beside her is Mary, the young virgin carrying the promised Messiah. 57 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:24,430 Speaker 3: This moment represents the passing of the torch. 2 Corinthians 58 00:04:24,430 --> 00:04:27,610 Speaker 3: 5.17 tells us that the old is past and the 59 00:04:27,690 --> 00:04:33,289 Speaker 3: new has come. This moment encapsulates that idea. Elizabeth and 60 00:04:33,330 --> 00:04:37,810 Speaker 3: Zachariah won't be mentioned again. Their story serves as a 61 00:04:37,850 --> 00:04:41,919 Speaker 3: transition from the old to the new. As she beholds 62 00:04:41,980 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 3: these events, Mary will find the strength to carry out 63 00:04:44,940 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 3: her role in God's magnificent plan. So let's immerse ourselves 64 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 3: now in the story and afterward we'll unpack Christmas truths 65 00:04:53,700 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 3: to encourage our souls. 66 00:04:58,100 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 2: Under the mantle of the evening stars, Mary pushed open 67 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 2: the door to Elizabeth and Zachariah's home. The house was 68 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:07,490 Speaker 2: a symphony of chaos and urgency and at the center 69 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 2: was Elizabeth, crumpled in the throes of labor.' Mary!' Elizabeth 70 00:05:11,580 --> 00:05:12,740 Speaker 2: cried with a nervous smile. 71 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 1: It' s time for this old woman to see what she's 72 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,260 Speaker 1: made of. Come by my side. 73 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,140 Speaker 2: Mary rushed to her side, her hands shaking as she 74 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: held onto Elizabeth's clammy fingers. The older woman's face was flushed, 75 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:27,630 Speaker 2: her eyes brimming with a wild mixture of fear, anticipation 76 00:05:27,850 --> 00:05:32,290 Speaker 2: and joy. Zachariah, rendered mute by the angel, paced outside 77 00:05:32,330 --> 00:05:35,870 Speaker 2: with worry etched across his weathered face. Mary glanced around 78 00:05:35,890 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 2: the room, her heart echoing the tumultuous atmosphere. The walls 79 00:05:39,900 --> 00:05:42,779 Speaker 2: seemed to pulsate with a life of their own, echoing 80 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:46,219 Speaker 2: the rhythmic cries of the laboring woman. The room smelled 81 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,900 Speaker 2: of sweat and fear, yet beneath it, there was a 82 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 2: faint but persistent aroma of hope. 83 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:53,480 Speaker 1: You're doing wonderfully, Elizabeth. 84 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 2: Mary soothed, brushing the hair off Elizabeth's forehead. 85 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:57,790 Speaker 1: He's nearly here. 86 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,290 Speaker 2: Elizabeth let out a primal cry, her body seized with 87 00:06:01,350 --> 00:06:04,750 Speaker 2: another contraction. There was a raw vulnerability in her eyes. 88 00:06:05,190 --> 00:06:08,349 Speaker 2: It hurts. Elizabeth gasped, squeezing Mary's hand. 89 00:06:08,730 --> 00:06:08,969 Speaker 4: I know. 90 00:06:09,330 --> 00:06:12,500 Speaker 2: Mary murmured, her heart aching with sympathy. She saw a 91 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,340 Speaker 2: glimpse into her own future. 92 00:06:15,020 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 1: But it'll be worth it, just a little longer. 93 00:06:18,779 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 2: Finally, the sun began its rise over the hills, painting 94 00:06:21,820 --> 00:06:25,130 Speaker 2: the sky with hues of orange and pink. Elizabeth gave 95 00:06:25,310 --> 00:06:27,950 Speaker 2: one last mighty push, and the room was filled with 96 00:06:27,990 --> 00:06:30,950 Speaker 2: a cry of a newborn. Mary felt a jolt of 97 00:06:31,050 --> 00:06:34,130 Speaker 2: joy surge as she saw him. As soon as Zachariah 98 00:06:34,170 --> 00:06:36,940 Speaker 2: heard his son's screams, he burst through the door to 99 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 2: cradle his son in his arms, a mixture of awe 100 00:06:39,980 --> 00:06:42,860 Speaker 2: and disbelief on his face as he beheld the miracle child. 101 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,260 Speaker 2: A sense of divine realization seeped into the room. There 102 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 2: was a sweet stillness and purity to the moment. Mary 103 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 2: looked at the newborn babe and remembered he was no 104 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 2: ordinary child. Mary approached and reached out a finger to 105 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 2: the child. He wrapped his tiny hand around her finger. 106 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,250 Speaker 2: Mary's heart fluttered with hope this child was going to 107 00:07:04,270 --> 00:07:07,130 Speaker 2: be the forerunner for hers, a voice crying out from 108 00:07:07,150 --> 00:07:10,250 Speaker 2: the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. Zachariah 109 00:07:10,270 --> 00:07:13,230 Speaker 2: held the boy up high, still unable to speak, and 110 00:07:13,290 --> 00:07:16,010 Speaker 2: mouthed a prayer to the Lord. He kissed the son's 111 00:07:16,070 --> 00:07:19,310 Speaker 2: forehead and gave him to Elizabeth. She caressed his cheek 112 00:07:19,350 --> 00:07:21,830 Speaker 2: with the back of her hand and sang a lullaby. 113 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:26,710 Speaker 2: Mary's heart melted with affection. She watched Zachariah wrap his 114 00:07:26,950 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 2: arms around Elizabeth and couldn't help but think about Joseph. 115 00:07:31,100 --> 00:07:33,780 Speaker 2: She had often dreamed about them having children of their own. 116 00:07:34,340 --> 00:07:36,820 Speaker 2: She imagined him wrapping her in his arms as they 117 00:07:36,860 --> 00:07:37,940 Speaker 2: beheld their child. 118 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,550 Speaker 1: Would that even be possible now? She wondered. 119 00:07:40,850 --> 00:07:44,250 Speaker 2: Will Joseph even accept me? Mary's heart ached out of 120 00:07:44,350 --> 00:07:47,730 Speaker 2: longing for a normal life. But God had other plans. 121 00:07:48,190 --> 00:07:51,470 Speaker 2: She prayed silently to the Lord again and rededicated herself 122 00:07:51,530 --> 00:07:54,990 Speaker 2: to his plans. Eight days passed, and the newborn was 123 00:07:55,030 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 2: to be circumcised and given a name according to tradition. 124 00:07:58,420 --> 00:08:01,260 Speaker 2: Everyone gathered around for the occasion. The birth of this 125 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,580 Speaker 2: child had become famous. They marveled at the baby, wondering 126 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,670 Speaker 2: what the Lord had in store for him. He should 127 00:08:06,710 --> 00:08:10,710 Speaker 2: be named Zachariah, after his father, they all suggested. But 128 00:08:10,730 --> 00:08:14,510 Speaker 2: the Lord had other plans. Zachariah held his child tightly. 129 00:08:14,990 --> 00:08:19,330 Speaker 2: With a gentle yet resonating voice, Zachariah was finally able 130 00:08:19,390 --> 00:08:24,700 Speaker 2: to speak. His name is John. His voice rang out 131 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,820 Speaker 2: clear and certain, slicing through the collective surprise. The air 132 00:08:28,860 --> 00:08:32,500 Speaker 2: seemed thickened with awe. Zechariah walked with his child and 133 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:36,380 Speaker 2: held him up to the Lord. Small tears slowly streaked 134 00:08:36,420 --> 00:08:40,179 Speaker 2: down his cracked cheeks. Beaming with fatherly pride and gratitude, 135 00:08:40,620 --> 00:08:45,780 Speaker 2: Zechariah spoke a prophecy, saying, Praise be to the Lord, 136 00:08:46,110 --> 00:08:50,530 Speaker 2: the God of Israel! For his eyes have not turned blind, 137 00:08:51,030 --> 00:08:53,770 Speaker 2: nor his heart deaf to the plight of his people. 138 00:08:54,460 --> 00:08:57,540 Speaker 2: He has visited us, not as a ghost in the night, 139 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:02,780 Speaker 2: but as a redeemer cloaked in daylight. Zechariah began, his 140 00:09:02,820 --> 00:09:04,100 Speaker 2: voice echoing through the people. 141 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 4: From the lineage of his servant David, he has kindled 142 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,950 Speaker 4: a beacon, a horn of salvation, as his prophets, those 143 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,890 Speaker 4: holy heralds of old, once foretold. 144 00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:20,209 Speaker 2: His gaze moved across the faces gathered, their eyes reflecting 145 00:09:20,250 --> 00:09:24,420 Speaker 2: the radiant hope kindled by his words. Salvation is upon us, 146 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,270 Speaker 2: not just from our visible adversaries, but also from the 147 00:09:28,470 --> 00:09:31,750 Speaker 2: unseen enemies of hatred and malice that creep within the 148 00:09:31,809 --> 00:09:36,650 Speaker 2: hearts of men. His mercy unfurls like the petals of 149 00:09:36,710 --> 00:09:41,310 Speaker 2: a sacred bloom, echoing the promise given to our forefathers, 150 00:09:41,670 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 2: reverberating the holy covenant he etched in the sands of time. 151 00:09:46,940 --> 00:09:50,559 Speaker 2: Zechariah's voice took on a reflective timbre. The oath he 152 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: made to our father Abraham has not been forgotten, for 153 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,809 Speaker 2: his promises are not of the fleeting kind. He has 154 00:09:58,990 --> 00:10:02,210 Speaker 2: pledged to deliver us. us from the grasp of our foes, 155 00:10:02,820 --> 00:10:06,699 Speaker 2: to unshackle us from the chains of fear. In this 156 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:12,140 Speaker 2: newfound freedom, we are able to serve him, our lives 157 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 2: as a testament of his grace, steeped in righteousness and sanctity. 158 00:10:19,020 --> 00:10:21,929 Speaker 2: A tender smile graced his lips as he gazed into 159 00:10:21,950 --> 00:10:26,050 Speaker 2: the eyes of his son. And you, my son, will 160 00:10:26,070 --> 00:10:29,849 Speaker 2: be hailed as a prophet of the Most High. Your 161 00:10:30,030 --> 00:10:33,750 Speaker 2: path is laid before the face of the Lord, a 162 00:10:33,890 --> 00:10:38,650 Speaker 2: trailblazer in the divine narrative. Your voice will resonate with 163 00:10:38,710 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 2: the knowledge of salvation, a melody of redemption for his people, 164 00:10:43,860 --> 00:10:49,699 Speaker 2: a song of sins forgiven. His voice, filled with fatherly pride, continued. 165 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,780 Speaker 2: In the tender mercy of our God, a new day dawns. 166 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,540 Speaker 2: The morning light from the heavens above will touch us 167 00:10:59,110 --> 00:11:02,910 Speaker 2: and a divine hand to heal and guide us. It 168 00:11:02,950 --> 00:11:06,530 Speaker 2: will shine upon those who dwell in the shadows, upon 169 00:11:06,570 --> 00:11:10,650 Speaker 2: those ensnared by the fear of death, a beacon to 170 00:11:10,770 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 2: guide our steps into the path of peace. As Zachariah's 171 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:20,330 Speaker 2: voice tapered off, a reverent silence filled the air. Their 172 00:11:20,390 --> 00:11:23,109 Speaker 2: hearts brimming with hope, they gazed at the baby in 173 00:11:23,170 --> 00:11:26,569 Speaker 2: Elizabeth's arms, the prophet of the Most High, the voice 174 00:11:26,590 --> 00:11:29,110 Speaker 2: that would echo in the wilderness, preparing for the way 175 00:11:29,150 --> 00:11:32,310 Speaker 2: of the Lord. They felt the stirrings of a new dawn, 176 00:11:32,330 --> 00:11:36,670 Speaker 2: a divine narrative unfolding, the whisper of prophecy dancing in 177 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 2: the wind. And they knew the long night was ending. 178 00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 2: The day of redemption was at hand. As days turned 179 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:48,699 Speaker 2: into weeks, Mary watched John grow, his every milestone a 180 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:52,910 Speaker 2: quiet prelude to her own impending motherhood. Yet amidst the joy, 181 00:11:53,290 --> 00:11:56,790 Speaker 2: her heart fluttered with a fresh wave of uncertainty. How 182 00:11:56,830 --> 00:11:59,890 Speaker 2: was she going to tell Joseph? The law regarding adultery 183 00:11:59,910 --> 00:12:03,060 Speaker 2: was clear about such matters, and the consequences were harsh. 184 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 2: How was she going to convince him that she was 185 00:12:05,820 --> 00:12:09,020 Speaker 2: not unfaithful? How would she convince her own father? On 186 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,179 Speaker 2: the last night, Mary gazed up at the twinkling tapestry 187 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,310 Speaker 2: of stars and her heart heavy with silent prayers and 188 00:12:15,510 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 2: unspoken fears. Tomorrow she would return to Nazareth. Tomorrow she 189 00:12:20,260 --> 00:12:24,820 Speaker 2: would tell Joseph. Tomorrow her life would change forever. But 190 00:12:24,860 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 2: tonight she was just Mary, cradling the promise of salvation 191 00:12:29,460 --> 00:12:32,939 Speaker 2: in her womb. As she closed her eyes, the whispers 192 00:12:32,990 --> 00:12:35,150 Speaker 2: of the night seemed to draw her into a dance 193 00:12:35,190 --> 00:12:39,550 Speaker 2: of destiny, promising a tale of faith, love, and divine miracles. 194 00:12:40,410 --> 00:12:40,569 Speaker 4: Yet. 195 00:12:41,090 --> 00:12:44,270 Speaker 2: With the promise came a shadow of uncertainty, a mystery 196 00:12:44,510 --> 00:12:47,090 Speaker 2: that would shape the destiny of humankind. 197 00:12:49,010 --> 00:12:51,850 Speaker 3: Luke's account of the birth and naming of John the Baptist, 198 00:12:52,410 --> 00:12:55,949 Speaker 3: intertwined with the Christmas narrative, is a tale of prophetic 199 00:12:55,990 --> 00:13:01,090 Speaker 3: fulfillment and new life brimming with potential. Upon the birth 200 00:13:01,170 --> 00:13:04,010 Speaker 3: and naming of a son, Zechariah is filled with the 201 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit and offers a prophetic song now known as 202 00:13:08,700 --> 00:13:15,380 Speaker 3: the Benedictus. His prophecy reaffirms God's promises to Israel, and specifically, 203 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 3: it prophesizes the role his son John will play in 204 00:13:19,980 --> 00:13:24,460 Speaker 3: the divine plan, stating, and you, child, will be called 205 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,500 Speaker 3: the prophet of the Most High, for you will go 206 00:13:27,590 --> 00:13:33,709 Speaker 3: before the Lord to prepare his ways. This prophecy underscores 207 00:13:33,770 --> 00:13:36,170 Speaker 3: the role of John the Baptist paving the way for 208 00:13:36,190 --> 00:13:41,750 Speaker 3: the Messiah, the essence of the Christmas story. If you 209 00:13:41,790 --> 00:13:46,790 Speaker 3: visit our ministry, discoveringthejewishjesus.com, you will discover a wealth of 210 00:13:46,910 --> 00:13:50,310 Speaker 3: resources connecting the depth of the Old Testament with the 211 00:13:50,350 --> 00:13:53,860 Speaker 3: beauty of the New Testament. This story provides one of 212 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:58,380 Speaker 3: those moments when comparing Elijah to John the Baptist. The 213 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:03,699 Speaker 3: similarities between John and the prophet Elijah are striking and significant. 214 00:14:04,340 --> 00:14:09,559 Speaker 3: Both were prophetic voices in their generations calling people back 215 00:14:09,860 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 3: to God. Both led lies marked by simplicity and separation 216 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:19,580 Speaker 3: from societal norms. John, like Elijah, was a fearless preacher 217 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 3: confronting the wrongs of his time. Jesus affirmed this parallel 218 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 3: when he said in Matthew 11, for all the prophets 219 00:14:27,660 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 3: and the law prophesied until John. And if you're willing 220 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:36,420 Speaker 3: to accept it, he is Elijah who was to come. 221 00:14:37,180 --> 00:14:44,109 Speaker 3: That's really powerful. Yeshua called John Elijah who was to come. 222 00:14:45,270 --> 00:14:48,410 Speaker 3: As we reflect on the Christmas story, the figure of 223 00:14:48,510 --> 00:14:52,930 Speaker 3: John akin to Elijah is a powerful reminder of God's 224 00:14:53,070 --> 00:14:57,610 Speaker 3: faithfulness in sending messengers to prepare his people for his coming. 225 00:14:58,570 --> 00:15:01,170 Speaker 3: The birth of John the Baptist is a story of 226 00:15:01,350 --> 00:15:06,340 Speaker 3: new life and potential. Zechariah and Elizabeth consider two old 227 00:15:06,380 --> 00:15:10,670 Speaker 3: tabbed children We're blessed with a son vital to God's 228 00:15:11,050 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 3: salvific plan. John's life, filled with great potential, reminds us 229 00:15:17,340 --> 00:15:19,900 Speaker 3: that it's never too late for new beginnings with God. 230 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:24,410 Speaker 3: The Christmas season embodies this message of new life and potential. 231 00:15:25,530 --> 00:15:27,930 Speaker 3: With the birth of Jesus, new life was given to 232 00:15:28,350 --> 00:15:31,910 Speaker 3: all who believe in him. This season invites us to 233 00:15:32,030 --> 00:15:35,770 Speaker 3: see our lives, no matter our past or present circumstances, 234 00:15:36,410 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 3: as brimming with divine potential. As we reflect on this story, 235 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,180 Speaker 3: Let's be reminded of God's prophetic promises fulfilled in the 236 00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:51,260 Speaker 3: Christmas story and the beautiful themes of new life and 237 00:15:51,300 --> 00:15:55,590 Speaker 3: potential that are relevant for you and I right now. 238 00:15:56,790 --> 00:15:59,630 Speaker 3: May these reflections inspire us to prepare our hearts for 239 00:15:59,650 --> 00:16:02,910 Speaker 3: the coming of Christ and to embrace the potential God 240 00:16:02,930 --> 00:16:05,890 Speaker 3: has placed within each of us, not just during the 241 00:16:05,910 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 3: Christmas season, but all throughout our entire lives from beginning 242 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:16,770 Speaker 3: to end. In our next episode, we finally meet Joseph, 243 00:16:17,110 --> 00:16:22,430 Speaker 3: Yosef in Hebrew, Mary or Miriam's betrothed. Will he accept 244 00:16:22,510 --> 00:16:26,450 Speaker 3: Mary's explanation or take advantage of his right to stone her? 245 00:16:27,510 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 3: We'll find out next time on Stories of the Messiah. 246 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 3: To dwell deeper into the story of Jesus, you're welcome 247 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:40,940 Speaker 3: to visit discoveringthejewishjesus.com. I'd also like to recommend my new book, 248 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:46,310 Speaker 3: Messianic Prophecy Revealed, Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the 249 00:16:46,350 --> 00:16:50,290 Speaker 3: Hebrew Bible. It's available for purchase on my website. Now, 250 00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:52,830 Speaker 3: if this podcast has blessed you, be sure to follow 251 00:16:52,850 --> 00:16:55,810 Speaker 3: and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And remember 252 00:16:55,830 --> 00:17:00,410 Speaker 3: to download Pray.com to hear even more great stories and 253 00:17:00,450 --> 00:17:03,630 Speaker 3: make prayer a priority in your life.