1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:04,420 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Abraham believed in God and it was 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:10,870 Speaker 1: counted to him as righteousness. Romans 4, 3. Dear Lord, 3 00:00:11,610 --> 00:00:15,890 Speaker 1: we understand that no righteous deeds or religious ceremonies could 4 00:00:16,130 --> 00:00:21,310 Speaker 1: ever replace pure faith in you. Trust in your promises 5 00:00:21,450 --> 00:00:26,020 Speaker 1: and redemption are what save us, not works. Keep us 6 00:00:26,180 --> 00:00:30,060 Speaker 1: humble and grounded in that knowledge. so we would not 7 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:34,860 Speaker 1: become boastful or arrogant. Just as Abraham believed in you 8 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,330 Speaker 1: and it was accounted to him as righteousness, we declare 9 00:00:38,409 --> 00:00:43,810 Speaker 1: belief in the work of Christ. May that faith transform us, 10 00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:48,849 Speaker 1: empower us to live righteous lives, and glorify you daily. 11 00:00:49,450 --> 00:00:55,730 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 12 00:00:56,350 --> 00:00:59,310 Speaker 1: Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the 13 00:00:59,370 --> 00:01:01,209 Speaker 1: Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. 14 00:01:02,690 --> 00:01:05,210 Speaker 2: Click the link in the description to grow closer to God. 15 00:01:05,709 --> 00:01:09,390 Speaker 2: There you'll find daily prayers, Bible plans, sleep stories, and 16 00:01:09,500 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 2: so much more, all on the Pray.com app. Click the 17 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 2: link in the description to get started. 18 00:01:20,860 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 3: Abram's head leaned against the stone, and slowly he drifted 19 00:01:25,500 --> 00:01:29,310 Speaker 3: away to sleep. He closed his eyes and then opened 20 00:01:29,350 --> 00:01:33,630 Speaker 3: them to see a terrible vision. He sprang up and 21 00:01:33,670 --> 00:01:37,209 Speaker 3: looked around him. He saw hundreds of thousands of people 22 00:01:37,250 --> 00:01:41,190 Speaker 3: with scars on their backs, dragging stones through the sand 23 00:01:41,250 --> 00:01:44,590 Speaker 3: and mud. The voice of God spoke to Abram. 24 00:01:45,010 --> 00:01:46,709 Speaker 1: Saying, Know this. 25 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,500 Speaker 3: Your offspring will be strangers in a land that is 26 00:01:50,580 --> 00:01:55,270 Speaker 3: not theirs. They will be slaves there and afflicted for 27 00:01:55,350 --> 00:01:59,390 Speaker 3: four hundred years. Abram looked at the people. They were 28 00:01:59,450 --> 00:02:03,890 Speaker 3: his descendants, a vast sea of faces all somehow from him. 29 00:02:04,590 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 3: Their image faded and Abram was shown a mighty torrent 30 00:02:08,180 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 3: of water thrashing against an army and his descendants running 31 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:17,530 Speaker 3: towards safety. I will bring judgment on their oppressors. And 32 00:02:17,610 --> 00:02:20,250 Speaker 3: once I have freed them, they will have. 33 00:02:20,150 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 1: A great reward. 34 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 3: Abram looked around him as millions flooded the valley he 35 00:02:25,700 --> 00:02:30,980 Speaker 3: called home. They outnumbered the stars. Then he saw nothing. 36 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:35,060 Speaker 3: It was just him and the Lord. God spoke tenderly 37 00:02:35,100 --> 00:02:39,660 Speaker 3: to him, saying, As for you, Abram, you. 38 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: Will have peace. 39 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 4: Welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm your host, Ethan, 40 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:52,540 Speaker 4: from Pray.com, here to guide you through the Bible's most 41 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:56,430 Speaker 4: iconic stories. If this podcast has blessed you thus far, 42 00:02:56,940 --> 00:02:59,310 Speaker 4: please take a moment to leave a comment and review. 43 00:03:00,650 --> 00:03:03,830 Speaker 4: Doing so will make sure others discover these life-changing stories. 44 00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:07,089 Speaker 4: And be sure to download the Pray.com app to hear 45 00:03:07,110 --> 00:03:10,010 Speaker 4: the Bible come to life and make prayer a priority 46 00:03:10,169 --> 00:03:13,250 Speaker 4: in your daily walk with God. It's my hope that 47 00:03:13,270 --> 00:03:17,850 Speaker 4: this podcast would showcase the true hero of the Bible, Jesus. 48 00:03:19,990 --> 00:03:24,650 Speaker 4: As heroic and admirable as Noah, Abraham, and Moses are, 49 00:03:25,510 --> 00:03:28,190 Speaker 4: they are mere images of the true hero who came 50 00:03:28,290 --> 00:03:32,670 Speaker 4: after them, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, 51 00:03:33,030 --> 00:03:37,869 Speaker 4: and the author of our faith. So, join me now 52 00:03:38,090 --> 00:03:41,510 Speaker 4: as we immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Genesis 53 00:03:41,550 --> 00:03:47,500 Speaker 4: chapter 15 where God beckons Abram out of his tent 54 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:51,420 Speaker 4: to gaze at the stars. Within them is a promise. 55 00:03:52,780 --> 00:03:55,100 Speaker 4: A promise of a greater hero that will come from 56 00:03:55,140 --> 00:03:57,100 Speaker 4: his lineage. Let's begin. 57 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:03,450 Speaker 3: Fear not, the voice called out. Abram sat up in 58 00:04:03,490 --> 00:04:06,470 Speaker 3: a sweat. He looked around for the source of the voice, 59 00:04:06,910 --> 00:04:11,170 Speaker 3: but he could only see Sarai sleeping beside him. Fear not, Abram, 60 00:04:11,270 --> 00:04:15,650 Speaker 3: the voice said again. Abram looked forward. A cool breeze 61 00:04:15,710 --> 00:04:18,710 Speaker 3: blew in from the entrance of his tent. He stood 62 00:04:18,750 --> 00:04:19,530 Speaker 3: to his feet. 63 00:04:19,650 --> 00:04:20,630 Speaker 1: And walked outside. 64 00:04:21,990 --> 00:04:25,860 Speaker 3: God was beckoning him, drawing him out of slumber and 65 00:04:25,890 --> 00:04:28,980 Speaker 3: into a vision. He heard the voice of God again. 66 00:04:29,540 --> 00:04:33,180 Speaker 3: This time, it seemed he was speaking all around and 67 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 3: within him. 68 00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: Fear not, Abram. 69 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,860 Speaker 3: I am your shield and your great reward. Abram paused 70 00:04:39,940 --> 00:04:43,220 Speaker 3: and considered God's declaration as the cool breeze brought the 71 00:04:43,260 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 3: scent of falling leaves through the valley. His bottom lip 72 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:50,860 Speaker 3: quivered slightly, both from the cold and from the sadness 73 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 3: within his heart. He closed his eyes and replied, O 74 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,660 Speaker 3: Lord God, whatever reward you have for me does not 75 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 3: matter if I continue childless. My treasure will pass with 76 00:05:02,660 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 3: me and be given to my servant, and my name 77 00:05:06,140 --> 00:05:09,410 Speaker 3: will die along with me. Abram's doubt was not a 78 00:05:09,450 --> 00:05:13,270 Speaker 3: denial of God's promise, but rather a desire for God's promise. 79 00:05:14,150 --> 00:05:17,250 Speaker 3: He wanted it to be true, but the one desire. 80 00:05:16,830 --> 00:05:18,230 Speaker 1: Of his heart had eluded him. 81 00:05:19,050 --> 00:05:23,390 Speaker 3: God's presence surrounded Abram. He was enveloped in the comforting 82 00:05:23,450 --> 00:05:28,299 Speaker 3: embrace of the Lord Almighty. Oh, Abram, a son from 83 00:05:28,330 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 3: your flesh will be given to you. God's presence called 84 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,339 Speaker 3: Abram to walk up a small grassy hill like the 85 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:36,659 Speaker 3: gentle nudge of a father. 86 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 4: God whispered. 87 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,610 Speaker 3: Abram turned his gaze towards the heavens. Casting his gaze upward, 88 00:05:44,970 --> 00:05:48,950 Speaker 3: his eyes met a cosmic tapestry that stretched infinitely beyond 89 00:05:48,990 --> 00:05:55,210 Speaker 3: his reach. Unobstructed by clouds or earthly illumination, a myriad 90 00:05:55,250 --> 00:06:00,510 Speaker 3: of twinkling stars painted the night canvas, each a distant sun, 91 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 3: a silent testament to the vastness of the universe. Abram 92 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:11,740 Speaker 3: found himself entranced, humbled, and insignificant. God spoke to Abram's 93 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:15,340 Speaker 3: heart in this state of awe, saying, Your descendants will 94 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:20,089 Speaker 3: outnumber the stars. Through you, all the nations of the 95 00:06:20,170 --> 00:06:26,430 Speaker 3: world will be blessed. Abram's heart melted. As he surveyed 96 00:06:26,470 --> 00:06:30,050 Speaker 3: the expanse of heaven, he realized just how incredible it 97 00:06:30,130 --> 00:06:34,010 Speaker 3: was that the creator of the stars considered him, knew him, 98 00:06:34,510 --> 00:06:35,190 Speaker 3: and loved him. 99 00:06:36,540 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: Abram believed God. 100 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 3: He had faith that the Lord would follow through with 101 00:06:41,250 --> 00:06:47,130 Speaker 3: his promises. That belief, that faith, is what made Abraham righteous. 102 00:06:48,070 --> 00:06:52,110 Speaker 3: No deed, ceremony, or religious gesture would ever replace that 103 00:06:52,270 --> 00:06:56,950 Speaker 3: pure trust in God's word. Abram looked up at the heavens, 104 00:06:57,510 --> 00:07:01,669 Speaker 3: tears fogging his vision, and whispered to the Lord, Oh, 105 00:07:01,730 --> 00:07:06,430 Speaker 3: shall these things happen? Bring me a heifer, goat, ram, 106 00:07:07,029 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 3: turtle dove, and pigeon. The Lord replied, Abram knew exactly 107 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:16,180 Speaker 3: what God was requesting. In his culture, covenants were made 108 00:07:16,220 --> 00:07:20,580 Speaker 3: through sacrifice. Two people making promises would split animals in 109 00:07:20,620 --> 00:07:24,060 Speaker 3: half and walk through the middle. To seal a covenant 110 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:26,460 Speaker 3: with blood meant that if one were to break that promise, 111 00:07:26,980 --> 00:07:31,130 Speaker 3: it would mean death. God intended to make an unbreakable 112 00:07:31,210 --> 00:07:34,570 Speaker 3: vow with Abram, a promise sealed in blood that would 113 00:07:34,630 --> 00:07:38,710 Speaker 3: endure throughout the generations. Abram took his eyes off the 114 00:07:38,750 --> 00:07:42,670 Speaker 3: heavens and retreated to his tent. The following day, he 115 00:07:42,770 --> 00:07:47,230 Speaker 3: gathered the necessary animals, split them in half, then waited. 116 00:07:48,690 --> 00:07:51,620 Speaker 3: The sun's heavy rays were briefly shaded by the wings 117 00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 3: of vultures flying overhead. They descended on the carcasses of 118 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,780 Speaker 3: the animals, but Abraham fought them off. Thrashing and screaming, 119 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,650 Speaker 3: he scared them away, then sat on a stone and panted. 120 00:08:04,690 --> 00:08:07,620 Speaker 3: Abram was sure God would show up. He had heard 121 00:08:07,660 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 3: his voice so clearly. Abram leaned back and looked out 122 00:08:12,060 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 3: on the horizon. He waited for God's voice to return. 123 00:08:15,980 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: He waited all day, staring, praying, pondering. Faith kept him hopeful. 124 00:08:24,380 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 3: The day drew on, and Abram watched the sun slowly 125 00:08:27,380 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 3: descend over the valley. Hues of orange and crimson splashed 126 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:34,420 Speaker 3: the skies, matching the blood soaking the ground near the 127 00:08:34,460 --> 00:08:40,089 Speaker 3: slain animals. Abram's head leaned against the stone, and slowly 128 00:08:40,510 --> 00:08:44,209 Speaker 3: he drifted away to sleep. He closed his eyes, then 129 00:08:44,429 --> 00:08:48,150 Speaker 3: opened them to see a terrible vision. He sprang up 130 00:08:48,570 --> 00:08:51,860 Speaker 3: and looked around him. He saw hundreds of thousands of 131 00:08:51,890 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 3: people with scars on their backs, dragging stones through sand 132 00:08:55,580 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 3: and mud. The voice of God spoke to Abram, saying, 133 00:08:59,620 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 3: Know this, your offspring will be strangers in a land 134 00:09:03,830 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 3: that is not theirs. They will be slaves there and 135 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:12,270 Speaker 3: afflicted for four hundred years. Abram looked at the people. 136 00:09:13,170 --> 00:09:17,070 Speaker 3: They were his descendants, a vast sea of faces, all 137 00:09:17,290 --> 00:09:21,070 Speaker 3: somehow from him. Their image faded, and Abram was shown 138 00:09:21,110 --> 00:09:24,450 Speaker 3: a mighty torrent of water thrashing against an army and 139 00:09:24,470 --> 00:09:28,990 Speaker 3: his descendants running towards safety. I will bring judgment on 140 00:09:29,030 --> 00:09:33,050 Speaker 3: their oppressors, and once I have freed them, they will 141 00:09:33,090 --> 00:09:38,620 Speaker 3: have a great reward. Abram looked around as millions flooded 142 00:09:38,660 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 3: the valley he called home. They outnumbered the stars. Then 143 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,820 Speaker 3: he saw nothing. It was just him and the Lord. 144 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,610 Speaker 3: God spoke tenderly to him, saying, As for you, Abram, 145 00:09:53,470 --> 00:09:57,449 Speaker 3: you will have peace. Abram opened his eyes to see 146 00:09:57,530 --> 00:10:04,709 Speaker 3: something miraculous. God had passed through the sacrifices himself. A 147 00:10:04,750 --> 00:10:07,530 Speaker 3: smoking fire pot and a flaming torch stood at the 148 00:10:07,610 --> 00:10:10,860 Speaker 3: other end of them. God had made his promise to 149 00:10:10,980 --> 00:10:15,050 Speaker 3: Abram and his offspring without him. But what of the 150 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 3: blood that's required if I break my part of the covenant? 151 00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:24,200 Speaker 3: Abram wondered. God was the one to pass through himself. 152 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:28,700 Speaker 3: That means God would be the one to die if 153 00:10:28,900 --> 00:10:32,780 Speaker 3: Abram and his descendants broke their promise. God would later 154 00:10:32,830 --> 00:10:37,850 Speaker 3: rename Abram, making him Abraham, a father of nations. He 155 00:10:37,890 --> 00:10:40,970 Speaker 3: said that through his seed, all the nations would be blessed. 156 00:10:41,690 --> 00:10:44,250 Speaker 3: A son from his lineage would rise to redeem and 157 00:10:44,290 --> 00:10:49,699 Speaker 3: bless the world. Abraham eagerly awaited that time. He believed 158 00:10:49,780 --> 00:10:53,750 Speaker 3: in the future redemption. He hoped for that future blessing. 159 00:10:54,750 --> 00:11:00,069 Speaker 3: And one day, he would meet the promised son in eternity. 160 00:11:03,550 --> 00:11:07,390 Speaker 4: What a moving moment between God and Abram. Could you 161 00:11:07,490 --> 00:11:11,790 Speaker 4: feel the intimacy between them? Could you sense Abram's doubt 162 00:11:12,010 --> 00:11:15,179 Speaker 4: melting away under the warm embrace of his heavenly father? 163 00:11:18,230 --> 00:11:21,350 Speaker 4: It makes sense that Abram would be doubtful of God's promises. 164 00:11:22,010 --> 00:11:24,709 Speaker 4: Think about it. He was old and had tried to 165 00:11:24,750 --> 00:11:28,849 Speaker 4: have children for years. He feared all his blessings wouldn't 166 00:11:28,910 --> 00:11:35,270 Speaker 4: be shared with his descendants. But God comforted Abram and 167 00:11:35,330 --> 00:11:38,670 Speaker 4: made a promise that his offspring would outnumber the stars 168 00:11:38,730 --> 00:11:45,590 Speaker 4: in the sky. They would multiply, suffer from slavery, be rescued, 169 00:11:45,770 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 4: and prosper in the land promised to them. and through 170 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:54,550 Speaker 4: them a greater hero would come. Abram took all of 171 00:11:54,590 --> 00:11:58,650 Speaker 4: this in and had faith in God. That faith was 172 00:11:58,710 --> 00:12:02,870 Speaker 4: accounted to him as righteousness. It wasn't any good deeds, 173 00:12:03,230 --> 00:12:08,210 Speaker 4: holy exploits, or obedience that made him righteous. It was 174 00:12:08,250 --> 00:12:11,620 Speaker 4: his belief in the promises of God. To seal the 175 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:16,070 Speaker 4: promise he made to Abram, God made a covenant. He 176 00:12:16,090 --> 00:12:19,370 Speaker 4: had Abram prepare sacrifices for them to walk through together. 177 00:12:20,750 --> 00:12:24,390 Speaker 4: These type of contracts were weighty back then. That's why 178 00:12:24,470 --> 00:12:28,570 Speaker 4: God walked through the sacrifice on his own. He was 179 00:12:28,610 --> 00:12:33,150 Speaker 4: going to bear sole responsibility for the promise. If Abram 180 00:12:33,420 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 4: or any of his descendants broke the covenant, God would 181 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:40,699 Speaker 4: pay the penalty, not them. He would eventually do that 182 00:12:41,059 --> 00:12:46,220 Speaker 4: through the sacrifice of Jesus. Abram was eventually renamed Abraham, 183 00:12:46,860 --> 00:12:49,459 Speaker 4: and God promised that all the nations would be blessed 184 00:12:49,620 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 4: one day through his seed. Abraham looked forward to that time. 185 00:12:55,660 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 4: He hoped in God and believed his promised descendant would 186 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 4: save the world. He knew his prophesied son would be 187 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:08,709 Speaker 4: greater than him, mightier. Now, let's fast forward to when 188 00:13:08,830 --> 00:13:13,770 Speaker 4: Abraham's descendants are great in number. They have an established 189 00:13:13,830 --> 00:13:17,050 Speaker 4: culture and a way of life. They look back at 190 00:13:17,170 --> 00:13:20,770 Speaker 4: Abraham as the ultimate example of righteousness, but they seem 191 00:13:20,809 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 4: to have forgotten that someone greater than him was supposed 192 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 4: to come. 193 00:13:26,740 --> 00:13:29,599 Speaker 3: Just admit it! One of the scribes shouted from a 194 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 3: group of Jewish leaders. You are a Samaritan dog and 195 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:38,690 Speaker 3: are possessed by a demon! The crowd stirred, uncomfortable with 196 00:13:38,730 --> 00:13:42,050 Speaker 3: the accusation. Jesus remained calm under scrutiny. 197 00:13:42,610 --> 00:13:44,670 Speaker 1: His eyes pierced through his accusers. 198 00:13:45,410 --> 00:13:48,150 Speaker 3: He exhaled and shook his head. I do not have 199 00:13:48,190 --> 00:13:51,870 Speaker 3: a demon, he replied matter-of-factly. I honor my father in 200 00:13:51,929 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 3: all things, yet you stand here and dishonor me. I 201 00:13:55,910 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 3: won't fret over this, though, for I do not seek 202 00:13:58,390 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 3: my own glory. There's only one who seeks my glory, 203 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 3: and he's the ultimate judge between you and me. He 204 00:14:05,540 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 3: looked away from the group of accusers, turned to the crowd, 205 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 3: and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, If anyone 206 00:14:12,980 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 3: keeps my words, he will never see death. The group 207 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:21,130 Speaker 3: of scribes and Pharisees stirred. Their holy veneer was slowly eroding, 208 00:14:21,630 --> 00:14:25,190 Speaker 3: giving way to a more perturbed and petty countenance. Now 209 00:14:25,230 --> 00:14:27,610 Speaker 3: we are sure that you have a demon, they shouted. 210 00:14:28,190 --> 00:14:30,150 Speaker 3: They began to spit on the floor and mock him. 211 00:14:30,730 --> 00:14:36,250 Speaker 3: Abraham died, as did all the prophets. Yet you say 212 00:14:36,290 --> 00:14:39,190 Speaker 3: whoever keeps your word will never taste death. 213 00:14:39,830 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 4: Who do you think you are? 214 00:14:41,790 --> 00:14:45,370 Speaker 3: You think you're greater than Abraham? The Jews postured to 215 00:14:45,430 --> 00:14:49,940 Speaker 3: threaten Jesus, but he remained unperturbed by their presence. Jesus 216 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 3: stepped towards them, and they took a few paces back 217 00:14:52,780 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 3: as he approached. I would tell you again, I do 218 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 3: not aim to give myself glory. If I did, it 219 00:14:59,180 --> 00:15:02,060 Speaker 3: would mean nothing. It is my father who glorifies me, 220 00:15:02,460 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 3: your God. 221 00:15:04,140 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 4: But you don't know him, do you? I know him, 222 00:15:07,700 --> 00:15:11,300 Speaker 4: and your father, Abraham, knew him. He rejoiced that one. 223 00:15:11,220 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 3: Day he would get to see me. He had faith 224 00:15:14,020 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 3: in me and was filled with joy. 225 00:15:15,980 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: Ridiculous, they shouted. 226 00:15:17,380 --> 00:15:20,300 Speaker 3: You're not even 50 years old, yet you claim to 227 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 3: have seen Abraham? Jesus' gentle countenance shifted slightly at that moment. 228 00:15:24,740 --> 00:15:27,770 Speaker 3: It was as if the air around him became thick 229 00:15:27,970 --> 00:15:33,350 Speaker 3: with glory. Jesus spoke, his voice resounding with calm authority. 230 00:15:33,970 --> 00:15:35,630 Speaker 3: I was before Abraham. 231 00:15:36,530 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: Before Abraham was the great I Am. 232 00:15:40,210 --> 00:15:42,230 Speaker 3: Those were the words they had been waiting for. 233 00:15:43,150 --> 00:15:45,910 Speaker 1: Jesus had claimed to be God himself. 234 00:15:46,910 --> 00:15:51,410 Speaker 3: With zealous rage, the Jews ran to retrieve stones. They 235 00:15:51,450 --> 00:15:56,740 Speaker 3: wanted to end Jesus' life. Jealous and indignant, they turned 236 00:15:56,780 --> 00:15:58,420 Speaker 3: with rocks to hurl at Jesus. 237 00:15:58,440 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: But he had vanished. 238 00:15:59,780 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 3: He had escaped from the temple just in time. 239 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 1: One day, the Jewish leaders would successfully execute. 240 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,900 Speaker 3: Jesus, but they would do so on his timing. Abraham 241 00:16:11,780 --> 00:16:14,900 Speaker 3: indeed became the father of a great nation. God's promise 242 00:16:14,950 --> 00:16:17,570 Speaker 3: to Abraham was kept, and the children of Israel were 243 00:16:17,590 --> 00:16:20,490 Speaker 3: preserved through slavery, wilderness, war, oppression, and pride. 244 00:16:39,780 --> 00:16:45,420 Speaker 4: Despite themselves, God was faithful. Through them, the great hero 245 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 4: of heaven came. But not everyone recognized him as the 246 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:55,810 Speaker 4: Messiah right away. Jesus was continually challenged about his identity, 247 00:16:56,410 --> 00:16:59,390 Speaker 4: but we know now that he is the promised Redeemer, 248 00:17:00,570 --> 00:17:05,090 Speaker 4: the seed from Abraham that would bless every nation. In 249 00:17:05,150 --> 00:17:08,330 Speaker 4: his discourse with the religious leaders, he declared that he 250 00:17:08,390 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 4: was there before Abraham, He said, Before Abraham was the 251 00:17:12,650 --> 00:17:16,979 Speaker 4: great I Am. Before Abraham was the great I Am. 252 00:17:18,180 --> 00:17:22,460 Speaker 4: What does that mean? That means that Jesus preexisted Abraham 253 00:17:22,780 --> 00:17:27,389 Speaker 4: and life itself. He was the one who spoke life 254 00:17:27,670 --> 00:17:32,510 Speaker 4: and light into existence. He was the one who fashioned 255 00:17:32,570 --> 00:17:35,610 Speaker 4: man from the dust and crafted the heavens and the earth. 256 00:17:36,670 --> 00:17:42,470 Speaker 4: Jesus was God Himself. In this way, Jesus is more 257 00:17:42,530 --> 00:17:45,429 Speaker 4: than just a patriarch of faith or a member of 258 00:17:45,490 --> 00:17:49,450 Speaker 4: a great lineage. He is God. He's not just a 259 00:17:49,510 --> 00:17:51,830 Speaker 4: man of faith. He is the one we put our 260 00:17:51,890 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 4: faith in. Through Jesus, the lineage of Abraham was extended 261 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 4: beyond just a bloodline. He unified different nations, cultures, and 262 00:18:04,540 --> 00:18:07,830 Speaker 4: creeds under the banner of faith into a nation of faith. 263 00:18:08,710 --> 00:18:11,500 Speaker 4: Under the banner of faith, into a nation of faith, 264 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 4: the church. Because of all this and more, Jesus is 265 00:18:17,500 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 4: greater than Abraham. Be sure to join us next time 266 00:18:23,020 --> 00:18:26,100 Speaker 4: as we explore another patriarch in the lineage of Abraham. 267 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:30,360 Speaker 4: This man is not known for his courage or strength. 268 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 4: In fact, he willingly submitted himself to be killed by 269 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:38,340 Speaker 4: his own father. Join us next episode to discover why 270 00:18:38,460 --> 00:18:45,399 Speaker 4: Jesus is If. 271 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 2: Today's reading moved you, the Pray.com app is where you 272 00:18:45,460 --> 00:18:48,890 Speaker 2: can go deeper. With daily prayers, Bible plans, and more. 273 00:18:49,609 --> 00:18:51,690 Speaker 4: Download it free. Link in the description.