1 00:00:00,340 --> 00:00:04,060 Speaker 1: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:09,510 Speaker 1: The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have 3 00:00:09,539 --> 00:00:17,930 Speaker 1: become new. 2 Corinthians 5.17 Dear Heavenly Father, In the 4 00:00:17,970 --> 00:00:21,750 Speaker 1: gentle embrace of your presence, we find comfort and joy 5 00:00:22,390 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 1: in the truth of this promise. It is a sweet 6 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:31,270 Speaker 1: balm to our souls, reminding us that In you, we 7 00:00:31,350 --> 00:00:38,770 Speaker 1: are reborn, renewed, and restored. With tender hearts, we thank 8 00:00:38,790 --> 00:00:42,769 Speaker 1: you for the gift of new beginnings. The past, with 9 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: its failures and pains, no longer holds sway over us. 10 00:00:48,620 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: In Christ, we are set free. Our lives are a 11 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:57,380 Speaker 1: testament to your boundless grace and love. Help us to 12 00:00:57,460 --> 00:01:02,190 Speaker 1: walk in this newness of life. embracing the beauty of 13 00:01:02,250 --> 00:01:07,540 Speaker 1: the transformation you have wrought in us. May the reality 14 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:11,899 Speaker 1: of our identity in Christ soothe our spirits, filling us 15 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: with peace and assurance. Let us live each day in 16 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: the fullness of your joy, knowing that we are dearly loved, 17 00:01:23,380 --> 00:01:29,950 Speaker 1: completely forgiven, and forever changed. In the precious name of Jesus, 18 00:01:30,330 --> 00:01:30,750 Speaker 1: we pray. 19 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:32,759 Speaker 2: Amen. 20 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,860 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 21 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:43,390 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Gospel stories retold to capture your imagination 22 00:01:43,810 --> 00:01:48,270 Speaker 1: and invigorate your faith. Today we dive into the story 23 00:01:48,310 --> 00:01:53,370 Speaker 1: of Paul the Apostle. Before his encounter with Christ, he 24 00:01:53,410 --> 00:01:58,190 Speaker 1: was the grim reaper. and harbinger of persecution for the church. Now, 25 00:01:59,070 --> 00:02:04,990 Speaker 1: listen for part two of his dramatic conversion story. Follow 26 00:02:05,050 --> 00:02:09,140 Speaker 1: this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so 27 00:02:09,380 --> 00:02:12,860 Speaker 1: will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered 28 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:16,639 Speaker 1: by more people. We want the story of Jesus to 29 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. 30 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:28,380 Speaker 1: Winter gave way to spring. The frost melted slowly off 31 00:02:28,419 --> 00:02:31,959 Speaker 1: the mountain range and trickled downstream into the valley of Samaria. 32 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,620 Speaker 1: Saul left at first light to Damascus. The sun's warmth 33 00:02:37,900 --> 00:02:43,010 Speaker 1: chased away the fog, revealing the newly budded wildflowers carpeting 34 00:02:43,070 --> 00:02:47,889 Speaker 1: the valley floor. The road to Damascus chased after the 35 00:02:47,930 --> 00:02:51,710 Speaker 1: shadow of Mount Hermon. and Saul could still see the 36 00:02:51,750 --> 00:02:56,210 Speaker 1: white caps as he rode atop his horse. A band 37 00:02:56,230 --> 00:03:01,410 Speaker 1: of temple servants and guards followed behind him. They considered 38 00:03:01,450 --> 00:03:07,299 Speaker 1: themselves inquisitors for a holy cause, righteous warriors for the 39 00:03:07,460 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: armies of the Lord. Saul rode at the front atop 40 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: his noble steed. He was their fearless leader, mighty and 41 00:03:17,540 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: filled with religious zeal. He had accepted his new role 42 00:03:22,590 --> 00:03:26,850 Speaker 1: with excitement. He could be renowned forever as the man 43 00:03:26,910 --> 00:03:32,590 Speaker 1: who thwarted the uprising of the Nazarenes. Historians would remember 44 00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:36,670 Speaker 1: him forever as the leader who ended the name of Jesus. 45 00:03:38,070 --> 00:03:42,029 Speaker 1: The thought of such accolades gave him a smile, like 46 00:03:42,070 --> 00:03:46,010 Speaker 1: the river picking up speed from the mountains. Saul continued 47 00:03:46,030 --> 00:03:51,220 Speaker 1: his momentum to Damascus. On the fourth day, Saul and 48 00:03:51,260 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: his companions passed the Sea of Galilee. Saul looked at 49 00:03:55,560 --> 00:04:00,040 Speaker 1: the hill scaling upwards away from the shore. Fishermen docked 50 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:04,380 Speaker 1: their boats and unloaded their fish onto the beach. The 51 00:04:04,420 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 1: shore of Galilee was where Jesus often walked. It was 52 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 1: where he taught and gathered people to himself. For a moment, 53 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,370 Speaker 1: Paul stopped and gazed at the vast body of water. 54 00:04:18,220 --> 00:04:21,740 Speaker 1: He could see Jesus in his mind's eye, spreading his 55 00:04:21,820 --> 00:04:26,610 Speaker 1: shameful lies and drawing people away with false promises of 56 00:04:26,670 --> 00:04:33,410 Speaker 1: eternal life. He often fantasized about interrupting Jesus and rebuking him. 57 00:04:34,770 --> 00:04:38,250 Speaker 1: Yet there was a small prodding on his heart that 58 00:04:38,330 --> 00:04:41,870 Speaker 1: kept emerging when he thought of Jesus, like a loose 59 00:04:41,950 --> 00:04:47,310 Speaker 1: needle occasionally pricking his spirit. He kicked against any feeling 60 00:04:47,350 --> 00:04:53,930 Speaker 1: of conviction and marched onward. Despite Saul's efforts, the impact 61 00:04:53,970 --> 00:04:59,510 Speaker 1: of Jesus was inescapable. Every inn, marketplace, and well they 62 00:04:59,589 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: stopped at was filled with people talking about him, the Messiah. 63 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:08,479 Speaker 1: They told tales of his return from the grave. They 64 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:12,860 Speaker 1: spoke freely about his miracles and teachings. They did not 65 00:05:12,940 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: know Saul was on his mission or else they would 66 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:21,140 Speaker 1: have spoken with fear. Nevertheless, Saul was compelled not because 67 00:05:21,180 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: of Jesus' words or miracles, but because of how people 68 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:29,340 Speaker 1: talked about him. This man, who was only a few 69 00:05:29,500 --> 00:05:33,860 Speaker 1: years older than him, had managed to grip the hearts 70 00:05:33,940 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: of thousands, perhaps even millions. He had done what Saul 71 00:05:40,270 --> 00:05:44,450 Speaker 1: had only dreamed of, and he did it with only 72 00:05:44,510 --> 00:05:49,849 Speaker 1: a few fishermen by his side. It enraged Saul even more. 73 00:05:51,170 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: Now he was not just fueled by piety, but jealousy. 74 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: Saul left Galilee and crossed the river Jordan by the 75 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,700 Speaker 1: Roman bridge. The significance of the Jordan River moved Saul. 76 00:06:07,020 --> 00:06:11,230 Speaker 1: His ancestors had crossed the Jordan with Joshua centuries earlier. 77 00:06:13,150 --> 00:06:17,850 Speaker 1: He saw himself like Joshua. leading people out of slavery 78 00:06:17,930 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: to this Jesus of Nazareth. They are all bondservants to 79 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:28,419 Speaker 1: this Jesus, he murmured. He hated that this blasphemous imposter 80 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:32,409 Speaker 1: had taken so many hearts and minds away from God. 81 00:06:32,890 --> 00:06:36,510 Speaker 1: I will liberate our nation, Saul thought to himself. I 82 00:06:36,570 --> 00:06:40,670 Speaker 1: will save them and set them free, no matter the cost. 83 00:06:43,660 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 2: At some point, everyone faces a fork in the road 84 00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:50,619 Speaker 2: of life, decisions we must make that will dictate our future. 85 00:06:51,100 --> 00:06:53,420 Speaker 2: But there is one decision that holds the greatest weight 86 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 2: when it comes to our fate, the decision to follow Jesus. 87 00:06:57,180 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 2: Christ's sacrifice has made salvation available to anyone, but only 88 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:03,900 Speaker 2: those who answer his call to follow him experience his 89 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:08,140 Speaker 2: blessed promise for new life. This is The Jesus Podcast, 90 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 2: a year of stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love 91 00:07:11,020 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 2: through storytelling, and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection. 92 00:07:15,140 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 2: I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm happy you're 93 00:07:17,940 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 2: here with us today as we dig into part of 94 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,770 Speaker 2: the story of Paul the Apostle. We're going to learn 95 00:07:23,830 --> 00:07:28,369 Speaker 2: how he embraces transformation in Jesus. With letters in hand 96 00:07:28,430 --> 00:07:31,990 Speaker 2: giving him permission to persecute the followers of Jesus outside Jerusalem, 97 00:07:32,490 --> 00:07:35,260 Speaker 2: Saul sets out with his men down the road to Damascus. 98 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 2: In his mind, this was the moment that could lead 99 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:41,380 Speaker 2: to his glory. If all went according to plan, he 100 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 2: would return a hero and become renowned among the Jews 101 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 2: as the one who stopped the Jesus movement. But as 102 00:07:48,220 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 2: Saul's mind is filled with his conquest, his eyes become 103 00:07:51,500 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: filled with blinding light from heaven. In our story, we'll 104 00:07:55,060 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 2: feel the tremendous power that flows from encountering Jesus. We'll 105 00:07:58,900 --> 00:08:01,580 Speaker 2: see Saul's heart move at the words of the Lord 106 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:04,420 Speaker 2: as his life hits a proverbial fork in the road. 107 00:08:05,020 --> 00:08:08,380 Speaker 2: While he may not know what lies ahead, the choice 108 00:08:08,500 --> 00:08:11,450 Speaker 2: is clear. to continue to follow in his flesh, or 109 00:08:11,690 --> 00:08:14,930 Speaker 2: to make the change and follow Jesus. Immerse yourself now 110 00:08:14,970 --> 00:08:17,830 Speaker 2: in Saul's conversion story, as the Lord moves not only 111 00:08:17,850 --> 00:08:20,110 Speaker 2: in his heart, but ours as well. 112 00:08:22,770 --> 00:08:25,430 Speaker 1: The final days of Saul's journey were spent under the 113 00:08:25,470 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: shadow of Mount Hermon. Wildflowers scaled up the snowy mountaintops. 114 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:36,460 Speaker 1: Besides the few clouds covering the peak, the skies were 115 00:08:36,580 --> 00:08:41,470 Speaker 1: clear and calm. Everything was quiet beneath the mountain, as 116 00:08:41,530 --> 00:08:46,530 Speaker 1: Saul and his companions rode along the dirt path. The 117 00:08:46,590 --> 00:08:50,470 Speaker 1: only sounds for miles were that of horses' hooves and 118 00:08:50,490 --> 00:08:55,050 Speaker 1: the occasional bird. There was a stillness in the air 119 00:08:56,050 --> 00:09:00,050 Speaker 1: that caused Saul to stir in place. It was an 120 00:09:00,150 --> 00:09:07,130 Speaker 1: uncomfortable silence compared to his disquieted and chaotic mind. while 121 00:09:07,190 --> 00:09:13,050 Speaker 1: everything on the outside was calm and serene. Inwardly, Saul 122 00:09:13,110 --> 00:09:20,110 Speaker 1: continued to reel and rage like a storm. Then, out 123 00:09:20,150 --> 00:09:23,890 Speaker 1: of the still and silent sky, a light burst forth. 124 00:09:25,030 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: It was as if reality itself had been cut open 125 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: with a blade, and light came rushing out like a 126 00:09:32,020 --> 00:09:37,220 Speaker 1: surging waterfall. The rays of light cascaded over Saul and 127 00:09:37,260 --> 00:09:41,540 Speaker 1: his companions. The horses were terrified and threw the men 128 00:09:41,660 --> 00:09:45,910 Speaker 1: off their backs. The men behind Saul cowered together at 129 00:09:45,950 --> 00:09:49,690 Speaker 1: a distance and watched the light move like a living thing. 130 00:09:50,750 --> 00:09:55,250 Speaker 1: It swirled in a brilliant and terrifying dance, directing its 131 00:09:55,350 --> 00:10:00,860 Speaker 1: power straight at Saul. Suddenly, he was surrounded. by a 132 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:05,660 Speaker 1: whirlwind of living colors. Flashes of bright orange and hues 133 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: of pink showered every inch of Saul's body, as if 134 00:10:09,540 --> 00:10:14,820 Speaker 1: washing him clean. Saul couldn't stand, for the sheer power 135 00:10:14,860 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: he was surrounded by kept him on his knees. The 136 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,739 Speaker 1: light didn't just envelop him, but it shone within him. 137 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 1: At that moment, Saul felt completely and utterly exposed. Whatever 138 00:10:30,620 --> 00:10:36,290 Speaker 1: strength he had previously felt seemed like weakness. Whatever boldness 139 00:10:36,350 --> 00:10:41,090 Speaker 1: Saul thought he had seemed like cowardice. Whatever knowledge he 140 00:10:41,150 --> 00:10:47,050 Speaker 1: had seemed like foolishness. Kneeling under the weight of a 141 00:10:47,190 --> 00:10:53,310 Speaker 1: brilliant light, Saul was terrifyingly aware of his fragility for 142 00:10:53,350 --> 00:10:57,650 Speaker 1: the first time. Saul gripped the dirt in his fists 143 00:10:58,230 --> 00:11:02,230 Speaker 1: and looked toward the light source. It was more than light. 144 00:11:03,210 --> 00:11:09,110 Speaker 1: Something was there with him, or someone. Out of the 145 00:11:09,190 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 1: radiant whirlwind of flashing colors, a figure, shone brighter than 146 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: all the other bursts of light. A man walked towards him, 147 00:11:20,179 --> 00:11:21,939 Speaker 1: but he wasn't just a man. 148 00:11:22,420 --> 00:11:23,820 Speaker 3: Saul, he said. 149 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:29,179 Speaker 1: Paul's heart ceased its beating for a moment. He recognized 150 00:11:29,220 --> 00:11:32,860 Speaker 1: the voice, like it had been calling out to him 151 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: for a long time. His voice was familiar, like an 152 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 1: old friend, but terrifying, like a feared enemy. Saul, the 153 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: voice cried out again. Why are you persecuting me? Saul's 154 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 1: jaw quivered and his eyes watered. He felt himself succumbing 155 00:11:53,620 --> 00:11:58,980 Speaker 1: to the weight of this being's glory. Something heavenly was 156 00:11:59,020 --> 00:12:04,250 Speaker 1: taking place. That much Saul could surmise. He managed to 157 00:12:04,309 --> 00:12:05,490 Speaker 1: speak with labored breath. 158 00:12:07,610 --> 00:12:08,590 Speaker 3: Who are you, Lord? 159 00:12:09,110 --> 00:12:13,319 Speaker 1: Saul looked as the figure drew closer. His face became 160 00:12:13,380 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: more evident and his presence even more palpable. He was 161 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:23,939 Speaker 1: more than a man. He was God. The heavenly figure 162 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:29,220 Speaker 1: knelt down and met Saul face to face. He touched 163 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,940 Speaker 1: Saul's shoulder and replied, I am. 164 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:36,420 Speaker 3: Jesus, the one you have been fighting against this entire time. 165 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:41,650 Speaker 1: Jesus' voice spoke to him clearly. and within him. At 166 00:12:41,690 --> 00:12:47,969 Speaker 1: that moment, time itself seemed utterly meaningless. Saul was caught 167 00:12:48,050 --> 00:12:52,860 Speaker 1: up in Christ's gaze and heard his voice again, saying, It. 168 00:12:52,820 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 3: Has been hard for you, hasn't it, Saul? Kicking against 169 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:57,439 Speaker 3: the goats. 170 00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:01,740 Speaker 1: With the gentle touch of Jesus' hand, Saul's entire being 171 00:13:01,980 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 1: felt weightless. The burdens he had held on to were lifted. 172 00:13:08,370 --> 00:13:11,650 Speaker 1: and the chaos of his soul was quieted like the 173 00:13:11,710 --> 00:13:17,010 Speaker 1: storm Jesus spoke to years before. The God who had said, 174 00:13:17,809 --> 00:13:22,059 Speaker 1: Let there be light, spoke light into Saul's heart. 175 00:13:22,540 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 3: What am I supposed to do? 176 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,300 Speaker 1: Saul said with tears falling from his eyes. 177 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,950 Speaker 3: Oh, Saul, always looking for something to do, Jesus replied softly. 178 00:13:32,350 --> 00:13:35,990 Speaker 3: For now, I need you to rise, go into the city, 179 00:13:36,350 --> 00:13:39,590 Speaker 3: and remain there, You will be told all you need 180 00:13:39,630 --> 00:13:39,990 Speaker 3: to know. 181 00:13:40,490 --> 00:13:44,070 Speaker 1: Jesus stood to his feet and backed away. The light 182 00:13:44,110 --> 00:13:48,730 Speaker 1: that enveloped Saul pulled back toward Jesus. The light coiled 183 00:13:48,809 --> 00:13:54,950 Speaker 1: around Jesus. And suddenly, he was gone. As soon as 184 00:13:54,990 --> 00:13:59,030 Speaker 1: he vanished, Saul's eyes grew dim. And the light that 185 00:13:59,070 --> 00:14:04,010 Speaker 1: was once in his eyes faded into nothingness. The image 186 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:08,730 Speaker 1: of Christ's face was seared into Saul's mind. Now it 187 00:14:08,809 --> 00:14:13,770 Speaker 1: was all he could see. Saul had been made entirely blind. 188 00:14:15,210 --> 00:14:19,270 Speaker 1: He stumbled to his feet, as Jesus commanded, and searched 189 00:14:19,310 --> 00:14:23,980 Speaker 1: for his companions. The other men had watched Saul at 190 00:14:24,010 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: a distance, enveloped in light and speaking to it, but 191 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:32,980 Speaker 1: they did not see Jesus. When it was all over, 192 00:14:33,060 --> 00:14:35,860 Speaker 1: they ran to their master and surrounded him with questions, 193 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:40,610 Speaker 1: but Saul said nothing. Rabbi, what did you see? 194 00:14:40,630 --> 00:14:42,410 Speaker 3: What happened? 195 00:14:42,750 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 1: They asked. Saul was not fully prepared to answer. Something 196 00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: had changed in him that he could not describe, at 197 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: least not yet. He was blind, but it was as 198 00:14:58,100 --> 00:15:03,170 Speaker 1: if he could see clearly for the first time. He 199 00:15:03,210 --> 00:15:06,870 Speaker 1: could not see the dirt road leading to Damascus, but 200 00:15:06,910 --> 00:15:11,860 Speaker 1: the path before him was as clear as day. Jesus 201 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:15,660 Speaker 1: had not said much. He had not divulged the secrets 202 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:18,940 Speaker 1: of the universe to him, nor had he spoken about 203 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:23,870 Speaker 1: the mission for the future. Jesus had given one command, 204 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:30,590 Speaker 1: rise and go. So Saul would do as he was told. 205 00:15:30,970 --> 00:15:34,010 Speaker 1: We will continue to Damascus, Saul said with a whisper. 206 00:15:34,390 --> 00:15:35,740 Speaker 1: We will go there and wait. 207 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,670 Speaker 3: Wait for what? I. 208 00:15:40,220 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 1: I'm not sure. Saul's words trailed off as he recounted 209 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,590 Speaker 1: what had happened. I will know it when I see it. 210 00:15:47,140 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 1: The others looked at each other with worried faces. Saul 211 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: could not see anything. So what could he possibly be 212 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:56,300 Speaker 1: looking for? 213 00:15:58,420 --> 00:16:02,070 Speaker 3: I am Jesus, the one you have been fighting against 214 00:16:02,130 --> 00:16:03,250 Speaker 3: this entire time. 215 00:16:03,850 --> 00:16:08,380 Speaker 1: The words still echoed within Saul's mind. He was blind, 216 00:16:09,340 --> 00:16:12,300 Speaker 1: but the image of the risen Jesus could not be 217 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 1: wiped from his sight. For three days Saul was haunted 218 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: by the recent memories of his brutality against God's people. 219 00:16:22,070 --> 00:16:24,310 Speaker 1: He felt cut to the soul for what he had 220 00:16:24,350 --> 00:16:28,590 Speaker 1: been doing. However, he was not hopeless in his regret. 221 00:16:29,870 --> 00:16:33,570 Speaker 1: With a newfound conviction also came a sense of freedom. 222 00:16:35,050 --> 00:16:37,860 Speaker 1: He was not chained down by the sins he had committed. 223 00:16:38,980 --> 00:16:43,260 Speaker 1: He was forgiven. He was more than forgiven. In fact, 224 00:16:44,060 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: he was a new person. He did not look new, though. 225 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,580 Speaker 1: He hadn't eaten anything for three days, and the complexion 226 00:16:52,660 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: of a pampered Pharisee had been removed from his face. 227 00:16:57,700 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: He sat upright in the room, facing the window without 228 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,940 Speaker 1: seeing the light. Every few hours his companions would knock 229 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,350 Speaker 1: on the door to offer him food, but he refused 230 00:17:08,710 --> 00:17:13,310 Speaker 1: every time. Saul felt the compulsion to rid himself of 231 00:17:13,350 --> 00:17:18,689 Speaker 1: what made him him. Fasting was a necessary act of 232 00:17:18,750 --> 00:17:21,670 Speaker 1: stripping himself of everything that made him who he used 233 00:17:21,710 --> 00:17:27,450 Speaker 1: to be. However, time was not on Saul's side. He 234 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,120 Speaker 1: had to eat or drink sooner or later, or else 235 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: he might wither away into nothing. So Saul continued to pray, 236 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:41,270 Speaker 1: waiting for the voice of Jesus to speak again. The 237 00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:43,450 Speaker 1: night before, he had had a vision of a man 238 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:48,350 Speaker 1: visiting him and restoring his sight. He trusted that this 239 00:17:48,470 --> 00:17:52,110 Speaker 1: vision would come to pass. He just didn't know when 240 00:17:52,970 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: or how. The day rolled along, and Saul remained at 241 00:17:59,380 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: the windowsill, turning his face toward the sunlight. The door knocked, 242 00:18:04,460 --> 00:18:09,380 Speaker 1: but Saul remained silent. The door opened without Saul's permission. 243 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 1: He turned his ear toward the back of the room. 244 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 3: Who's there? 245 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: Saul asked. Whoever was in the room walked lightly. Their 246 00:18:20,010 --> 00:18:23,969 Speaker 1: footsteps were timid and cautious. I would like to be 247 00:18:24,230 --> 00:18:29,390 Speaker 1: left alone, Saul said into the darkness. The stranger stopped 248 00:18:29,490 --> 00:18:32,629 Speaker 1: right in front of him and knelt down beside him 249 00:18:34,380 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 1: Without a word, he placed a hand on Saul's head. 250 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:44,110 Speaker 1: His touch was gentle, yet firm. A tender power emanated 251 00:18:44,170 --> 00:18:50,010 Speaker 1: from this stranger. The power felt familiar. His presence was 252 00:18:50,090 --> 00:18:54,970 Speaker 1: similar to Jesus. Saul's heart began to beat heavily, and 253 00:18:55,020 --> 00:18:56,399 Speaker 1: his palms began to sweat. 254 00:18:58,320 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 3: Who are you? 255 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:03,500 Speaker 1: Saul's entire body began to tremble. The presence of God 256 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:08,190 Speaker 1: was palpable and brought him to his knees. Saul knelt 257 00:19:08,250 --> 00:19:12,449 Speaker 1: on the ground, shaking, and his darkened eyes dripping with tears. 258 00:19:14,050 --> 00:19:18,510 Speaker 1: Ananias knelt beside him and embraced him like a brother. 259 00:19:19,609 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: He held the weeping Saul tightly in his arms. He 260 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: placed one hand on Saul's head and another on his face. 261 00:19:32,730 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: In that instant, Saul felt his eyes change. It was 262 00:19:38,150 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 1: as if a thick layer of snake scales were peeling 263 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:46,330 Speaker 1: off of his eyes. It was painful and refreshing all 264 00:19:46,369 --> 00:19:51,619 Speaker 1: at the same time. Slowly, the dark began to leave him, 265 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:56,580 Speaker 1: and slivers of light peeked through the windows of his mind. 266 00:19:58,270 --> 00:20:02,470 Speaker 1: Saul rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times. Standing 267 00:20:02,530 --> 00:20:08,109 Speaker 1: before him was Ananias, wearing the gentle smile of Christ. 268 00:20:09,410 --> 00:20:13,490 Speaker 1: Saul knew at that moment that he would never forget 269 00:20:13,570 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: that smile. I.... 270 00:20:17,260 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 3: I can see. 271 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: Saul sighed. Saul could see more than just what was 272 00:20:23,380 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: in front of him. The Holy Spirit had come upon 273 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: him like a torrent of rushing water. The eyes of 274 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:35,460 Speaker 1: Saul's soul were opened as well. He was beginning to 275 00:20:35,540 --> 00:20:39,580 Speaker 1: see the purpose set before him. like a dark road 276 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:46,159 Speaker 1: illuminated by flickering torchlight. Ananias looked down at Saul and 277 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:50,340 Speaker 1: reached out a hand to help him. Saul placed his 278 00:20:50,380 --> 00:20:53,869 Speaker 1: hands on his knees and struggled to stand. He was 279 00:20:53,930 --> 00:20:58,810 Speaker 1: malnourished and trembling, but determined to walk the road to 280 00:20:58,830 --> 00:21:03,449 Speaker 1: the river. They moved slowly past the garden courtyard and 281 00:21:03,490 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: down the steps leading to the road. Saul was taking 282 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: in every vivid color, as if he had been blind 283 00:21:11,820 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: his entire life. Now that he thought about it, he 284 00:21:16,460 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: had always been blind. His ambition blinded him to everything 285 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:26,989 Speaker 1: and everyone around him. All he could see was the 286 00:21:27,150 --> 00:21:32,270 Speaker 1: object of his selfish desires. But now that Christ had 287 00:21:32,330 --> 00:21:37,270 Speaker 1: redeemed him, He had new eyes. He captured every image 288 00:21:37,330 --> 00:21:42,510 Speaker 1: around him and appreciated it for its pure beauty. The 289 00:21:42,570 --> 00:21:46,629 Speaker 1: cream-colored stone of the city walls shone under the brilliance 290 00:21:46,690 --> 00:21:49,949 Speaker 1: of the sun, and the road leading down to the 291 00:21:49,990 --> 00:21:56,030 Speaker 1: river was arrayed with freshly bloomed apricot trees. Saul's heart 292 00:21:56,090 --> 00:22:02,150 Speaker 1: was filling up with deep and unquenchable joys. Saul could 293 00:22:02,210 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 1: not help but think of the psalmist's words, The sun 294 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 1: is like a strong man who runs his course with joy. 295 00:22:12,180 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 1: The two of them made it to the Abana River. 296 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:19,250 Speaker 1: The water glistened in the sunlight and invited them in 297 00:22:19,690 --> 00:22:25,510 Speaker 1: with enthusiasm. Saul felt the coolness of the river crawl 298 00:22:25,550 --> 00:22:29,870 Speaker 1: up his spine and wake him up. He breathed in 299 00:22:30,030 --> 00:22:36,550 Speaker 1: deeply and held Ananias' hand. Ananias looked at Saul and smiled. 300 00:22:37,970 --> 00:22:41,850 Speaker 1: Saul accepted Ananias' words like they were from Jesus himself. 301 00:22:42,430 --> 00:22:46,580 Speaker 1: Ananias grasped Saul's hand with his left hand and placed 302 00:22:46,619 --> 00:22:51,020 Speaker 1: his right hand on his back. He dipped him back 303 00:22:51,140 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: into the water, then lifted him out. The cascading sunlight 304 00:22:56,900 --> 00:23:01,220 Speaker 1: split into a million directions as Saul emerged from the water. 305 00:23:02,540 --> 00:23:08,180 Speaker 1: Saul emerged under the radiance of Christ's unending love. Saul 306 00:23:08,330 --> 00:23:12,130 Speaker 1: could not see it, but every angel in heaven was 307 00:23:12,270 --> 00:23:17,930 Speaker 1: rejoicing over him with a cacophony of praise. The water 308 00:23:18,490 --> 00:23:23,460 Speaker 1: represented a tomb for Saul, the persecutor. That man was 309 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: buried and would never return. Emerging from the water was 310 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:34,179 Speaker 1: a new man. Just as Christ rose from the grave, 311 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:39,020 Speaker 1: Saul was resurrected from the water. 312 00:23:43,260 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 2: The gospel message promises transformation, the promise of change and 313 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,200 Speaker 2: hope for a better future. Oftentimes, the thing that hinders 314 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:55,070 Speaker 2: us the most from finding transformation is ourselves. Whether this 315 00:23:55,090 --> 00:23:57,750 Speaker 2: is physical transformation as we search for the discipline to 316 00:23:57,770 --> 00:24:02,170 Speaker 2: be healthier, emotional transformation as we seek the guidance of professionals, 317 00:24:02,190 --> 00:24:04,780 Speaker 2: or spiritual transformation as our souls long to be made 318 00:24:04,859 --> 00:24:08,060 Speaker 2: whole by Jesus. Saul wasn't just an enemy of the church. 319 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:11,060 Speaker 2: In many ways, he was his own worst enemy. He 320 00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 2: was blind to the gospel, and the physical blindness in 321 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:18,060 Speaker 2: this episode is merely a condition that reflected his spiritual blindness. 322 00:24:18,619 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 2: But although his past was brutal and dark, it wasn't 323 00:24:21,580 --> 00:24:23,790 Speaker 2: too thick for the light of Jesus to pierce through. 324 00:24:24,510 --> 00:24:27,890 Speaker 2: Saul experienced a radical transformation on the road to Damascus 325 00:24:27,930 --> 00:24:30,770 Speaker 2: that led to one of the most well-known testimonials of 326 00:24:30,850 --> 00:24:33,780 Speaker 2: God's faith under the new covenant. He had spent years 327 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,220 Speaker 2: investing in himself and his religiosity, and it paid off. 328 00:24:37,460 --> 00:24:39,399 Speaker 2: He rose the ranks of the Pharisees and became a 329 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:42,340 Speaker 2: member of the Sanhedrin. It was a coveted title only 330 00:24:42,380 --> 00:24:45,250 Speaker 2: given to a few. Nobody could compete with Saul when 331 00:24:45,290 --> 00:24:47,830 Speaker 2: it came to living by the law, being righteous, and 332 00:24:47,890 --> 00:24:51,350 Speaker 2: respected in the Jewish community. But through his encounter with Jesus, 333 00:24:51,550 --> 00:24:53,590 Speaker 2: he learned that he was missing out on the most 334 00:24:53,670 --> 00:24:57,770 Speaker 2: important part of his faith, a relationship with the Savior. 335 00:24:58,490 --> 00:25:01,750 Speaker 2: His moment with the resurrected Lord that interrupts his determined 336 00:25:01,790 --> 00:25:06,820 Speaker 2: drive is exactly what he needed to experience transformation. Oftentimes, 337 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 2: the way Jesus gets to us is by interrupting the 338 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:13,220 Speaker 2: flow of our lives. He wants to disrupt our comfortability. 339 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 2: He wants to interrupt our trajectory. He wants to shake 340 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:18,240 Speaker 2: us to our core and make us question what we've 341 00:25:18,260 --> 00:25:21,250 Speaker 2: been doing all this time. As Saul is shaken up, 342 00:25:21,530 --> 00:25:24,550 Speaker 2: there's three lessons that show us and help us experience 343 00:25:24,590 --> 00:25:28,310 Speaker 2: transformation as well. The first lesson is this. Saul teaches 344 00:25:28,510 --> 00:25:30,990 Speaker 2: us that we need to learn to recognize when God 345 00:25:31,150 --> 00:25:34,050 Speaker 2: is speaking. You see, before his encounter with Jesus, Saul 346 00:25:34,090 --> 00:25:35,790 Speaker 2: would have said that he was listening to the voice 347 00:25:35,830 --> 00:25:38,550 Speaker 2: of God. He would have declared that he knew God's heart. 348 00:25:38,930 --> 00:25:41,550 Speaker 2: He would have considered himself as someone who was smack 349 00:25:41,570 --> 00:25:43,869 Speaker 2: dab in the middle of the perfect will of God. 350 00:25:44,470 --> 00:25:46,909 Speaker 2: Living on this side of his testimony, we know that 351 00:25:46,970 --> 00:25:51,440 Speaker 2: he actually didn't see things quite clearly. Saul's problem may 352 00:25:51,500 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 2: not be as different from our own as we might think. 353 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 2: We often hear voices, whether it's our own internal dialogue 354 00:25:57,300 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 2: or the words of others in our lives, that we 355 00:25:59,420 --> 00:26:01,800 Speaker 2: believe are giving us a word from the Lord. Whether 356 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,760 Speaker 2: it's a gut feeling or affirmations from a friend, we 357 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:07,240 Speaker 2: take it as a sign that we're aligned with God's will. 358 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:10,700 Speaker 2: But unfortunately, that's not always the case. There will be 359 00:26:10,740 --> 00:26:13,640 Speaker 2: times where God is speaking to us, and it's dangerous 360 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:16,690 Speaker 2: when we don't know when those times are. Part of 361 00:26:16,710 --> 00:26:20,139 Speaker 2: the transformative process is learning to hear God's voice as 362 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,119 Speaker 2: something distinct from our own. When I was a high 363 00:26:23,140 --> 00:26:27,050 Speaker 2: school and college pastor, I often heard this statement, well, 364 00:26:27,119 --> 00:26:29,689 Speaker 2: I think God has told me that I'm supposed to 365 00:26:29,730 --> 00:26:33,050 Speaker 2: marry this person. As a college pastor or high school pastor, 366 00:26:33,090 --> 00:26:35,169 Speaker 2: I often rolled my eyes and said, well, how do 367 00:26:35,210 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 2: you know that exactly? These students would often say that 368 00:26:38,950 --> 00:26:41,620 Speaker 2: it's just a feeling that they have, but feelings can 369 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:44,980 Speaker 2: be deceiving. We have to understand that God's voice is 370 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,649 Speaker 2: separate from our own When around each and every corner 371 00:26:48,750 --> 00:26:53,190 Speaker 2: you find confirmations of your desires, that's probably a sure-tell 372 00:26:53,290 --> 00:26:57,060 Speaker 2: sign that you're not actually listening to God's will. Because 373 00:26:57,119 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 2: God's will will often compete against our base desires. God's 374 00:27:01,780 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 2: will will often be counterintuitive to what we would have chosen. 375 00:27:05,740 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 2: If we're keen to God's word and we're heeding the 376 00:27:08,020 --> 00:27:11,199 Speaker 2: wisdom of the Holy Spirit, it's often going to be uncomfortable. 377 00:27:11,540 --> 00:27:13,540 Speaker 2: It's not going to confirm all of our beliefs and 378 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,919 Speaker 2: it's not going to confirm all of what we feel 379 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:19,350 Speaker 2: to be true. God declares that His thoughts are higher 380 00:27:19,530 --> 00:27:22,110 Speaker 2: than our thoughts. That means that just because we think 381 00:27:22,170 --> 00:27:24,450 Speaker 2: something is right does not mean that it's going to 382 00:27:24,590 --> 00:27:27,810 Speaker 2: automatically be aligned with God's will. Whenever you feel like 383 00:27:27,830 --> 00:27:29,550 Speaker 2: you might be sensing a word from the Lord or 384 00:27:29,609 --> 00:27:31,950 Speaker 2: looking for Him to speak, make sure that what you 385 00:27:32,230 --> 00:27:35,210 Speaker 2: also ask Him is to specifically discern what is really 386 00:27:35,270 --> 00:27:37,990 Speaker 2: from Him and what isn't. We can only follow God 387 00:27:38,050 --> 00:27:41,210 Speaker 2: when we know when He is speaking. And luckily for us, 388 00:27:41,380 --> 00:27:45,609 Speaker 2: we have the Word to confirm. In John 10, Jesus 389 00:27:45,670 --> 00:27:48,429 Speaker 2: and his disciples are in Jerusalem for the festival of dedication. 390 00:27:48,950 --> 00:27:51,510 Speaker 2: What we know as, while there, some of the Jews 391 00:27:51,690 --> 00:27:54,090 Speaker 2: ask him to tell them plainly if he is the Messiah. 392 00:27:54,590 --> 00:27:57,150 Speaker 2: In part of his response, Jesus says this, My sheep 393 00:27:57,210 --> 00:27:59,899 Speaker 2: listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. 394 00:28:00,380 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 2: For those who have placed their faith in Jesus, they 395 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,859 Speaker 2: will know the sound of the good shepherd's voice. As 396 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 2: you spend time with Jesus and reading the Bible and 397 00:28:07,140 --> 00:28:09,649 Speaker 2: immersing yourself in the word, you'll learn to hear it 398 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:13,340 Speaker 2: more clearly with each and every day. Saul's conversion also 399 00:28:13,420 --> 00:28:16,380 Speaker 2: teaches us to learn to be obedient to Jesus' commands. 400 00:28:16,900 --> 00:28:19,270 Speaker 2: Saul recognized that the voice he was hearing was from heaven, 401 00:28:19,490 --> 00:28:22,369 Speaker 2: a message from God. Confused and afraid, he asks a 402 00:28:22,490 --> 00:28:26,210 Speaker 2: very important question. Who are you? After a lifetime devoted 403 00:28:26,230 --> 00:28:29,330 Speaker 2: to God, Saul was realizing he didn't actually know who 404 00:28:29,410 --> 00:28:32,450 Speaker 2: he was at heart. In some translations, Saul asks a 405 00:28:32,530 --> 00:28:35,470 Speaker 2: second question. What do you want me to do? Jesus 406 00:28:35,530 --> 00:28:38,690 Speaker 2: simply tells him to arise, go to Damascus, and trust 407 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:41,530 Speaker 2: that Jesus would guide him from there. Blinded on the 408 00:28:41,550 --> 00:28:44,310 Speaker 2: road to Damascus, Saul was given a choice. Was he 409 00:28:44,350 --> 00:28:46,610 Speaker 2: going to continue to live in spiritual blindness to who 410 00:28:46,650 --> 00:28:48,670 Speaker 2: God was? Or was he going to open the eyes 411 00:28:48,710 --> 00:28:50,980 Speaker 2: of his heart to see Jesus clearly for the first 412 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 2: time and obey him? The choice was completely his. Would 413 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,200 Speaker 2: he stay the same? Or would he choose to change 414 00:28:57,320 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 2: and be transformed? Lastly, Saul's conversion teaches us that we 415 00:29:01,180 --> 00:29:03,990 Speaker 2: must embrace our new identity. In Christ, we are a 416 00:29:04,010 --> 00:29:06,990 Speaker 2: new creation. If we identify with Christ, the old person 417 00:29:07,110 --> 00:29:10,100 Speaker 2: was buried in the grave and The new person has 418 00:29:10,140 --> 00:29:13,580 Speaker 2: began a life with Jesus. Even if we have a 419 00:29:13,620 --> 00:29:16,380 Speaker 2: dark and weighty past like Saul, we don't have to 420 00:29:16,420 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 2: let it hold us back from being the person God 421 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 2: wants us to be right now. The light of Christ 422 00:29:22,020 --> 00:29:24,900 Speaker 2: makes our futures bright. Likewise, for those of us who 423 00:29:24,940 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 2: are followers of Jesus, when someone else comes to a 424 00:29:27,820 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 2: saving faith, it benefits no one to judge them for 425 00:29:30,660 --> 00:29:34,140 Speaker 2: their past. We all come to Jesus with a past 426 00:29:34,330 --> 00:29:37,030 Speaker 2: riddled with sin. We have the privilege of seeing others 427 00:29:37,110 --> 00:29:40,340 Speaker 2: come to Jesus and enter into his transformative presence. Just 428 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 2: like Ananias welcomes Saul into the family of God, we 429 00:29:43,380 --> 00:29:46,020 Speaker 2: should have the same heart of forgiveness, compassion, and joy 430 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:50,530 Speaker 2: in seeing previously wicked people come to repentance. While Saul's 431 00:29:50,570 --> 00:29:54,150 Speaker 2: conversion story may seem radical, it's not too dissimilar from 432 00:29:54,190 --> 00:29:57,630 Speaker 2: what happens in every heart when one receives Jesus. Without 433 00:29:57,650 --> 00:30:02,370 Speaker 2: the We're stumbling in darkness, but when we see Jesus 434 00:30:02,410 --> 00:30:05,260 Speaker 2: in his glorious light, hear his voice, and obey his commands, 435 00:30:05,670 --> 00:30:08,180 Speaker 2: nothing stops his spirit from transforming the lives of men 436 00:30:08,220 --> 00:30:11,900 Speaker 2: and women around the world. That concludes our little mini-series, 437 00:30:12,180 --> 00:30:15,900 Speaker 2: Jesus and the Outcasts. Next up, we're going to start 438 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:19,980 Speaker 2: a series on Jesus' miracles. Now, we have already showcased 439 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:21,980 Speaker 2: some of his miracles in this past series, but this 440 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:24,820 Speaker 2: is going to take a specific deep dive into people's 441 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:29,470 Speaker 2: personal lives that were transformed when Jesus noticed them, considered them, 442 00:30:29,870 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 2: We believe that we're starting a movement of beautiful storytelling 443 00:30:33,660 --> 00:30:35,880 Speaker 2: coupled with honest and humble reflection. We believe we're just 444 00:30:36,140 --> 00:30:37,920 Speaker 2: getting started. So thanks for making it all possible.