1 00:00:00,590 --> 00:00:03,770 Speaker 1: But whoever desires to become great among you shall be 2 00:00:03,810 --> 00:00:11,320 Speaker 1: your servant. Matthew 20.26 Lord Jesus, we thank you for 3 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:16,380 Speaker 1: your profound example in Matthew 20.26, where you taught us 4 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: that whoever wants to become great among you must be 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:25,890 Speaker 1: your servant. We are deeply grateful for the ultimate act 6 00:00:25,930 --> 00:00:29,620 Speaker 1: of service you showed on the cross. laying down your 7 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:36,710 Speaker 1: life for us. Your love and humility inspire us to 8 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:44,650 Speaker 1: serve others selflessly. Holy Spirit, empower us to follow in Jesus' footsteps, 9 00:00:46,270 --> 00:00:49,850 Speaker 1: giving us hearts that seek to serve rather than be served. 10 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: Fill us with compassion, patience, and kindness. so that we 11 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:03,740 Speaker 1: may uplift and care for those around us. Let our 12 00:01:03,950 --> 00:01:10,209 Speaker 1: actions reflect your love, bringing glory to God and drawing 13 00:01:10,270 --> 00:01:15,110 Speaker 1: others closer to you. In your precious name we pray. 14 00:01:17,370 --> 00:01:17,650 Speaker 2: Amen. 15 00:01:21,980 --> 00:01:25,420 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:30,620 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini-series on the 17 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 18 00:01:35,340 --> 00:01:38,770 Speaker 1: we would love it if you left a review. Doing 19 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:41,310 Speaker 1: so makes a huge impact on our team. 20 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:49,370 Speaker 2: This is your final warning, Peter and John. Leave here 21 00:01:49,790 --> 00:01:53,250 Speaker 2: and do not mention Jesus of Nazareth again. 22 00:01:53,850 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: Neither man said a word in response. There was no 23 00:01:57,450 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: nod of recognition or acknowledgement. They were impassive and allowed 24 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:06,380 Speaker 1: the guards to throw them outside. Saul slipped out of 25 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,140 Speaker 1: the back of the hall into the courtyard and watched 26 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: the men get thrown into the dirt. He was curious 27 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: to see what these men would do next. Would they 28 00:02:16,260 --> 00:02:22,180 Speaker 1: remain there and defeat? Would they curse God and the temple? No, 29 00:02:22,820 --> 00:02:27,740 Speaker 1: they neither wept nor cursed. Saul watched curiously as they 30 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,860 Speaker 1: helped each other up and dusted themselves off. The man 31 00:02:31,940 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 1: called Peter held his ribs as he laughed. 32 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,570 Speaker 3: I have been beaten many times in my life, John. 33 00:02:43,310 --> 00:02:47,490 Speaker 3: But this is the first time I am pleased by it. 34 00:02:49,110 --> 00:02:53,010 Speaker 2: We suffer as he suffered. Come, let's go back to 35 00:02:53,030 --> 00:02:54,970 Speaker 2: the courtyards. We have much to do. 36 00:02:55,590 --> 00:02:59,530 Speaker 1: The two men limped away, holding each other up shoulder 37 00:02:59,570 --> 00:03:04,810 Speaker 1: to shoulder. Saul was both perplexed and annoyed. How could 38 00:03:04,850 --> 00:03:08,810 Speaker 1: they be so joyful after such a brutal beating? Didn't 39 00:03:08,850 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: they learn their lesson? By responding to judgment with joy, 40 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: they removed the power of punishment. If beating them didn't 41 00:03:18,100 --> 00:03:23,139 Speaker 1: deter them, then what would? Quiet contempt began to already 42 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:28,980 Speaker 1: settle in Saul's heart. His predisposition to righteous rage flared. 43 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: He straightened his robes and went back into the hall 44 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:34,780 Speaker 1: of polished stones. 45 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,820 Speaker 4: Let me ask you a question. What does it mean 46 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 4: to be great in God's kingdom? Are those who occupy 47 00:03:43,020 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 4: the stage and have thousands of followers complimenting them really 48 00:03:46,380 --> 00:03:49,950 Speaker 4: considered great in God's eyes? Jesus said that those who 49 00:03:49,990 --> 00:03:52,090 Speaker 4: want to be great in God's kingdom are must not 50 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:55,180 Speaker 4: be rulers, must not have a big stick that they 51 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:59,380 Speaker 4: wave around, but they must be servants. Welcome to the 52 00:03:59,420 --> 00:04:04,380 Speaker 4: Jesus Podcast. This podcast is centered around finding gospel stories 53 00:04:04,820 --> 00:04:08,260 Speaker 4: and reimagining them in different ways with cinematic flair and 54 00:04:08,300 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 4: dramatic tension. Then we have short but wonderful reflections that 55 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,970 Speaker 4: help apply these stories to our lives. If you've been 56 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,530 Speaker 4: enjoying this podcast so far, make sure to follow it 57 00:04:18,550 --> 00:04:21,330 Speaker 4: so you never have to miss an episode. Today, we 58 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 4: dive back into the life of Saul of Tarsus. From 59 00:04:24,380 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 4: what we know of scripture and history, Saul was chosen 60 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:29,860 Speaker 4: by the high priest to persecute the early church. This 61 00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 4: was no doubt because of Saul's skill in debating the 62 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 4: law of Moses and his charismatic teaching style. But there 63 00:04:35,420 --> 00:04:38,220 Speaker 4: was another quality about Saul of Tarsus that made him 64 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:41,460 Speaker 4: enticing for the Sanhedrin to choose him. He was a 65 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:46,550 Speaker 4: Roman citizen. Through Roman rites and connections, Saul could get 66 00:04:46,610 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 4: away with a lot more. Let's dive into this dramatized 67 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,730 Speaker 4: adaptation of Saul being chosen. In this, he'll meet a 68 00:04:52,810 --> 00:04:54,909 Speaker 4: man who may not be great in the eyes of men, 69 00:04:55,330 --> 00:04:57,750 Speaker 4: but is certainly great in the kingdom of God. 70 00:05:00,430 --> 00:05:03,750 Speaker 2: Saul of Tarsus, if you were only here a few 71 00:05:03,830 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 2: moments ago, you would have seen why we've called you here. 72 00:05:06,980 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 2: I saw the whole thing. Where did these men come from? 73 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:17,990 Speaker 2: Their so-called Messiah was from Nazareth. A dirty region from 74 00:05:18,029 --> 00:05:24,610 Speaker 2: an even dirtier place. You have missed much since being gone, Saul. Come, 75 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 2: I shall inform you of what has taken place. 76 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: Ananias took Saul by the arm and led him out 77 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: of the great hall. Saul glanced at Gamaliel for a moment, 78 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 1: then turned away. Gamaliel's advocacy for men had lost him 79 00:05:40,900 --> 00:05:45,390 Speaker 1: the respect of Saul and many others. Ananias walked with 80 00:05:45,450 --> 00:05:49,110 Speaker 1: Saul and told him about Jesus of Nazareth. He told 81 00:05:49,150 --> 00:05:52,779 Speaker 1: him about how Jesus had come from nowhere and gathered 82 00:05:52,820 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: a large following of people. The high priest recounted Jesus' 83 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: Sabbath miracles and blasphemous preaching. He told Saul about the 84 00:06:01,860 --> 00:06:04,860 Speaker 1: two times he caused an uproar in the temple courtyards 85 00:06:05,420 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 1: and threatened to destroy the temple altogether. 86 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,180 Speaker 2: We had no choice but to rid ourselves of him. 87 00:06:12,820 --> 00:06:16,380 Speaker 2: He claimed to be God. And people worshipped him as God. 88 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 2: There was no way we could allow him to continue 89 00:06:19,620 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 2: corrupting the people's minds. 90 00:06:21,980 --> 00:06:26,980 Speaker 3: So, why not kill his followers and be done with it? 91 00:06:27,630 --> 00:06:29,670 Speaker 1: Ananias grinned at the young man's zeal. 92 00:06:30,570 --> 00:06:35,590 Speaker 2: Ah, Saul, your heart burns with the justice of Yahweh. 93 00:06:36,430 --> 00:06:39,190 Speaker 2: That is why we have summoned you here. I need 94 00:06:39,230 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 2: a man at the front. I need someone to do 95 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:45,539 Speaker 2: battle for the hearts and minds of our people. Every day, 96 00:06:46,180 --> 00:06:50,940 Speaker 2: hundreds are converting to this new way. They are calling 97 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,980 Speaker 2: this dead Nazarene the Messiah. We need a man of 98 00:06:55,020 --> 00:06:58,500 Speaker 2: your debating prowess at the courtyards making a case against them. 99 00:07:01,930 --> 00:07:05,550 Speaker 1: The Sanhedrin were still discussing the people of the way. 100 00:07:06,410 --> 00:07:10,190 Speaker 1: Paul finally made himself known to the high priest and Sanhedrin. 101 00:07:11,060 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: He walked with intention, keeping his shoulders back and chin up. 102 00:07:16,220 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: The council Ananias looked over his shoulder and brought Saul 103 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: in close. 104 00:07:20,850 --> 00:07:24,190 Speaker 2: But we also need your connections as a Roman citizen. 105 00:07:25,050 --> 00:07:28,410 Speaker 2: We cannot simply remove people from their homes and imprison 106 00:07:28,450 --> 00:07:33,010 Speaker 2: them without the approval of Rome. We need your citizenship 107 00:07:33,070 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 2: to leverage the local centurions. We cannot squash these people 108 00:07:37,540 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 2: without you. 109 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:39,700 Speaker 3: Where should I begin? 110 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,980 Speaker 2: These men still pray at the temple and attend synagogue 111 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:48,930 Speaker 2: as if they still worship our Lord. Afterwards, they spread 112 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:53,910 Speaker 2: their venomous blasphemies in the courtyards. Remain there and contend 113 00:07:53,990 --> 00:07:56,610 Speaker 2: with them so we do not lose any more ground. 114 00:07:57,550 --> 00:08:00,179 Speaker 2: As soon as everything is ready, I will summon you 115 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: to begin the Inquisition. Saul nodded in agreement and then 116 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 2: began to walk out. As he was leaving, Ananias warned, 117 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 2: Be prudent, Saul of Tarsus. These men, as filthy and 118 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 2: uneducated as they are, hold a similar power as their master. 119 00:08:19,740 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 2: Even some of our priests have fallen under their spell. 120 00:08:23,820 --> 00:08:26,190 Speaker 2: Do not underestimate them. 121 00:08:26,700 --> 00:08:31,270 Speaker 1: Saul bowed his head again in acknowledgement and departed. Saul 122 00:08:31,310 --> 00:08:34,250 Speaker 1: had trained his whole life to take his place in 123 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:37,969 Speaker 1: the Hall of Polished Stones. Now that he had finally arrived, 124 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:42,380 Speaker 1: There was a looming threat to his power. These followers 125 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: of Jesus needed to be silenced so Paul could ultimately 126 00:08:47,730 --> 00:08:53,730 Speaker 1: rule in peace. Saul rose early in the morning before sunrise. 127 00:08:54,370 --> 00:08:57,890 Speaker 1: The crisp air bit at his cheeks, and the gentle 128 00:08:57,990 --> 00:09:02,270 Speaker 1: autumn breeze wafted through the lattice. He wrapped himself up 129 00:09:02,450 --> 00:09:05,410 Speaker 1: and looked out to the city below. He couldn't sleep. 130 00:09:06,010 --> 00:09:11,949 Speaker 1: He was anxiously discontent. His heart raged against an unknown foe. 131 00:09:12,650 --> 00:09:15,390 Speaker 1: He had barely witnessed the people of the way, yet 132 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 1: already hated them. The smiles of those two men, after 133 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,559 Speaker 1: they were beaten, kept coming back to his mind. 134 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 2: Those arrogant blasphemers. 135 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: He dressed himself in the blue-fringed robe of the Pharisees 136 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 1: and placed his leather amulet around his white turban. He 137 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:37,780 Speaker 1: tucked scrolls under his arm and straightened his back. He 138 00:09:37,820 --> 00:09:40,420 Speaker 1: left his home and walked the streets in the quietness 139 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 1: of dawn. The sun's warm touch kissed the earth below, 140 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,250 Speaker 1: and light drifted through the city of Jerusalem like a 141 00:09:49,300 --> 00:09:53,130 Speaker 1: trickling stream. Saul was on his way to the synagogue 142 00:09:53,150 --> 00:09:57,969 Speaker 1: of the freedmen, where Hellenistic Jews, such as himself, went 143 00:09:57,990 --> 00:10:01,900 Speaker 1: to worship and hear from the law. Saul was a 144 00:10:01,980 --> 00:10:05,840 Speaker 1: local celebrity there, and hundreds of people flocked to listen 145 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,599 Speaker 1: to him teach. Saul knew he needed to build a 146 00:10:09,660 --> 00:10:13,940 Speaker 1: base against the people of the way. If the Sanhedrin 147 00:10:13,980 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: were going to be successful against them, he needed to 148 00:10:17,059 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: rally more people and stir them up. Saul marched through 149 00:10:21,580 --> 00:10:25,970 Speaker 1: the city streets, ignoring the blind and sick beggars calling 150 00:10:26,050 --> 00:10:26,430 Speaker 1: out to him. 151 00:10:28,170 --> 00:10:31,290 Speaker 3: If they or their parents hadn't sinned, they wouldn't be 152 00:10:31,330 --> 00:10:32,250 Speaker 3: in such a predicament. 153 00:10:32,870 --> 00:10:37,050 Speaker 1: Saul often thought to himself. It was a convenient excuse 154 00:10:37,110 --> 00:10:40,770 Speaker 1: for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate, an excuse 155 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:45,260 Speaker 1: Jesus had refuted only a couple of years before. But 156 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: Saul was not there when Jesus walked those same streets. 157 00:10:49,290 --> 00:10:52,190 Speaker 1: Saul wished he had been there to see Jesus himself. 158 00:10:53,250 --> 00:10:56,980 Speaker 1: He fantasized about what he would have said. Saul hadn't 159 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,200 Speaker 1: been there to argue against him. He had not been 160 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,819 Speaker 1: there to question him on his credentials. Nor had Saul 161 00:11:03,860 --> 00:11:07,020 Speaker 1: been there to conspire against him with Caiaphas and the 162 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,980 Speaker 1: other members of the council. He wished he had. Perhaps 163 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 1: the movement of his disciples would not have been as significant. 164 00:11:15,260 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: Saul pondered these things. and continued to strut toward the synagogue. 165 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,100 Speaker 1: Lost in thought, he did not notice the man walking 166 00:11:24,220 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: towards him with a basket of bread and cakes. The 167 00:11:27,660 --> 00:11:30,339 Speaker 1: two of them bumped into each other and stumbled to 168 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:33,620 Speaker 1: the ground. The basket of bread and cakes fell onto 169 00:11:33,660 --> 00:11:37,089 Speaker 1: the floor. Saul brushed off his robes and huffed. 170 00:11:37,620 --> 00:11:40,290 Speaker 2: Watch where you're going. Sorry about that, Rabbi. 171 00:11:41,170 --> 00:11:44,130 Speaker 1: The young man smiled. He helped Saul to his feet 172 00:11:44,710 --> 00:11:46,469 Speaker 1: and helped dust off his nice robes. 173 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:49,860 Speaker 5: This basket was so full of fig cakes and bread 174 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:52,020 Speaker 5: I could barely see where I was going. 175 00:11:52,650 --> 00:11:55,610 Speaker 1: The young man picked up the fallen loaves and placed 176 00:11:55,650 --> 00:11:58,470 Speaker 1: them back in the basket. He looked Saul up and 177 00:11:58,530 --> 00:12:02,890 Speaker 1: down and tilted his head. He observed Saul's blue robe 178 00:12:03,309 --> 00:12:03,930 Speaker 1: and the amulet. 179 00:12:04,790 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 5: Ah, you are a Pharisee, a man commissioned by God 180 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 5: to minister to the people. 181 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:14,020 Speaker 1: Saul couldn't help but smile at the recognition. He bowed 182 00:12:14,059 --> 00:12:17,430 Speaker 1: his head and nodded. The young man grinned ear to 183 00:12:17,590 --> 00:12:20,130 Speaker 1: ear and placed a few of the loaves of bread 184 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 1: in his arms. 185 00:12:21,740 --> 00:12:24,740 Speaker 5: That's perfect. Surely a man of God like you has 186 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:25,580 Speaker 5: time to help me. 187 00:12:26,460 --> 00:12:28,940 Speaker 2: Excuse me? It will only take a moment. 188 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 5: Come, come quickly around the corner. 189 00:12:31,420 --> 00:12:34,590 Speaker 1: Saul, confused and taken back by the arrogance of this 190 00:12:34,630 --> 00:12:38,190 Speaker 1: young man, followed him with loaves of bread in his hands. 191 00:12:38,970 --> 00:12:42,790 Speaker 1: Around the corner was a group of beggars, some blind, 192 00:12:43,170 --> 00:12:46,949 Speaker 1: some lame, and some sick. The sun had not yet 193 00:12:47,030 --> 00:12:51,050 Speaker 1: touched the alley, and it was cold and damp. Saul 194 00:12:51,110 --> 00:12:53,569 Speaker 1: stopped and watched the young man bend to the people 195 00:12:54,150 --> 00:12:58,190 Speaker 1: and serve them cakes and loaves. The children flocked to 196 00:12:58,230 --> 00:13:02,150 Speaker 1: see him, jumped on his back. The elderly tugged at 197 00:13:02,210 --> 00:13:05,010 Speaker 1: his robe and asked him to pray for them, and 198 00:13:05,290 --> 00:13:08,540 Speaker 1: he did. He knelt down to each of them and 199 00:13:08,580 --> 00:13:12,100 Speaker 1: gave them a blessing before giving them food. Once the 200 00:13:12,140 --> 00:13:15,449 Speaker 1: basket was empty, he walked back to Saul, and took 201 00:13:15,490 --> 00:13:17,330 Speaker 1: the bread out of his hands. 202 00:13:17,450 --> 00:13:19,750 Speaker 5: Thank you, Rabbi. Would you like to stay and help 203 00:13:19,790 --> 00:13:22,530 Speaker 5: some more? These people would love to hear a blessing 204 00:13:22,570 --> 00:13:23,170 Speaker 5: from the law. 205 00:13:23,790 --> 00:13:26,670 Speaker 1: Saul looked over the man's shoulder and peered at him. 206 00:13:27,929 --> 00:13:30,450 Speaker 3: They should be working for their bread, like the rest 207 00:13:30,510 --> 00:13:33,270 Speaker 3: of us. If you really want to give to God, 208 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,510 Speaker 3: you should offer it to the temple. The Lord declares 209 00:13:36,570 --> 00:13:40,230 Speaker 3: in Malachi, Bring your full tithe into the storehouse, that 210 00:13:40,250 --> 00:13:42,930 Speaker 3: there may be food in my house. Put me to 211 00:13:42,970 --> 00:13:45,349 Speaker 3: the test, if I will not open the windows of 212 00:13:45,429 --> 00:13:47,850 Speaker 3: heaven for you and pour down your blessing. 213 00:13:48,390 --> 00:13:51,620 Speaker 5: The Lord has blessed me with plenty. As the law says, 214 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,500 Speaker 5: I gave to the temple, and now it is a 215 00:13:54,580 --> 00:13:58,180 Speaker 5: joy to share even more of my abundance with those 216 00:13:58,260 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 5: in need. After all, the scriptures tell us, a generous 217 00:14:02,940 --> 00:14:07,550 Speaker 5: person will prosper. and whoever refreshes others will he himself 218 00:14:08,010 --> 00:14:08,790 Speaker 5: be refreshed. 219 00:14:09,490 --> 00:14:13,410 Speaker 1: The young man's response surprised Saul. He was about the 220 00:14:13,450 --> 00:14:18,709 Speaker 1: same age as him, and a quick thinker. Sensing Saul's confusion, 221 00:14:19,310 --> 00:14:20,490 Speaker 1: the man spoke again. 222 00:14:21,070 --> 00:14:24,580 Speaker 5: The Lord also says, whoever wants to become great must 223 00:14:24,620 --> 00:14:25,660 Speaker 5: be a servant of all. 224 00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: Saul peered at the smiling stranger and scoffed. 225 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:30,020 Speaker 2: Ha! 226 00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,950 Speaker 3: I am a Pharisee and know all the law and 227 00:14:33,990 --> 00:14:38,210 Speaker 3: the prophets. I do not recall any Moses, David, or 228 00:14:38,230 --> 00:14:40,050 Speaker 3: the prophets saying those words. 229 00:14:40,730 --> 00:14:43,290 Speaker 1: The young man tried to hide his enthusiastic grin. 230 00:14:43,810 --> 00:14:46,270 Speaker 5: You will know soon enough where those words come from. 231 00:14:46,650 --> 00:14:49,410 Speaker 5: But for now, I will let you go. I'm sure 232 00:14:49,430 --> 00:14:51,359 Speaker 5: you have a very busy day ahead of you teaching 233 00:14:51,380 --> 00:14:52,030 Speaker 5: in the synagogue. 234 00:14:52,650 --> 00:14:55,540 Speaker 1: The young man bowed and began walking back with the bread. 235 00:14:56,460 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: Saul was intrigued by the energy of this man. It 236 00:14:59,940 --> 00:15:04,420 Speaker 1: challenged him in an uncomfortable way. He looked down at 237 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:07,220 Speaker 1: the bread, then counted the remaining people. 238 00:15:09,420 --> 00:15:11,860 Speaker 3: You will not have enough for all of them. There 239 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,990 Speaker 3: are only a few loaves of bread left and dozens 240 00:15:15,030 --> 00:15:15,690 Speaker 3: of people here. 241 00:15:16,610 --> 00:15:20,230 Speaker 1: The man paused and gave an even larger smile. He 242 00:15:20,290 --> 00:15:21,810 Speaker 1: chuckled and nodded his head. 243 00:15:22,270 --> 00:15:23,170 Speaker 2: I think we'll have enough. 244 00:15:23,830 --> 00:15:26,870 Speaker 1: Before turning back, he slapped his palm on his head. 245 00:15:27,230 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 2: How rude of me. Rabbi, I did not even ask 246 00:15:29,830 --> 00:15:35,130 Speaker 2: your name. Saul of Tarsus. Shalom, Saul. I am Stephen. 247 00:15:35,730 --> 00:15:37,690 Speaker 2: God be with you as you go to teach. 248 00:15:38,470 --> 00:15:41,030 Speaker 1: Stephen went back and continued to pass out food to 249 00:15:41,050 --> 00:15:46,850 Speaker 1: the people. Saul rolled his eyes and began walking back. However, 250 00:15:46,910 --> 00:15:50,690 Speaker 1: something caught the corner of his eye before leaving. He 251 00:15:50,730 --> 00:15:55,030 Speaker 1: turned around and took another look. Stephen had fed all 252 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: the people and was going back to give them seconds. 253 00:15:59,170 --> 00:16:03,270 Speaker 1: Somehow there was enough food for all of them. Saul 254 00:16:03,290 --> 00:16:07,910 Speaker 1: was confused, but too prideful to ask questions. He shook 255 00:16:07,930 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: his head and continued on his way to the synagogue. 256 00:16:14,060 --> 00:16:14,780 Speaker 1: All right, all right. 257 00:16:14,860 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 4: So we know what you might be thinking. That was 258 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 4: a lot of creative license taken in this episode. You see, 259 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:22,100 Speaker 4: these interactions that Saul has with the high priest and 260 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:25,180 Speaker 4: with Stephen were definitely made up by us. But there 261 00:16:25,220 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 4: were some key biblical themes explored in this episode that 262 00:16:27,980 --> 00:16:31,030 Speaker 4: we can focus on. First, we want to revisit what 263 00:16:31,070 --> 00:16:33,290 Speaker 4: it means to be great. We've talked about this in 264 00:16:33,330 --> 00:16:36,430 Speaker 4: previous episodes, especially when Jesus is washing the feet of 265 00:16:36,470 --> 00:16:40,050 Speaker 4: his disciples or helping the downcast and the lonely. We 266 00:16:40,130 --> 00:16:44,010 Speaker 4: know that Jesus defines greatness differently. You see, for so long, 267 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,820 Speaker 4: Saul wanted to be great. We know from church history 268 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,260 Speaker 4: that Saul was vying for a position on the Sanhedrin, 269 00:16:49,500 --> 00:16:52,260 Speaker 4: the greats of the greats of the Jewish religion. If 270 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,740 Speaker 4: Pharisees were lawyers and judges, then the Sanhedrin was the 271 00:16:55,780 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 4: Supreme Court. Saul finally had his chance to be recognized, 272 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 4: and on his way, he stumbled upon a man named Stephen. 273 00:17:04,220 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 4: We've met Stephen already. We know that his primary role 274 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:08,820 Speaker 4: in the church was to serve food to the needy. 275 00:17:09,380 --> 00:17:12,460 Speaker 4: The contrast between Saul and Stephen is supposed to draw 276 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:15,010 Speaker 4: something out of us and beg the question, what does 277 00:17:15,050 --> 00:17:19,010 Speaker 4: it mean to be great? Jesus said this in Matthew 20, 25-28. 278 00:17:20,609 --> 00:17:23,709 Speaker 4: Jesus called his disciples together and said, You know that 279 00:17:23,750 --> 00:17:26,270 Speaker 4: the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them, and their 280 00:17:26,310 --> 00:17:30,350 Speaker 4: high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, 281 00:17:30,609 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 4: whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 282 00:17:33,619 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 4: and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. 283 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,100 Speaker 4: Just as the Son of Man did not come to 284 00:17:38,140 --> 00:17:41,100 Speaker 4: be served, but to serve, and to give his life 285 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 4: as a ransom for many. Jesus defined greatness by one's sacrifice. 286 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:48,899 Speaker 4: While the world seeks to define greatness by what one 287 00:17:48,940 --> 00:17:53,020 Speaker 4: can get, Jesus flips the concept and declares greatness is 288 00:17:53,100 --> 00:17:56,190 Speaker 4: gained in what we give. Saul is going to wrestle 289 00:17:56,210 --> 00:17:58,609 Speaker 4: with this concept in the next few episodes, but not 290 00:17:58,650 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 4: before Stephen makes the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel. Join 291 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 4: us for our next episode, where Stephen meets the bitter end, 292 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,780 Speaker 4: all the while Saul stands and watches with twisted glee. 293 00:18:09,340 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 4: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for listening 294 00:18:11,660 --> 00:18:14,139 Speaker 4: to this podcast. We put a lot of time and 295 00:18:14,270 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 4: effort into these reflections and into these dramatized stories. You 296 00:18:18,220 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 4: can keep an eye out for a new podcast coming 297 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,060 Speaker 4: out with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews called 298 00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:22,790 Speaker 4: The Chosen People.