1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: Let us pray, And when they could not come nigh 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where 3 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: he was, and when they had broken it up, they 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: lay Mark two. For as I ponder and meditate on 6 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: Mark two and Matthew nine, I stand in awe of 7 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: how the two stories connect. In the same way that 8 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 1: the friends got to Jesus in unconventional ways, so too 9 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 1: did the outcasts, misfits, and tax collectors get to Jesus 10 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: in unconventional ways. Jesus made this story and your life 11 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: serve as a reminder that you came to heal all 12 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: that are lost and in need of healing, both physically 13 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: and more importantly, spiritually, no matter what their condition. I 14 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: am committing my life to be able to be a 15 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: helping hand to those in need of your forgiveness and grace. 16 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: I will not look to title or economic standing to 17 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: determine the passion of my pursuit. I will rip a 18 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: hole through the roof, push through a crowd, or sit 19 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 1: with those forgotten if it means they receive their breakthrough 20 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: and healing. Thank you in advance for using me to 21 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 1: lend a helping hand to people that are hurting in 22 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: Jesus name. 23 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 2: Amen, thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. 24 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 2: To hear the Bible come to life, Stay tuned for 25 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 2: the Bible in a Year brought to you by Bible 26 00:01:52,400 --> 00:02:11,079 Speaker 2: in a Year dot com. 27 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 3: A hole in the roof. In our last story, Jesus 28 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 3: climbed a small hill and preached to thousands of people 29 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 3: about the Kingdom of God. He spoke about the backwards 30 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 3: economy of God's blessings, that the poor in spirit, meek 31 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 3: and mourning are the ones to inherit ultimate blessing from God. 32 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 3: He spoke of loving your enemies, not harboring hatred in 33 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 3: your heart, and removing judgment from your mind. All these 34 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 3: things caused awe and wonder in those listening. Now we 35 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 3: witness the faithful devotion of a few friends. They truly 36 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 3: act out the Kingdom of God by doing whatever it 37 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 3: takes to get their friend to the feet of Jesus. 38 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,679 Speaker 3: They even risk vandalism and arrest to make sure their 39 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 3: loved one is healed. Inspired by the Gospels. 40 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 4: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 41 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year. Once again. We are so happy 42 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 4: about the over twenty million people who have joined us 43 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 4: on this podcast, and I would encourage you right now 44 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 4: to pass this podcast along to others, let them know, 45 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 4: because we want to get the word of God to 46 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 4: as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. So 47 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 4: let's pick up where we left off the last time 48 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 4: we heard Jesus teaching the Sermon on the Mount. In 49 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 4: our last episode, he laid out God's standard for true 50 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 4: righteousness and made it clear that righteousness is not self righteousness, 51 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 4: but righteousness in Christ that is a matter of the heart, 52 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 4: not just words or actions. Ultimately, Jesus was making a 53 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 4: clear case for our need of a savior, our desperate 54 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 4: need for his salvation. Today we'll hear of a man 55 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 4: and his friends who demonstrated great faith and friendship as 56 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 4: they went to extraordinary link to help their friend receive 57 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 4: the healing he needed from Jesus. We'll also hear how 58 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 4: Jesus called Matthew, a hated tax collector, to be one 59 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 4: of his twelve disciples. In both stories, the religious elite 60 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 4: become angry at Jesus' words and deeds as they failed 61 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 4: to see who this man who heals and forgives. Really 62 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 4: is the Lord of life, the Lord of all. Let's 63 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 4: listen now to the reading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 64 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 3: The three friends stood outside the crowded house. Hundreds of 65 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 3: people surrounded the property so they could hear Jesus teach. 66 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 3: Two of them stood, the other one laid on a stretcher. 67 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 3: The man laying down was completely paralyzed from the neck down. 68 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 3: His friends had brought him to the house in hopes 69 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 3: that Jesus would be able to heal him. However, the 70 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 3: house was overflowing with so many people, almost all hope 71 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 3: of seeing Jesus was lost. The two men looked down 72 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 3: at their friend, trying to hold back their tears. Then 73 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 3: one of them looked at the house again. His eyes 74 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 3: scanned the property. He smiled and looked at the others. 75 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 3: I have an idea, he said. Jesus was teaching in 76 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 3: the middle of the home. Hundreds of people sat and 77 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 3: st around him, hanging on every word he said. Jesus 78 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 3: was speaking of the Kingdom of God. He spoke of 79 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 3: God's law, his love, and his forgiveness. As Jesus was speaking, 80 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 3: he felt a small piece of plaster fall on his 81 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 3: head startled. Jesus looked up to the ceiling to see 82 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 3: the roof being torn apart from the outside. Jesus stood 83 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 3: to his feet and the crowd stepped back as more 84 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 3: roofing fell from the ceiling on to the floor. A 85 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 3: bright light shone through the ceiling. Then, all of the sudden, 86 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 3: Jesus saw a silhouette of a man on a stretcher 87 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 3: being lowered down by ropes. The two friends had found 88 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 3: a way to Jesus. Although it was unconventional and perhaps illegal, 89 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 3: they were willing to do whatever it took. The paralytic 90 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 3: was lowered slowly. Jesus went under the man and helped him. 91 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 4: To the floor. 92 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 3: Jesus looked up at the hole in the ceiling. He 93 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 3: could see the friend's guilty smiles. Jesus grinned and looked 94 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 3: down at the man. He placed his hand on his 95 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 3: shoulder and said, my child, your sins are forgiven. As 96 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 3: Jesus said this, a scribe and the crowd scoffed. His 97 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,920 Speaker 3: sins are forgiven. What authority do you have to forgive sins? 98 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 3: God alone has the power to forgive sins. The scribes 99 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 3: spat on the ground, angry at Jesus's words. Jesus looked 100 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 3: at the man with compassion. He knew the scribe was 101 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 3: questioning his words. Jesus smiled and answered him, tell me 102 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 3: which is easier to say your sins are forgiven? 103 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: Or get up and walk? 104 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,559 Speaker 3: And immediately as Jesus said this, the man's legs began 105 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 3: to move. The paralytic's eyes widened as he lifted himself upright. 106 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 3: Jesus stood up and helped the man to his feet. 107 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:47,800 Speaker 3: The two of them embraced, and the man picked up 108 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 3: his bed and walked out. The crowd parted to make 109 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 3: way for the man, and Jesus could see his two 110 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 3: friends standing outside, hugging him and leaping for joy. Standing 111 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 3: shoulder to shoulder, the three men and walked away back 112 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:04,960 Speaker 3: to their homes. After these things, Jesus went out and 113 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,799 Speaker 3: sat by the sea. The waves crashed gently on the shore. 114 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 3: The breeze whistled to the left, and Jesus watched as 115 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 3: crowds began to approach him. Their needs were endless, but 116 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 3: so was his love for them. To his right, Jesus 117 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 3: saw a man named Matthew. He was a tax collector 118 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 3: and hated among his Jewish kin. Tax collectors were considered 119 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 3: Jewish traitors. They hoared themselves to the Roman government and 120 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 3: used corruption for their own gain. Matthew, however, felt the 121 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 3: weight of his sins. He sat at his booth with 122 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 3: his head held low, ashamed of who he had become. 123 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 3: Jesus approached the booth. Matthew had grown accustomed to men 124 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 3: and women coming to the tax booth to spit on 125 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 3: him and ridicule him. However, Jesus simply smiled and said 126 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 3: two simple words that would change Matthew's life forever. Follow me, 127 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 3: Jesus said, plainly. Then he began to walk off. Matthew 128 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 3: paused for a moment and looked at the pile of 129 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 3: coins and paper at his desk. Was he truly willing 130 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 3: to sacrifice wealth in favor with Rome to follow Jesus? 131 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 3: Was Jesus worth it? Matthew looked at Jesus walking away. Yes, 132 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:21,559 Speaker 3: it is worth everything, he thought to himself. Matthew stood 133 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 3: to his feet and ran after Jesus. The two of 134 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 3: them connected, and Matthew hosted Jesus and his followers at 135 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 3: his home. They laughed and shared stories. However, not all 136 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 3: were amused. The Pharisees stood outside the house with their 137 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 3: arms crossed. They stopped one of his disciples and said, 138 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 3: look how he dines with tax collectors and sinners. Aren't 139 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,839 Speaker 3: you ashamed to follow him? The disciple paused, unsure of 140 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 3: how he should answer. Before he could say anything, Jesus 141 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 3: stepped outside and approached them. His eyes were piercing, filled 142 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,439 Speaker 3: with deep wisdom. Tell me, Jesus said, who needs a 143 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 3: doctor more the sick or the help? I have not 144 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 3: come to sit at the table of the righteous, but 145 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 3: to help sinners in need. Jesus left with his disciple 146 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 3: back inside. As he left, he gestured for the Pharisees 147 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: to join him. They sneered and left. 148 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 4: As we begin the story of Jesus today, we find 149 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:23,839 Speaker 4: him teaching in a very crowded house. People are squeezed 150 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 4: in from wall to wall and spilling out of the 151 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 4: door as they listen to the wise words of this teacher, Jesus, 152 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 4: who was unlike anyone they had ever heard before. We 153 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 4: then discovered that some men had heard that Jesus would 154 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 4: be nearby, and they'd known of his healing ministry. Perhaps 155 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 4: they'd seen some of the miracles happen, but for whatever reason, 156 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 4: they knew that this was an opportunity to help a 157 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 4: dear friend, a man who was paralyzed and helpless. They 158 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 4: wanted to get their friend to Jesus. He would not 159 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 4: have the ability to get to Jesus on his own, 160 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 4: immobile as he was us, but these friends demonstrated true 161 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 4: love and compassion as they carried the man to the 162 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 4: home where Jesus was speaking. When they arrived, it seemed 163 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 4: impossible to get to Jesus. There were so many people around, 164 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 4: and apparently no one else cared for the paralyzed man 165 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 4: and wouldn't let him through. But these four friends were 166 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 4: undeterred and undaunted. They climbed up on the roof and 167 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 4: dug out a hole so that they could lower the 168 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 4: man to Jesus. Talk about determination and dedication, compassion and 169 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 4: cooperation is all here. They could have easily packed up 170 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 4: and left heads hanging low, defeated, sad because their friend 171 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 4: would remain crippled, But that's not what they did. They 172 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:47,680 Speaker 4: insisted on seeking after Jesus and the promise of healing 173 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 4: they believe he could give to their friend. What a 174 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 4: great reminder this is that we should have compassion upon 175 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 4: people that we love and care about. That we should 176 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 4: do everything possible to spend and be spent in order 177 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 4: to bring our friends and even people we don't know 178 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:08,319 Speaker 4: to Jesus. Are we willing to push through every obstacle 179 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 4: to search for every possible way to connect those who 180 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 4: need the Lord to the one and the only one 181 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 4: who can make a difference in their lives? Or do 182 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:19,559 Speaker 4: we just give a half hearted attempt and turn away 183 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 4: at the slightest setback. Pray that God would give you 184 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 4: and me strong determination and devotion to get our friends 185 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 4: to Jesus. These men show us the valuable lesson that 186 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 4: Jesus taught about asking and seeking and knocking and never 187 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 4: giving up because the answer will come. When Jesus saw 188 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,360 Speaker 4: the man coming down from the ceiling, he went into action, 189 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 4: going to the man in speaking to him. Here is 190 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 4: what he said in Luke five, verse twenty. When Jesus 191 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 4: saw their faith, he said, friend, your sins are forgiven. First, 192 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 4: notice that Jesus was not speaking of this man's faith, 193 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 4: the crippled man's faith, but the faith of his friends. 194 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 4: It was their faith that brought the man to Jesus. 195 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 4: Our actions, when done in faith believing God, have significant 196 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 4: impact on the lives of others. Our faith moves from 197 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 4: faith to faith. Notice that Jesus doesn't immediately heal the 198 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 4: man's body. His first words are words of forgiveness. The crowd, 199 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 4: and especially the Pharisees and the teachers of the law 200 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 4: take note of This is offensive and shocking to them 201 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 4: that Jesus would claim to be able to forgive sins. 202 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:36,439 Speaker 4: That's something only God can do. But Jesus shocked them 203 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 4: again as he spoke to reveal their hidden thoughts. He 204 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 4: asked if it would be easier to say the man's 205 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 4: sins were forgiven or to tell the man to get 206 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 4: up and walk. Clearly, it would be easier to just 207 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 4: say his sins were forgiven, because there would be no 208 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 4: visual proof of this having worked or not. So he 209 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 4: turned to the man and told him to take up 210 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:59,959 Speaker 4: his mat and go home. Immediately the man was healed. 211 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 4: He stood up from his cot and began praising God. 212 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 4: With those words, Jesus showed that he has the power 213 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 4: to both heal, but most importantly, to heal the soul 214 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 4: to forgive sins. Everyone praised God in amazement for what 215 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:21,239 Speaker 4: they saw Jesus do. We then see Jesus calling another disciple. 216 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 4: This time it was a man named Matthew. He was 217 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 4: a tax collector, which means the Jewish people saw him 218 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 4: as a traitor and a servant of the invading Roman government. 219 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 4: Tax Collectors were not respected or revered members of Jewish society. 220 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 4: They were just included with all the other sinners. So 221 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 4: when the religious crowds saw Jesus with tax collectors, they 222 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 4: once again sneered and scoffed that this man would stoop 223 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 4: so low as to associate with outcasts and sinners. How 224 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 4: could anyone follow such a man, they thought, and once 225 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,839 Speaker 4: more Jesus called them out for their hypocrisy. He had 226 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 4: come to heal the sick, to help sinners, not the righteous. 227 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 4: They could not understand that the purpose of Christ's coming 228 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 4: was to save sinful people. The righteousness of the Pharisees 229 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 4: and the religious crowd was only skin deep, and that 230 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 4: they needed healing sole healing, just as much as the 231 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 4: tax collectors and the sinners. Christ came into the world 232 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 4: to save sinners like you and me. Jesus was ready 233 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 4: and willing for all to follow him, but so many 234 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 4: rejected him, especially those who were very religious. And yet 235 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 4: he kept on helping people, loving people, and would one 236 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 4: day go to a cross to lay down his life 237 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 4: so that our sins could be forgiven. Dear God, we 238 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 4: thank you for the four faithful friends who go to 239 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 4: great lengths to show your love and compassion to their friend. 240 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 4: For the healing and the power of Jesus to save. 241 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 4: Help us Lord, to be friends like these to people 242 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 4: we know, and to do whatever it takes to bring 243 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 4: people to the loving, saving arms of Christ. In Jesus' name, 244 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 4: we pray Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible 245 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 4: in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. 246 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 4: You can download the pray dot Com app and make 247 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 4: prayer a priority in your life, just like over twenty 248 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 4: million people have done to this date. If you enjoy 249 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 4: this podcast, share it with someone you know and love, 250 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 4: because by sharing this message of the Word of God, 251 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 4: you can make an eternal difference in someone's life. And 252 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 4: I want to encourage you to go to Jack Graham 253 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 4: dot org. That's me at Jack Graham dot org. God 254 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 4: bless you and we look forward to joining you again 255 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 4: the next time.