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Speaker 1: The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill,

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Speaker 1: and to destroy. I am come that they might have life,

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Speaker 1: and that they might have it more abundantly. John ten ten,

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Speaker 1: Heavenly Father. Satan is a thief who is out to

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Speaker 1: destroy every living being because he knows that this is

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Speaker 1: the only way he can strike at your heart. He

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Speaker 1: knows how much you love humanity, so if he can

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Speaker 1: keep them from connecting you, he wins. You came to

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Speaker 1: expose his plots, plans, and schemes and set your people free.

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Speaker 1: You have provided everything we need, but it is still

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Speaker 1: a choice we have to make. You came to offer

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Speaker 1: us power over death and eternal life. You came to

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Speaker 1: bless us with hope, peace and love. In the midst

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Speaker 1: of turmoil. You showed us your goodness through your son, Jesus.

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Speaker 1: How can people not see that? Use me today to

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Speaker 1: reach them with your truth. Amen. Stay tuned to immerse

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Speaker 1: yourself in the greatest stories ever told from pray dot

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Speaker 1: COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 2: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in

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Speaker 2: the Bible. Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,

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Speaker 2: please share it with your family and friends so they

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Speaker 2: can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing

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Speaker 2: Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to

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Speaker 2: the greatest story ever told. It is a story of

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Speaker 2: it with shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love

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Speaker 2: for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.

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Speaker 2: This is a story that continues to shape and mold

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Speaker 2: the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God

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Speaker 2: right into the hearts of you and me. This episode

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Speaker 2: reminds us of Jesus's heart for the downtrodden, defenseless, and

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Speaker 2: pure of heart. As we have gone through the life

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Speaker 2: of Jesus so far, it can't help but be compelled

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Speaker 2: by just how many stories there are of Jesus caring

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Speaker 2: for the individual. He helped people who were sick, listen

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Speaker 2: to people who were broken, and rebuke the powers of

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Speaker 2: darkness that sought to corrupt people. Jesus cared deeply, and

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Speaker 2: that should make us want to do the same. These

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Speaker 2: stories are powerful and they cut at the parts of

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Speaker 2: us that just want to look out for Number One,

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Speaker 2: I pray this episode grips your soul, especially as you

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Speaker 2: hear Jesus's heart for children. Before we dive into the

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Speaker 2: works and words of Jesus, we will begin with the prelude.

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Speaker 2: This prelude features a character very few people know about.

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Speaker 2: His story is short and often lost behind the shimmering

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Speaker 2: veneer of King David's life. However, this mighty man of

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Speaker 2: Valor's moment in scripture reminds us that God's heart is

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Speaker 2: for the weak and feeble. He will stop at nothing

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Speaker 2: to defend the helpless from evil. The prelude and the

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Speaker 2: episode afterward invite us to ask how we can defend

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Speaker 2: the defenseless and love the outcasts. My prayer for you

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Speaker 2: today is that the shepherding heart of God would be

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Speaker 2: on full display for you to see. I pray Jesus'

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Speaker 2: words would remind you that you are loved despite your brokenness.

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Speaker 2: I pray that this episode would inspire you to seek

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Speaker 2: Jesus for guidance, provision, healing, acceptance, just as the characters

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Speaker 2: of this story did. Here is episode twelve, The Good Shepherd.

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Speaker 3: Prailud to chapter twelve. Shama breathed him deeply, looking out

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Speaker 3: onto the Philistine hoarde approaching. Their spears were set and

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Speaker 3: their swords were secured tightly, Shama exhaled, listening to the

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Speaker 3: steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The farmers of Lehigh had

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Speaker 3: retreated into their homes, watching from the windows as shamasted alone.

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Speaker 3: He stood in the lentil field. Bushes swayed gently to

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Speaker 3: the wind. The earth began to shake as the Philistines

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Speaker 3: came closer. All the men of the city had fled,

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Speaker 3: but not Shama. He knew that this little patch of

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Speaker 3: farm was the only livelihood the people of Lehigh had.

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Speaker 3: He would not let it be taken by Philistine dogs.

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Speaker 3: The opposing army picked up their pace, working their way

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Speaker 3: into a sprint. Shama set his feet, widening his stance.

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Speaker 3: He drew his sword and braced his shield. The two

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Speaker 3: dozen Philistines closed the gap and lunged at in with

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Speaker 3: spears and swords. Shama lifted his stance like an elegant dance,

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Speaker 3: shifting and moving his feet and hits. He dodged every

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Speaker 3: advance and responded with the swift swing of his sword.

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Speaker 3: One Philistine got an edge on him and drew him

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Speaker 3: back with his shield. However, Shama regained balance quickly and

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Speaker 3: tossed a dagger that was attached to his head a

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Speaker 3: direct hit. Two more advanced towards him. One was met

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Speaker 3: with a quick jab to the belly, and the other

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Speaker 3: was sent to his back with a blow from Shama's shield.

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Speaker 3: He fought for what seemed like ours. As he held

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Speaker 3: his ground, the Philistines that were still alive retreated, leaving

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Speaker 3: the Lentil field alone to the people of Lehigh. Shama panted,

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Speaker 3: blood dripped down his armor, and his face was covered

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Speaker 3: in dust and sweat. But he had done it. He

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Speaker 3: defended the Lentil Field from the Philistines. He did not

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Speaker 3: defeat a giant, nor did he lead an army into battle.

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Speaker 3: This mighty man of David stood his ground against a

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Speaker 3: foe that sought to take advantage of the weak and helpless.

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Speaker 3: He was one man against many, yet God empowered him

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Speaker 3: to victory. This is because God's heart is always for

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Speaker 3: those who cannot help themselves. God's heart is for the vulnerable,

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Speaker 3: the weak, and the helpless, so he sends his heroes

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Speaker 3: to respond to the needs of those who cannot help themselves.

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Speaker 3: This is the heart of God and the heart of

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Speaker 3: his Messiah. Chapter twelve, the good Shepherd Jesus descended down

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Speaker 3: the mountain with Peter, James, and John. Their faces still

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Speaker 3: wore the shock and awe of what had just occurred.

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Speaker 3: They were able to see the heavenly radiance of Jesus unveiled.

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Speaker 3: For a moment on that mountain, they were able to

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Speaker 3: comprehend the greatest miracle of Jesus. His greatest miracle was

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Speaker 3: not turning water in the wine, healing the blind, or

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Speaker 3: calm in the storm. The miracle occurred every day as

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Speaker 3: he continually held back the entirety of his glory. As

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Speaker 3: they reached the base of the mountain, a large commotion

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Speaker 3: could be heard from camp. Peter was the first to

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Speaker 3: respond and run. The others followed, hurrying down the path.

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Speaker 3: They reached camp and found a large crowd violently arguing

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Speaker 3: with the rest of the disciples. Jesus saw a few

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Speaker 3: members pointing at the disciples frauds. They shouted, who were

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Speaker 3: you to call yourselves disciples of Jesus. Peter lunged himself

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Speaker 3: into the crowd, separating them from the disciples. It only

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Speaker 3: made them more angry. One of them swung at Peter,

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Speaker 3: but before he could respond, Jesus rushed into the scene,

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Speaker 3: and the attention of the crowd was diverted. His very

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Speaker 3: presence changed their countenance. What is going on here, Jesus asked.

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Speaker 3: The crowd parted and a man emerged, holding his son

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Speaker 3: in his arms. He was a short and portly man,

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Speaker 3: quite possibly a butcher by trade. His strong arms held

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Speaker 3: up his boy, who could not have been older than

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Speaker 3: ten years of age. The boy was limp in his

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Speaker 3: father's arms, grunting incessantly. Teacher, the man said, bowing before Jesus.

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Speaker 4: It brought my son to you. A spirit has taken him.

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Speaker 3: Jesus peered at the boy. His eyes were rolled back

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Speaker 3: and his neck twitched from side to side. He scanned

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Speaker 3: the boy's body. It was covered in burn marks. The

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Speaker 3: father took notice of Jesus's eyes and began to weep.

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Speaker 4: The spirit comes without.

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Speaker 3: Notice, he said, with watered eyes.

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Speaker 4: He'll take control of my son and throw him into

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Speaker 4: the fire. He foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth,

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Speaker 4: and then he will throw my son into the water

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Speaker 4: to drown.

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Speaker 3: The man clinched his eyes closed, holding his son tightly.

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Speaker 4: I came to your disciples so they might cast out

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Speaker 4: the demon, but they couldn't. They gave me hope and

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Speaker 4: it has been shattered.

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Speaker 3: The man broke down, unable to console himself. Jesus caught

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Speaker 3: a glimpse of the Pharisees and scribes smirking in the corner.

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Speaker 3: They reveled in the disciples inability to cast out the demon.

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Speaker 3: Jesus walked forward with his chest held high and fists clenched.

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Speaker 3: He pointed to them with his gaze as intense as

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Speaker 3: a bolt of lightning.

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Speaker 5: You crooked and perverse generation, he shouted, faithless, that is

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Speaker 5: what you are. How long must I endure you?

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Speaker 3: Jesus looked at the child. He was in much pain.

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Speaker 3: Bring me the boy, Jesus said. As the father lifted

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Speaker 3: his arms to hand the boy to Jesus, the demon

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Speaker 3: awoke from his slumber. He had felt the presence of

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Speaker 3: the Messiah and knew his time was almost up. The

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Speaker 3: demon was determined to do as much damage as he

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Speaker 3: could with a few moments he had left. The boy

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Speaker 3: leaped out of the father's arms onto the ground. The

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Speaker 3: demon thrashed his body under the floor, banging his head

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Speaker 3: against the rocks. Foam spit forth from the boy's mouth,

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Speaker 3: and his eyes rolled back into their sockets. The crowd

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Speaker 3: recoiled terrifying that the boy might harm them if they

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Speaker 3: got too close. The father fell on top of his son,

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Speaker 3: trying to restrain him, but the demon was too powerful.

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Speaker 3: He threw the father off of him and leaped towards him,

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Speaker 3: grabbing his throat. The entire crowd could hear the slight

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Speaker 3: cracking of the father's throat. The demon was unnaturally strong.

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Speaker 3: Jesus stepped forward, grabbing the boy from on top of

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Speaker 3: his father. He restrained him in his arms. The boy

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Speaker 3: thrashed back and forth, screaming with blood curdling volume. The

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Speaker 3: father gasped for air, sobbing at the sight of his son.

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Speaker 3: The boy writhed in Jesus's arms, yet Jesus remained calm,

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Speaker 3: making sure to not harm him. He looked at the

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Speaker 3: father and asked.

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Speaker 5: Do you believe I can heal you?

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Speaker 3: So the father opened up his hands to Jesus and

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Speaker 3: shook his head.

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Speaker 4: I believe, Lord.

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Speaker 3: There was a pause as the father stared at his son.

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Speaker 3: For years, this demon had plagued him. He had begun

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Speaker 3: to lose hope that anything would change.

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Speaker 4: I believe, but help my unbelief.

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Speaker 3: Jesus nodded. The man's response was honest and pure. He

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Speaker 3: did not give any false platitudes or promises. He simply

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Speaker 3: shared the state of his heart. He brought his real

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Speaker 3: and honest emotions. Jesus held the boy close, hugging him

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Speaker 3: as he struggled. Jesus's teeth clenched and his brow furrowed.

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Speaker 3: He hugged the boy with the loving embrace of a father. Then,

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Speaker 3: with authority, he spoke to the demon deep within.

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Speaker 5: You, mute and deaf spirit, hear the voice of your creator.

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Speaker 5: I command you to come out of this boy and

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Speaker 5: plague him no more.

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Speaker 3: The boy's screams increased to a deafening level. He convulsed

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Speaker 3: and rushed his body, until finally going limp, Jesus set

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Speaker 3: him down gently on the floor. The boy seemed dead

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Speaker 3: for a moment. However, Jesus grabbed his hand and lifted

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Speaker 3: him up on two feet. The boy was restored, and

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Speaker 3: the father felt like he was meeting his son for

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Speaker 3: the first time. The disciples departed from Galilee, concerned about

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Speaker 3: what they had just seen. Jesus knew that there were

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Speaker 3: greater troubles ahead for them, yet there was no way

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Speaker 3: for them to truly understand. How could they. In many ways,

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Speaker 3: the Kingdom of Heaven was upside down compared to the

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Speaker 3: common culture of mankind. However, Jesus still saw it fitting

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Speaker 3: to prepare his disciples for events to come.

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Speaker 5: The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands

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Speaker 5: of men, Jesus said, They will kill him, and he

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Speaker 5: will raise himself up on the third day.

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Speaker 3: As Jesus spoke these things, the disciple struggled. They said nothing,

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Speaker 3: afraid of the answers to their questions. They had made

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Speaker 3: their way to Copernium and a large group was gathering

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Speaker 3: in a household. Peter reclined at the table, enjoying a

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Speaker 3: rare moment of silence with his own thoughts. However, the

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Speaker 3: moment was quickly interrupted as a temple official approached him.

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Speaker 3: Ah Simon, the man said. As he sat down, he

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Speaker 3: panted Peter on the back and said, I heard.

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Speaker 6: You might be here with Jesus.

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Speaker 3: It has been a while. Peter gulped. The man was

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Speaker 3: a temple tax collector, and Peter had been behind on

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Speaker 3: his temple tax for quite some time. The man sat

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Speaker 3: next to him and poured a drink from the basin.

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Speaker 3: Sitting on the table, he sipped casually, enjoying the tension

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Speaker 3: he caused, Peter.

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Speaker 7: Tell me, Simon, did your teacher pay his taxes unlike

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Speaker 7: some in this room.

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Speaker 3: Peter buried his head into his hands and sighed. He

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Speaker 3: was a lowly fisherman without much coin to spare. On

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Speaker 3: top of this, he was responsible for his wife and

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Speaker 3: father in law. He does, Peter answered quickly. Then he

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Speaker 3: got up from his seat and walked out of the house.

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Speaker 3: The collector smirked as Peter walked away. Peter stepped out

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Speaker 3: on to the patio. He rubbed his temples and sighed.

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Speaker 3: He felt a great deal of guilt about not being

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Speaker 3: able to afford his temple tax. It was one thing

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Speaker 3: to avoid taxes imposed by Rome, but to not contribute

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Speaker 3: to the temple of God was a source of shame.

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Speaker 3: Peter looked up to the stars, unaware of Jesus sitting

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Speaker 3: a few feet in front of him. Peter was lost

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Speaker 3: in thought, reeling in guilt. Then he heard Jesus speak

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Speaker 3: into the silence.

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Speaker 5: Come and see Peter.

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Speaker 3: Jesus said, gesturing to a spot on the small wall

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Speaker 3: next to him. Jesus would all often retreat to be

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Speaker 3: alone with God. Peter felt honored to sit next to

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Speaker 3: him during one of these moments, Jesus turned to Peter.

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Speaker 5: Tell me what you think, Peter, when kings tax the land,

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Speaker 5: do you think they taxed their own sons or others?

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Speaker 3: Jesus asked others. Peter answered plainly. Jesus nodded, sons are free.

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Speaker 3: A father would never let his son pay the taxes

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Speaker 3: of everyone else. However, in order to not needlessly offend others,

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Speaker 3: I pay the tax, and so should you. Peter held

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Speaker 3: his head low as he spoke. Jesus gave him a

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Speaker 3: pat on the shoulder.

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Speaker 5: Spend some time down by the sea to clear your mind.

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Speaker 5: Cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up.

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Speaker 5: Open its mouth. There you'll find a shekel that should

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Speaker 5: cover the tax form me and for you.

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Speaker 3: Peter did as he was told. He sat with a

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Speaker 3: rod and life in the water, watching the moonlight reflected

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Speaker 3: in the sea. The line tugged and a fish appeared

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Speaker 3: out of the water. Peter opened its mouth and lo

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Speaker 3: and behold something shined in the moonlight. Peter pulled out

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Speaker 3: a shekel. He could not help but chuckle. Jesus had

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Speaker 3: strange ways of providing, but he always came through. The

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Speaker 3: Next day, Jesus was teaching to a large group near

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Speaker 3: the Sea of Galilee. The seagulls flew high above them,

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Speaker 3: descending into the waters below. Jesus sat at the edge

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Speaker 3: of an elevated stone, and hundreds of people sat below

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Speaker 3: on the shore. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Speaker 3: He spoke about the greatness of God's will acted out

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Speaker 3: in the hearts of people.

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Speaker 4: Teacher, who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

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Speaker 4: How can I or any of us truly be great?

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Speaker 3: Someone asked. Jesus nodded at the question. He gestured towards

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Speaker 3: some of the children playing in the sand near the water.

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Speaker 3: He waved at them to come over, and they happily

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Speaker 3: ran and climbed up the rock. One of the children

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Speaker 3: leapt onto Jesus's lap, and the other climbed up on

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Speaker 3: top of his shoulders. Jesus laughed, allowing them to play

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Speaker 3: with his hair and jump off his back.

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Speaker 5: You see these children, Jesus asked, They are humble and

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Speaker 5: approach me with joy. Their faith is pure and undefiled.

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Speaker 5: Whoever is like one of these children his greatest in

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Speaker 5: the Kingdom of God.

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Speaker 3: One of the children sat quietly on Jesus's lap, playing

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Speaker 3: with a stone she found on the shore. Jesus looked

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Speaker 3: at each child with love. Then he looked seriously at

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Speaker 3: the crowd.

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Speaker 5: Whoever accepts and loves a child in my name also

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Speaker 5: receives me. However, whoever causes one of these little ones

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Speaker 5: harm or causes them to sin, it would be better

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Speaker 5: for him to have a stone fastened around his neck

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Speaker 5: and thrown into the bottom of the sea.

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Speaker 3: The people gasped at Jesus's intensity. However, he had a

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Speaker 3: heart for the innocent and needed to make it clear

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Speaker 3: that those who harmed the innocent will not go unpunished.

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Speaker 3: The children jumped off the stone and ran back to

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Speaker 3: fine shells on the shore. Jesus smiled, then returned his

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Speaker 3: gaze to the crowd.

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Speaker 5: Temptation to sin is everywhere. There's a great sorrow in

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Speaker 5: the world because of it, he said. However, it is

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Speaker 5: necessary that temptations come in this way. Our faith is

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Speaker 5: strengthened in them. However, you must be careful. If your

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Speaker 5: hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

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Speaker 3: Jesus gestured with his hands, cutting off his arm. The

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Speaker 3: crowd gasped and flinched. However, Jesus spoke in metaphor, showcasing

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Speaker 3: the lengths we must go to separate ourselves from sin.

303
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Speaker 8: It is better for you to be without an off

304
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Speaker 8: or a leg than to be thrown in eternal fire.

305
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Speaker 8: So if you are causes you to sin, pluck it out,

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Speaker 8: throw it away. It is better that you enter life

307
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Speaker 8: with one eye than two eyes in eternal death.

308
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Speaker 3: The people nodded, understanding the severity of their sin. However,

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Speaker 3: it would be hard to uphold the high standard of Jesus.

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Speaker 3: They would need help, and Jesus was determined to give it.

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Speaker 3: Jesus gestured at the children again. People watched as they

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Speaker 3: played innocently near the water. Their laughter was contagious and

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Speaker 3: caused the crowd to laugh as well. Jesus smiled and

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Speaker 3: looked at the crowd. Looking at the children, they were

315
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Speaker 3: his little ones. He saw them in the same way

316
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Speaker 3: they saw the children. He lifted his voice and reminded

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Speaker 3: them of his heart.

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Speaker 5: Let us say, if shepherd has a hundred sheep, he

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Speaker 5: tends to them well within his pasture. However, one of

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Speaker 5: them falls astray and wanders oft into the wilderness. Were

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Speaker 5: lie and wait. The shepherd takes action and leaves the

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Speaker 5: ninety nine sheep in search of the one. He ascends

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Speaker 5: into the mountains. He risks death an injury to save

324
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Speaker 5: the one sheep who went astray. Then he finds the sheep,

325
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Speaker 5: and his entire household rejoices. That is the heart of

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Speaker 5: my father in heaven. It is not his will that

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Speaker 5: any should perish.

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Speaker 3: Jesus peered out into the crowd. In the corner, he

329
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Speaker 3: could see two men facing each other, disputing silently.

330
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Speaker 5: Forgive one another.

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Speaker 3: Jesus shouted. The men quickly ceased their arguing. Embarrassed that

332
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Speaker 3: Jesus had caught them, he smiled and shook his head.

333
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Speaker 3: Then he turned to the rest of the crowd.

334
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Speaker 5: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him

335
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Speaker 5: his fault. Do not bring others into it unless you've

336
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Speaker 5: spoken to him first. Be honest with one another. If

337
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Speaker 5: he does not listen, bring a few more, so they

338
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Speaker 5: may be witnesses to your dispute and help. If he

339
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Speaker 5: refuse us to listen, still bring him to the church

340
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Speaker 5: so they might lovingly lead him. Wherever two or three

341
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Speaker 5: are gathered in the midst of dispute, I will be

342
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Speaker 5: in their midst to aid.

343
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Speaker 3: Peter looked at his brother Andrew. He smirked. The two

344
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Speaker 3: of them had had many disputes in their lives. Andrew

345
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Speaker 3: was more level handed, quiet, However, Peter was brash and loud.

346
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Speaker 6: How many times should I forgive my brother? Peter asked

347
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Speaker 6: the rabbis, tell us to forgive three times? Shall we

348
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Speaker 6: forgive more? Perhaps seven times?

349
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Speaker 3: Peter's number was generous. However, Jesus had a different number

350
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Speaker 3: in mind.

351
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Speaker 5: No, Peter, not seven seventy seven.

352
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Speaker 3: The crowd laughed at the absurd number. However, Jesus was

353
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Speaker 3: not joking. He held up his hand and told them

354
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Speaker 3: a story.

355
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Speaker 5: There was a ruler who wished to settle his accounts

356
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Speaker 5: with servants. He lent money to one of the servants,

357
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Speaker 5: owed him ten thousand talents. Surely it was a number

358
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Speaker 5: too great to repay. Since he could not pay the debt,

359
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Speaker 5: the ruler offered for the servant and his family to

360
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Speaker 5: be sold into slavery to repay the payment. The servant

361
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Speaker 5: leaped onto the floor and fell on his face. He

362
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Speaker 5: begged the ruler forgive me, forgive me of my debt.

363
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Speaker 5: Although he did not deserve forgiveness, the ruler gave it anyway,

364
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Speaker 5: for he was merciful and kind. The very same day,

365
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Speaker 5: the ruler was walking about the city when he caught

366
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Speaker 5: a glimpse of the very same servant arguing with another man.

367
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Speaker 5: He watched as the servant swung at the man, hitting

368
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Speaker 5: him to the floor. The two of them fought and

369
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Speaker 5: thrashed at one another until the servant came on top

370
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Speaker 5: of him and began.

371
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Speaker 3: To choke him.

372
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Speaker 5: Pay me what you owe me, the servant yelled. As

373
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Speaker 5: he turns out, the servant owed the man one hundred talents.

374
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Speaker 5: The man gasped for air and begged for mercy, Please

375
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Speaker 5: forgive me of the debt. Yet and did not have mercy.

376
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Speaker 5: When the ruler heard this, he summoned him, you wicked servant,

377
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Speaker 5: I forgave you all your debt, yet you choked this

378
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Speaker 5: man for a hundred. In his anger, the ruler sent

379
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Speaker 5: him out into the prison.

380
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Speaker 3: Jesus paused and allowed the crowd to understand the message.

381
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Speaker 5: You have been forgiven much, Jesus said, the same will

382
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Speaker 5: happen to you if you do not forgive others.

383
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Speaker 3: With that, Jesus departed with his disciples. There were things

384
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Speaker 3: to prepare for for Jesus was about to set his

385
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Speaker 3: face to Jerusalem, Desiring for the entire region around him

386
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Speaker 3: to hear the proclaimed gospel, Jesus sent out his disciples

387
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Speaker 3: into different regions so he might preach. However, the Samaritan

388
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Speaker 3: village nearby would not receive him. James and John boiled

389
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Speaker 3: with rage that they would reject Jesus. They steamed with

390
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Speaker 3: anger and bickered amongst themselves on how they should respond. Finally,

391
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Speaker 3: they came to Jesus and said.

392
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Speaker 9: Lord, shall we call down fire from heaven to obliterate

393
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Speaker 9: those who reject you.

394
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Speaker 3: Jesus looked at them dismayed. His face showed shock, worry,

395
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Speaker 3: and anger that they would even suggest such a thing.

396
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Speaker 3: Of course, not. Thus he nicknamed both of them sons

397
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Speaker 3: of Thunder. As the rest of them were walking into

398
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Speaker 3: another town, a man came to them. He approached Jesus smugly,

399
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Speaker 3: prepared to follow Jesus wherever he went.

400
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Speaker 4: Lord, allow me to follow you wherever you.

401
00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,920
Speaker 3: Go, the man said, with a grin. He held himself

402
00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:45,159
Speaker 3: with confidence. He had seen Jesus heal the sick and

403
00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,680
Speaker 3: multiply food. He saw the crowds call to make him

404
00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:52,960
Speaker 3: king and await his revolution to the throne. To him,

405
00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:56,920
Speaker 3: Jesus's life seemed glamorous. He desired to be a part

406
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Speaker 3: of it and share in the glory. Jesus did not

407
00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:04,920
Speaker 3: shew the man away. Instead, he painted him a picture

408
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Speaker 3: of what it was truly like to follow him.

409
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Speaker 5: Foxes have holes and birds have nests, But the son

410
00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,480
Speaker 5: of man has no place to lay his head. He

411
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Speaker 5: has no home to call his owner comforts to return to.

412
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Speaker 5: So follow me if you desire.

413
00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:26,800
Speaker 3: The man paused for a moment. He responded trepidaciously.

414
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Speaker 4: Saying, well, perhaps I should first tend to my father

415
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:34,720
Speaker 4: before he passes and secure my inheritance. Once he is

416
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Speaker 4: gone and I have buried him, I can return to

417
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Speaker 4: follow you.

418
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Speaker 3: Jesus shook his head.

419
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Speaker 5: Leave the dead to bury their own dead, as for you,

420
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Speaker 5: go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.

421
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Speaker 3: Another man approached Jesus and said.

422
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Speaker 4: Lord, I will follow you, but first allow me to

423
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Speaker 4: say goodbye to my family.

424
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Speaker 3: Jesus shook his head again.

425
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Speaker 5: You do not understand yet the weight of them what

426
00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,240
Speaker 5: you are seeking. No man can put his hand to

427
00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,760
Speaker 5: the plow and look back. The line becomes jacket and crooked.

428
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Speaker 5: No man is fit to commit to the Kingdom of

429
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Speaker 5: God if he.

430
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Speaker 3: Looks back Jesus sat on a stone beside the road.

431
00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:20,200
Speaker 3: A large caravan of people were packing to depart from

432
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Speaker 3: Galilee to Jerusalem. Jesus watched as families packed food, instruments,

433
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Speaker 3: and sacrifices for the Feast of Booths. It was an

434
00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:35,359
Speaker 3: entire celebration where families camped and makeshift booths outside Jerusalem

435
00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,119
Speaker 3: to remember Israel's time in the wilderness.

436
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Speaker 9: Are you coming, Jesus?

437
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:45,280
Speaker 3: Jesus looked up and saw his brothers approaching. James, Jude, Joseph,

438
00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:49,000
Speaker 3: and Simon were all packing their things to depart. Jesus

439
00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:52,639
Speaker 3: would not go with them. The religious leaders were waiting

440
00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,520
Speaker 3: for him there. He had known about their plot to

441
00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,080
Speaker 3: kill him, and there were still a few things to

442
00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:02,960
Speaker 3: do before he would give him himself up. His brothers

443
00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,760
Speaker 3: stood over him with their arms crossed. They knew better

444
00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:11,400
Speaker 3: than anyone that Jesus was unique, yet they were skeptical

445
00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:14,639
Speaker 3: of his miracles and had issues with his claims to

446
00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:16,119
Speaker 3: be the son of God.

447
00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:19,840
Speaker 9: Why have you remained in Galilee so long? Jude asked,

448
00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:23,439
Speaker 9: No one respects Galileans. If you really want to be

449
00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:25,520
Speaker 9: known for all your words and miracles, you would do

450
00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,880
Speaker 9: them in Jerusalem. That is where the people that matter are.

451
00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,800
Speaker 4: If you really do these things, why remain in an

452
00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:34,439
Speaker 4: anonymous region of Galilee.

453
00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:36,800
Speaker 3: James chimed in, Come with.

454
00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,960
Speaker 4: Us, we would also like to see you make a

455
00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:39,840
Speaker 4: name for yourself.

456
00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:44,160
Speaker 3: There was sarcasm and snark in their voices. They did

457
00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:47,879
Speaker 3: not believe in him. However, they would soon see for

458
00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:52,000
Speaker 3: themselves what was to come. James and Jude in particular

459
00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:57,160
Speaker 3: would be completely transformed by the work Jesus did. Yet,

460
00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,640
Speaker 3: for now, Jesus was content to allow them to poke fun.

461
00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:05,239
Speaker 3: They were his brothers after all. Jesus stood to his

462
00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:07,560
Speaker 3: feet and panted Jude on the shoulders.

463
00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:11,200
Speaker 5: Ah, my brothers, you shall have to go on without me.

464
00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:13,520
Speaker 5: My time has not yet come.

465
00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:15,520
Speaker 3: Simon scoffed.

466
00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:19,240
Speaker 10: Do not have people waiting for you in Jerusalem. How

467
00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:21,159
Speaker 10: is it that you claim to be so close to

468
00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:25,280
Speaker 10: God but avoid the people of God. Stop wasting your

469
00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:27,679
Speaker 10: time in Galilee with all these fishermen.

470
00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:31,679
Speaker 5: Jesus shrugged as I said, my time to show myself

471
00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:35,679
Speaker 5: has not yet come. However, for you, my brothers, it

472
00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:39,240
Speaker 5: is always time. The world hates me because I testify

473
00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:41,680
Speaker 5: to its wickedness. If the world does not hate you,

474
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,000
Speaker 5: nobody lies and wait for you, and nobody's seeking to

475
00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,240
Speaker 5: kill you. So go, go and be free. I am

476
00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:49,760
Speaker 5: sure I will see you soon.

477
00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:52,960
Speaker 3: So his brothers departed with the rest of the caravan.

478
00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:57,160
Speaker 3: Musicians sat in their carriages with their lyres, and the

479
00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:00,800
Speaker 3: children played their flutes. It was a joyous occasion for

480
00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:06,280
Speaker 3: any Jew. However, Jesus had a mission. Once the caravan left,

481
00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:12,120
Speaker 3: he silently and secretly made his way to Jerusalem. The

482
00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:16,680
Speaker 3: brothers approached the grand city of Jerusalem. It was teeming

483
00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:20,600
Speaker 3: with life. The market places were bustling with fresh produce

484
00:29:20,680 --> 00:29:25,360
Speaker 3: and fine items. Families from different nations and regions danced

485
00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:29,240
Speaker 3: through the city streets, taking in the glory of God's city.

486
00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:33,360
Speaker 3: The temple was central, like the beating heart of the city.

487
00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:37,920
Speaker 3: From it, thousands of people poured in and out daily,

488
00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:43,440
Speaker 3: making sacrifices and offering prayers to God. On the outskirts

489
00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:46,560
Speaker 3: of the city, hundreds of tents and booths were set

490
00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,360
Speaker 3: up to celebrate the feast of booths. Children ran to

491
00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:54,520
Speaker 3: and from each tent, rolling around in the grass. Women

492
00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:57,840
Speaker 3: started fires to cook food. As the men sat among

493
00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:02,760
Speaker 3: one another, laughing and craft their tents. The brothers of

494
00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:07,040
Speaker 3: Jesus could not help but feel slightly sorrowful that Jesus

495
00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:10,959
Speaker 3: was not with them. For three years now, he had

496
00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:16,080
Speaker 3: been traveling from region to region preaching and healing. They

497
00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:20,160
Speaker 3: missed him. Perhaps that is why they ridiculed him so often.

498
00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,880
Speaker 3: The brothers sat by the fire waiting for the feast

499
00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:30,000
Speaker 3: to begin. They exchanged stories of their childhood and laughed,

500
00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,880
Speaker 3: making mention of Jesus. Often. The few of the people

501
00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,440
Speaker 3: around them took notice and approached their fire.

502
00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:39,240
Speaker 4: Are you the brothers of Jesus.

503
00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:41,640
Speaker 3: They asked. The brothers nodded.

504
00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:43,960
Speaker 4: Where is he? Has he come with you to the feast?

505
00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:46,560
Speaker 5: He is remaining in Galilee.

506
00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:50,400
Speaker 3: Joseph replied quickly. They often grew tired of answering questions

507
00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,680
Speaker 3: about Jesus. However, more and more people listened in and

508
00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,880
Speaker 3: huddled near the fire. They disputed among themselves. Some would

509
00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:02,480
Speaker 3: say he is a good man. Others would whisper he

510
00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:07,760
Speaker 3: is the Messiah. Then more would respond, he's leading people astray.

511
00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:12,600
Speaker 3: Nobody was in agreement to the character of Jesus, not

512
00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:17,480
Speaker 3: even his own brothers. Meanwhile, in the temple, the religious

513
00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,760
Speaker 3: leaders were teaching a large crowd. They spoke of the

514
00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:24,920
Speaker 3: law and devotion to the temple economy. As they spoke,

515
00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:29,360
Speaker 3: Jesus weaved his way through the crowns, remaining anonymous under

516
00:31:29,400 --> 00:31:33,640
Speaker 3: a cloak. He remained hidden, observing the people as they

517
00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:39,000
Speaker 3: sought answers to life's greatest questions. He listened to the

518
00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,640
Speaker 3: Pharisees fumble the word of God and teach it as

519
00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:48,360
Speaker 3: a means to control and manipulate. Without a word, Jesus

520
00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:51,000
Speaker 3: removed his hood and walked to the other side of

521
00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:57,080
Speaker 3: the temple. Slowly people began to recognize him. The Pharisees

522
00:31:57,120 --> 00:32:00,160
Speaker 3: watched as the attention of the crowd was diverted to

523
00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:04,000
Speaker 3: the other side of the temple, like his shifting tide.

524
00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:07,920
Speaker 3: The amount of people listening to them reduced to nearly nothing.

525
00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:11,239
Speaker 3: They looked to the other side of the temple and

526
00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:17,240
Speaker 3: saw Jesus proclaiming the mercy, justice, love, and triumph of

527
00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:22,120
Speaker 3: the Kingdom of God. The Jews marveled. Many of them

528
00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:25,960
Speaker 3: had not listened to him before. The locals of Jerusalem

529
00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:29,720
Speaker 3: were connoisseurs of good teaching. They listened often to the

530
00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:34,200
Speaker 3: rhetoric of Hebrew scholars and debate between rabbis. However, as

531
00:32:34,240 --> 00:32:37,560
Speaker 3: they listened to Jesus, they heard things that they had

532
00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:42,600
Speaker 3: never heard before. How is it that this uneducated man

533
00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:48,160
Speaker 3: can say such things? They asked. Jesus held out his arms.

534
00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,040
Speaker 5: My teaching is not my own, It is from the

535
00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:51,880
Speaker 5: one who sent me.

536
00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:55,440
Speaker 3: Some in the crown began to recognize Jesus as the

537
00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,680
Speaker 3: one whom the Pharisees were plotting to kill. How is

538
00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:00,920
Speaker 3: it that people in the city are wanting to kill him,

539
00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:04,400
Speaker 3: yet he stands here boldly for all to see. The

540
00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:08,600
Speaker 3: crowd was stirring, questioning who Jesus really was. Who is

541
00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:12,160
Speaker 3: this man? They asked? Can it be that he really

542
00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:17,400
Speaker 3: is the Christ? Jesus scanned the crowd. He stretched out

543
00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:19,200
Speaker 3: his arms and gestured to them.

544
00:33:19,520 --> 00:33:22,800
Speaker 5: You know who I am. You know where I came from.

545
00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:27,200
Speaker 5: I've been sent by God. I know him. I come

546
00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:30,320
Speaker 5: from him. Is he who guides me?

547
00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:34,760
Speaker 3: As the words left Jesus's mouth, the crowd irrupted in rage.

548
00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:38,040
Speaker 3: They called for him to be arrested. They spat in

549
00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:42,760
Speaker 3: his direction and called him a blasphem. Yet many people

550
00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:46,600
Speaker 3: believed in him. At the edge of the temple, Jesus's

551
00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:52,400
Speaker 3: brothers watched in awe as Jesus continued speaking. The Pharisees

552
00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:54,080
Speaker 3: called for the guards to arrest him.

553
00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:57,880
Speaker 4: He is a blasphemer, they yelled, seize him.

554
00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:01,640
Speaker 3: So the guards approached the platform were Jesus taught. They

555
00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:06,360
Speaker 3: marched with their swords drawn, ready to take Jesus by force. However,

556
00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:11,000
Speaker 3: they slowed their pursuit as they heard Jesus speak. They

557
00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:15,719
Speaker 3: heard about depths of God's goodness, the origin of justice,

558
00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:20,000
Speaker 3: and the meaning behind the law. They were enraptured by

559
00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:24,080
Speaker 3: his sermon, so instead of arresting him, they sheathed their

560
00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:28,920
Speaker 3: swords and listened. The Pharisees were outraged that they could

561
00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:31,840
Speaker 3: not lay a hand on Jesus, so they sought to

562
00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:36,360
Speaker 3: end him in secret. Their rage boiled with a quiet

563
00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:40,440
Speaker 3: and ancient evil. They did not know it, but they

564
00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:43,160
Speaker 3: were being played as pawns in the hand of a

565
00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:48,240
Speaker 3: great enemy. In the secrecy of night, the Pharisees ploted

566
00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:52,480
Speaker 3: how they might kill him. Nicodemus remained in the back

567
00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:57,040
Speaker 3: of the room, silently listening. Nobody knew that he had

568
00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:01,480
Speaker 3: once visited Jesus and had been transform formed by his words.

569
00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:07,080
Speaker 3: He cleared his throat to get the room's attention. Nicodemus

570
00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:12,000
Speaker 3: was respected among the Pharisees. His teaching was highly sought after,

571
00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:14,720
Speaker 3: and he was known as one of the deepest thinkers

572
00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:18,799
Speaker 3: of the day. All were silent as Nicodemus stood.

573
00:35:19,120 --> 00:35:22,960
Speaker 4: You would condemn this man without a trial. Nicodemus asked,

574
00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:27,160
Speaker 4: why would we not truly inquire about his actions to

575
00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:29,560
Speaker 4: see if he really is who people say he is.

576
00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:34,480
Speaker 3: Yet his words fell flat. The group was more concerned

577
00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:39,239
Speaker 3: with their power than the truth, so Nicodemus shrunk back,

578
00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:43,000
Speaker 3: scheming about how he could possibly stop what was about

579
00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:48,920
Speaker 3: to happen. It was morning and the sun was peeking

580
00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:53,440
Speaker 3: through the fig trees as Jesus lay underneath. The morning

581
00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:57,520
Speaker 3: haze caused the light to disperse in hundreds of directions,

582
00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:03,319
Speaker 3: illuminating the blooming flowers and morning dew. Jesus walked the

583
00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:07,800
Speaker 3: garden at the Mount of Olives and prayed. He breathed

584
00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:10,440
Speaker 3: in the crisp air and felt the first rays of

585
00:36:10,480 --> 00:36:14,840
Speaker 3: the sun gently touch his face. He listened to the

586
00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:18,600
Speaker 3: babbling brook Kidron and watched the clear water run through

587
00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:22,959
Speaker 3: the garden. He would be back here soon. It would

588
00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:27,080
Speaker 3: be a less peaceful experience than this. The day was

589
00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:32,480
Speaker 3: getting closer. Jesus departed from the Mount of Olives and

590
00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:36,160
Speaker 3: sat at the temple courtyard. He leaned his head against

591
00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:39,359
Speaker 3: the wall, enjoying a moment of silence with his God.

592
00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:44,120
Speaker 3: Then he heard a mob of people approaching. In front

593
00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:46,960
Speaker 3: of the throng of people were a few pharisees and

594
00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:50,800
Speaker 3: scribes dragging a woman through the dirt by her hair.

595
00:36:52,200 --> 00:36:55,960
Speaker 3: Her screams were louder than the mob of people. Jesus

596
00:36:56,120 --> 00:36:59,719
Speaker 3: stood to his feet and marched towards them. They saw

597
00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:02,680
Speaker 3: je Jesus and threw the woman to the ground at

598
00:37:02,719 --> 00:37:06,080
Speaker 3: his feet. Her face hit the dirt with a thud.

599
00:37:07,239 --> 00:37:10,040
Speaker 3: She gasped for air. As she turned to her side.

600
00:37:11,320 --> 00:37:13,920
Speaker 3: Jesus could see the bruises on her wrists from the

601
00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:17,960
Speaker 3: men who grabbed her. Her clothes were torn and falling

602
00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:21,280
Speaker 3: off her body, and blood was running down her temple.

603
00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:25,319
Speaker 3: Jesus looked up at the man standing over her. They

604
00:37:25,360 --> 00:37:30,040
Speaker 3: wore smug grins and pointed to the woman, Tisha. One

605
00:37:30,080 --> 00:37:31,840
Speaker 3: of the pharisees shouted.

606
00:37:31,800 --> 00:37:35,719
Speaker 7: This woman has been caught in adultery. According to the

607
00:37:35,840 --> 00:37:36,920
Speaker 7: law of Moses.

608
00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:40,560
Speaker 3: She should be stoned, they said, trying to trap him

609
00:37:40,600 --> 00:37:43,960
Speaker 3: into forgiving a woman who was clearly guilty. One of

610
00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:47,640
Speaker 3: the pharisees grabbed the woman by the hair and shouted.

611
00:37:47,560 --> 00:37:51,120
Speaker 7: So what do you say now, Jesus, What shall be

612
00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:54,680
Speaker 7: done to her? Will you obey the law of Moses,

613
00:37:55,360 --> 00:37:59,799
Speaker 7: a compromise yet again to befriend whores and sinners.

614
00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:04,400
Speaker 3: Jesus's heart beat faster. They had made a spectacle of

615
00:38:04,440 --> 00:38:09,040
Speaker 3: this woman. They had reduced her to nothing. The whole

616
00:38:09,080 --> 00:38:12,720
Speaker 3: crowd looked upon her with disgust and spat in her direction.

617
00:38:14,360 --> 00:38:19,560
Speaker 3: The woman shrunk in shame. She curled into herself, covering

618
00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:22,960
Speaker 3: her ears as she listened to people scoff at her.

619
00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:27,080
Speaker 3: She knew what people did to women caught in adultery.

620
00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,919
Speaker 3: She knew she was about to be stoned. Jesus looked

621
00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:37,239
Speaker 3: up at the people. Underneath Jesus's blank expression was a

622
00:38:37,320 --> 00:38:41,680
Speaker 3: rumbling of anger. Not anger towards the woman, but the

623
00:38:41,760 --> 00:38:44,399
Speaker 3: men wh would treat her like an animal to prove

624
00:38:44,440 --> 00:38:47,480
Speaker 3: a point. He knew. They did not care about the

625
00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:51,200
Speaker 3: woman's sin. They desired to trap Jesus, and they were

626
00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:57,000
Speaker 3: willing to stone this woman to validate themselves. Within Jesus

627
00:38:57,360 --> 00:39:01,279
Speaker 3: was the power of Heaven behind the common frame of

628
00:39:01,320 --> 00:39:05,840
Speaker 3: a Hebrew was the creator of the universe. With a word,

629
00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:09,120
Speaker 3: he could destroy all of them, yet he kept his

630
00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:13,680
Speaker 3: power sheathed. He would not address them in the way

631
00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:17,920
Speaker 3: they deserved. Even the corrupt deserved a chance to repent.

632
00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:23,440
Speaker 3: So Jesus took two steps forward and crouched down in

633
00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:26,760
Speaker 3: the dirt. He began to write words in the dust

634
00:39:26,880 --> 00:39:32,080
Speaker 3: with his finger. There was a silence as the religious

635
00:39:32,160 --> 00:39:36,520
Speaker 3: leaders read what Jesus was writing. The woman peeked her

636
00:39:36,560 --> 00:39:39,600
Speaker 3: eyes over. She could not see what Jesus was writing,

637
00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:44,320
Speaker 3: but she could notice that it made the Pharisees uncomfortable.

638
00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:48,920
Speaker 3: Jesus stood to his feet and looked at them. He

639
00:39:49,000 --> 00:39:52,880
Speaker 3: picked up a stone off the floor and walked towards them.

640
00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:58,759
Speaker 3: Their eyes widened. Jesus was unpredictable to them what he

641
00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:02,640
Speaker 3: stone the woman, or would he attack them. The crowd

642
00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:05,840
Speaker 3: took a few steps back, bracing for Jesus to strike

643
00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:11,360
Speaker 3: them down. Instead, he reached out with the stone resting.

644
00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:11,640
Speaker 1: On his palm.

645
00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:16,560
Speaker 5: If any one among you is without sin, let him

646
00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:18,319
Speaker 5: throw the first stone.

647
00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:22,080
Speaker 3: Jesus dropped the stone in front of the woman and Pharisees.

648
00:40:23,160 --> 00:40:27,480
Speaker 3: It fell to the floor with a thud. Everyone was silent.

649
00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:31,840
Speaker 3: Jesus knelt down again and continued writing in the dirt.

650
00:40:32,960 --> 00:40:35,520
Speaker 3: The men looked at his words written in the dust,

651
00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:40,000
Speaker 3: and one by one they began to leave. Each man,

652
00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:44,760
Speaker 3: beginning with the oldest, departed in a hurry. The woman

653
00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:48,800
Speaker 3: watched as the men grumbled. Their faces were filled with worry.

654
00:40:49,440 --> 00:40:52,040
Speaker 3: Perhaps they did not want anyone to read what Jesus

655
00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:58,640
Speaker 3: was writing. Perhaps it was about them. The pharisees and

656
00:40:58,719 --> 00:41:03,040
Speaker 3: scribes left without a word. They grumbled as they departed,

657
00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:06,600
Speaker 3: swiftly so no one would talk to them. The crowns

658
00:41:06,640 --> 00:41:09,880
Speaker 3: also departed, for there was no longer a spectacle to watch.

659
00:41:11,239 --> 00:41:15,400
Speaker 3: All that remained was Jesus and the woman. Her body

660
00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:18,320
Speaker 3: was bruised and bleeding from being dragged in the dirt.

661
00:41:18,960 --> 00:41:22,960
Speaker 3: She covered herself best she could. They had drug her

662
00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:25,719
Speaker 3: out of her bed, right in the act of adultery,

663
00:41:26,239 --> 00:41:31,359
Speaker 3: yet the man had not been taken. She was frustrated, ashamed,

664
00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:36,120
Speaker 3: and alone. Jesus walked over to her and knelt on

665
00:41:36,239 --> 00:41:39,320
Speaker 3: to the floor. He took the robe off his back

666
00:41:39,480 --> 00:41:43,280
Speaker 3: and draped it over her shoulders. He met the woman's

667
00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:46,200
Speaker 3: eyes and then gestured to the empty courtyard.

668
00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:50,480
Speaker 5: Tell me, he said, who is left to seame you?

669
00:41:51,480 --> 00:41:55,520
Speaker 3: The woman looked round. Her tears fell into the dirt

670
00:41:55,640 --> 00:42:00,520
Speaker 3: before Jesus. She shook her head and answered, no one,

671
00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:04,560
Speaker 3: My Lord. Jesus propped up her chin so her eyes

672
00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:05,040
Speaker 3: met his.

673
00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:07,239
Speaker 5: Then neither do I sheme you.

674
00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:09,960
Speaker 3: He helped the woman to her feet and brush the

675
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:11,280
Speaker 3: dirt off her clothes.

676
00:42:11,840 --> 00:42:15,719
Speaker 5: Leave now in freedom, go and sin no more.

677
00:42:16,280 --> 00:42:20,600
Speaker 3: So the woman departed, feeling the full weight of grace.

678
00:42:22,280 --> 00:42:26,120
Speaker 3: Jesus outstretched his arms to the people and proclaimed.

679
00:42:26,440 --> 00:42:30,400
Speaker 5: I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays his

680
00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:32,240
Speaker 5: life down for the sheep.

681
00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:34,239
Speaker 3: He then pointed to the Pharisees.

682
00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:37,880
Speaker 5: The hired hand sees the wolf coming and leaves the

683
00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:41,600
Speaker 5: sheep to save himself. He cares nothing for the sheep.

684
00:42:41,880 --> 00:42:44,480
Speaker 3: Jesus paste the ground outside the temple.

685
00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:47,439
Speaker 5: I am the good Shepherd, and I will lay down

686
00:42:47,560 --> 00:42:49,160
Speaker 5: my life for the sheep.

687
00:42:49,840 --> 00:42:51,359
Speaker 3: They will hear me and.

688
00:42:51,400 --> 00:42:55,520
Speaker 5: Listen to my voice. Know this, whatever may come in

689
00:42:55,560 --> 00:42:59,359
Speaker 5: the future, nobody takes my life from me. I lay

690
00:42:59,360 --> 00:43:02,759
Speaker 5: it down will for the sake of those God has

691
00:43:02,840 --> 00:43:05,480
Speaker 5: given to me. I have the authority to lay down

692
00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:09,440
Speaker 5: my life. I have the authority to raise it up again.

693
00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:12,680
Speaker 3: As he said these things, there was another division among

694
00:43:12,719 --> 00:43:15,920
Speaker 3: the Jews. Many of them said he has a demon

695
00:43:16,320 --> 00:43:21,440
Speaker 3: he's insane, Why listen to him? Others said, these are

696
00:43:21,480 --> 00:43:23,800
Speaker 3: not the words of one who is oppressed by demon.

697
00:43:24,320 --> 00:43:27,840
Speaker 3: Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? Jesus

698
00:43:27,960 --> 00:43:31,680
Speaker 3: left from there, healing the blind and rebuking the Pharisees

699
00:43:31,719 --> 00:43:35,799
Speaker 3: for their lack of compassion over the last, all the

700
00:43:35,840 --> 00:43:40,000
Speaker 3: while their hatred for him grew. The name of Jesus

701
00:43:40,120 --> 00:43:44,040
Speaker 3: became a point of debate between people in Jerusalem. While

702
00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:48,280
Speaker 3: people from Galilee rejoiced in his miracles, the religious elite

703
00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:54,080
Speaker 3: of Jerusalem analyzed and debated them. All the while Jesus

704
00:43:54,120 --> 00:43:57,400
Speaker 3: set his heart towards the final act of his ministry.

705
00:43:58,320 --> 00:44:00,719
Speaker 3: He was beginning to set his gaze on the hill

706
00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:08,000
Speaker 3: outside the city, the place of the skull convarry.

707
00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:11,440
Speaker 2: God's heart is always for those who cannot help themselves.

708
00:44:12,000 --> 00:44:14,960
Speaker 2: God's heart is for the vulnerable, the weak, and the helpless,

709
00:44:15,360 --> 00:44:18,000
Speaker 2: So he sends his heroes to respond to the needs

710
00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:21,160
Speaker 2: of those who cannot help themselves. This is the heart

711
00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:24,440
Speaker 2: of God and the heart of his Messiah. During the

712
00:44:24,480 --> 00:44:27,839
Speaker 2: time of Jesus, there were a variety of different predictions

713
00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:30,439
Speaker 2: on who the Messiah would be. Very few of those

714
00:44:30,480 --> 00:44:33,719
Speaker 2: predictions involved the carpenter who hung out with blind men,

715
00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:39,279
Speaker 2: tax collectors, and fishermen. Jesus flipped everybody's expectations upside down.

716
00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:44,160
Speaker 2: His constant attendance to the sick demon possessed an outcast

717
00:44:44,239 --> 00:44:47,400
Speaker 2: gives us a good idea of how God defines heroism.

718
00:44:47,640 --> 00:44:51,279
Speaker 2: When Samad defended the little feel from the Philistines, he

719
00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:55,160
Speaker 2: displayed true heroism. He fought for the helpless and defended

720
00:44:55,200 --> 00:44:59,440
Speaker 2: the dignity of something small. Jesus was constantly paying attention

721
00:44:59,480 --> 00:45:04,120
Speaker 2: to the feels, those seemingly small and insignificant people who

722
00:45:04,200 --> 00:45:07,360
Speaker 2: needed help. SHAMAI use the sword, but Jesus had a

723
00:45:07,360 --> 00:45:10,960
Speaker 2: different weapon at his disposal, the spirit of God. His

724
00:45:11,040 --> 00:45:14,640
Speaker 2: disciples found themselves incapable of casting out a demon from

725
00:45:14,640 --> 00:45:18,440
Speaker 2: a small boy. The boy's father was angry, confused, and

726
00:45:18,520 --> 00:45:22,399
Speaker 2: beside himself with grief. Wouldn't you be the Demon's grip

727
00:45:22,480 --> 00:45:24,920
Speaker 2: on this boy caused him to harm himself and the

728
00:45:24,960 --> 00:45:28,120
Speaker 2: people around him. If you are a parent listening to this,

729
00:45:28,640 --> 00:45:31,640
Speaker 2: you can only imagine the anguish this father was feeling.

730
00:45:32,480 --> 00:45:35,359
Speaker 2: Jesus knew what the father was thinking, but he also

731
00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:39,240
Speaker 2: knew what the pharisees and scribes were thinking. They snickered

732
00:45:39,280 --> 00:45:42,279
Speaker 2: at the disciples inability to heal the boy, and that

733
00:45:42,440 --> 00:45:47,160
Speaker 2: made Jesus enraged. They were so self righteous that they

734
00:45:47,160 --> 00:45:51,160
Speaker 2: had closed their hearts off to compassion. The contrast between

735
00:45:51,280 --> 00:45:54,680
Speaker 2: Jesus and the Pharisees only becomes more apparent as this

736
00:45:54,800 --> 00:45:58,760
Speaker 2: series continues. They would rather this boy continue to suffer

737
00:45:58,800 --> 00:46:02,360
Speaker 2: than give Jesus a victim. When we have prioritized our

738
00:46:02,440 --> 00:46:06,040
Speaker 2: own idea of morality over compassion and charity, we have

739
00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:09,919
Speaker 2: taken a dark turn. Jesus confronted the demon and held

740
00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:12,440
Speaker 2: the boy tightly so that he couldn't harm himself or

741
00:46:12,440 --> 00:46:15,800
Speaker 2: anyone else. He embraced the boy with love and rebuke

742
00:46:15,880 --> 00:46:19,080
Speaker 2: the tormenting spirit within him. If you have a chance

743
00:46:19,160 --> 00:46:21,759
Speaker 2: to go back and listen to this scene again, I

744
00:46:21,800 --> 00:46:25,600
Speaker 2: suggest you do. Imagine all the darkness that plagues your mind.

745
00:46:26,000 --> 00:46:30,800
Speaker 2: Then imagine Jesus's strong arms wrapping around you. You thrash,

746
00:46:31,000 --> 00:46:34,279
Speaker 2: you tug away, but he doesn't let go. Instead, he

747
00:46:34,320 --> 00:46:37,040
Speaker 2: speaks truth to your soul and rebukes the lies you

748
00:46:37,080 --> 00:46:37,640
Speaker 2: have believed.

749
00:46:38,360 --> 00:46:38,880
Speaker 3: Powerful.

750
00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:42,239
Speaker 2: I also love the Father's prayer in this episode. Did

751
00:46:42,280 --> 00:46:45,000
Speaker 2: you notice it? At first? It doesn't seem like a prayer,

752
00:46:45,200 --> 00:46:48,040
Speaker 2: but it is. It is a prayer. You and I

753
00:46:48,080 --> 00:46:51,280
Speaker 2: can both pray every time we doubt. Lord. I believe,

754
00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:55,080
Speaker 2: but help my unbelief. What an honest and simple prayer.

755
00:46:55,719 --> 00:46:58,359
Speaker 2: It is a prayer I can relate to. I want

756
00:46:58,360 --> 00:47:01,760
Speaker 2: to believe Jesus can do anything, but sometimes I can't

757
00:47:01,800 --> 00:47:05,239
Speaker 2: get myself to a place of full surrendering trust. Pray

758
00:47:05,280 --> 00:47:08,960
Speaker 2: to God, declare your belief in him, but also ask

759
00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:12,000
Speaker 2: him to help you where your faith may fail. After

760
00:47:12,120 --> 00:47:14,600
Speaker 2: Jesus helped the boy, he had a moment alone with

761
00:47:14,640 --> 00:47:17,560
Speaker 2: his disciples to prepare their heart for the troubles ahead.

762
00:47:17,800 --> 00:47:20,000
Speaker 2: The son of Man will be delivered into the hands

763
00:47:20,040 --> 00:47:22,759
Speaker 2: of men, Jesus said. They will kill him, and he

764
00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:25,760
Speaker 2: will be raised again on the third day. Our hero

765
00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:29,160
Speaker 2: will eventually be taken by soldiers and nail to a cross.

766
00:47:29,640 --> 00:47:32,720
Speaker 2: He will bleed and hang like a criminal. He wanted

767
00:47:32,760 --> 00:47:35,560
Speaker 2: to prepare his disciples so that they might have hope,

768
00:47:35,840 --> 00:47:38,759
Speaker 2: but they never seemed to get it. I wonder why

769
00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:42,360
Speaker 2: that was. Why did the cross still seem like a surprise.

770
00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:45,960
Speaker 2: Jesus spent a lot of time warning them of his

771
00:47:46,040 --> 00:47:49,719
Speaker 2: death and resurrection. I think God is often speaking to us,

772
00:47:50,160 --> 00:47:54,920
Speaker 2: giving us reminders and guidance for the future. However, some

773
00:47:55,000 --> 00:47:57,279
Speaker 2: things go in one ear and out the other. It

774
00:47:57,360 --> 00:48:01,160
Speaker 2: is only when we truly experience those things ourselves that

775
00:48:01,239 --> 00:48:05,440
Speaker 2: we possess what God has been telling us all along. Nevertheless,

776
00:48:05,560 --> 00:48:08,400
Speaker 2: Jesus was patient with his disciples. He loved them like

777
00:48:08,440 --> 00:48:11,560
Speaker 2: a shepherd loves his sheep. Jesus loved Peter as well,

778
00:48:12,080 --> 00:48:14,839
Speaker 2: providing for him in the small ways and the being.

779
00:48:15,719 --> 00:48:19,359
Speaker 2: There probably a thousand profound points we could extrapolate from

780
00:48:19,400 --> 00:48:22,040
Speaker 2: the fish and the coin, but I would rather remind

781
00:48:22,080 --> 00:48:25,800
Speaker 2: us of a simple point. God cares about the small

782
00:48:25,840 --> 00:48:29,200
Speaker 2: things like paying your bills or getting your car fixed.

783
00:48:29,760 --> 00:48:34,560
Speaker 2: He notices your minor insecurities and hidden embarrassments. All these

784
00:48:34,640 --> 00:48:37,400
Speaker 2: things are seen by Jesus, and he wants to attend

785
00:48:37,400 --> 00:48:41,440
Speaker 2: to your needs. If you feel like the small accumulated

786
00:48:41,520 --> 00:48:44,040
Speaker 2: issues in your life don't matter to God, let me

787
00:48:44,160 --> 00:48:47,680
Speaker 2: remind you that they do. Speaking of Jesus's heart for

788
00:48:47,760 --> 00:48:50,800
Speaker 2: small things, this episode gave us a glimpse in of

789
00:48:50,880 --> 00:48:54,600
Speaker 2: Jesus's heart for children. Would ask about what it takes

790
00:48:54,600 --> 00:48:57,719
Speaker 2: to be great in God's kingdom. Jesus answered, with you

791
00:48:57,760 --> 00:49:00,759
Speaker 2: see these children, they are humble and approach me with

792
00:49:00,880 --> 00:49:04,799
Speaker 2: joy that faith is pure and undefiled. Whoever is like

793
00:49:04,840 --> 00:49:07,480
Speaker 2: one of these children is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

794
00:49:08,160 --> 00:49:11,400
Speaker 2: God wants us to approach him with childlike faith. The

795
00:49:11,480 --> 00:49:14,200
Speaker 2: faith a child has when they jump into their parents'

796
00:49:14,320 --> 00:49:17,000
Speaker 2: arms or run to them when they are afraid, is

797
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:20,200
Speaker 2: the same faith we are called to. Is the same

798
00:49:20,239 --> 00:49:23,879
Speaker 2: faith we're called to. Children have no problem expressing their

799
00:49:23,960 --> 00:49:28,480
Speaker 2: needs or acknowledging their emotions. They also hopefully trust their

800
00:49:28,520 --> 00:49:31,640
Speaker 2: parents and lean on their understanding of the world. This

801
00:49:31,680 --> 00:49:35,279
Speaker 2: is how God desires us to approach him honestly, with

802
00:49:35,320 --> 00:49:39,520
Speaker 2: pure hearts and humble spirits. This episode was not all

803
00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:42,560
Speaker 2: good feelings and pleasant sayings, though. As the children ran

804
00:49:42,600 --> 00:49:45,800
Speaker 2: off to play, Jesus gives the crowd a stern mourning.

805
00:49:46,320 --> 00:49:49,600
Speaker 2: It was perhaps one of the harshest things Jesus ever said.

806
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:53,840
Speaker 2: Whoever accepts and loves a child in my name also

807
00:49:53,960 --> 00:49:57,920
Speaker 2: receives me. However, whoever causes one of these little ones

808
00:49:57,960 --> 00:50:01,160
Speaker 2: harm or causes them to sin, it would be better

809
00:50:01,200 --> 00:50:04,040
Speaker 2: for him to have a stone fastened around his neck

810
00:50:04,360 --> 00:50:07,200
Speaker 2: and thrown into the bottom of the sea. You heard

811
00:50:07,200 --> 00:50:10,000
Speaker 2: that correctly. Jesus said it would be better to drown

812
00:50:10,160 --> 00:50:12,840
Speaker 2: in the bottom of the sea than to be caught

813
00:50:12,880 --> 00:50:16,480
Speaker 2: abusing a child. That's how harsh the punishment will be

814
00:50:16,560 --> 00:50:21,560
Speaker 2: for those who mistreat children. Jesus was ferociously passionate about

815
00:50:21,640 --> 00:50:25,080
Speaker 2: preserving the joy and faith of the little ones. Children

816
00:50:25,160 --> 00:50:28,040
Speaker 2: are not just our future, they are our present. They

817
00:50:28,080 --> 00:50:33,160
Speaker 2: are a present reminder of joy, faith, and honesty. Preserving

818
00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:36,719
Speaker 2: the innocence of children preserves our own innocence in a way.

819
00:50:37,160 --> 00:50:40,120
Speaker 2: May we never neglect them or sit idly by while

820
00:50:40,160 --> 00:50:44,040
Speaker 2: others harmed them. The episode ended with a famous scene.

821
00:50:44,480 --> 00:50:47,120
Speaker 2: A woman was dragged out in shame. She was caught

822
00:50:47,120 --> 00:50:50,280
Speaker 2: in the act of adultery and brought before Jesus for judgment.

823
00:50:50,719 --> 00:50:53,800
Speaker 2: The religious leaders wanted to test Jesus. If he showed

824
00:50:53,800 --> 00:50:56,920
Speaker 2: a mercy, they would say he didn't take the law seriously.

825
00:50:57,480 --> 00:50:59,480
Speaker 2: If he showed a judgment, they would say he was

826
00:50:59,520 --> 00:51:03,840
Speaker 2: a hipoce. So what does Jesus do? He writes in

827
00:51:03,880 --> 00:51:07,600
Speaker 2: the sand. Many have speculated what this writing was. Some

828
00:51:07,640 --> 00:51:10,400
Speaker 2: say he was listing the sins of the Pharisees. I

829
00:51:10,440 --> 00:51:13,560
Speaker 2: personally liked that theory. Others say that he may have

830
00:51:13,600 --> 00:51:17,279
Speaker 2: been writing Jeremiah thirteen when it says, oh Lord, the

831
00:51:17,280 --> 00:51:19,960
Speaker 2: Hope of Israel. All who forsake you shall be put

832
00:51:20,000 --> 00:51:22,759
Speaker 2: to shame. Those who turn away from you shall be

833
00:51:22,800 --> 00:51:25,400
Speaker 2: written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord,

834
00:51:25,560 --> 00:51:28,880
Speaker 2: the fountain of living water. Either way, it struck a

835
00:51:28,960 --> 00:51:32,359
Speaker 2: chord with the mob. One by one they started to leave.

836
00:51:32,920 --> 00:51:36,799
Speaker 2: All that remained were Jesus and this woman. I want

837
00:51:36,880 --> 00:51:39,480
Speaker 2: us all to pause for a moment and consider this woman.

838
00:51:40,080 --> 00:51:43,200
Speaker 2: She had been forcibly taken from her room, having been

839
00:51:43,239 --> 00:51:46,800
Speaker 2: caught in the act of adultery. She was probably poorly clothed,

840
00:51:46,880 --> 00:51:49,920
Speaker 2: without a head covering and a shame. On top of that,

841
00:51:50,360 --> 00:51:52,719
Speaker 2: the man who was also committing adultery was nowhere to

842
00:51:52,760 --> 00:51:55,640
Speaker 2: be found. She was brought out as a spectacle and

843
00:51:55,760 --> 00:51:59,360
Speaker 2: nothing else. Nobody cared about her story, her past, or

844
00:51:59,400 --> 00:52:02,399
Speaker 2: her shame. They wanted to judge her to feel better

845
00:52:02,440 --> 00:52:06,200
Speaker 2: about themselves, no matter what it cost her. The law

846
00:52:06,239 --> 00:52:09,240
Speaker 2: allowed for public stoning, so you can imagine her fear.

847
00:52:09,480 --> 00:52:12,799
Speaker 2: When Jesus picked up a stone. However, all he said was,

848
00:52:12,880 --> 00:52:16,279
Speaker 2: if anyone among you is without sin, let him throw

849
00:52:16,360 --> 00:52:19,400
Speaker 2: the first stone. People left, and she stood face to

850
00:52:19,440 --> 00:52:23,040
Speaker 2: face with Love Incarnate. What do you think she felt?

851
00:52:23,320 --> 00:52:26,680
Speaker 2: What world wind of emotions were circling in her head.

852
00:52:27,320 --> 00:52:30,680
Speaker 2: She got a taste of pure and undefiled mercy. That

853
00:52:30,800 --> 00:52:34,279
Speaker 2: day Jesus charged her to go and sin no more.

854
00:52:34,680 --> 00:52:36,880
Speaker 2: And that is the charge for you and me today.

855
00:52:37,800 --> 00:52:41,000
Speaker 2: We have been given an abundance of mercy. The punishment

856
00:52:41,080 --> 00:52:45,400
Speaker 2: we deserve was removed from us. Jesus has shown compassion, kindness,

857
00:52:45,400 --> 00:52:48,560
Speaker 2: and grace. What should we do with it? Paul says

858
00:52:48,600 --> 00:52:50,759
Speaker 2: in Romans six. What shall we say?

859
00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:50,960
Speaker 5: Then?

860
00:52:51,360 --> 00:52:53,800
Speaker 2: Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound

861
00:52:54,160 --> 00:52:56,759
Speaker 2: by no means? How can we who died the sin

862
00:52:56,840 --> 00:52:59,520
Speaker 2: still live in it? Do you not know that all

863
00:52:59,520 --> 00:53:02,440
Speaker 2: of us who been baptized into Christ, Jesus were baptizing

864
00:53:02,480 --> 00:53:05,080
Speaker 2: to his death. We were buried therefore with him by

865
00:53:05,080 --> 00:53:08,360
Speaker 2: baptism and to death, in order that, just as Jesus

866
00:53:08,440 --> 00:53:10,520
Speaker 2: was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,

867
00:53:11,040 --> 00:53:14,080
Speaker 2: we too might walk in the newness of life. Christ

868
00:53:14,280 --> 00:53:17,319
Speaker 2: died the death we deserved so that we might live

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Speaker 2: the life he lived. Mercy gives us the freedom to

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00:53:20,920 --> 00:53:23,920
Speaker 2: go and sin no more. He hung like us, so

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00:53:24,040 --> 00:53:28,239
Speaker 2: we can walk like him. Hallelujah. Jesus truly is the

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Speaker 2: good shepherd He laid down his life for us, we

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Speaker 2: as his sheep, can live in freedom from fear and shame.

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Speaker 2: My parting prayer for you is that you would listen

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00:53:38,800 --> 00:53:41,640
Speaker 2: to his voice and be empowered to go and sin

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Speaker 2: no more. In our next episode, we will witness the

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00:53:45,040 --> 00:53:49,440
Speaker 2: miracle that sealed Jesus's fate. So far, the religious leaders

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00:53:49,480 --> 00:53:52,200
Speaker 2: have been able to tolerate his healings on the Sabbath

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00:53:52,440 --> 00:53:56,360
Speaker 2: and signs in small towns, but this next miracle was

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00:53:56,440 --> 00:53:59,960
Speaker 2: too big to ignore. Join us next time for episode thirteen,

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Speaker 2: Lazarus Come Out. Thank you for listening. For more inspiring stories,

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00:54:05,880 --> 00:54:08,840
Speaker 2: daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to

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00:54:08,840 --> 00:54:11,680
Speaker 2: pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the

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00:54:11,719 --> 00:54:15,799
Speaker 2: Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at

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00:54:15,840 --> 00:54:20,520
Speaker 2: Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with

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00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:22,920
Speaker 2: a family member or friend so that they can know

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00:54:23,040 --> 00:54:26,240
Speaker 2: Jesus in a personal way. You never know how great

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00:54:26,320 --> 00:54:28,719
Speaker 2: of an impact the Bible and this podcast can have

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00:54:29,239 --> 00:54:31,440
Speaker 2: on someone's life. God bless