1 00:00:00,590 --> 00:00:04,449 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Abraham believed in God and it was 2 00:00:04,570 --> 00:00:10,910 Speaker 1: counted to him as righteousness. Romans 4, 3. Dear Lord, 3 00:00:11,630 --> 00:00:15,890 Speaker 1: we understand that no righteous deeds or religious ceremonies could 4 00:00:16,130 --> 00:00:21,340 Speaker 1: ever replace pure faith in you. Trust in your promises 5 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: and redemption are what save us, not works. Keep us 6 00:00:26,180 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: humble and grounded in that knowledge. so we would not 7 00:00:30,140 --> 00:00:34,900 Speaker 1: become boastful or arrogant. Just as Abraham believed in you 8 00:00:35,260 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: and it was accounted to him as righteousness, we declare 9 00:00:38,420 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 1: belief in the work of Christ. May that faith transform us, 10 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:48,870 Speaker 1: empower us to live righteous lives, and glorify you daily. 11 00:00:49,470 --> 00:00:55,750 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 12 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,340 Speaker 1: Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the 13 00:00:59,380 --> 00:01:01,230 Speaker 1: Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. 14 00:01:09,730 --> 00:01:14,300 Speaker 2: Abram's head leaned against the stone and slowly he drifted 15 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 2: away to sleep. He closed his eyes and then opened 16 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:19,180 Speaker 2: them to see. 17 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: A terrible vision. 18 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,830 Speaker 2: He sprang up and looked around him. He saw hundreds 19 00:01:24,870 --> 00:01:28,490 Speaker 2: of thousands of people with scars on their backs, dragging 20 00:01:28,650 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 2: stones through the sand and mud. The voice of God 21 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,620 Speaker 2: spoke to Abram, saying, Know this. 22 00:01:36,860 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 3: Your offspring will be strangers in a land that is 23 00:01:39,420 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 3: not theirs. They will be slaves there, and afflicted for 24 00:01:44,220 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 3: four hundred years. 25 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:49,700 Speaker 2: Abram looked at the people. They were his descendants, a 26 00:01:49,740 --> 00:01:54,330 Speaker 2: vast sea of faces, all somehow from him. Their image faded, 27 00:01:54,610 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 2: and Abram was shown a mighty torrent of water, thrashing 28 00:01:58,500 --> 00:02:02,060 Speaker 2: against an army and his descendants running towards safety. 29 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 4: I will bring judgment on their oppressors, and once I 30 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,540 Speaker 4: have freed them, they will have a great reward. 31 00:02:11,530 --> 00:02:14,489 Speaker 2: Abram looked around him as millions flooded the valley he 32 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:19,829 Speaker 2: called home. They outnumbered the stars. Then he saw nothing. 33 00:02:20,570 --> 00:02:23,900 Speaker 2: It was just him and the Lord, God spoke tenderly 34 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:29,620 Speaker 2: to him, saying, As for you, Abraham, you will have peace. 35 00:02:33,780 --> 00:02:37,370 Speaker 5: Welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm your host, 36 00:02:37,750 --> 00:02:41,030 Speaker 5: Ethan from Pray.com, here to guide you through the Bible's 37 00:02:41,169 --> 00:02:45,290 Speaker 5: most iconic stories. If this podcast has blessed you thus far, 38 00:02:45,790 --> 00:02:48,109 Speaker 5: please take a moment to leave a comment and review. 39 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:52,660 Speaker 5: Doing so will make sure others discover these life-changing stories. 40 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 5: And be sure to download the Pray.com app to hear 41 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,860 Speaker 5: the Bible come to life and make prayer a priority 42 00:02:59,020 --> 00:03:02,080 Speaker 5: in your daily walk with God. It's my hope that 43 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 5: this podcast would showcase the true hero of the Bible, Jesus. 44 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:13,500 Speaker 5: As heroic and admirable as Noah, Abraham, and Moses are, 45 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,019 Speaker 5: they are mere images of the true hero who came 46 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 5: after them. the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, 47 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 5: and the author of our faith. So, join me now 48 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,370 Speaker 5: as we immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Genesis 49 00:03:30,410 --> 00:03:36,350 Speaker 5: chapter 15, where God beckons Abram out of his tent 50 00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:40,290 Speaker 5: to gaze at the stars. Within them is a promise, 51 00:03:41,630 --> 00:03:43,950 Speaker 5: a promise of a greater hero that will come from 52 00:03:43,970 --> 00:03:45,910 Speaker 5: his lineage. Let's begin. 53 00:03:48,660 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: Fear not, the voice called out. 54 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:54,330 Speaker 2: Abram sat up in a sweat. He looked around for 55 00:03:54,370 --> 00:03:56,750 Speaker 2: the source of the voice, but he could only see 56 00:03:56,810 --> 00:03:58,410 Speaker 2: Sarai sleeping beside him. 57 00:03:58,750 --> 00:04:00,950 Speaker 1: Fear not, Abram, the voice said again. 58 00:04:02,170 --> 00:04:05,270 Speaker 2: Abram looked forward. A cool breeze blew in from the 59 00:04:05,370 --> 00:04:08,590 Speaker 2: entrance of his tent. He stood to his feet and 60 00:04:08,630 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 2: walked outside. God was beckoning him, drawing him out of 61 00:04:14,060 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 2: slumber and into a vision. He heard the voice of 62 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:21,130 Speaker 2: God again, This time, it seemed he was speaking all. 63 00:04:21,050 --> 00:04:24,219 Speaker 1: Around and within him. Fear not, Abram. 64 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,339 Speaker 3: I am your shield and your great reward. 65 00:04:27,940 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: Abram paused and considered God's declaration as the cool breeze 66 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 2: brought the scent of falling leaves through the valley. His 67 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:39,020 Speaker 2: bottom lip quivered slightly, both from the cold and from 68 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:43,230 Speaker 2: the sadness within his heart. He closed his eyes and replied. 69 00:04:43,990 --> 00:04:46,900 Speaker 6: O Lord God! Whatever reward you have. 70 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,460 Speaker 2: For me does not matter if I continue childless. 71 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,780 Speaker 6: My treasure will pass with me and be given to 72 00:04:52,940 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 6: my servant, and my name will die along with me. 73 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,050 Speaker 2: Abram's doubt was not a denial of God's promise, but 74 00:05:00,110 --> 00:05:03,670 Speaker 2: rather a desire for God's promise. He wanted it to 75 00:05:03,730 --> 00:05:06,490 Speaker 2: be true, but the one desire of his heart had 76 00:05:06,529 --> 00:05:11,370 Speaker 2: eluded him. God's presence surrounded Abram. He was enveloped in 77 00:05:11,390 --> 00:05:14,950 Speaker 2: the comforting embrace of the Lord Almighty. Oh, Abram. 78 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:19,450 Speaker 1: A son from your flesh will be given to you. 79 00:05:19,770 --> 00:05:23,050 Speaker 2: God's presence called Abram to walk up a small grassy 80 00:05:23,110 --> 00:05:25,530 Speaker 2: hill like the gentle nudge of a father. 81 00:05:25,550 --> 00:05:28,690 Speaker 4: Look up at the heavens, God whispered. 82 00:05:29,420 --> 00:05:33,460 Speaker 2: Abram turned his gaze towards the heavens. Casting his gaze upward, 83 00:05:33,820 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 2: his eyes met a cosmic tapestry that stretched infinitely beyond 84 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:44,050 Speaker 2: his reach. Unobstructed by clouds are earthly illuminations. A myriad 85 00:05:44,070 --> 00:05:49,330 Speaker 2: of twinkling stars painted the night canvas, each a distant sun, 86 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:54,150 Speaker 2: a silent testament to the vastness of the universe. Abram 87 00:05:54,190 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 2: found himself entranced, humbled, and insignificant. God spoke to Abram's 88 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:02,620 Speaker 2: heart in this state of awe, saying. 89 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 3: Your descendants will outnumber the stars. Through you, all the 90 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 3: nations of the world will be blessed. 91 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 2: Abram's heart echoed. As he surveyed the expanse of heaven, 92 00:06:16,980 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 2: he realized just how incredible it was that the creator 93 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,860 Speaker 2: of the stars considered him, knew him. 94 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:24,039 Speaker 1: And loved him. 95 00:06:25,380 --> 00:06:29,150 Speaker 2: Abram believed God. He had faith that the Lord would 96 00:06:29,230 --> 00:06:34,150 Speaker 2: follow through with his promises. That belief, that faith, is 97 00:06:34,190 --> 00:06:39,620 Speaker 2: what made Abraham righteous. No deed, ceremony, or religious gesture 98 00:06:39,670 --> 00:06:44,789 Speaker 2: would ever replace that pure trust in God's word. Abram 99 00:06:44,830 --> 00:06:48,510 Speaker 2: looked up at the heavens, tears fogging his vision, and 100 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:52,580 Speaker 2: whispered to the Lord, Oh, shall these things happen? Bring 101 00:06:52,620 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 2: me a heifer, goat, ram, turtle dove, and pigeon. The 102 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:03,109 Speaker 2: Lord replied, Abram knew exactly what God was requesting. In 103 00:07:03,170 --> 00:07:07,670 Speaker 2: his culture, Covenants were made through sacrifice. Two people making 104 00:07:07,730 --> 00:07:11,050 Speaker 2: promises would split animals in half and walk through the middle. 105 00:07:12,030 --> 00:07:14,170 Speaker 2: To seal a covenant with blood meant that if one 106 00:07:14,190 --> 00:07:18,390 Speaker 2: were to break that promise, it would mean death. God 107 00:07:18,450 --> 00:07:22,060 Speaker 2: intended to make an unbreakable vow with Abram, a promise 108 00:07:22,140 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 2: sealed in blood that would endure throughout the generations. Abram 109 00:07:26,740 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 2: took his eyes off the heavens and retreated to his tent. 110 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:34,130 Speaker 2: The following day, He gathered the necessary animals, split them 111 00:07:34,170 --> 00:07:39,330 Speaker 2: in half, then waited. The sun's heavy rays were briefly 112 00:07:39,430 --> 00:07:43,670 Speaker 2: shaded by the wings of vultures flying overhead. They descended 113 00:07:43,730 --> 00:07:46,790 Speaker 2: on the carcasses of the animals, but Abraham fought them off. 114 00:07:47,570 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: Thrashing and screaming, he scared them away, then sat on 115 00:07:51,380 --> 00:07:55,230 Speaker 2: a stone and panted. Abram was sure God would show up. 116 00:07:55,960 --> 00:08:00,080 Speaker 2: He had heard his voice so clearly. Abram leaned back 117 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 2: and looked out on the horizon. He waited for God's 118 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:09,530 Speaker 2: voice to return. He waited all day, staring, praying, pondering. 119 00:08:11,010 --> 00:08:14,890 Speaker 2: Faith kept him hopeful. The day drew on, and Abram 120 00:08:14,950 --> 00:08:18,430 Speaker 2: watched the sun slowly descend over the valley. Hues of 121 00:08:18,550 --> 00:08:22,570 Speaker 2: orange and crimson splashed the skies, matching the blood soaking 122 00:08:22,610 --> 00:08:27,090 Speaker 2: the ground near the slain animals. Abram's head leaned against 123 00:08:27,150 --> 00:08:31,510 Speaker 2: the stone, and slowly he drifted away to sleep. He 124 00:08:31,590 --> 00:08:35,559 Speaker 2: closed his eyes, then opened them to see a terrible vision. 125 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,940 Speaker 2: He sprang up and looked around him. He saw hundreds 126 00:08:39,980 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 2: of thousands of people with scars on their backs, dragging 127 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,830 Speaker 2: stones through sand and mud. The voice of God spoke 128 00:08:46,870 --> 00:08:49,189 Speaker 2: to Abram, saying, Know this. 129 00:08:50,410 --> 00:08:52,930 Speaker 3: Your offspring will be strangers in a land that is 130 00:08:52,970 --> 00:08:57,650 Speaker 3: not theirs. They will be slaves there and afflicted for 131 00:08:57,730 --> 00:08:59,150 Speaker 3: four hundred years. 132 00:09:00,010 --> 00:09:04,130 Speaker 2: Abram looked at the people. They were his descendants, a 133 00:09:04,190 --> 00:09:08,610 Speaker 2: vast sea of faces, all somehow from him. Their image faded, 134 00:09:08,929 --> 00:09:11,810 Speaker 2: and Abram was shown a mighty torrent of water thrashing 135 00:09:11,870 --> 00:09:15,189 Speaker 2: against an army and his descendants running towards safety. 136 00:09:16,070 --> 00:09:19,900 Speaker 4: I will bring judgment on their oppressors, and once I 137 00:09:19,940 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 4: have freed them, they will have a great reward. 138 00:09:24,490 --> 00:09:28,790 Speaker 2: Abram looked around as millions flooded the valley he called home. 139 00:09:29,690 --> 00:09:34,089 Speaker 1: They outnumbered the stars. Then he saw nothing. 140 00:09:35,110 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 2: It was just him and the Lord. God spoke tenderly 141 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 2: to him, saying. 142 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:43,980 Speaker 4: As for you, Abraham, you will have peace. 143 00:09:44,940 --> 00:09:49,470 Speaker 2: Abram opened his eyes to see something miraculous. God had 144 00:09:49,650 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 2: passed through the sacrifices himself. A smoking fire pot and 145 00:09:54,740 --> 00:09:57,209 Speaker 2: a flaming torch stood at the other end of them. 146 00:09:58,410 --> 00:10:00,890 Speaker 2: God had made his promise to Abraham. and his offspring 147 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 2: without him. 148 00:10:02,620 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 6: But what of the blood that's required if I break 149 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:07,820 Speaker 6: my part of the covenant? 150 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,740 Speaker 5: Abram wondered. God was the. 151 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:13,060 Speaker 2: One to pass through himself. 152 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:15,859 Speaker 1: That means God. 153 00:10:16,290 --> 00:10:18,370 Speaker 2: Would be the one to die if Abram and his 154 00:10:18,410 --> 00:10:23,170 Speaker 2: descendants broke their promise. God would later rename Abram, making 155 00:10:23,230 --> 00:10:27,310 Speaker 2: him Abraham, a father of nations. He said that through 156 00:10:27,370 --> 00:10:30,890 Speaker 2: his seed, all the nations would be blessed. A son 157 00:10:30,980 --> 00:10:33,940 Speaker 2: from his lineage would rise to redeem and bless the world. 158 00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:40,099 Speaker 2: Abraham eagerly awaited that time. He believed in the future redemption. 159 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:45,860 Speaker 2: He hoped for that future blessing. And one day, He 160 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: would meet the promised son in eternity. 161 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 5: What a moving moment between God and Abram. Could you 162 00:10:56,340 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 5: feel the intimacy between them? Could you sense Abram's doubt 163 00:11:00,860 --> 00:11:04,020 Speaker 5: melting away under the warm embrace of his heavenly father? 164 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 5: It makes sense that Abram would be doubtful of God's promises. 165 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 5: Think about it. He was old and had tried to 166 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 5: have children for years. He feared all his blessings wouldn't 167 00:11:17,750 --> 00:11:24,130 Speaker 5: be shared with his descendants. But God comforted Abram and 168 00:11:24,170 --> 00:11:27,530 Speaker 5: made a promise that his offspring would outnumber the stars 169 00:11:27,570 --> 00:11:34,450 Speaker 5: in the sky. They would multiply, suffer from slavery, be rescued, 170 00:11:34,630 --> 00:11:38,189 Speaker 5: and prosper in the land promised to them. And through them, 171 00:11:38,750 --> 00:11:43,609 Speaker 5: a greater hero would come. Abram took all of this 172 00:11:43,690 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 5: in and had faith in God That faith was accounted 173 00:11:48,020 --> 00:11:53,030 Speaker 5: to him as righteousness. It wasn't any good deeds, holy exploits, 174 00:11:53,210 --> 00:11:57,730 Speaker 5: or obedience that made him righteous. It was his belief 175 00:11:57,870 --> 00:12:01,030 Speaker 5: in the promises of God. To seal the promise he 176 00:12:01,070 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 5: made to Abram, God made a covenant. He had Abram 177 00:12:05,540 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 5: prepare sacrifices for them to walk through together. These type 178 00:12:10,059 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 5: of contracts were weighty back then. That's why God walked 179 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:17,750 Speaker 5: through the sacrifice on his own. He was going to 180 00:12:17,790 --> 00:12:22,650 Speaker 5: bear sole responsibility for the promise. If Abram or any 181 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:26,189 Speaker 5: of his descendants broke the covenant, God would pay the penalty, 182 00:12:26,710 --> 00:12:30,870 Speaker 5: not them. He would eventually do that through the sacrifice 183 00:12:30,910 --> 00:12:36,470 Speaker 5: of Jesus. Abram was eventually renamed Abraham, and God promised 184 00:12:36,510 --> 00:12:39,130 Speaker 5: that all the nations would be blessed one day through 185 00:12:39,170 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 5: his seed. Abraham looked forward to that time. He hoped 186 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,410 Speaker 5: in God. and believed his promised descendant would save the world. 187 00:12:50,220 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 5: He knew his prophesied son would be greater than him, mightier. Now, 188 00:12:56,220 --> 00:12:59,750 Speaker 5: let's fast forward to when Abraham's descendants are great in number. 189 00:13:01,650 --> 00:13:04,010 Speaker 5: They have an established culture and a way of life. 190 00:13:05,090 --> 00:13:08,530 Speaker 5: They look back at Abraham as the ultimate example of righteousness, 191 00:13:08,890 --> 00:13:11,700 Speaker 5: but they seem to have forgotten that someone greater than 192 00:13:11,750 --> 00:13:12,880 Speaker 5: him was supposed to come. 193 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 6: Just admit it. 194 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:19,540 Speaker 2: One of the scribes shouted from a group of Jewish leaders. 195 00:13:20,220 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 6: You are a Samaritan dog and are possessed by a demon. 196 00:13:25,140 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 2: The crowd stirred, uncomfortable with the accusation. Jesus remained calm 197 00:13:30,220 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 2: under scrutiny. His eyes pierced through his accusers. He exhaled 198 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,380 Speaker 2: and shook his head. I do not have a demon, 199 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:41,420 Speaker 2: he replied matter-of-factly. I honor my father in all things, 200 00:13:42,140 --> 00:13:43,830 Speaker 2: yet you stand here and dishonor me. 201 00:13:44,670 --> 00:13:46,910 Speaker 1: I won't fret over this, though, for I do not 202 00:13:46,970 --> 00:13:47,830 Speaker 1: seek my own glory. 203 00:13:48,570 --> 00:13:51,340 Speaker 2: There's only one who seeks my glory, and he's the 204 00:13:51,530 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: ultimate judge between you and me. He looked away from 205 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 2: the group of accusers, turned to the crowd, and said, Truly, truly, 206 00:13:59,980 --> 00:14:02,340 Speaker 2: I say to you, if anyone keeps. 207 00:14:02,179 --> 00:14:04,430 Speaker 1: My words, he will never see death. 208 00:14:05,190 --> 00:14:08,810 Speaker 2: The group of scribes and Pharisees stirred. Their holy veneer 209 00:14:08,850 --> 00:14:12,510 Speaker 2: was slowly eroding. giving way to a more perturbed and 210 00:14:12,610 --> 00:14:15,550 Speaker 2: petty countenance. Now we are sure that you have a demon, 211 00:14:15,850 --> 00:14:18,510 Speaker 2: they shouted. They began to spit on the floor and 212 00:14:18,610 --> 00:14:18,990 Speaker 2: mock him. 213 00:14:19,570 --> 00:14:25,090 Speaker 6: Abraham died, as did all the prophets. Yet you say 214 00:14:25,130 --> 00:14:28,030 Speaker 6: whoever keeps your word will never taste death. 215 00:14:28,670 --> 00:14:30,130 Speaker 5: Who do you think you are? 216 00:14:30,650 --> 00:14:34,210 Speaker 2: You think you're greater than Abraham? The Jews postured to 217 00:14:34,270 --> 00:14:38,780 Speaker 2: threaten Jesus, but he remained unperturbed by their presence. Jesus 218 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,570 Speaker 2: stepped towards them, and they took a few paces back 219 00:14:41,610 --> 00:14:44,410 Speaker 2: as he approached. I would tell you again, I do 220 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:46,350 Speaker 2: not aim to give myself glory. 221 00:14:47,010 --> 00:14:48,690 Speaker 1: If I did, it would mean nothing. 222 00:14:49,410 --> 00:14:51,850 Speaker 2: It is my Father who glorifies me, your God. 223 00:14:52,970 --> 00:14:54,270 Speaker 5: But you don't know him, do you? 224 00:14:55,210 --> 00:14:58,370 Speaker 2: I know him, and your father, Abraham, knew him. 225 00:14:59,090 --> 00:15:01,510 Speaker 1: He rejoiced that one day he would get to see me. 226 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 2: He had faith in me and was filled with joy. 227 00:15:04,820 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 1: Ridiculous, they shouted. 228 00:15:06,220 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 2: You're not even 50 years old, yet you claim to 229 00:15:09,180 --> 00:15:13,570 Speaker 2: have seen Abraham? Jesus' gentle countenance shifted slightly at that moment. 230 00:15:14,090 --> 00:15:16,610 Speaker 2: It was as if the air around him became thick 231 00:15:16,810 --> 00:15:22,190 Speaker 2: with glory. Jesus spoke, his voice resounding with calm authority. 232 00:15:22,810 --> 00:15:24,490 Speaker 2: I was before Abraham. 233 00:15:25,370 --> 00:15:28,390 Speaker 1: Before Abraham was the great I Am. 234 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,020 Speaker 2: Those were the words they had been waiting for. 235 00:15:32,010 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 1: Jesus had claimed to be God himself. 236 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:40,260 Speaker 2: With zealous rage, the Jews ran to retrieve stones. They 237 00:15:40,300 --> 00:15:45,580 Speaker 2: wanted to end Jesus' life. Jealous and indignant, they turned 238 00:15:45,620 --> 00:15:47,260 Speaker 2: with rocks to hurl at Jesus. 239 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 1: But he had vanished. 240 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 2: He had escaped from the temple just in time. One day, 241 00:15:53,900 --> 00:15:57,430 Speaker 2: the Jewish leaders would successfully execute Jesus, but they would 242 00:15:57,490 --> 00:16:01,130 Speaker 2: do so on his timing, not theirs. He would use 243 00:16:01,190 --> 00:16:03,870 Speaker 2: death as a tool to fulfill the promise made to 244 00:16:04,050 --> 00:16:08,450 Speaker 2: Abraham long ago. He would be the seed that sprung 245 00:16:08,590 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 2: up from the line of Abraham to bless every nation. 246 00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:19,100 Speaker 5: Abraham indeed became the father of a great nation. God's 247 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 5: promise to Abraham was kept, and the children of Israel 248 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:29,710 Speaker 5: were preserved through slavery, wilderness, war, oppression, and pride. Despite themselves, 249 00:16:30,110 --> 00:16:35,030 Speaker 5: God was faithful. Through them, the great hero of heaven came. 250 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:39,770 Speaker 5: But not everyone recognized him as the Messiah right away. 251 00:16:41,750 --> 00:16:45,820 Speaker 5: Jesus was continually challenged about his identity, but we know 252 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:50,060 Speaker 5: now that he is the promised Redeemer, the seed from 253 00:16:50,180 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 5: Abraham that would bless every nation. In his discourse with 254 00:16:55,020 --> 00:16:58,420 Speaker 5: the religious leaders, he declared that he was there before Abraham, 255 00:16:59,420 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 5: He said, Before Abraham was the great I Am. Before 256 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,740 Speaker 5: Abraham was the great I Am. What does that mean? 257 00:17:08,260 --> 00:17:14,570 Speaker 5: That means that Jesus pre-existed Abraham and life itself. He 258 00:17:14,619 --> 00:17:17,810 Speaker 5: was the one who spoke life and light into existence. 259 00:17:19,950 --> 00:17:22,350 Speaker 5: He was the one who fashioned man from the dust 260 00:17:22,750 --> 00:17:27,190 Speaker 5: and crafted the heavens and the earth. Jesus was God Himself. 261 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 5: In this way, Jesus is more than just a patriarch 262 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,060 Speaker 5: of faith or a member of a great lineage. He 263 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 5: is God. He's not just a man of faith. He 264 00:17:39,619 --> 00:17:45,950 Speaker 5: is the one we put our faith in. Through Jesus, 265 00:17:46,210 --> 00:17:49,609 Speaker 5: the lineage of Abraham was extended beyond just a bloodline. 266 00:17:50,590 --> 00:17:54,710 Speaker 5: He unified different nations, cultures, and creeds under the banner 267 00:17:54,750 --> 00:17:58,300 Speaker 5: of faith into a nation of faith. Under the banner 268 00:17:58,340 --> 00:18:03,409 Speaker 5: of faith, into a nation of faith, the church. Because 269 00:18:03,450 --> 00:18:07,330 Speaker 5: of all this and more, Jesus is greater than Abraham. 270 00:18:10,410 --> 00:18:12,510 Speaker 5: Be sure to join us next time as we explore 271 00:18:12,590 --> 00:18:16,709 Speaker 5: another patriarch in the lineage of Abraham. This man is 272 00:18:16,930 --> 00:18:20,750 Speaker 5: not known for his courage or strength. In fact, he 273 00:18:20,850 --> 00:18:23,629 Speaker 5: willingly submitted himself to be killed by his own father. 274 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:28,129 Speaker 5: Join us next episode to discover why Jesus is is 275 00:18:28,170 --> 00:18:29,150 Speaker 5: the greater Isaac.