1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter James and John 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, 3 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:16,240 Speaker 1: and was transfigured before them Matthew seventeen one and two. 4 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:20,479 Speaker 1: Like Peter, James and John, I thank you, Jesus that 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: you are giving me uncommon access to understanding and experiencing 6 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: you in new and powerful ways. I praise you for 7 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:35,880 Speaker 1: your continued desire to take me higher and deeper into 8 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: the things of the Lord. In the same way that 9 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:43,160 Speaker 1: you were transfigured, Jesus, I thank you that I am 10 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: being transformed into the very likeness and image of you, 11 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: in the same way our heavenly Father validated your purpose 12 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: Jesus with John the Baptist, I also am recognizing the 13 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: validation I have from You Lord to be seen and heard, 14 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: transform me from the inside out, and let me bring 15 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: others who are close to me in on the journey 16 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 1: of a transformed life. In Jesus' name, Amen, stay tuned 17 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,479 Speaker 1: to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told from 18 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible. 19 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 2: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you 20 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 2: to join me on heroes in the Bible, Jesus. Please 21 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 2: follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the 22 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 2: latest episodes so you can continue strengthening your relationship with Jesus. 23 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 2: Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is a 24 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 2: tale of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's 25 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 2: love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death 26 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape 27 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart 28 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 2: of God right into the hearts of you and me. 29 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: In this episode, Jesus's identity is revealed in splendor. Up 30 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 2: until now, the true nature of Jesus has been somewhat hidden, 31 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,680 Speaker 2: as if a thin veil has been hiding parts of 32 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 2: his deity. This episode culminates in a grand revelation of 33 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 2: Christ's divine nature. Before we get there, though Jesus wrestles 34 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 2: metaphorically speaking with the Pharisees and religious leaders, their hardened 35 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 2: hearts and dogmatic beliefs have entrenched them in bitterness. Even 36 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 2: as Jesus clearly shows themselves to be the Messiah, they 37 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 2: do not allow themselves to see it. This episode will 38 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 2: offer us some grand revelations about Jesus but it will 39 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 2: also give us some warnings. I will do my best 40 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 2: to walk you through these revelations and warnings after the episode. 41 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 2: Before the episode, we have a prelude, a story captured 42 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,640 Speaker 2: from a different time and space. We will meet the 43 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 2: great Prophet Elijah and his battle with the Prophet's bail. 44 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,359 Speaker 2: The name of Elijah will be mentioned quite a bit 45 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 2: in this episode, so pay close attention and listen carefully 46 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 2: for the connections between him and Jesus. One of the 47 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 2: reasons for the preludes is to remind us that scripture 48 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 2: is a grand tapestry with small threads interwoven uniquely to 49 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 2: show us a grand picture. Each moment in Scripture points 50 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 2: forward or backward to another moment, making it the greatest 51 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 2: story ever told. I pray this episode blesses you. Here 52 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 2: is episode eleven. Beware and behold. 53 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:40,120 Speaker 3: Prelude to chapter eleven. 54 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 4: We shall see which God is worthy of our. 55 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 3: Worship, Elijah said, staring out at the people of Israel. 56 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 3: He stood before a throng of people, hovering over a 57 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:57,119 Speaker 3: bull placed on an altar of wood. He found himself 58 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 3: in a clash of gods. He had watched the four 59 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 3: hundred fifty prophets of Bail cut themselves and danced in 60 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:09,559 Speaker 3: front of their sacrifice. Yet their God did not hear them. 61 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 3: Their God was distant and worthless. No matter how hard 62 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 3: they strived, they could not conjure up the favor of 63 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 3: their God. Elijah scammed the crowd. They had turned from 64 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 3: their creator and protector. They left him and adopted the 65 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 3: perverse practices of their crooked king. Ahab. Come closer, Elijah yelled, 66 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 3: beckoning the people to look. Elijah took twelve stones representing 67 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 3: the twelve tribes of Israel and placed them on the altar. 68 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 3: The stones clacked together, echoing over the silent crowd. The 69 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 3: people were eagerly awaiting a sign. They had worshiped Bail 70 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 3: instead of Yahweh. Yet they watched as the prophets of 71 00:04:55,680 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 3: Bail made fools of themselves. For all their numbers had 72 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: no substance. They were like whitewashed tombs. They wore robes 73 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 3: of decadence and self importance, yet they were empty inside. 74 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 3: They lacked power. Elijah took a pickaxe and began to 75 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 3: dig a trench around his altar. He gestured to the 76 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 3: prophets and asked them to pour water over his sacrifice. 77 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 3: They did it again, Elijah said, So they poured more 78 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 3: water under the wood and bull. More. Elijah snapped, So 79 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 3: they poured more water. The entire trench around the altar 80 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 3: was filled with water, and the sacrifice of wood and 81 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 3: flesh was completely drenched. Elijah stood near his altar and 82 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 3: looked to the heavens. 83 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 4: God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let be known this 84 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 4: day that you alone are the God of Israel. 85 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 3: Elijah lifted his hands in surrender. 86 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 4: I am your servant. I have done everything according to 87 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 4: your word. 88 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 5: Answer me. Answer me, so the people may know that 89 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 5: you are God. 90 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 4: Your people must return to you. So show yourself mighty. 91 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,239 Speaker 3: As Elijah said these things, a great flash of lightning 92 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 3: burst forth from heaven. Its boat was radiant, and its 93 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 3: course was direct. The altar erupted into flames, sending sparks 94 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 3: flying in the air. Ash and debris flew into the 95 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 3: faces of the prophets nearby. 96 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 5: The bull, the. 97 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 3: Wood and the stones were reduced to a powder under 98 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 3: the intense heat. The water was evaporated into a hot steam, 99 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 3: burning the skin of people too close. The flames raged, 100 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:51,360 Speaker 3: and the people praised the might of God. Had descended 101 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 3: upon the altar. The people of Israel fell under their faces. 102 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 5: The Lord is God. 103 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 3: They chanted. They desired a sign from head, They desired 104 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 3: proof of God's power. They received it. However, people that 105 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 3: needed a sign once would need it again. God knew 106 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 3: that the people would forget him again, They would turn 107 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 3: from Him and cling to false idols. They strayed so 108 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 3: often because their hearts were far from his. God knew 109 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 3: that unless the people had a transformed heart, they would 110 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 3: continue to stray from him. One day, God would send 111 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 3: another light from heaven. This time it would consume more 112 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 3: than just an altar. It would consume the very heart 113 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 3: of mankind. Chapter eleven, Beware and Behold. Jesus rested in 114 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 3: a home in the region of Tire and Sidon, enjoying 115 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 3: a brief moment of anonymity. It was the land of 116 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 3: the Gentiles, the place where a Jewish rabbi would never 117 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 3: be found. However, Jesus did not follow such prejudiced traditions. 118 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 3: He knew that the love of God would eventually reach 119 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 3: the nations of Gentiles. However, for now his mission was 120 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 3: focused on the Hebrews. He had entered the house of 121 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 3: a faithful follower, but did not want anyone to know 122 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 3: he was staying there. He was content to be alone 123 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 3: with his disciples and pour into them the wisdom of God. 124 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 3: He needed them ready and prepared for the coming days. However, 125 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 3: Jesus his fame had stretched beyond the borders of Judea. 126 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 3: Before Jesus could even raise his feet to rest, the 127 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 3: door knocked relentlessly. Jesus walked to the door and opened 128 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 3: it softly. A gentile woman stood at the entrance, holding 129 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 3: her daughter in her arms. The little girl was stirring 130 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 3: and grunting. Her eyes were rolled back, and she screamed. 131 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 3: At the sight of Jesus, it was clear she was 132 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 3: possessed by a demon. The woman fell to her knees, 133 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,079 Speaker 3: holding her daughter up to Jesus. Tears streamed down her 134 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:12,959 Speaker 3: face as she. 135 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 4: Pleaded, please cast this demon out of my child. 136 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 5: I do not want who to suffer any longer. 137 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 3: Jesus remained standing at the door, looking down at the woman. 138 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 6: Do you not know that I need to feed the 139 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 6: children before allowing the puppies a chance to eat? Why 140 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 6: would I give the children's food. 141 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 3: To them, Jesus asked. He said this regarding his mission 142 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 3: towards the Jews before the Gentiles. The woman winced at 143 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 3: Jesus's reply. She knew that she was a gentile. There 144 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 3: was no escaping her birth. However, she knew deep down 145 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 3: her birth did not disqualify her from the grace Jesus offered. 146 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 3: She looked up at him and. 147 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 7: Said, that may be so, oh, my lord, but even 148 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:03,959 Speaker 7: the pups are allowed under the table to eat of 149 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 7: the crumbs that fall. 150 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 3: Jesus nodded, amazed at the woman's persistence and tact. He 151 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 3: knelt down and laid his hand on the girl's head. 152 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 3: Her gaze would not meet his. She thrashed her head 153 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 3: and grunted in her mother's arms. Of course, Jesus would 154 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 3: not allow this woman to leave without healing her daughter. 155 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:28,199 Speaker 3: He looked at the woman, then back at the. 156 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 6: Girl, and for your statement, you may leave in peace. 157 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 6: The demon has left your daughter. 158 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 3: After these things, Jesus returned from Tyre and Sidon to Decapolis, 159 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:43,840 Speaker 3: near the Sea of Galilee. I have to try, the 160 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 3: man said, incessantly. 161 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 4: Perhaps the teacher might have more important matters. 162 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 5: The woman replied, he's my brother. 163 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 3: He shouted. 164 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 5: I would do anything for it, even risk looking like 165 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 5: a fool. 166 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:58,679 Speaker 3: The man and his wife debated on whether to approach 167 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 3: Jesus or not. They had spotted him in the market 168 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 3: place near the fisherman's quarter. They were looking and pointing 169 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 3: at him, debating on whether to reveal themselves. However, it 170 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 3: wasn't long until Jesus spotted them on the corner. 171 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:14,839 Speaker 5: Now is their chance, the man said. 172 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 3: His wife nodded, and together they brought forth the man's brother. 173 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,359 Speaker 3: He was deaf and could barely speak due to an impediment. 174 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,839 Speaker 3: The lack of language had caused him a great deal 175 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 3: of pain. He could not truly connect or share his 176 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 3: deepest feelings. They brought him to Jesus. 177 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 5: Please Lord, please heal my brother. 178 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 3: The man wept. Jesus looked at the deaf man. He 179 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 3: tried his best to mumble a greeting, but could not. 180 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 3: His tongue had been unable to utter one coherent syllable. 181 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 3: Come with me, Jesus said, leading them to an alley 182 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,679 Speaker 3: away from the busy market place. Jesus looked at the 183 00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 3: family with compassion. He held the man's head firmly. He 184 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 3: placed his fingers in his ears, and then spat into 185 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 3: his hands and touched the man's tongue. Jesus gazed up 186 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 3: to heaven, speaking with great authority and power. With a 187 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 3: loud voice, Jesus yelled, if Father, which means be opened. 188 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 3: The man staggered back and fell on to his side. 189 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 3: All of a sudden, he could hear the bustling market 190 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 3: place and the chirping of birds. The sound was overwhelming. However, 191 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 3: as he calmed down, he was able to hear the 192 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:37,079 Speaker 3: gentle and steady voice of Jesus. You are well, he said, 193 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 3: with a grin. Jesus extended her hand and led him 194 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 3: to his feet. The man touched his tongue and held 195 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 3: his ears. He looked to his brother and sister. 196 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 5: I am healed, he said. 197 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 3: They were the first words he had uttered clearly his 198 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 3: whole life. Tears of joy streamed down their cheeks as 199 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 3: they embraced Jesus brought them in close and placed his 200 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 3: finger over his lips. 201 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 6: Be sure you don't tell anyone about this. Instead, worshiped 202 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,599 Speaker 6: God and give him thanks. 203 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 3: He said. However, they did not listen. With his new voice, 204 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:17,080 Speaker 3: the man proclaimed the name of Jesus to every person 205 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 3: he met. Their praise knew no bounds, So Jesus continued 206 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 3: to grow in vain As Jesus his name continued to 207 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 3: capture the ears of the people, the Pharisees stirred in anger. 208 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 3: Their rage towards him boiled more with each day. Every 209 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 3: miracle and every sermon only increased their desire to thwart him. 210 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 3: They stirred and plotted against him. Give us a sign, 211 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 3: the Pharisees shouted to Jesus. They had caught him in 212 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 3: the city's streets, preaching to a group of people. The 213 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 3: Pharisees sauntered into view with their chests out and their 214 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 3: noses raised high. 215 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 7: You come here wearing the confidence of a man sent 216 00:13:59,000 --> 00:13:59,959 Speaker 7: from God. 217 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 5: Yet each time we ask you to prove yourself, you refuse. 218 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 5: Do you not care what we think? 219 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 3: The Pharisees were no longer tactful with their accusations. They 220 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 3: had been left to their own bitterness for far too long. 221 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,559 Speaker 3: At this point, their rage toward Jesus was unquenchable. 222 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 5: Send fire down like Elijah, they said, Call for fire 223 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 5: to fall down from heaven. 224 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 3: They goaded. Jesus looked at them with intensity. They were 225 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 3: whitewashed tombs outwardly. They wore decadent robes and carried themselves 226 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 3: with piety, yet there was no life within them. They 227 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 3: were dead inside and had cut off their hearts from 228 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 3: the work of God. They bore no more fruitfulness than 229 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 3: the ancient prophets of Bale. Jesus stretched out his arms. 230 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 8: When you look to the sky and see no clouds, 231 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 8: you perceive it will be fair weather. When you look 232 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 8: up and see storm clouds, you know how to protect yourselves. 233 00:14:57,920 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 8: Jesus said, how is it that you can look to 234 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 8: the sky and interpret the weather, but you can't see 235 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 8: the signs that are right in front of you. 236 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 3: The crowd around her chuckle. If the Pharisees were not amused, 237 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 3: and neither was Jesus, he stepped forward and looked at 238 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:14,239 Speaker 3: them intently. 239 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 6: I will give you no sign. 240 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 5: I will not dance for you when you ask me to. 241 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 8: I'll not play all these games you desire for me. 242 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 5: The only sign that will be given to. 243 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 8: You is the sign of Jonah, who is in the 244 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 8: crave for three days and then emerged back into life. 245 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 3: After saying these things, Jesus departed, wanting nothing else to 246 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 3: do with him. He and his disciples boarded a boat 247 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 3: and left for the other side of Galliley. The boat rocked, 248 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 3: and the group gently made their way to the other 249 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 3: side of the sea. John was at the front of 250 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 3: the boat, looking longingly at the shoreline. He sighed, holding 251 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 3: his stomach. We forgot bread, he said, with a groan. 252 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 3: How can we forget bread? This journey takes the whole day. 253 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 3: Jesus continued to look out at the horizon. He was 254 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 3: stirred up by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Their ignorance 255 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 3: towards God and their contempt for the Kingdom of Heaven 256 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:17,119 Speaker 3: made him angry. Beware, Jesus said, looking out at sea, 257 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 3: Beware the leaven of the Pharisees. The disciples gave each 258 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:22,119 Speaker 3: other looks of confusion. 259 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 5: Is he talking about our lack of bread? 260 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 4: John asked, I think he is asking us to be 261 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 4: careful when we do find bread. 262 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 3: Andrew replied. The disciples could not get their minds off 263 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 3: of their lack of bread. Their stomachs rumbled, and they 264 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 3: could not perceive what Jesus was trying to tell them. 265 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 3: Jesus shook his head. Do not understand what I'm saying. 266 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 3: We just witnessed a feeding of thousands of people. We 267 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 3: gave them bread so I speak in these terms. Beware, 268 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 3: beware of the leaven that lies within the Pharisees and 269 00:16:57,160 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 3: the Sadducees. They enter in and ruin the good work 270 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 3: that we strive for. He scolded. There was a frustration 271 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 3: in Jesus's voice. Clearly the Pharisees caused him to stir. 272 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 3: He could not stand the thought of religious leaders causing 273 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:18,199 Speaker 3: others to fall away from God. It made his blood boil. 274 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 3: After Jesus clarified, they understood that he did not tell 275 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 3: them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of 276 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 3: the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They reached Bethsayada, 277 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 3: and as always there was a crowd awaiting Jesus. This 278 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 3: time there was a blind man brought to him. The 279 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 3: entire crowd begged him to heal him. Jesus took notice 280 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 3: that the crowds were beginning to advocate for one another. 281 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 3: Now that they understood Jesus had power and compassion, they 282 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 3: felt empowered to notice the needs of others. Jesus came 283 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,200 Speaker 3: close to the man and observed his eyes Like a physician. 284 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 3: Jesus breathed in deeply. The crowd looked intently, waiting for 285 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 3: something majestic to take place, waiting for something majestic to 286 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:15,439 Speaker 3: take place. Instead, Jesus spat into the man's eyes. The 287 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 3: crowd winced in slight disgust as Jesus took his saliva 288 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 3: and rubbed it into the man's eyes. Jesus perceived that 289 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 3: the man's eyelids were sealed shut by residue, so he 290 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 3: spat on them and began to massage them open. Do 291 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 3: you see anything, Jesus asked. The man was struggling to 292 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 3: understand the shapes he was seeing. He saw blurred images, 293 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 3: silhouetted in light. 294 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:44,119 Speaker 5: I think I see people, yet they seemed to me 295 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 5: like trees. 296 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 3: Jesus laid his hands on the man's eyes again and 297 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 3: continued to rub. This time, the man could see everything clearly. 298 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,119 Speaker 3: Jesus sent the man home to worship God and bask 299 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 3: in the beauty of his creation. The smallest of actions, 300 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 3: if they blessed someone, were miracles. Jesus did not need 301 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 3: to call down fire from heaven or speak in the 302 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:12,679 Speaker 3: language of angels. He simply needed to look, see, and 303 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:17,439 Speaker 3: care enough to act. Jesus then departed into the hills 304 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:22,199 Speaker 3: with his disciples where they camped for the night. It 305 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:27,360 Speaker 3: was late. The fire crackled under the evening stars. Jesus 306 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:31,679 Speaker 3: and the disciples were all quiet. Their usual revelry was 307 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 3: replaced with a quiet contemplation that came with exhaustion. The 308 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 3: week's events had proven to be taxing. The fire was mesmerizing. 309 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 3: The flames flickered to the sound of chirping crickets. John 310 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,919 Speaker 3: huddled in close to Jesus. He was the youngest of 311 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,120 Speaker 3: the disciples, no older than sixteen. He looked out into 312 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:57,679 Speaker 3: the darkness beyond the fire, listening to the howling of 313 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 3: wolves in the distance. It a calm moment. It was 314 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:08,640 Speaker 3: a precious moment that Jesus cherished. He looked among his disciples, 315 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 3: filled with love for who they were and who they 316 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 3: would become. He looked to the other side of the fire. 317 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 3: They were staring at the fire mindlessly. Jesus decided to 318 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:22,240 Speaker 3: break the silence. 319 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 6: Who do people say that I am? 320 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:30,920 Speaker 3: He asked. The disciples shrugged Andrew looked up. Some say 321 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:34,400 Speaker 3: that you are John the Baptist, he said, while poking 322 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 3: the fire. 323 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: After he was beheaded, there were rumors Herod thought you 324 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:39,040 Speaker 1: were him. 325 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 3: Returned from the dead. The disciples chuckled, thinking resurrection from 326 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 3: the dead was an absurd notion. 327 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:49,120 Speaker 5: Others say, you are Elisha, who has returned. James answered, 328 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:51,919 Speaker 5: he was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. 329 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:54,440 Speaker 5: Many believe he is bound to return some day. 330 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:58,840 Speaker 3: Jesus looked around the fire at his disciples. He nodded 331 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 3: at their answers. John the Baptist was a skilled reformer, 332 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 3: and Elijah was an influential prophet. No doubt, both of 333 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:11,639 Speaker 3: these titles suited Jesus. However, they did not get to 334 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 3: the core of who he was. He needed his disciples 335 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 3: to truly grasp his identity. 336 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 9: Yes, this is what people say, but who do you 337 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 9: say that I am? Jesus asked. There was silence for 338 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 9: a long while as the disciples pondered the question. Simon 339 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 9: Peter lifted his gaze to Jesus. He stared through the fire. 340 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 9: He was not known as a deep thinker. He was 341 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 9: not a profound historian like Matthew or an intellectual like Thomas. 342 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,480 Speaker 9: He was not known for his wit. Conversely, he was 343 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 9: known for his fast mouth and brash actions. They got 344 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 9: him into trouble his whole childhood, Yet this answer came easily, 345 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 9: as if it was a voice locked deep within his 346 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 9: heart that he had been unhinged. 347 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:05,960 Speaker 3: You are the Christ, he said, you are the son 348 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 3: of the Living God. The disciples stirred. Many of them 349 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 3: had believed that Jesus was the Christ and the promised Messiah. However, 350 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:19,199 Speaker 3: they were apprehensive to say it out loud. Yet Simon 351 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 3: Peter declared it, making it known for all to proclaim. 352 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 3: Jesus sat there staring at Simon Peter for a moment. 353 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 3: He smiled and nodded, Yes, he said, what you have 354 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:36,439 Speaker 3: said is true. The rest of the disciples were in awe. 355 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 3: Jesus had affirmed all their perceptions of him. Jesus pointed 356 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:43,600 Speaker 3: to Simon Peter and. 357 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 6: Said, blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. The flesh 358 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 6: and blood has not shown you these things. 359 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 5: No man or woman whispered. 360 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 3: These truths to you. 361 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 6: He once stood before me a skeptic, wondering who I was. 362 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 6: Yet now my father has revealed to you who I am. 363 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:05,120 Speaker 3: Simon Peter was moved with humility. He had only said 364 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 3: what had been dwelling deep within. He knew. From the 365 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:11,960 Speaker 3: moment Jesus helped him catch those fish that he was 366 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 3: the Messiah. Jesus held up a stone and gestured towards 367 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 3: Simon Peter. 368 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 6: From this day forward, you are Peter. 369 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,640 Speaker 3: Rock, Jesus said, you are a rock. 370 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 6: Peter, an integral brick in the household of God. However, 371 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 6: I am the Rock, and it is on this rock 372 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 6: I will build my church. The gates of Hell will 373 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:37,159 Speaker 6: not prevail against it. 374 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 3: Jesus then gestured to the rest of his disciples. 375 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:42,359 Speaker 6: I will give each of you the keys of the 376 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,359 Speaker 6: Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever work you do here will have 377 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 6: eternal weight. 378 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 3: Jesus picked up a stick from the fire. The end 379 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 3: of the stick was bright red and emanating flames. Jesus 380 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:58,280 Speaker 3: waved it around methodically. I will go to Jerusalem, he said. 381 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 5: There I will suffer many. 382 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 6: Things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests. 383 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 3: Jesus continued to wave the stick gently, leaving a trail 384 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 3: of light behind. They will kill me, Jesus said, driving 385 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:15,360 Speaker 3: the stick into the dirt. The flame at the end 386 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 3: of the stick was extinguished, yet a small spark remained. 387 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 6: I've no fear though, for I will be raised on 388 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 6: the third day. 389 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 3: He blew gently on the stick, and a small flame returned, 390 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:32,439 Speaker 3: drawing larger and larger. The stars were shifting in the sky, 391 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 3: and the disciples were deep into the night. Many of 392 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 3: the men were asleep soundly beside the fire. However, Jesus 393 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 3: and Peter were still awake. Peter looked earnestly at Jesus, Master, 394 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 3: he said. Jesus looked up and gave him his attention. Yes, Peter, 395 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:54,879 Speaker 3: Peter shifted in place. Far be it from you to 396 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 3: be delivered to die. Of course, this will never happen 397 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 3: to you, he said. Peter's intention was to curry favor 398 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 3: with Jesus by reassuring him that nobody would kill him. However, 399 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 3: he could not have been more wrong. Jesus rose to 400 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:13,400 Speaker 3: his feet and stepped over the flame. He crouched down 401 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 3: and looked Peter intensely in the eyes. He pointed behind 402 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 3: him toward the flame. Get behind me, Satan, Jesus said, 403 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 3: with intensity, you are a hindrance to me and quenched 404 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 3: the work of God. You are concerned with the silly 405 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:30,000 Speaker 3: fears of men and not fixed on the mission of 406 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 3: the Lord. With that, Jesus rose up and went to bed. 407 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 3: Peter laid away, quaking in fear over Jesus's rebuke. Only 408 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 3: hours prior, Jesus had told him that God's very word 409 00:25:43,880 --> 00:25:47,359 Speaker 3: dwelt within him. Now he had been rebuked as an 410 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:51,399 Speaker 3: enemy of God, Peter knew Jesus would not hold his 411 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 3: quick mouth against him. Still slightly anxious, Peter wrestled with 412 00:25:56,600 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 3: his mind until he eventually fell asleep. Dawn approached, and 413 00:26:02,119 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 3: the morning dew laced itself over Peter's beard. He awoke 414 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:09,439 Speaker 3: before the sun rose above the horizon. The air was 415 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:12,679 Speaker 3: crisp and clean, and a dull light had begun to 416 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:17,240 Speaker 3: poke above the distant hills. Jesus crouched next to Peter, 417 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 3: smiling and holding his finger up to his lips, signaling 418 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 3: for Peter to be quiet. He gestured to the base 419 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 3: of the mountain, where John and James were waiting. Peter 420 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 3: rose from his blankets and followed Jesus. The four of 421 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:37,200 Speaker 3: them climbed the mountain briskly, trying to beat the morning light. 422 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:42,479 Speaker 3: Peter watched as Jesus marched ahead of them, his legs 423 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 3: buried deep into the cracks in the rock, propelling him forward. 424 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:50,440 Speaker 3: The mountain became steeper, and the three disciples were climbing 425 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 3: the rocks to catch up to Jesus. They saw him 426 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,639 Speaker 3: make his way to the clearing at the top of 427 00:26:55,680 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 3: the mountain, just in time for sunrise. He was out 428 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 3: of their sight now. They looked up as the light 429 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 3: was bursting from the top of the mountain. It was 430 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 3: the strangest sunrise they had ever seen. They made their 431 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,640 Speaker 3: way up, ready to look at the glowing sun over 432 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 3: the eastern valley. However, they soon realized that the sun 433 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 3: had not yet risen over the hills. The light they 434 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 3: had seen was bursting forth from Jesus himself. As they 435 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 3: reached the top of the hill, they saw beams of 436 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 3: pure brilliance radiating from Christ. His face shone brighter than 437 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 3: the rising sun. It was as if his humanity was 438 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:40,280 Speaker 3: unzipped and in the essence of his deity shone through 439 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 3: the cracks. The sight was amazing and terrifying. The three 440 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 3: of them watched in awe as two other bursts of 441 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 3: light broke forth from the heavens, descending like falling stars. 442 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:59,720 Speaker 3: Beside Jesus descended Moses and Elijah. The three disciples watched 443 00:27:59,840 --> 00:28:03,119 Speaker 3: as Jesus spoke to them. Only he did not speak 444 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 3: as an equal. It almost seemed as though he was 445 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 3: teaching Moses and Elijah. He had revealed something to them 446 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:15,399 Speaker 3: that had been long awaited. The two historic men of 447 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 3: faith bowed to Christ as their lord and spoke to 448 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 3: him as God. Peter's heart was racing. He was standing 449 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:28,160 Speaker 3: before the three greatest men God had ever sent on earth. 450 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:32,600 Speaker 3: James and John watched as Peter ran towards them like 451 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 3: a little boy. Peter jumped up and down. Lord, he shouted, 452 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 3: it is good that all of us are here. We 453 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 3: can set up three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, 454 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 3: and one for Elijah. It will be. As Peter was 455 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 3: frantically speaking, a bright light fell down from heaven and 456 00:28:50,440 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 3: consumed him like a whirlwind. A cloud of holy radiance 457 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 3: whistled around them like a tempest. Peter and the other 458 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 3: two disciples cowered in fear. This was much more frightening 459 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 3: than Jesus's rebuked the night before. It was as if 460 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:11,600 Speaker 3: the heavens opened up all around Peter. He covered his 461 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 3: eyes from the light, laying in the fetal position on 462 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:19,120 Speaker 3: the ground. A voice burst through from the tempest, saying. 463 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 7: This is my beloved son, in whom I am well 464 00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 7: pleased hear him and only him. 465 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:35,479 Speaker 3: Then, in an instant, the light disappeared. Peter's eyes were 466 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:39,120 Speaker 3: clenched shut. He waited for the wind to cease and 467 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:43,000 Speaker 3: peeked open one eye. He looked up to see Elijah 468 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 3: and Moses gone. Jesus stood there alone in their place. 469 00:29:49,080 --> 00:29:52,360 Speaker 3: His radiance was gone, but he still carried himself for 470 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 3: the same holiness. Jesus extended a hand to Peter and 471 00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 3: then led the three disciples down the hill. 472 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:01,520 Speaker 5: Tell now of what you saw. 473 00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 3: This morning, Jesus commanded the three. 474 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 6: Not until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. 475 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,640 Speaker 3: As they were descending down, one of the disciples asked. 476 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 5: Isn't it said that Elijah will return before the Son 477 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 5: of Man. 478 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 3: Jesus nodded and said, it is true, but Elijah has 479 00:30:20,120 --> 00:30:21,040 Speaker 3: already come back. 480 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:24,800 Speaker 6: You did not just recognize him. 481 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 3: The disciples understood who he was referring to. John the 482 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:32,920 Speaker 3: Baptist was a voice crying from the wilderness. He was 483 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 3: the one who came before Jesus declaring the way of 484 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:40,520 Speaker 3: the Lord. Peter realized he had put Jesus on a 485 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:45,640 Speaker 3: similar pedestal as Moses and Elijah. However, he now knew 486 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:48,840 Speaker 3: that all the Law of Moses and the entirety of 487 00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:53,960 Speaker 3: the prophets, including Elijah, were all pointing towards their true north, 488 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:55,920 Speaker 3: Jesus Christ. 489 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,040 Speaker 2: This episode took us to a new level of understanding 490 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:05,280 Speaker 2: as Jesus revealed his glory and splendid to Peter, James, 491 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 2: and John. Many revelations and warnings were given to us 492 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:13,280 Speaker 2: in this episode. We will unpack a few of them together. First, 493 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:16,600 Speaker 2: we were given a glimpse into Jesus's mission to the Gentiles. 494 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:19,800 Speaker 2: A woman with a demon possessed daughter found Jesus and 495 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:23,840 Speaker 2: begged him to help her. Jesus initially refused and reminded 496 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 2: her that his primary call was to the Jews. This woman, 497 00:31:27,440 --> 00:31:32,920 Speaker 2: perhaps unbeknownst to her, revealed God's ancient plan. Jesus told her, plainly, 498 00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 2: do you not know that I need to feed the 499 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:39,400 Speaker 2: children before allowing the dogs a chance to eat? Why 500 00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:42,200 Speaker 2: would I give the children's food to them? But the 501 00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:45,600 Speaker 2: woman's reply was brilliant. She said, that may be so, 502 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,840 Speaker 2: my Lord, but even the pups are allowed under the 503 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:52,200 Speaker 2: table to eat the crumbs that fall. This gentile woman 504 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: knew that although she was not a member of God's 505 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 2: chosen people, she could still receive God's mercy. A part 506 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:01,880 Speaker 2: of Jesus's mission was to bring the Gentiles into the 507 00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:04,880 Speaker 2: promise of God, and we got a glimpse of that 508 00:32:05,040 --> 00:32:09,440 Speaker 2: in this episode. In between miracles and moments of tenderness, 509 00:32:09,800 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 2: the pharisees and religious leaders chimed in. They challenged Jesus 510 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:16,880 Speaker 2: and ask him to show them a sign, as if 511 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:19,800 Speaker 2: bringing people back from the dead, healing the lame, and 512 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 2: giving sight to the blind were not good enough. They 513 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:26,080 Speaker 2: wanted a spectacle. Send fire down like Elijah, they said, 514 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:29,200 Speaker 2: call for fire to fall down from heaven. They goaded. 515 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 2: Here's the thing. People say they want a grand sign 516 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:35,520 Speaker 2: in order to believe, but that's not actually how human 517 00:32:35,560 --> 00:32:39,440 Speaker 2: beings work. The Israelites witnessed God part the Red Sea, 518 00:32:39,880 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 2: send fireballs from heaven and rain down manner from the sky, 519 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,920 Speaker 2: yet they still lost their faith in God multiple times. 520 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:50,600 Speaker 2: Peter in our last episode, walked on water, yet lost 521 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 2: his footing because of his disbelief. The Pharisees ignorantly thought 522 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 2: a grand sign would persuade them, but Jesus knew better. 523 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:01,280 Speaker 2: Hardened hearts don't automatically become so because God gives them 524 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 2: a sign. Remember Pharaoh in Egypt. The more signs God 525 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:08,600 Speaker 2: showed him, the heart of his heart became once again. 526 00:33:09,080 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 2: Jesus told them the only sign he would give was 527 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:15,280 Speaker 2: a sign of Jonah. This was once again a foreshadowing 528 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:17,440 Speaker 2: of the three days he would spend in the grave 529 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 2: before rising on the third day. Later that day, Jesus 530 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:26,680 Speaker 2: gave his disciples a warning beware the leaven of the Pharisees. 531 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:30,320 Speaker 2: He spoke in metaphor regarding the corrupting influence of the 532 00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 2: Pharisees and scribes. Just as a little bit of leaven 533 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:36,760 Speaker 2: can affect the entire loaf of bread, just a little 534 00:33:36,760 --> 00:33:40,440 Speaker 2: influence from the Pharisees can corrupt their hearts. The disciples 535 00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 2: got a bit tripped up by this metaphor since they 536 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:46,040 Speaker 2: had forgotten to pack bread for the trip. They thought 537 00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:49,920 Speaker 2: Jesus was making a passive, aggressive jab at their forgetfulness. 538 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:52,840 Speaker 2: You can sense a bit of Jesus as annoing several 539 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:56,560 Speaker 2: times in this episode, even anger. Jesus was trying to 540 00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:59,280 Speaker 2: engage with his disciples on a deeper level, and they 541 00:33:59,280 --> 00:34:03,160 Speaker 2: were getting caught up and shallow nonsense. This episode with 542 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 2: the disciples was a challenge and a warning to all 543 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:09,160 Speaker 2: of us. Jesus wants to engage you on a deeper level. 544 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:12,040 Speaker 2: He wants to touch the deeper parts of your heart 545 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:17,200 Speaker 2: and mind. He wants you to think philosophically and spiritually. 546 00:34:17,640 --> 00:34:20,120 Speaker 2: Be careful to not get too caught up in vapid 547 00:34:20,160 --> 00:34:26,120 Speaker 2: and shallow arguments. The disciples had moments of stupidity and spirituality, 548 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:29,480 Speaker 2: just like the rest of us. Sometimes those moments were 549 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:32,640 Speaker 2: within the same hour. That was certainly the case for Peter, 550 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:35,520 Speaker 2: who had a high moment followed by a low moment 551 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,440 Speaker 2: with Jesus. When they were all by the fire, Jesus 552 00:34:38,520 --> 00:34:42,440 Speaker 2: asked the famous question, who do people say that I am? 553 00:34:42,640 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 2: Jesus gave the disciples a second chance at conversation, since 554 00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 2: they failed so miserably earlier. They answered plainly, saying that 555 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:54,120 Speaker 2: Some said he was John the Baptist, and others said Elijah. 556 00:34:54,239 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 2: Those were interesting answers. John the Baptist was a revolutionary 557 00:34:57,640 --> 00:35:01,000 Speaker 2: and disruptive. It was a compliment and a curse at 558 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:04,759 Speaker 2: the same time to compare Jesus to him. Others said 559 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:07,799 Speaker 2: he was Elijah, who had returned to make way for 560 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:11,880 Speaker 2: the Messiah. This was another fine guest. Elijah was a 561 00:35:11,880 --> 00:35:15,600 Speaker 2: great prophet. However, both those answers are wrong. It is 562 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:19,000 Speaker 2: important for us to note that these are two different 563 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:23,200 Speaker 2: ways people describe Jesus today. Many people see Jesus as 564 00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 2: a revolutionary and great teacher. Some religions reduce Jesus to 565 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:31,239 Speaker 2: just a prophet like Elijah. Jesus is much more than 566 00:35:31,280 --> 00:35:34,640 Speaker 2: a revolutionary or a prophet. Peter, in a moment of 567 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:38,760 Speaker 2: complete clarity, describes who Jesus is. You are the Christ. 568 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:41,920 Speaker 2: He says, you are the son of the Living God. 569 00:35:42,760 --> 00:35:45,440 Speaker 2: We have walked through this story long enough together to 570 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:49,799 Speaker 2: ask this question, who do you say Jesus is? This 571 00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:53,080 Speaker 2: is the pre eminent question we all must ask ourselves. 572 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 2: Seeing what you have seen, hearing what you have heard, 573 00:35:56,440 --> 00:36:00,200 Speaker 2: who would you say Jesus is? Many people speculated he 574 00:36:00,239 --> 00:36:03,600 Speaker 2: was Elijah or John. The Baptist, the Pharisees, and religious 575 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:06,400 Speaker 2: leader came to the conclusion he was a blasphema or 576 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 2: mad man. The Disciples, however, intimately aware of Jesus's character, 577 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:14,640 Speaker 2: came to a different conclusion. He was the Messiah Christ, 578 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:18,840 Speaker 2: the chosen hero of God, the redeemer of our souls. 579 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:22,080 Speaker 2: If you've been listening to this series and are still 580 00:36:22,200 --> 00:36:25,760 Speaker 2: unsure about who Jesus is, then I pray you continue 581 00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,680 Speaker 2: to listen. The true identity of Jesus will continue to 582 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:32,840 Speaker 2: unfold before us as the series continues. The true identity 583 00:36:32,880 --> 00:36:36,440 Speaker 2: of Jesus was like this dimly veiled image. The disciples 584 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:38,600 Speaker 2: were able to get an idea of him on their own, 585 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:41,360 Speaker 2: but only the Spirit of God could have shown Simon 586 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:44,919 Speaker 2: Peter the truth. Jesus gave Simon Peter a new name, 587 00:36:45,600 --> 00:36:49,000 Speaker 2: Rock or Peter. Can I share a very important theological 588 00:36:49,080 --> 00:36:52,600 Speaker 2: distinction that was made in this episode. Jesus held up 589 00:36:52,600 --> 00:36:56,560 Speaker 2: a stone and gesture towards Simon Peter. From this day forward, 590 00:36:56,680 --> 00:37:00,160 Speaker 2: you are Peter Rock. Jesus said, you are a rock Petter, 591 00:37:00,640 --> 00:37:04,400 Speaker 2: an integral brick in the household of God. However, I 592 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:06,880 Speaker 2: am the Rock, and it is on this rock I 593 00:37:06,920 --> 00:37:09,799 Speaker 2: will build my church. The gates of Hell will not 594 00:37:09,880 --> 00:37:13,840 Speaker 2: prevail against it. The words used in the original Greek 595 00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:17,040 Speaker 2: matter quite a bit. In this portion of scripture, Simon 596 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:19,560 Speaker 2: was given the name Peter, which is Petros in Greek. 597 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:22,840 Speaker 2: The word is translated to mean a rock or a stone. 598 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:26,400 Speaker 2: This is a stone that is solid but movable, like 599 00:37:26,440 --> 00:37:28,920 Speaker 2: a brick on a house or a rolling stone on 600 00:37:28,960 --> 00:37:32,160 Speaker 2: a river bank. When Jesus says, on this rock, I 601 00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:35,600 Speaker 2: will build my church, he uses a different word than pietros. 602 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:39,520 Speaker 2: He uses the word petro, which is translated as the rock. 603 00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:43,320 Speaker 2: This is a reference to a foundational rock, cliff, or 604 00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:47,560 Speaker 2: mother rock. It is a word used for something fixed, immovable, 605 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:51,400 Speaker 2: and huge. Jesus is calling Peter a rock and himself 606 00:37:51,480 --> 00:37:54,759 Speaker 2: the rock. Jesus is the foundation on which the church 607 00:37:54,880 --> 00:37:57,480 Speaker 2: was built, and the gates of Hell will not prevail 608 00:37:57,560 --> 00:38:00,879 Speaker 2: over him. Peter is just a chip off the old rock, 609 00:38:01,000 --> 00:38:04,120 Speaker 2: so to speak. It was a high moment for Peter, 610 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:06,960 Speaker 2: but it quickly turned into a low moment. Out of 611 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:11,000 Speaker 2: insecurity and ignorance. Peter rebuked Jesus's claim that he had 612 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:15,040 Speaker 2: to die. Jesus, who had just praised Peter ours earlier, 613 00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:18,080 Speaker 2: looked him in the eye and called him satan. Quite 614 00:38:18,120 --> 00:38:21,279 Speaker 2: a step down for Peter. Don't you think Jesus could 615 00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:24,279 Speaker 2: not have followers getting in the way of what must 616 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:27,200 Speaker 2: be done on the cross. This moment serves as a 617 00:38:27,239 --> 00:38:29,840 Speaker 2: warning to any of us who belittle the necessity of 618 00:38:29,880 --> 00:38:34,040 Speaker 2: the cross. As believers, our salvation and faith are fixed 619 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:37,040 Speaker 2: on what happened on good Friday, where the sins of 620 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:40,920 Speaker 2: humanity were placed on Christ's shoulders in our place. This 621 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:43,799 Speaker 2: episode ended with a brilliant scene where the glory of 622 00:38:43,880 --> 00:38:48,160 Speaker 2: Jesus was completely revealed. Moses and Elijah showed up, and 623 00:38:48,200 --> 00:38:52,160 Speaker 2: Peter could barely contain himself. Can you blame him? Moses, 624 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:55,680 Speaker 2: the representative of the law of God, Elijah, the representative 625 00:38:55,719 --> 00:38:58,840 Speaker 2: of the prophece of God, both were there with Jesus 626 00:38:58,840 --> 00:39:03,080 Speaker 2: in splendor and glory. Naturally, Peter didn't want the moment 627 00:39:03,120 --> 00:39:06,160 Speaker 2: to end. He wanted to erect tabernacles for them to 628 00:39:06,280 --> 00:39:10,279 Speaker 2: dwell so people could come worship. In an instant, Peter 629 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:13,440 Speaker 2: was caught up in a whirlwind. God rebuked him, and 630 00:39:13,560 --> 00:39:17,400 Speaker 2: all that was left was Jesus. God spoke clearly, saying, 631 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:20,760 Speaker 2: this is my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased. 632 00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:24,759 Speaker 2: Hear him and only him. I will leave you with 633 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:28,440 Speaker 2: these parting thoughts. What good things have you revered above 634 00:39:28,600 --> 00:39:32,560 Speaker 2: or equal to Jesus? We often talk about drugs, alcohol, 635 00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:36,640 Speaker 2: unhealthy relationships as idolatry, But what about the good things 636 00:39:36,640 --> 00:39:41,080 Speaker 2: in life? What about ministries, marriages, a good job? What 637 00:39:41,239 --> 00:39:44,480 Speaker 2: good thing have you put above Jesus? Peter learned that 638 00:39:44,600 --> 00:39:47,560 Speaker 2: it was Jesus and Jesus alone who was worthy of 639 00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:50,960 Speaker 2: his worship. My prayer for you today is that the 640 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:53,680 Speaker 2: glory and goodness of God would be fully revealed to you. 641 00:39:54,719 --> 00:39:56,920 Speaker 2: I pray that you would be able to take the 642 00:39:57,000 --> 00:40:01,040 Speaker 2: warnings in this episode seriously while also feeling empowered by 643 00:40:01,080 --> 00:40:04,319 Speaker 2: the encouragement as well. I look forward to speaking with 644 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:06,960 Speaker 2: you next time as we unpack one of the greatest 645 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:11,439 Speaker 2: teachings ever given. Join me for episode twelve, The Good Shepherd. 646 00:40:11,719 --> 00:40:15,720 Speaker 2: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, 647 00:40:15,760 --> 00:40:18,680 Speaker 2: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot 648 00:40:18,719 --> 00:40:21,640 Speaker 2: com and to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, 649 00:40:22,160 --> 00:40:26,080 Speaker 2: download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. 650 00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:30,560 Speaker 2: Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify 651 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:33,480 Speaker 2: to get the newest episodes right as they come out, 652 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:37,680 Speaker 2: so you can strengthen your relationship with Jesus, God bless