WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 26 - 7:30 pm 0:00:00.500 --> 0:00:03.020 For God so loved the world that He gave His 0:00:03.140 --> 0:00:07.420 only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, 0:00:07.750 --> 0:00:14.370 but have everlasting life. John 3.16 Thank you, Heavenly Father, 0:00:14.570 --> 0:00:18.890 for your unfathomable love for me. No one will ever 0:00:19.030 --> 0:00:23.010 or could ever love me with the pure and unconditional. 0:00:22.390 --> 0:00:23.770 Love you have for me. 0:00:24.790 --> 0:00:28.660 You ask me to believe, believe in your Son, and 0:00:28.700 --> 0:00:30.880 the price He paid out of His love for me. 0:00:32.159 --> 0:00:35.240 I wept in gratitude when I realized how selfish I 0:00:35.380 --> 0:00:40.409 am in comparison to His astounding love. I lift my 0:00:40.450 --> 0:00:44.290 voice in praise and sing joy to the world. The 0:00:44.350 --> 0:00:49.710 Lord has come, and heaven and nature sing. Prepare our hearts, Lord, 0:00:49.750 --> 0:00:54.330 to receive the greatest gift of knowing Jesus. Fill our 0:00:54.390 --> 0:00:58.330 hearts with joy as we sing praises for Your glorious goodness. 0:00:59.800 --> 0:01:00.120 Amen. 0:01:03.380 --> 0:01:06.950 Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 0:01:07.010 --> 0:01:11.090 told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 0:01:12.850 --> 0:01:13.570 Hi, I'm Dr. 0:01:13.709 --> 0:01:16.530 Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in the Bible, Jesus. 0:01:17.270 --> 0:01:20.130 If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review 0:01:20.270 --> 0:01:23.370 and let us know how this podcast has impacted your life. 0:01:24.209 --> 0:01:26.780 Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the 0:01:26.800 --> 0:01:29.580 story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's 0:01:29.640 --> 0:01:32.640 love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death 0:01:32.819 --> 0:01:36.050 and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape 0:01:36.190 --> 0:01:39.330 and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart 0:01:39.370 --> 0:01:41.530 of God right into the hearts of you and me. 0:01:42.330 --> 0:01:45.410 In this episode, Jesus' heart for the outcast is put 0:01:45.490 --> 0:01:50.160 on full display. This episode features one compelling interaction after another. 0:01:50.750 --> 0:01:52.760 While some of the Gospels put an emphasis on the 0:01:52.840 --> 0:01:56.210 public ministry of Jesus, The Gospel of John is unique 0:01:56.650 --> 0:02:00.040 with its greater emphasis on the one-on-one interactions Jesus had 0:02:00.300 --> 0:02:04.740 with selected individuals. This episode highlights many of those connections, 0:02:04.920 --> 0:02:08.299 reminding us that Jesus wasn't just a public figure, but 0:02:08.340 --> 0:02:11.860 a friend and mentor. He took time for people, noticed 0:02:11.900 --> 0:02:15.609 those on the fringe, and revealed his glory through simple conversations. 0:02:16.510 --> 0:02:20.910 This episode introduces us to famous characters like Nicodemus and 0:02:20.930 --> 0:02:23.600 the woman at the well, as well as lesser-known figures 0:02:23.660 --> 0:02:26.480 like the father with the sick son and the invalid 0:02:26.620 --> 0:02:30.720 by the pools. All of these individuals came face-to-face with 0:02:30.780 --> 0:02:34.380 Jesus and were changed forever because of him. Nobody can 0:02:34.419 --> 0:02:38.120 truly meet Jesus and remain neutral. Anyone who comes face-to-face 0:02:38.139 --> 0:02:40.940 with him must make a decision about who he is 0:02:41.030 --> 0:02:44.960 to them. Ironically, the religious elite and pious leaders had 0:02:45.000 --> 0:02:48.560 a harder time accepting him than the sick and social outcasts. 0:02:49.380 --> 0:02:53.139 As it turns out, self-righteous religion can keep people from 0:02:53.200 --> 0:02:56.440 truly seeing Jesus for who he is. In this episode, 0:02:56.980 --> 0:02:58.800 I want to challenge all of us to see the 0:02:58.840 --> 0:03:02.100 ways in which Jesus interacts with the outcasts. How does 0:03:02.150 --> 0:03:04.780 he speak with people who have been rejected by society? 0:03:05.320 --> 0:03:07.830 To what lengths will Jesus go to comfort and compel 0:03:07.870 --> 0:03:12.220 people's hearts? Before we dive into this next time in Jesus' ministry, 0:03:13.000 --> 0:03:16.260 we will have a prelude, a story captured from another 0:03:16.310 --> 0:03:20.210 time and space. We are introduced to David, an outcast 0:03:20.250 --> 0:03:23.030 in his own way who became a king. His life 0:03:23.190 --> 0:03:25.470 is an example to us all of God's heart for 0:03:25.490 --> 0:03:29.030 the people on the fringe. The small shepherd boy's rise 0:03:29.070 --> 0:03:31.940 to power shows us that God prefers to use the 0:03:31.970 --> 0:03:35.020 weak things of the world to display his strength. I 0:03:35.080 --> 0:03:39.060 hope it encourages you today. Here is episode 5, The Outcast. 0:03:46.820 --> 0:03:53.430 A thousand years before the birth of Christ, a young 0:03:53.510 --> 0:03:58.170 shepherd boy lounged under the clouds. He watched the sheep 0:03:58.230 --> 0:04:03.440 graze and frolic while strumming the lyre. The solitude of 0:04:03.470 --> 0:04:07.140 a shepherd's life did not bother him. His father had 0:04:07.180 --> 0:04:11.790 nearly forgotten him altogether anyways, and his brother's was self-consumed. 0:04:12.850 --> 0:04:15.720 If he was being honest, he preferred the company of sheep. 0:04:16.800 --> 0:04:20.619 As dull as they were, they were endearing. They needed 0:04:20.680 --> 0:04:25.359 his guidance, protection, and provision. Without him, they would surely 0:04:25.480 --> 0:04:29.160 fall off a cliff or starve to death. The boy 0:04:29.200 --> 0:04:32.820 thought about his relationship with God this way. He would 0:04:32.880 --> 0:04:35.630 often look at his sheep and ponder how God was 0:04:35.770 --> 0:04:42.520 his shepherd, guiding, protecting, and providing for him In the 0:04:42.560 --> 0:04:45.900 solitude of the sheep pasture, the young shepherd strummed a 0:04:45.980 --> 0:04:50.340 hymn to the Lord. He played passionately for an audience 0:04:50.380 --> 0:04:55.500 of one. These tender moments happened often between him and God. 0:04:56.700 --> 0:05:00.159 He was constantly after his heart. He knew that his 0:05:00.200 --> 0:05:03.600 sheep's well-being was dependent on its closeness to the shepherd. 0:05:04.860 --> 0:05:08.539 So the boy drew close to the Lord daily, singing 0:05:08.580 --> 0:05:12.560 to him and meditating on his law. As small and 0:05:12.660 --> 0:05:16.790 unassuming as he was, he was not without courage. Wolves 0:05:16.830 --> 0:05:19.550 and lions would often prowl on the perimeter of the 0:05:19.589 --> 0:05:23.870 pasture looking to feast on the helpless sheep. The shepherd 0:05:23.890 --> 0:05:27.630 boy was continually alert and ready for battle. He had 0:05:27.650 --> 0:05:31.330 to slay a few wolves and lions in his time. However, 0:05:31.950 --> 0:05:35.230 nobody would assume that of the boy. He was ruddy 0:05:35.589 --> 0:05:38.550 and clearly the runt of his family. He did not 0:05:38.610 --> 0:05:42.779 carry himself like his brothers or his father. They were regal, 0:05:43.060 --> 0:05:48.440 sturdy and king-like. However, the boy was content with his sheep. 0:05:49.380 --> 0:05:53.359 He loved that they needed him. When the nation of 0:05:53.420 --> 0:05:56.120 Israel needed a champion to rise up and defeat the 0:05:56.200 --> 0:06:00.550 giant Goliath and his Philistine army, no soldier stepped forward. 0:06:01.400 --> 0:06:05.330 There were no princes, warriors or noblemen brave enough to fight. 0:06:06.210 --> 0:06:09.469 The prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel, was sent by 0:06:09.529 --> 0:06:13.040 God to find a man worthy enough to lead the nation. 0:06:13.779 --> 0:06:16.740 He looked at the strong, the tall, and the noble. 0:06:17.760 --> 0:06:22.010 He considered the men who carried themselves like kings. However, 0:06:22.550 --> 0:06:26.710 the Lord had rejected them as his chosen servant. Instead, 0:06:27.290 --> 0:06:30.130 he had Samuel look to the pastures where the shepherd 0:06:30.170 --> 0:06:31.170 boy tended. 0:06:30.890 --> 0:06:35.570 To the sheep. Man looks at the outward appearance, God 0:06:35.630 --> 0:06:42.100 told Samuel. However, I look beyond what men see. I 0:06:42.160 --> 0:06:42.900 look at the heart. 0:06:44.200 --> 0:06:47.810 Samuel looked at the ruddy shepherd boy. He did not 0:06:47.910 --> 0:06:51.450 have a kingly demeanor. He was the rejected son of 0:06:51.510 --> 0:06:56.940 his family and an outcast. However, dwelling within him was 0:06:56.980 --> 0:07:00.900 a heart after God. The Lord called the shepherd boy 0:07:01.300 --> 0:07:04.659 and empowered him to slay giants. He would go on 0:07:04.700 --> 0:07:08.750 to be the greatest king Israel had ever known. The 0:07:08.810 --> 0:07:13.510 otherwise unassuming and weak boy was a hero and God's 0:07:13.750 --> 0:07:19.720 chosen champion, King David. These are the people God chose 0:07:20.060 --> 0:07:24.900 to lead armies, restore nations, and proclaim his truths. He 0:07:24.960 --> 0:07:29.060 chose the weak to showcase his strength. He chose the 0:07:29.120 --> 0:07:33.600 homeless and gave them a home. He chose the rejected 0:07:34.120 --> 0:07:38.040 and gave them purpose. For God chose the foolish things 0:07:38.080 --> 0:07:40.910 of this world to put to shame people all those 0:07:40.970 --> 0:07:45.800 who felt wise or strong in their own right. God 0:07:46.080 --> 0:07:56.170 was in the business of choosing the outcasts. Jesus' name 0:07:56.230 --> 0:08:00.190 began to grow in popularity. As John the Baptist faded 0:08:00.430 --> 0:08:03.869 into anonymity, more and more people who used to follow 0:08:03.930 --> 0:08:08.800 him began to follow Jesus. However, the true identity of 0:08:08.880 --> 0:08:13.440 Jesus was still only seen in part. Some people called 0:08:13.480 --> 0:08:16.900 him the Messiah, but they were still not entirely sure 0:08:16.960 --> 0:08:20.220 what that meant. Many people thought the Messiah would be 0:08:20.560 --> 0:08:24.100 a political hero. Some thought the Messiah would be a 0:08:24.160 --> 0:08:28.750 man of war. However, not many predicted a carpenter from 0:08:28.790 --> 0:08:34.069 a small town. Jesus' words reflected the prophetic description of 0:08:34.130 --> 0:08:37.599 the Messiah, but the way he carried himself seemed almost 0:08:37.700 --> 0:08:43.920 too humble and too unassuming. So people followed Jesus, curious 0:08:44.200 --> 0:08:48.860 as to what he would do next. It was Passover, 0:08:48.880 --> 0:08:52.760 a time when people from the entire region would gather 0:08:52.800 --> 0:08:56.580 near the temple to worship. Millions of people flowed in 0:08:56.720 --> 0:09:00.750 and out of the city streets, bringing their families, sacrifices, 0:09:01.070 --> 0:09:02.890 and prayers to offer up. 0:09:02.850 --> 0:09:03.390 To the Lord. 0:09:04.510 --> 0:09:08.400 It was a grand celebration, of God redeeming his people 0:09:08.440 --> 0:09:12.340 from slavery in Egypt. It was also a time of 0:09:12.400 --> 0:09:18.000 deep contemplation. Men and women considered the depth of God's 0:09:18.080 --> 0:09:20.860 love for them and his blessing over them as a 0:09:20.940 --> 0:09:26.180 holy nation and chosen people. Jesus walked among the sea 0:09:26.220 --> 0:09:30.250 of faces towards the temple. The top of the temple 0:09:30.280 --> 0:09:34.030 could be seen in the distance. It was radiant and 0:09:34.070 --> 0:09:37.270 a glorious image of God's presence dwelling in the middle 0:09:37.309 --> 0:09:41.510 of the city. It was Jesus' desire that all would 0:09:41.570 --> 0:09:46.130 experience God at the center of their own lives. His 0:09:46.210 --> 0:09:50.370 heart was warmed as he saw Jews, Greeks, and people 0:09:50.550 --> 0:09:54.660 of all creeds and cultures gathering to worship. The heart 0:09:54.700 --> 0:09:58.020 of God is for all to enter in and seek 0:09:58.059 --> 0:10:03.770 his face. Jesus walked through the temple gates. His brow 0:10:03.840 --> 0:10:08.579 furrowed as he saw the people within. In the temple courtyard, 0:10:08.880 --> 0:10:13.559 he found people selling sacrifices and haggling prices. Men were 0:10:13.600 --> 0:10:17.900 bringing oxen, pigeons, goats, and sheep, claiming they were special. 0:10:18.270 --> 0:10:22.960 and therefore required to make a sacrifice. The temple officials 0:10:23.080 --> 0:10:26.740 also had a special currency, and the exchange rate was 0:10:26.800 --> 0:10:31.100 too steep for many people to buy a sacrifice. Jesus 0:10:31.200 --> 0:10:34.900 watched in horror as the temple was being used as 0:10:34.940 --> 0:10:40.340 a place to exploit people. Foreigners brought their own sacrifices 0:10:40.720 --> 0:10:43.280 and were swiftly turned away if they could not afford 0:10:43.340 --> 0:10:50.300 a new temple-certified sacrifice. Jesus' blood boiled within him. The 0:10:50.360 --> 0:10:53.819 courtyard he was standing in was a special place. It 0:10:53.860 --> 0:10:57.230 was the courtyard that Gentiles and foreigners were allowed to 0:10:57.309 --> 0:11:01.630 come and worship. Yet the religious leaders used it to 0:11:01.730 --> 0:11:06.910 grow rich. A quiet rage dwelled within the gentle Son 0:11:06.950 --> 0:11:11.500 of God. A rage so pure and so righteous that 0:11:11.580 --> 0:11:14.380 if he wished, he could send fire down from heaven. 0:11:15.510 --> 0:11:18.750 Jesus looked at the money changers and the swindlers haggling 0:11:18.809 --> 0:11:23.650 near the steps. They were selling salvation. They were selling 0:11:23.670 --> 0:11:28.750 a connection with God. Jesus would not allow it. He 0:11:28.780 --> 0:11:31.439 looked to his left to see palm fronds laying on 0:11:31.480 --> 0:11:34.980 the floor. He also saw some netting used to hold 0:11:35.140 --> 0:11:39.260 animals draped over the side of the steps. Jesus gathered 0:11:39.300 --> 0:11:43.460 these things, sat down, and began to weave. No one 0:11:43.520 --> 0:11:47.840 noticed him. methodically sewing leaves and rope together. They were 0:11:47.860 --> 0:11:52.380 too consumed with making a profit. When God established the 0:11:52.420 --> 0:11:55.339 nation of Israel, He commanded that they would be a 0:11:55.400 --> 0:11:59.300 sanctuary for every nation. He commanded that they be a 0:11:59.380 --> 0:12:03.860 safe haven for refugees and foreigners. He also commanded that 0:12:04.020 --> 0:12:07.939 anyone who desired to repent and seek His face would 0:12:07.980 --> 0:12:12.780 not be denied blessing. The people appointed to reflect God's 0:12:12.820 --> 0:12:17.460 heart had given in to corruption. Jesus would not allow 0:12:17.620 --> 0:12:20.760 anybody to be separated from the loving embrace of God. 0:12:21.540 --> 0:12:23.880 He would not allow the foreigner to be turned away. 0:12:24.820 --> 0:12:27.320 He would not allow the poor to be put in 0:12:27.400 --> 0:12:31.940 debt because they couldn't afford a nicer sacrifice. It was 0:12:32.020 --> 0:12:36.329 King David who said, For you will not delight in sacrifice, 0:12:37.030 --> 0:12:39.770 or I would give it. You would not be pleased 0:12:39.790 --> 0:12:43.809 with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God or a 0:12:43.870 --> 0:12:48.469 broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you 0:12:48.570 --> 0:12:52.350 will not despise. With these words burning in his heart, 0:12:52.880 --> 0:12:56.880 Jesus rose to his feet. He raised his hand high 0:12:56.920 --> 0:13:00.840 in the air to reveal a whip of cords. Then, 0:13:01.080 --> 0:13:04.380 with a strong swing of his hips, Jesus slashed the 0:13:04.400 --> 0:13:07.920 whip forward to hit the oxen. The animals panicked and 0:13:07.980 --> 0:13:11.040 were afraid of their cages. They knocked over the carts 0:13:11.240 --> 0:13:15.530 and sent people fleeing in a panic. in, Jesus marched 0:13:15.610 --> 0:13:19.310 over to the money changers. With the mighty heart of God, 0:13:19.790 --> 0:13:23.270 Jesus lifted the stone tables and flipped them over. The 0:13:23.290 --> 0:13:27.380 heavy structures crashed to the floor, shaking the ground. Gold 0:13:27.440 --> 0:13:30.640 and silver spilled all over the courtyard floor, and the 0:13:30.700 --> 0:13:34.819 money changers frantically picked them up like birds pecking at bread. 0:13:36.240 --> 0:13:39.240 Jesus stood above the temple steps, holding the whip in 0:13:39.360 --> 0:13:42.480 one hand and a crate of doves in another. He 0:13:42.540 --> 0:13:47.630 had single-handedly destroyed the temple marketplace. Raising the doves in 0:13:47.670 --> 0:13:50.890 the air, he smashed the crate to the ground, releasing 0:13:50.929 --> 0:13:54.970 the doves. People stopped there panicking for a moment to 0:13:54.990 --> 0:13:58.700 look at Jesus. Huffing, he pointed at the Pharisees and 0:13:58.740 --> 0:14:00.420 scribes watching from the corner. 0:14:00.860 --> 0:14:03.440 This is where men and women are meant to seek 0:14:03.480 --> 0:14:05.880 the face of their God. Yet you have set up 0:14:05.940 --> 0:14:09.480 monuments to greed. You have made my father's house a 0:14:09.500 --> 0:14:12.540 house of trade, and you have rejected the outcasts. 0:14:13.220 --> 0:14:16.100 The scribes had heard rumors of Jesus, but this was 0:14:16.140 --> 0:14:19.560 their first time meeting him. What gives you the right 0:14:19.600 --> 0:14:23.520 to do these things? What sign shall you give us 0:14:23.880 --> 0:14:25.420 to prove your authority? 0:14:26.060 --> 0:14:26.740 They retorted. 0:14:27.720 --> 0:14:32.390 The crowd was stirring. Jesus began walking towards them. The 0:14:32.430 --> 0:14:35.230 few of the disciples saw Jesus. They looked at the 0:14:35.330 --> 0:14:38.890 fire in his eyes. They remembered the words of David 0:14:39.170 --> 0:14:43.110 when he prophesied about the Messiah, saying, Zeal for your 0:14:43.170 --> 0:14:48.400 house will consume me. They watched Jesus march forward with 0:14:48.420 --> 0:14:52.320 a strength even greater than David's. He had a passion 0:14:52.460 --> 0:14:55.080 for the house of God and for all those who 0:14:55.120 --> 0:14:56.130 would seek him in it. 0:14:57.160 --> 0:15:01.160 Destroy this temple, Jesus began, and in three days I 0:15:01.200 --> 0:15:04.760 will raise it up. It will stand in greater glory 0:15:05.200 --> 0:15:05.780 than before. 0:15:05.800 --> 0:15:09.000 A chuckle could be heard from the crowd. One of 0:15:09.040 --> 0:15:12.470 them scoffed at him and said, It took 46 years 0:15:12.510 --> 0:15:15.330 to rebuild that temple, and you think you could do 0:15:15.410 --> 0:15:19.360 so in three days? Jesus shook his head and walked 0:15:19.400 --> 0:15:25.240 down the steps. Jesus' words confused them. However, Jesus was 0:15:25.280 --> 0:15:29.220 speaking of his own destruction and his own resurrection to come. 0:15:30.580 --> 0:15:33.330 His disciples did not understand these things at the time, 0:15:33.930 --> 0:15:38.710 but they would. Jesus dropped his whip and left the temple. 0:15:39.840 --> 0:15:42.720 No one dared to go after him. The scribes and 0:15:42.740 --> 0:15:47.680 the Pharisees watched Jesus leave. Then a small applause followed. 0:15:48.820 --> 0:15:51.940 They looked out at the sea of people cheering for Jesus. 0:15:52.960 --> 0:15:55.820 They looked at one another, afraid of what this man 0:15:56.180 --> 0:16:02.950 from Nazareth might do to their power. Many of the scribes, Pharisees, 0:16:03.010 --> 0:16:05.990 and religious leaders scoffed at Jesus and wrote him off 0:16:06.090 --> 0:16:09.670 as a madman. There were many zealots and radicals during 0:16:09.710 --> 0:16:13.330 that time. They pegged him as just another voice crying 0:16:13.470 --> 0:16:18.840 out in insanity. They were wrong. They were dangerously wrong. 0:16:19.780 --> 0:16:23.100 They had not even come close to what Jesus' purpose 0:16:23.240 --> 0:16:28.300 really was. His display of anger was quickly dismissed and 0:16:28.360 --> 0:16:32.930 spat at. However, not all the religious leaders were so 0:16:33.070 --> 0:16:37.570 flippant with Jesus. One of them in particular... was curious. 0:16:38.930 --> 0:16:42.630 Nicodemus had been teaching God's law for many years. He 0:16:42.670 --> 0:16:46.130 had spent his entire life poring over the scriptures and 0:16:46.170 --> 0:16:50.260 encouraging the masses that one day the Messiah would come. 0:16:51.460 --> 0:16:54.800 So when he saw Jesus, he could not help but wonder. 0:16:57.440 --> 0:17:00.060 It was late, and Jesus was staying in a home 0:17:00.120 --> 0:17:04.820 before departing for Galilee. The city streets were dark and silent, 0:17:05.560 --> 0:17:09.139 all except a single hooded figure lurking its way towards 0:17:09.180 --> 0:17:12.919 the house. He held a small lantern and approached the 0:17:12.960 --> 0:17:17.879 door with the utmost precaution. Jesus heard a small knock 0:17:18.020 --> 0:17:22.000 at the door and opened it. Standing with his face 0:17:22.359 --> 0:17:27.659 slightly illuminated by the lantern was Nicodemus. Come in, Jesus 0:17:27.700 --> 0:17:31.740 said with a smile. Jesus knew why Nicodemus had come 0:17:31.790 --> 0:17:34.969 so late. He was afraid to be seen with Jesus 0:17:35.340 --> 0:17:39.920 after the day's events at the temple. However, his curiosity peaked, 0:17:40.420 --> 0:17:45.100 and he had questions that needed answering. Jesus gestured for 0:17:45.140 --> 0:17:48.580 Nicodemus to have a seat and have a drink. A 0:17:48.640 --> 0:17:52.119 few of Jesus' disciples were sitting by the fire. To 0:17:52.140 --> 0:17:54.890 what do I owe this pleasure, Nicodemus? Jesus asked. 0:17:55.310 --> 0:17:58.149 Surely, a ruler of the Jews such as yourself is 0:17:58.230 --> 0:17:59.629 busy with many things. 0:17:59.990 --> 0:18:03.149 Nicodemus stared at his cup for a while. Where would 0:18:03.190 --> 0:18:06.600 he begin? For so long, Nicodemus had lived with this 0:18:06.890 --> 0:18:10.280 angst about the direction of the Pharisees. He knew that 0:18:10.320 --> 0:18:13.159 in many ways, the people had fallen further from God. 0:18:14.020 --> 0:18:18.830 He looked up to see Jesus staring at him attentively. Rabbi, 0:18:19.010 --> 0:18:19.830 Nicodemus said. 0:18:21.010 --> 0:18:23.790 There is no doubt in my mind that you are 0:18:23.830 --> 0:18:27.750 a brilliant teacher with a heart that is close to God. Truly, 0:18:27.869 --> 0:18:30.650 he must have sent you. For no one can do 0:18:30.730 --> 0:18:33.030 or say the things you do without being blessed. 0:18:33.710 --> 0:18:37.370 Jesus nodded in agreement. He looked at the fire for 0:18:37.410 --> 0:18:41.409 a moment to ponder what Nicodemus had just said. He 0:18:41.450 --> 0:18:44.600 was more than just a teacher, and Nicodemus would soon 0:18:44.680 --> 0:18:49.480 learn that. Jesus saw in Nicodemus a man without answers, 0:18:50.040 --> 0:18:52.300 yet forced to pretend he had them. 0:18:52.580 --> 0:18:56.020 Unless one is born again, he will be unable to 0:18:56.119 --> 0:18:58.460 truly see the kingdom. 0:18:58.140 --> 0:19:02.790 Of God, Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled. He looked around 0:19:02.850 --> 0:19:06.750 at the disciples. They shrugged. They didn't know what Jesus 0:19:06.810 --> 0:19:10.730 was saying either. I'm not following, Nicodemus admitted. 0:19:11.150 --> 0:19:14.580 Are you saying that in order to inherit heaven, one 0:19:14.619 --> 0:19:17.740 must re-enter his mother's womb and be born a second time? 0:19:18.060 --> 0:19:21.600 Nicodemus was beginning to fear Jesus actually was a madman. 0:19:22.660 --> 0:19:23.399 Jesus laughed. 0:19:24.340 --> 0:19:27.820 No, no. You see, we're all born in flesh, yes? 0:19:28.500 --> 0:19:31.400 We enter this world with our bodies from our mother's womb. 0:19:32.180 --> 0:19:36.050 Nicodemus nodded in agreement. Jesus continued, saying. 0:19:36.270 --> 0:19:39.889 But you must be born a second time, not of 0:19:39.950 --> 0:19:42.790 flesh and not through a womb, but of God's Spirit. 0:19:43.250 --> 0:19:49.030 Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus was a teacher himself, 0:19:49.570 --> 0:19:52.920 and very respected among the religious elite. He was not 0:19:53.060 --> 0:19:57.600 used to being lost in the discussion regarding philosophy. Jesus 0:19:57.660 --> 0:19:59.859 sensed his confusion and leaned forward. 0:20:00.280 --> 0:20:03.840 Do not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and no 0:20:03.900 --> 0:20:06.550 one can see it except when the leaves rustle. It 0:20:06.609 --> 0:20:09.240 is the same with being born by the Spirit. You 0:20:09.260 --> 0:20:13.600 cannot see the spirit itself. However, when it compels a person, 0:20:13.800 --> 0:20:15.300 it becomes obvious. 0:20:15.960 --> 0:20:20.900 Nicodemus was beginning to understand, in part. However, more questions 0:20:21.000 --> 0:20:21.800 flooded his mind. 0:20:22.400 --> 0:20:24.570 How can one be born again in the spirit? 0:20:24.880 --> 0:20:25.350 He asked. 0:20:25.619 --> 0:20:27.909 You are a teacher of God's word, Nicodemus. 0:20:28.530 --> 0:20:29.310 Jesus replied. 0:20:29.550 --> 0:20:33.690 You should understand this. What I have begun has been foretold. 0:20:33.710 --> 0:20:37.389 The words I speak have been poured out, and the 0:20:37.570 --> 0:20:40.639 acts I perform have become evident. evident, yet you and 0:20:40.660 --> 0:20:42.560 the rest of the Pharisees still do not see. 0:20:43.400 --> 0:20:44.520 You are blind. 0:20:44.780 --> 0:20:48.479 How could I possibly explain heavenly matters to you when 0:20:48.500 --> 0:20:50.600 your eyes are fixed on earthly things? 0:20:51.320 --> 0:20:56.879 Jesus' words struck a chord with Nicodemus. He knew that greed, power, 0:20:56.960 --> 0:21:00.830 and piety had tainted the good intentions of the religious leaders. 0:21:01.530 --> 0:21:04.300 He was guilty of the same thing. How could he 0:21:04.420 --> 0:21:07.520 truly see heaven if he was so focused on earthly 0:21:07.600 --> 0:21:12.500 matters such as influence and money? Jesus discerned the shame 0:21:12.619 --> 0:21:16.889 welling up within Nicodemus. He could see his heart. He 0:21:16.930 --> 0:21:21.490 was not like the others. Nicodemus truly longed to see 0:21:21.590 --> 0:21:26.450 God move. Jesus stretched out his hands and warmed them 0:21:26.510 --> 0:21:27.090 by the fire. 0:21:27.980 --> 0:21:30.119 Do you remember the bronze serpent that was raised up 0:21:30.160 --> 0:21:32.840 by Moses to heal the people of Israel in the wilderness? 0:21:33.280 --> 0:21:38.389 Jesus asked. Nicodemus nodded. It was a well-known story. The 0:21:38.430 --> 0:21:41.970 people of Israel had been afflicted with venomous snakes. So 0:21:42.030 --> 0:21:45.530 Moses erected a bronze serpent high in the air, and 0:21:45.670 --> 0:21:47.530 all who looked upon it were healed. 0:21:48.369 --> 0:21:50.950 It is the same thing for the Messiah. He too 0:21:51.030 --> 0:21:53.890 must be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him 0:21:53.990 --> 0:21:55.899 may have eternal life. 0:21:56.780 --> 0:22:02.990 Jesus said, Nicodemus' eyes widened. Jesus removed his gaze from 0:22:03.010 --> 0:22:07.310 the fire and looked at him. There was a moment 0:22:07.330 --> 0:22:11.879 of silence as Nicodemus processed what Jesus had just said. 0:22:12.900 --> 0:22:15.919 Just as the serpent was a representation of what was 0:22:16.000 --> 0:22:19.700 killing Israel, so the Son of Man must be lifted 0:22:19.780 --> 0:22:23.970 up as a representation of what is killing humanity. Sin. 0:22:24.950 --> 0:22:28.980 Jesus could see cogs turning in Nicodemus' mind It. 0:22:29.010 --> 0:22:33.370 Is because of love, Nicodemus, Jesus said. For God so 0:22:33.510 --> 0:22:36.730 loved the world that he gave up his only son. 0:22:37.210 --> 0:22:40.370 And whoever looks upon him and believes will not perish. 0:22:40.650 --> 0:22:44.170 They will live and they will have life everlasting. 0:22:44.950 --> 0:22:48.169 Nicodemus' heart was beating out of his chest as he 0:22:48.230 --> 0:22:52.210 listened to Jesus speak. All was beginning to become clear. 0:22:53.369 --> 0:22:54.290 Jesus continued. 0:22:55.130 --> 0:22:58.290 God did not send the son to condemn the world. No, 0:22:58.350 --> 0:23:01.580 he sent him so that all might be saved. 0:23:02.800 --> 0:23:05.860 The fire popped and embers flew up in the air 0:23:05.940 --> 0:23:09.600 next to the two men. It was joy in Jesus' voice. 0:23:10.680 --> 0:23:13.679 Although not everyone in the room understood him fully, his 0:23:13.770 --> 0:23:18.310 words were powerful. They sank deep like a seed planted 0:23:18.350 --> 0:23:22.510 in rich soil. Jesus leaned over and the flickering flame 0:23:22.550 --> 0:23:24.910 of the fireplace reflected in his eyes. 0:23:25.530 --> 0:23:29.010 The light of God has come to the world Jesus said. 0:23:29.730 --> 0:23:33.189 Yet people love their darkness. They hide in it. The 0:23:33.210 --> 0:23:37.420 sinful heart delights in the shadows. Evil hates the light 0:23:37.480 --> 0:23:42.040 because light exposes all that lurks in darkness. Yet there 0:23:42.060 --> 0:23:45.040 will be those that cling to the truth. Those are 0:23:45.060 --> 0:23:48.400 the people that dwell in the light. They will see 0:23:48.460 --> 0:23:50.460 their works blessed by God. 0:23:50.980 --> 0:23:56.030 Nicodemus smiled and nodded. He could not quite grasp all 0:23:56.050 --> 0:23:59.660 of what Jesus was saying. However, he had the feeling 0:24:00.000 --> 0:24:03.500 that he had not heard the last from Jesus. Nicodemus 0:24:03.540 --> 0:24:06.480 would keep a close watch on him, looking for signs 0:24:06.550 --> 0:24:11.550 of God. Nicodemus stood to his feet and gestured goodbye 0:24:11.609 --> 0:24:14.630 to Jesus and the others in the room. He thanked 0:24:14.670 --> 0:24:17.890 them and left without his hood. He did not want 0:24:17.930 --> 0:24:24.060 to be another man dwelling in the shadows. The next day, 0:24:24.460 --> 0:24:28.359 Jesus and his followers left Judea. The sun was high 0:24:28.420 --> 0:24:32.540 above the skies of Samaria. Its rays scorched the earth below, 0:24:32.960 --> 0:24:37.169 beating down relentlessly. It was around the valley of Samaria 0:24:37.210 --> 0:24:40.810 where Jesus was traveling on his way to Galilee. The 0:24:40.830 --> 0:24:46.209 Jews hated the Samaritans and held deep prejudices against them. Usually, 0:24:46.570 --> 0:24:51.880 any Jewish traveler walked around Samaria. Not Jesus. He decided 0:24:51.920 --> 0:24:56.200 to travel through it. About halfway through their journey, Some 0:24:56.240 --> 0:24:58.980 of the disciples went into town to retrieve some food. 0:25:00.260 --> 0:25:03.980 Jesus remained on the road, seeing a small well just 0:25:04.020 --> 0:25:09.060 a few feet ahead. Jesus walked towards the well. A 0:25:09.119 --> 0:25:13.700 woman was there drawing water. Jesus approached and sat on 0:25:13.770 --> 0:25:17.310 a small bench beside the well. The woman noticed him 0:25:17.390 --> 0:25:21.350 but paid no attention. Instead, she methodically brought up the 0:25:21.390 --> 0:25:25.960 bucket and poured the water into a basin. Jesus peered 0:25:26.080 --> 0:25:29.639 up at the sun. Its light was draining, and he 0:25:29.720 --> 0:25:33.100 found himself parched. He looked at the woman. 0:25:33.359 --> 0:25:34.879 Would you mind drawing me some water? 0:25:35.060 --> 0:25:39.489 Jesus asked politely. The woman looked up at him. Her 0:25:39.630 --> 0:25:43.390 eyes were glazed over and impassive. She shook her head 0:25:43.430 --> 0:25:44.110 with apathy. 0:25:44.930 --> 0:25:48.010 Now why would a Jewish man want a Samaritan woman 0:25:48.050 --> 0:25:48.950 to draw him water? 0:25:49.210 --> 0:25:49.670 She asked. 0:25:50.150 --> 0:25:53.590 I seem to recall your people hating my people. What 0:25:53.609 --> 0:25:55.790 do you call us again? Dirty dogs? 0:25:56.130 --> 0:26:00.070 She continued drawing water for herself, earthed at Jesus sitting 0:26:00.130 --> 0:26:05.310 across from her. Jesus leaned back slightly, unbothered by the 0:26:05.350 --> 0:26:09.430