1
00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,880
Speaker 1: And saying, the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of

2
00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,920
Speaker 1: God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the Gospel

3
00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:14,040
Speaker 1: Mark one fifteen. Dear Lord, you have perfect timing for

4
00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:18,320
Speaker 1: all things. The time of the fulfillment of the arrival

5
00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:23,400
Speaker 1: of the predicted Messiah was now. Jesus knew that after

6
00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:27,200
Speaker 1: John the Baptist was imprisoned, it was the fullness of

7
00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,800
Speaker 1: time for the world to know that Messiah was among them.

8
00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,640
Speaker 1: He began to preach the importance of knowing the time

9
00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:37,720
Speaker 1: was short and the Kingdom of God was at hand.

10
00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,560
Speaker 1: I have no idea when Christ is going to return

11
00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,080
Speaker 1: to the earth in the final days. No one but

12
00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,479
Speaker 1: the Father knows when the fullness of time will be,

13
00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:51,360
Speaker 1: so it's important to be ready. Just as Jesus called

14
00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,400
Speaker 1: the people to repent for their sins, I need to

15
00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:59,800
Speaker 1: keep my soul clean through repentance. Pentance can become despair

16
00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,880
Speaker 1: without faith in the Gospel of good News, and faith

17
00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:11,160
Speaker 1: can become presumption without repentance. Without faith and repentance, there's

18
00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:14,520
Speaker 1: no way to be saved. No human effort of good

19
00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,920
Speaker 1: works will achieve righteousness. When I put my faith in

20
00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:24,560
Speaker 1: the Gospel, I receive liberty from the law, peace, forgiveness,

21
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,399
Speaker 1: the right standing with God through Christ. There is no

22
00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:34,160
Speaker 1: other way to salvation and eternal life except through the

23
00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:42,240
Speaker 1: grace of God through his son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen,

24
00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:47,160
Speaker 1: stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever

25
00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:51,320
Speaker 1: told from pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.

26
00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,440
Speaker 2: In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing

27
00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,080
Speaker 2: plant on the face of the earth, and every tree

28
00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,480
Speaker 2: that has fruit with seed in it. They will be

29
00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,600
Speaker 2: yours for food. It was so blessedly simple, right. But

30
00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:07,240
Speaker 2: with the serious health issues on the rise, you have

31
00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:10,440
Speaker 2: to wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking

32
00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,160
Speaker 2: in fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get

33
00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,320
Speaker 2: back to basics with Field of Greens. Each fruit and

34
00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:19,880
Speaker 2: vegetable and Field of Greens was medically selected for its

35
00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:24,240
Speaker 2: specific health benefit. Some support vital organs like heart, lungs,

36
00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:28,639
Speaker 2: and kidneys. Others support metabolism for healthy energy and weight loss.

37
00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,400
Speaker 2: Unlike the others with water down extracts, Field of Greens

38
00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,880
Speaker 2: uses organic whole fruits and vegetables because that's where the

39
00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,639
Speaker 2: healing nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens

40
00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:42,000
Speaker 2: works at your next checkup. Your doctor will notice your

41
00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,280
Speaker 2: improved health or your money back. For fifteen percent off,

42
00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:49,080
Speaker 2: visit Field Offgreens dot com and use promo code Bible.

43
00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:52,640
Speaker 2: That's Field of Greens dot com promo code Bible.

44
00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,400
Speaker 3: Hi, I'm back to Tony Evan Jehos's for Heroes in

45
00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,960
Speaker 3: the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,

46
00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,760
Speaker 3: please share it with your family and friends so they

47
00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,920
Speaker 3: can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing

48
00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:12,280
Speaker 3: Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to

49
00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,560
Speaker 3: the greatest story ever told. It is the greatest story

50
00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,839
Speaker 3: of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love

51
00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:22,800
Speaker 3: for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.

52
00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,760
Speaker 3: This is a story that continues to shape and mold

53
00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,840
Speaker 3: the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God

54
00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,360
Speaker 3: right into the hearts of you and me. In this episode,

55
00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,360
Speaker 3: Jesus enters the public scene with the ushering in of

56
00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:40,200
Speaker 3: John the Baptist, the public ministry of Jesus begins. This

57
00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:43,560
Speaker 3: episode offers us dozens of glimpses into the divinity and

58
00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:47,560
Speaker 3: humanity of Jesus, foreshadowing the rest of his time on earth.

59
00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:51,240
Speaker 3: Jesus is fully man and fully God, and his story

60
00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:55,240
Speaker 3: showcases the spirit of God within him, overcoming the flesh.

61
00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,320
Speaker 3: This is the great war that rages within all of us.

62
00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:03,400
Speaker 3: It is the war that Jesus will ultimately win. This

63
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,440
Speaker 3: episode shows us the communal heart of Jesus. Although he

64
00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,080
Speaker 3: is sufficient and powerful, he invites people into his ministry.

65
00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:14,520
Speaker 3: He gains followers, friends, and fellows to fight for the

66
00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,800
Speaker 3: freedom of mankind. We are introduced to a few of

67
00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,760
Speaker 3: the Disciples in this episode, and we should take note

68
00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,840
Speaker 3: of how they all met Jesus. Each individual met him

69
00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,599
Speaker 3: through another, reminding us that a relationship with God is

70
00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:32,960
Speaker 3: often shared between friends and family. Just like these new disciples,

71
00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,240
Speaker 3: we are just starting to get to know Jesus. This

72
00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,240
Speaker 3: episode is a great introduction and I am excited to

73
00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,680
Speaker 3: see what else comes. First, we will begin with a prelude,

74
00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,440
Speaker 3: a story captured from another time and place. This prelude

75
00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,040
Speaker 3: brings us to the time of Moses, when the Hebrew

76
00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:53,119
Speaker 3: slaves look to the future for deliverance. Here is episode four.

77
00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:54,400
Speaker 3: This is My.

78
00:04:54,520 --> 00:05:06,560
Speaker 4: Son Prelude, Chapter four. Their lives had been marked by blood,

79
00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:11,400
Speaker 4: tears and the sound of wills. The Hebrew people had

80
00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:14,960
Speaker 4: been enslaved by the Egyptian nation for hundreds of years.

81
00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:20,320
Speaker 4: Entire generations were raised in a cycle of heavy labor, hunger,

82
00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:25,479
Speaker 4: and fear. The God of their forefathers heard their cries

83
00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:30,400
Speaker 4: for redemption, so God sent them an advocate to proclaim

84
00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:34,719
Speaker 4: freedom and led them to the promised land. Moses was

85
00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,919
Speaker 4: the chosen hero of God, empowered by his spirit to

86
00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:42,640
Speaker 4: stand up the Pharaoh. Yet it was God that provided

87
00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:47,960
Speaker 4: the deliverance. God parted the seas, God drowned the armies

88
00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:52,200
Speaker 4: of Egypt, and God sent manna from heaven. Moses was

89
00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:56,840
Speaker 4: a lesser champion, ultimately pointing to the deliverer of mankind

90
00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:02,000
Speaker 4: promised from the very beginning. Moss often spoke of this deliverer,

91
00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:06,600
Speaker 4: a new prophet that would arise to bring ultimate freedom.

92
00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:10,560
Speaker 4: So the people of God waited. They were given the

93
00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,480
Speaker 4: law so that they might saturate themselves in the character

94
00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,320
Speaker 4: of God until He walked among them and fulfilled it.

95
00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,080
Speaker 4: Years had passed and the Kingdom of Israel had grown

96
00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,520
Speaker 4: in size and strength. It was a large target for

97
00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:30,359
Speaker 4: the ancient kingdoms of the East. God vanquished many of

98
00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:35,520
Speaker 4: their enemies, yet they turned their backs on him. The

99
00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,560
Speaker 4: people of Israel had descended into a pit of their

100
00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:45,320
Speaker 4: own filth and sin. Fathers sacrificed their children, kings erected

101
00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:50,400
Speaker 4: temples of fornication and murder. They had rejected the one

102
00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:55,000
Speaker 4: who brought them out of slavery. Instead, they chose to

103
00:06:55,160 --> 00:07:00,359
Speaker 4: enslave themselves to their own sin. Eventually, the king Kingdom

104
00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:03,800
Speaker 4: of Israel was faced with a great enemy, an enemy

105
00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:08,159
Speaker 4: they were ill prepared and ill equipped to defend. The

106
00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:13,080
Speaker 4: colossal nation of Babylon came to not waved, it consumed

107
00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:17,360
Speaker 4: the people of Israel. Families were separated, men's heads were

108
00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,480
Speaker 4: put on pikes, and the people of God were carted

109
00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:24,559
Speaker 4: off as captives once again. Yet there was a voice

110
00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,840
Speaker 4: of hope in the midst of despair. The prophet Isaiah

111
00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,560
Speaker 4: spoke of a coming redeemer, one who would vanquish the

112
00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:37,480
Speaker 4: darkness that raged within mankind since the fall. This redeemer

113
00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,720
Speaker 4: would end sin by suffering its eternal weight. He would

114
00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:48,080
Speaker 4: bear the iniquities of mankind and exchanged their filth for righteousness.

115
00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:53,680
Speaker 4: So the captive people awaited this redeemer. They longed for him.

116
00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:58,080
Speaker 4: Yet Isaiah spoke of another that would come. A voice

117
00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,520
Speaker 4: crying out from the wilderness, that would prepare the way

118
00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:06,120
Speaker 4: of the Redeemer, one like Elijah, a voice that would

119
00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,320
Speaker 4: precede the coming king and set the path for him

120
00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:14,960
Speaker 4: to enter. Malachi would call him the great Messenger. He

121
00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,280
Speaker 4: would be the one to gather people and prepare their

122
00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:24,920
Speaker 4: hearts for the Messiah. Chapter four. This is my son.

123
00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:31,160
Speaker 4: John's eyes opened as the morning light slowly slid its

124
00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:32,640
Speaker 4: way through the top of his tent.

125
00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:34,439
Speaker 5: Ah.

126
00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,160
Speaker 6: Thank you Lord for another day.

127
00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:41,360
Speaker 4: He smiled. Sitting up, John left the tent and stretched

128
00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,840
Speaker 4: his arms out wide, soaking in the new sun and

129
00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:48,920
Speaker 4: whistling along with the birds. The crisp morning air was

130
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,560
Speaker 4: sharp and refreshing. He made his way down to the

131
00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:56,120
Speaker 4: stream beside his camp and washed his long, dreaded hair.

132
00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:02,600
Speaker 4: The light glistened across the wakes, singing a thousand different directions.

133
00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:07,360
Speaker 4: John grinned at the beauty around him, thanking the Lord

134
00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:13,560
Speaker 4: for yet another day to perform his will. After finishing

135
00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:16,840
Speaker 4: his prayers, he followed the Jordan River down towards a

136
00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:21,160
Speaker 4: small beach outside the city. He stood at the Jordan

137
00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:25,000
Speaker 4: shore and took a deep breath. Then, after basking in

138
00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:29,600
Speaker 4: the sun a little more, jumped into the water. John

139
00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,880
Speaker 4: was a well built man, yet clearly marked with years

140
00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,680
Speaker 4: of living in the wilderness. His long dreads revealed a

141
00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:39,720
Speaker 4: commitment to never cut his hair, for he had taken

142
00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:44,240
Speaker 4: the Nazarite vow. He lived as an outsider, camping in

143
00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:49,120
Speaker 4: the wilderness of Judea, living off locusts and honeycomb. He

144
00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:53,520
Speaker 4: was a strange man, quirky yet filled with chresma, passion,

145
00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:58,640
Speaker 4: and wisdom. However, the most distinct thing about John was

146
00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:02,880
Speaker 4: not his long dreads, cameou fur clothing, or strange diet.

147
00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:09,880
Speaker 4: It was his voice. John's voice was particularly special. It

148
00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,960
Speaker 4: was deep, smooth, yet also able to capture attention easily.

149
00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:19,920
Speaker 4: Words poured from his lips like a steady rain, enrapturing

150
00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,880
Speaker 4: all who would hear him. John floated in the water

151
00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:28,920
Speaker 4: for a while, considering the depths of God's love, power

152
00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:32,839
Speaker 4: and plans. There was a twinkle in John's eye when

153
00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:37,240
Speaker 4: he thought about his God. From an early age, he

154
00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,640
Speaker 4: had felt the prompting of his spirit. There was more

155
00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,360
Speaker 4: than a calling. It was a fire shut up in

156
00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,880
Speaker 4: his bones. If he were to remain silent, it would

157
00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:50,840
Speaker 4: surely consume him. As John continued to float in his

158
00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,120
Speaker 4: own little world with the Lord. A large group of

159
00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:58,840
Speaker 4: people made their way to the shore. Dozens became hundreds,

160
00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:02,760
Speaker 4: and hundreds quickly became thousands. People from the city of

161
00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:06,480
Speaker 4: Jerusalem and all of Judea had come for John. They

162
00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:11,480
Speaker 4: came to hear his voice. John waited his way to shore,

163
00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:15,240
Speaker 4: looking at the vast crowd gathered in front of him.

164
00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:18,640
Speaker 4: He looked at their faces. Some of the crowd had

165
00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,080
Speaker 4: come to hear from God. They were desperate for a

166
00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,240
Speaker 4: word of hope. Others from the crowd had come to

167
00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,319
Speaker 4: doubt John. They came to cast judgment and gather ammunition

168
00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:34,160
Speaker 4: against him. The people stood there in silence, waiting for

169
00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:39,920
Speaker 4: that special voice to speak. John smiled and turned his

170
00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,640
Speaker 4: head to Heaven. He spread his arms out wide and

171
00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:49,000
Speaker 4: bellowed repent. His voice resonated through the throng of people.

172
00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,680
Speaker 4: He spoke with the authority of an ancient prophet.

173
00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:55,760
Speaker 6: The Kingdom of Heaven is nearer than you may think,

174
00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,320
Speaker 6: my brothers and sisters. Now is the time for the

175
00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,480
Speaker 6: people to turn away from their selfish ways and be

176
00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:07,600
Speaker 6: restored to God. Come and be baptized, Put away the

177
00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:12,920
Speaker 6: old habits of corruption, and seek God's forgiveness. His atonement

178
00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:13,720
Speaker 6: is on its way.

179
00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:19,040
Speaker 4: John continued to speak of repentance and God's willingness to forgive.

180
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:24,000
Speaker 4: He spoke of the coming Messiah and a new hope. Merging.

181
00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:28,880
Speaker 4: People were nodding their heads in agreement. They desired to

182
00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:33,720
Speaker 4: turn towards God once again. One by one, John would

183
00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:37,680
Speaker 4: lead them into the Jordan and baptize them. John would

184
00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:40,640
Speaker 4: dip them back into the water, then lead them back up.

185
00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:44,800
Speaker 4: The crowd would cheer as people dedicated their lives to

186
00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:49,480
Speaker 4: God once again. The hearts of God's people were being

187
00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:55,079
Speaker 4: primed for a new work. As the people were cheering,

188
00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,520
Speaker 4: John caught a glimpse of a few Pharisees scowling at

189
00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:02,080
Speaker 4: him from the crowd. John's blood boiled at the sight

190
00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:05,560
Speaker 4: of them. For decades, they had propped themselves up as

191
00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:09,800
Speaker 4: a false standard of holiness. They met John's piercing gaze

192
00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:13,280
Speaker 4: and began to turn back to leave. John would not

193
00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:18,080
Speaker 4: allow it. With the titanic voice of a prophet, John's

194
00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:20,640
Speaker 4: words boomed straight through the crowd.

195
00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:22,200
Speaker 6: Brood of vipers.

196
00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:27,080
Speaker 4: He yelled. The Pharisees turned in dismay. They could see

197
00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:31,360
Speaker 4: in John's eyes a holy fire, a passion that should

198
00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,439
Speaker 4: be respected. John stepped out of the water and pointed

199
00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:36,080
Speaker 4: at them.

200
00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:41,679
Speaker 6: Who warned you to flee the coming wrath, come, humble yourselves,

201
00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:43,600
Speaker 6: and bear fruit worthy of repentance.

202
00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,600
Speaker 4: John could see the religious leaders stirring, looking for a

203
00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:52,640
Speaker 4: response to relieve themselves of responsibility. But John was too quick.

204
00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,920
Speaker 6: Do not say to me, well, we are sons of Abraham,

205
00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,079
Speaker 6: so his favor is accounted to us. No hear my words.

206
00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,880
Speaker 6: God is able to make these rocks sons of Abraham

207
00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:03,760
Speaker 6: if he chooses.

208
00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,720
Speaker 4: John picked up a rock and threw it into the water.

209
00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:11,319
Speaker 4: Many Jews had relied on their heritage to replace personal

210
00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:16,560
Speaker 4: holiness and closeness to God. John would not allow such excuses.

211
00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:22,240
Speaker 4: John stepped forward even more. His every word was filled

212
00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,440
Speaker 4: with the passion of a prophet. People were beginning to

213
00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:31,040
Speaker 4: wonder if John himself was the promised Messiah. Listen, John exhorted.

214
00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:34,520
Speaker 6: The axe is laid out to the root of every tree.

215
00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,120
Speaker 6: If a tree does not bear good fruit, it will

216
00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:37,960
Speaker 6: be cut down.

217
00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:42,320
Speaker 4: When John said these things, the entire crowd was stirred.

218
00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,360
Speaker 4: Then what shall we do, they asked, How shall we

219
00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,920
Speaker 4: bear good fruit? John was silent for a moment. The

220
00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:52,960
Speaker 4: people had been so entrenched in religious custom that they

221
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:59,080
Speaker 4: had forgotten the purity of good natured actions. He pitied them,

222
00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:03,840
Speaker 4: using his voice gently. He encouraged them, saying.

223
00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,440
Speaker 6: If you have two tunics, share with the one who

224
00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,880
Speaker 6: has none. It is that simple.

225
00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,520
Speaker 4: The tax collector from the crown shouted another question.

226
00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,640
Speaker 6: One of us tax collectors, how shall we repent and.

227
00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:16,400
Speaker 4: Bear good fruit?

228
00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,600
Speaker 6: John smiled, Do not let greed guide your decisions. You

229
00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,120
Speaker 6: will have many opportunities to take more than you are

230
00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:27,200
Speaker 6: authorized too. Don't be fair and look out for those

231
00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:27,840
Speaker 6: who struggle.

232
00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,080
Speaker 4: A few Roman soldiers were also in attendance.

233
00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,120
Speaker 6: Teacher, what shall we do?

234
00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:34,120
Speaker 4: They asked?

235
00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,240
Speaker 6: You have much power as a soldier, do not use

236
00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:42,160
Speaker 6: it to threaten, extort, or bully. You also have much privilege.

237
00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,960
Speaker 6: Be sure to not grow discontent with your wages. Corruption

238
00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:49,840
Speaker 6: is knocking at your door continually. Do not give in,

239
00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,720
Speaker 6: like King Herod who stole his brother's wife.

240
00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:58,040
Speaker 4: He replied, John was not afraid to speak truth to power. However,

241
00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:03,080
Speaker 4: those in power were The mob continued to hang on

242
00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:07,600
Speaker 4: every word John spoke. His proclamations about the Kingdom of

243
00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:12,040
Speaker 4: God hit their hearts like well aimed arrows. Whispers in

244
00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:15,720
Speaker 4: the crowd continued the surface of John being the Messiah.

245
00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,840
Speaker 4: As John was preaching, one man shouted out, are you

246
00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:24,200
Speaker 4: the promised One? Are you the Messiah? John froz For

247
00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:28,360
Speaker 4: a moment, a smile curled up behind his shaggy beard.

248
00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:33,440
Speaker 4: His glistening eyes reflected the water near his waist. He

249
00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,600
Speaker 4: looked down at the water and cupped some in his hand.

250
00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:43,240
Speaker 4: John's silence was palpable. He let the water spill out slowly,

251
00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:45,640
Speaker 4: making a soft, trickling noise.

252
00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:47,400
Speaker 6: I baptize you with.

253
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,080
Speaker 4: Water, John said, breaking the silence.

254
00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,400
Speaker 6: Yet there was one who is coming, one far mightier

255
00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:56,880
Speaker 6: than I. You think I am some special messenger, even

256
00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,400
Speaker 6: I am unworthy to bend down before him and tie

257
00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:01,280
Speaker 6: his sandals.

258
00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:06,000
Speaker 4: John's nearly perfect voice began to tremble for a moment.

259
00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,520
Speaker 6: I baptize you with water, he repeated. But the one

260
00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,320
Speaker 6: who is coming will baptize you with the fire of

261
00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:13,360
Speaker 6: the Holy Spirit.

262
00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,040
Speaker 4: Then who are you, they asked John.

263
00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:19,119
Speaker 6: I am a voice crying out in the wilderness.

264
00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:23,240
Speaker 4: John said. The people looked at one another, knowing that

265
00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,800
Speaker 4: he had just quoted the prophet Isaiah.

266
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,639
Speaker 6: I am here to prepare the way of the Lord.

267
00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:33,200
Speaker 4: John continued, to exhort the crowd until a figure caught

268
00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:38,080
Speaker 4: his eye, a man standing amidst the people. There were

269
00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:41,679
Speaker 4: no physical traits or facial features that set him apart

270
00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:47,160
Speaker 4: from any other man, yet John's eyes were locked onto him.

271
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,480
Speaker 4: The people quickly caught on that John was looking at

272
00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:54,920
Speaker 4: this man. The man smiled back at John and slowly

273
00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,399
Speaker 4: made his way to the front of the crowd. John

274
00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,560
Speaker 4: waited out of the water with his eyes watering with

275
00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:07,360
Speaker 4: unbelievable joy. Behold, John said, with awe in his voice.

276
00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,800
Speaker 6: The Lamb of God come to take away the sense

277
00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:11,440
Speaker 6: of the world.

278
00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:17,080
Speaker 4: Standing before John was Jesus. The crowd did not know him,

279
00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:22,280
Speaker 4: but they soon would. Jesus held John's shoulders and embraced him.

280
00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,840
Speaker 4: Will you baptize me, John, he asked with a grin.

281
00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:29,440
Speaker 4: John seemed almost insulted by the notion.

282
00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,400
Speaker 6: Of course, not, my Lord, a sinful manlike me needs

283
00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,280
Speaker 6: to be baptized by you. Why would you come to me?

284
00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:40,080
Speaker 4: Jesus made his way into the water, beckoning John to

285
00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:40,760
Speaker 4: follow him.

286
00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,240
Speaker 5: You should baptize me, John, for you and I must

287
00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:46,040
Speaker 5: both carry out the will of God.

288
00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:51,280
Speaker 4: John, amazed by the humility of Jesus, followed him. Into

289
00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:56,040
Speaker 4: the water. Jesus had no sins to repent of, however,

290
00:18:56,400 --> 00:19:01,240
Speaker 4: he was to identify with humanity in every way. By

291
00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:07,000
Speaker 4: being baptized, Jesus modeled repentance for all to see. The

292
00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:11,040
Speaker 4: crowd watched as John and Jesus stood beside one another

293
00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:16,080
Speaker 4: in the water. All were silent, perplexed by what was happening.

294
00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:21,200
Speaker 4: John took Jesus's back and slowly dipped him into the water.

295
00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:26,119
Speaker 4: Jesus was under for a moment, and when he emerged,

296
00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:31,000
Speaker 4: the heavens opened up like a breaking dam. Light poured

297
00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:35,080
Speaker 4: forth from the skies. People watched in amazement, and tears

298
00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,359
Speaker 4: fell down John's face as he beheld the glory of heaven.

299
00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,840
Speaker 4: Light spread in hundreds of directions, causing the crowd to

300
00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:48,440
Speaker 4: watch in awe. Then, from the opening in the skies,

301
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:54,520
Speaker 4: the Spirit of God descended like a dove. Gracefully. The

302
00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:59,600
Speaker 4: spirit soared around Jesus and settled on his shoulders. Jesus

303
00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,879
Speaker 4: pulled his wet hair back and looked up with a smile.

304
00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,960
Speaker 4: He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, basking

305
00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,840
Speaker 4: in the light of the Lord. Cutting through the silence,

306
00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:16,159
Speaker 4: a voice poured forth from the heavens. It was a

307
00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:19,439
Speaker 4: voice that could be heard audibly, but also within the

308
00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:25,119
Speaker 4: hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. The voice spoke clearly, saying,

309
00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:30,919
Speaker 4: this is my beloved son. It is in him I

310
00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:36,160
Speaker 4: am pleased. Then, in an instant, the radiance dissipated into

311
00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:42,720
Speaker 4: the atmosphere. Without saying another word, Jesus hugged John and departed.

312
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,600
Speaker 4: The baptism of Jesus signified the beginning of a new era,

313
00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:53,600
Speaker 4: a new chapter in the story of God. Immanuel, God

314
00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,400
Speaker 4: with Us, had entered the scene and began his ministry

315
00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,399
Speaker 4: with the favor of the fire and the power of

316
00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:06,440
Speaker 4: his spirit. Jesus was led into the wilderness. There was

317
00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:10,600
Speaker 4: an enemy waiting for him, a giant even greater than Goliath.

318
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,520
Speaker 4: It was time for the Messiah to go into battle

319
00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:20,960
Speaker 4: on behalf of humanity. It was dusk and Jesus was

320
00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,680
Speaker 4: looking over the land of Judea. The sound of chirping

321
00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:29,399
Speaker 4: crickets began to harmonize with rustling grass. It was time

322
00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,840
Speaker 4: for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his body of

323
00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:37,919
Speaker 4: food for forty days. He would remove comfort and cling

324
00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:42,919
Speaker 4: to God. However, he was not alone. An ancient enemy

325
00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:47,000
Speaker 4: lurked among the reeds behind him, waiting for a moment

326
00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:51,040
Speaker 4: to strike. For forty days, Jesus had gone without food.

327
00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,679
Speaker 4: His body was beginning to eat away at itself, and

328
00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:59,560
Speaker 4: his mind was experiencing the dull effects of starvation. The

329
00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:03,400
Speaker 4: weaknesses of humanity was felt in full force by Jesus.

330
00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:09,320
Speaker 4: His body trembled, longing for any form of sustenance. It

331
00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:14,280
Speaker 4: was in this moment a slithering presence emerged from the darkness.

332
00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:18,640
Speaker 4: He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.

333
00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:23,439
Speaker 7: Look, it is the son of God, shaking like a

334
00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,160
Speaker 7: starving animorimal Satan hissed.

335
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:30,679
Speaker 4: His voice was quiet and sharp, but the silent sting

336
00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:35,000
Speaker 4: of scorpion. If you truly are the son of God,

337
00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:39,560
Speaker 4: why not just just command these stones to become bred.

338
00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:45,040
Speaker 4: Surely the creator himself deserves some food. This was the

339
00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:49,520
Speaker 4: first temptation the lust of the flesh, a tactic that

340
00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:54,439
Speaker 4: worked for Adam and Eve. Once in the garden, Jesus's

341
00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:59,479
Speaker 4: body ached from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable. He

342
00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,760
Speaker 4: considered for a moment what a small piece of bread

343
00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:07,600
Speaker 4: would do. Yet Jesus came to identify with the weakness

344
00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:11,240
Speaker 4: of mankind. If he simply turned the stones into bread,

345
00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:15,840
Speaker 4: he would take advantage of the power God gave him. Besides,

346
00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:19,720
Speaker 4: he did not need bread. The comfort of the Father

347
00:23:20,119 --> 00:23:27,640
Speaker 4: was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him, replied with scripture, saying.

348
00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:32,879
Speaker 5: It is written man does not live by bread alone,

349
00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:36,080
Speaker 5: but by the very words uttered from God himself.

350
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,960
Speaker 4: It was difficult for Jesus to speak. He had a

351
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:46,240
Speaker 4: fever from the hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver. Satan,

352
00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:51,879
Speaker 4: still behind Jesus, scowled. In an instant, he took Jesus

353
00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,760
Speaker 4: up in his vision. The two of them stood overlooking

354
00:23:55,800 --> 00:24:00,879
Speaker 4: the earth. Satan showed Jesus the nations of the world, gold,

355
00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:07,080
Speaker 4: silver and jewels, armies, thrones and monuments. You see all this,

356
00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:09,200
Speaker 4: Satan hissed.

357
00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:13,159
Speaker 7: These kingdoms are mine. They had been taken by me

358
00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:18,480
Speaker 7: and are mine. To keep all this power, all.

359
00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:23,960
Speaker 4: This glory greeth, could be yours. Satan blinged in closer

360
00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:29,919
Speaker 4: to Jesus, Look, son of God, look in all that

361
00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:34,240
Speaker 4: could be yours. To rule. All you must do is

362
00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:40,679
Speaker 4: worshiped me. This was the second temptation, the lust for power,

363
00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,919
Speaker 4: a temptation Eve once fell for and Satan promised she

364
00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:52,760
Speaker 4: would be like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked upon the nations.

365
00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:56,720
Speaker 4: Satan made an enticing offer to rule over his people

366
00:24:56,760 --> 00:25:00,640
Speaker 4: once again. Yet corruption was not the way to win

367
00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:05,480
Speaker 4: the hearts of man. Jesus closed his eyes and quoted

368
00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,880
Speaker 4: the scriptures once again, saying.

369
00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:12,040
Speaker 5: It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God,

370
00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,720
Speaker 5: him and him alone, you shall surf.

371
00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:20,480
Speaker 4: Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around Jesus. All of

372
00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,800
Speaker 4: a sudden, the two of them were standing over the

373
00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:27,800
Speaker 4: Temple of Jerusalem. They were at its highest point, overlooking

374
00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:32,040
Speaker 4: the people below. The wind howled as Jesus stood at

375
00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:36,760
Speaker 4: the very tip of the massive structure look Satan screamed

376
00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:39,359
Speaker 4: through the wind, pointing to the people below.

377
00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:43,480
Speaker 7: They are all here waiting for you to show yourself,

378
00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:47,479
Speaker 7: make a spectacle and jump off of For you and

379
00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:52,040
Speaker 7: I both know what the scriptures say. They claim that

380
00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:56,320
Speaker 7: the Lord will order his angels the preceptial.

381
00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:01,560
Speaker 4: This was the third Temptation, the Pride of Life. Jesus

382
00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,919
Speaker 4: looked down at the people coming in and out of

383
00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:07,119
Speaker 4: the temple. If they were to see a man flying

384
00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:10,440
Speaker 4: on the wings of angels over the Holy temple. Surely

385
00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:14,200
Speaker 4: they would worship him, Yet it would be no greater

386
00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:18,439
Speaker 4: than a circus act. Jesus knew that it was not

387
00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:22,679
Speaker 4: signs and wonders that would save mankind. He knew what

388
00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:24,080
Speaker 4: his true purpose was.

389
00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:28,000
Speaker 5: You must not test the Lord, your God.

390
00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:33,840
Speaker 4: Jesus answered silently. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt

391
00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:38,800
Speaker 4: him again. Before he could speak, Jesus turned around, looking

392
00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:42,880
Speaker 4: him in the eyes for the first time. He Jesus

393
00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:47,159
Speaker 4: rebuked Satan jarred back. The two of them were standing

394
00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:51,000
Speaker 4: in the wilderness once again. The stars were settled high

395
00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,360
Speaker 4: in the sky, and the howling evening wind rolled over

396
00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:59,960
Speaker 4: the hills. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus. They

397
00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:05,480
Speaker 4: they were not equals. Jesus alone held the power, so

398
00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:09,800
Speaker 4: Satan retreated back into the grass so he may scheme

399
00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:15,120
Speaker 4: more about how to take the heart of man. Jesus

400
00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:20,920
Speaker 4: then departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully

401
00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:25,959
Speaker 4: resisted the temptations of the enemy, temptations that had caused

402
00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:31,800
Speaker 4: humanity to stumble for thousands of generations. Jesus, even in

403
00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:36,360
Speaker 4: his most weakened state, was able to overcome it. This

404
00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:41,520
Speaker 4: would be a foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus, even

405
00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:48,840
Speaker 4: at his most afflicted, would overcome. John was sitting beside

406
00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:52,400
Speaker 4: the shore next to two of his disciples. The three

407
00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,280
Speaker 4: men talked to each other, staring out at the tide

408
00:27:55,640 --> 00:28:00,359
Speaker 4: rising and falling. The ocean breeze gracefully swayed the arbored

409
00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:04,040
Speaker 4: boats back and forth. John knew that his time was

410
00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:07,520
Speaker 4: drawing to a close. Not only had he spoken out

411
00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:11,840
Speaker 4: against Herod won too many times, but Jesus had come.

412
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,280
Speaker 4: It was time for his followers to bind themselves to him.

413
00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:21,560
Speaker 4: John looked to his left, seeing Jesus walking beside the ocean.

414
00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:27,600
Speaker 6: Look there, John pointed, there, he is the Lamb of God.

415
00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:30,240
Speaker 4: The disciples stood and peered into the distance.

416
00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:33,320
Speaker 6: This is the one you should follow.

417
00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:35,280
Speaker 4: John said gently.

418
00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:37,679
Speaker 6: Here's the one I've been speaking of this whole time.

419
00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:41,360
Speaker 4: The two disciples looked at John with sorrowful eyes.

420
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:46,320
Speaker 6: John laughed, do not worry about me, my friends. I

421
00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,880
Speaker 6: must decrease so he may increase. Go now.

422
00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:54,560
Speaker 4: John shewed his disciples away, and the two of them

423
00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:58,480
Speaker 4: ran to catch up to Jesus. The voice crying out

424
00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:01,600
Speaker 4: in the wilderness had said all that needed to be said.

425
00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:06,840
Speaker 4: His purpose had been fulfilled. John's example will be followed

426
00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:11,240
Speaker 4: by teachers for thousands of generations preached. The name of

427
00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:18,000
Speaker 4: Jesus then be forgotten. It was about four in the

428
00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:21,000
Speaker 4: afternoon and the heat of the day began to dissipate.

429
00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:25,040
Speaker 4: Jesus enjoyed the solitude as he walked beside the water.

430
00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:29,080
Speaker 4: He strolled for a while until he heard more footsteps

431
00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:34,040
Speaker 4: in the sand behind him. Smiling, Jesus stopped, Can I

432
00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:39,840
Speaker 4: help you? He asked the disciples, admittedly embarrassed they had

433
00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:43,160
Speaker 4: not spoken up sooner, asked Jesus where he was staying.

434
00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:45,600
Speaker 5: Come and see for yourself.

435
00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:49,720
Speaker 4: Jesus said. They went with him to where Jesus was lodging,

436
00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,440
Speaker 4: and the three of them spoke for a long while

437
00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:56,440
Speaker 4: about the things of God. One of the disciples was Andrew,

438
00:29:56,920 --> 00:30:01,720
Speaker 4: the son of a fisherman. After near Omens speaking with Jesus,

439
00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:07,760
Speaker 4: Andrew was convinced that this was indeed the Messiah. The

440
00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:11,680
Speaker 4: next day, Andrew hurried to his brother, Simon. Simon was

441
00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:15,240
Speaker 4: a rough man, a fisherman by trade. He was known

442
00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:20,280
Speaker 4: for his quick tongue, brash demeanor, and stubbornness. Simon was

443
00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:22,440
Speaker 4: tending to the nets on his boat after a long

444
00:30:22,560 --> 00:30:25,720
Speaker 4: night of fishing Simon Andrew yelled.

445
00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,080
Speaker 1: We have found him. We have found the Messiah.

446
00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:31,360
Speaker 4: He barely paid any attention to his brother. What makes

447
00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:34,440
Speaker 4: you so convinced? Simon's coughed It wasn't.

448
00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:36,360
Speaker 6: The man in camel fur your Messiah.

449
00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:37,880
Speaker 1: I cannot keep track.

450
00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:42,400
Speaker 4: No, not John. Another is here, Andrew said, shaking his head.

451
00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:45,600
Speaker 4: Come and see for yourself. Andrew brought Simon over to

452
00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:49,240
Speaker 4: where Jesus was sitting. Simon looked down at him, a

453
00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:54,440
Speaker 4: bit underwhelmed. He thought the Messiah may be taller. The

454
00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,080
Speaker 4: two of them shook hands as Jesus rose to his feet.

455
00:30:57,880 --> 00:31:01,520
Speaker 4: Simon was surprised at Jesus's grip. He had the hands

456
00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:05,840
Speaker 4: of a craftsman, not a rabbi. No doubt Jesus had

457
00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:10,200
Speaker 4: spent many years working with stone and wood. The two

458
00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:16,280
Speaker 4: were silent for an awkward moment. Jesus peered into Simon's eyes, Simon,

459
00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:20,120
Speaker 4: son of John. Jesus said, your name will soon be

460
00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:24,520
Speaker 4: called Peter Stone. Simon did not know what this meant,

461
00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:27,480
Speaker 4: but he had a feeling this was not the last

462
00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:32,320
Speaker 4: time Jesus would perplex him. The next day, Jesus returned

463
00:31:32,320 --> 00:31:36,440
Speaker 4: to Galilee. He walked among the market place, enjoying the

464
00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:40,640
Speaker 4: busyness of the city. He watched the children playing in

465
00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:45,360
Speaker 4: the streets and venders talking amongst one another. His heart

466
00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:49,360
Speaker 4: was filled with love for them. Jesus strolled by the

467
00:31:49,400 --> 00:31:52,360
Speaker 4: corner of the market place. There he found a man

468
00:31:52,440 --> 00:31:55,800
Speaker 4: named Philip sitting on a ledge whittling a piece of wood.

469
00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:00,720
Speaker 4: Jesus stared up at him for a while. Philip was

470
00:32:00,760 --> 00:32:03,440
Speaker 4: lost in his own world, intent to be alone with

471
00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:08,680
Speaker 4: his craft. Philip, Jesus said, startled. Philip fell back and

472
00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,120
Speaker 4: landed on his back with a thud. Jesus helped him

473
00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:16,440
Speaker 4: to his feet. Philip was an awkward man, yet filled

474
00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:19,480
Speaker 4: with a passion for life. He brushed the dust off

475
00:32:19,520 --> 00:32:22,640
Speaker 4: his tunic and looked up at Jesus. May I help you,

476
00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:28,080
Speaker 4: Philip passed, follow me, Philip, Jesus answered. Philip had heard

477
00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:32,479
Speaker 4: about Jesus from Andrew, so he followed. The two of

478
00:32:32,520 --> 00:32:37,080
Speaker 4: them meandered through the market place talking. Philip was enamored

479
00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:39,760
Speaker 4: with the words of Jesus and marveled that such an

480
00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:43,920
Speaker 4: eloquent teacher would take time to speak with him. As

481
00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:47,200
Speaker 4: the day grew on, Philip was more convinced that Jesus

482
00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:51,320
Speaker 4: was whom people claimed him to be. After speaking with Jesus,

483
00:32:51,720 --> 00:32:55,320
Speaker 4: Philip had to find his friend Nathaniel, but he was

484
00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:59,080
Speaker 4: nowhere to be seen. Philip looked high and low, but

485
00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:04,120
Speaker 4: could not find him anywhere. So Philip waited outside his home.

486
00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:08,640
Speaker 4: At the bottom of a hill. About a quarter mile

487
00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:12,880
Speaker 4: away from Nathaniel's home was a fig tree. He often

488
00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:17,280
Speaker 4: sat under there speaking with God. Nathaniel leaned his back

489
00:33:17,320 --> 00:33:19,920
Speaker 4: against the trunk of a tree, looking up at the

490
00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:27,000
Speaker 4: rustling leaves above. Tears streamed down Nathaniel's face. There he

491
00:33:27,160 --> 00:33:31,880
Speaker 4: poured his soul out before God. The storms within Nathaniel's

492
00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:36,040
Speaker 4: heart and mind would often consume him. It was his

493
00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:40,480
Speaker 4: time away with the Lord that gave him strength. Nathaniel

494
00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:43,280
Speaker 4: was a good man of good reputation. He had a

495
00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:47,640
Speaker 4: tender heart and valued God's law. Yet his hard work

496
00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:52,440
Speaker 4: and character did not come without faults. After Nathaniel finished praying,

497
00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:55,560
Speaker 4: he picked up his cart of dry goods and went

498
00:33:55,600 --> 00:34:00,920
Speaker 4: back home. There he found Philip waiting for him. Philip

499
00:34:00,960 --> 00:34:04,160
Speaker 4: helped Nathaniel unload baskets from a cart into his home.

500
00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:09,319
Speaker 8: We have found him, Nathaniel, Philip said. The Messiah. He

501
00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:09,960
Speaker 8: has come.

502
00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:12,920
Speaker 9: I have been hearing rumors that John de Baptist was

503
00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:15,960
Speaker 9: the Messiah. Nathaniel said, is it not him?

504
00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:17,759
Speaker 4: Philip shook his head.

505
00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:21,320
Speaker 8: No, No, it is Jesus, the son of a craftsman

506
00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:22,000
Speaker 8: in Nazareth.

507
00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:25,000
Speaker 4: Nathaniel let out a laugh, nearly dropping the basket of

508
00:34:25,080 --> 00:34:25,800
Speaker 4: dried figs.

509
00:34:26,239 --> 00:34:29,399
Speaker 9: Did you just say Nazareth, Philip, you have never been

510
00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:32,600
Speaker 9: to that place. It is dull, dirty, and a breeding

511
00:34:32,600 --> 00:34:35,800
Speaker 9: crown for criminals. Can anything good come from that place?

512
00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:39,640
Speaker 8: See for yourself, Philip replied, I am meeting him soon.

513
00:34:40,400 --> 00:34:42,640
Speaker 8: You can be the judge of whether anything good comes

514
00:34:42,640 --> 00:34:43,360
Speaker 8: from Nazareth.

515
00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:46,640
Speaker 4: The two men came to meet Jesus. He had just

516
00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:52,880
Speaker 4: concluded teaching outside the synagogue. As Nathaniel approached, Jesus smiled

517
00:34:53,080 --> 00:34:54,320
Speaker 4: and opened his arms.

518
00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:59,080
Speaker 5: Nathaniel, now here is a genuine son of Israel, a

519
00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:02,120
Speaker 5: man with a no heart and deep integrity.

520
00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:07,560
Speaker 4: Nathaniel looked puzzled. Jesus spoke as if he knew him,

521
00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:12,000
Speaker 4: but surely they had never met. Perhaps Philip told Jesus

522
00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:16,839
Speaker 4: about him. Nathaniel looked at Philip. Philip shrugged. He had

523
00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:19,640
Speaker 4: not mentioned Nathaniel at all. How do you know who

524
00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:21,680
Speaker 4: I am, Nathaniel asked.

525
00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:24,840
Speaker 5: I could see you under the vic tree.

526
00:35:24,640 --> 00:35:31,200
Speaker 4: Jesus replied gently. Nathaniel's eyes immediately widened, his bottom lip

527
00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:34,360
Speaker 4: began to quiver. He was sure that he was alone

528
00:35:34,680 --> 00:35:39,480
Speaker 4: underneath that victory. No one else knew what he and God.

529
00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:45,319
Speaker 4: Those few words from Jesus were enough. Nathaniel bowed at

530
00:35:45,320 --> 00:35:46,759
Speaker 4: his feet, saying.

531
00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:50,520
Speaker 9: Rabbi, you truly are the son of God, King of Israel.

532
00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:52,520
Speaker 9: It is an honor to be near you.

533
00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:57,400
Speaker 4: Jesus knelt down at eye level with Nathaniel. He smiled

534
00:35:57,760 --> 00:35:59,120
Speaker 4: and gave a kind laugh.

535
00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:03,000
Speaker 5: I believe all this because I saw you under a tree.

536
00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:03,960
Speaker 1: I'm just you.

537
00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:07,400
Speaker 5: Wait, my friend, even greater things are yet to come.

538
00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:11,279
Speaker 4: Jesus helped Nathaniel to his feet and brush the dust

539
00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:12,160
Speaker 4: off his tunic.

540
00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:15,400
Speaker 5: I tell you the truth, Nathaniel. You will see Heaven

541
00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:19,759
Speaker 5: open and the angels of God showcasing the upward path

542
00:36:20,080 --> 00:36:21,920
Speaker 5: between heaven and earth.

543
00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:25,200
Speaker 4: Nathaniel looked back at Philip. A sly grin was on

544
00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:29,320
Speaker 4: his face. Apparently something good could come out of Nazareth.

545
00:36:33,719 --> 00:36:36,160
Speaker 4: The next day, Jesus and a few of his new

546
00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:41,160
Speaker 4: friends attended a wedding celebration in Cana. The ceremony in

547
00:36:41,239 --> 00:36:46,040
Speaker 4: celebration had lasted days as guests, friends and family laughed

548
00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:51,840
Speaker 4: and danced. Mary, Jesus's mother, was also in attendance. Hundreds

549
00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:55,560
Speaker 4: of people were dancing to music, sharing stories, and allowing

550
00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:58,000
Speaker 4: the cares of the world to melt under the warmth

551
00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:02,920
Speaker 4: of friendship. Jesus loved listening to people laugh. He loved

552
00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:06,440
Speaker 4: watching the children dance. He looked as the bride and

553
00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:11,040
Speaker 4: groom cherished every moment together. These were the things he

554
00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:14,799
Speaker 4: created for man to enjoy, and he was pleased to

555
00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:18,480
Speaker 4: share it with them. As was custom in those days,

556
00:37:18,719 --> 00:37:22,759
Speaker 4: The wedding lasted several days. Food and wine flowed as

557
00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:27,280
Speaker 4: guests continued to dance and sing. Mary watched as wine

558
00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:30,799
Speaker 4: cups continued to fill and empty. She knew what was

559
00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:33,640
Speaker 4: going to happen. The hosts were going to run out

560
00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:38,319
Speaker 4: of wine, and sure enough they did. People began to stir,

561
00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:41,480
Speaker 4: and the hosts became more and more anxious about people

562
00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:46,759
Speaker 4: enjoying themselves. However, Mary was not worried. She had bore

563
00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:49,880
Speaker 4: and raised the Son of God, and he was several

564
00:37:49,920 --> 00:37:53,640
Speaker 4: feet away. Jesus was reclined at one of the tables

565
00:37:53,920 --> 00:37:56,680
Speaker 4: with a few of his followers. He looked up to

566
00:37:56,680 --> 00:38:01,560
Speaker 4: see his mother approaching with purpose. Jesus smirk. He had

567
00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:05,280
Speaker 4: seen that look before. Mary put her hands on her hips.

568
00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:07,319
Speaker 6: They are out of wine.

569
00:38:07,320 --> 00:38:10,479
Speaker 4: Mary said. Jesus knew exactly what she.

570
00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:13,279
Speaker 5: Was saying, and what does that have to do with me.

571
00:38:13,719 --> 00:38:18,280
Speaker 4: Jesus playfully replied he knew what she wanted. She wanted

572
00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:21,680
Speaker 4: him to bring more wine. She wanted a miracle.

573
00:38:22,640 --> 00:38:25,920
Speaker 5: You know my hour has not yet come to reveal myself, mother.

574
00:38:26,120 --> 00:38:30,200
Speaker 4: Jesus said gently, in a way only a mother could.

575
00:38:30,719 --> 00:38:34,520
Speaker 4: Mary ignored her son's answer. She beckoned the servants to

576
00:38:34,560 --> 00:38:36,480
Speaker 4: come over and brought them to Jesus.

577
00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:38,359
Speaker 6: This is my son.

578
00:38:38,760 --> 00:38:40,560
Speaker 9: Do what he tells you to do.

579
00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:44,640
Speaker 4: She said, and with a sly grin, Mary walked back

580
00:38:44,680 --> 00:38:48,279
Speaker 4: to her table to reassure the guests more wine was

581
00:38:48,320 --> 00:38:54,120
Speaker 4: coming soon. Jesus chuckled and rubbed his temple. Even the

582
00:38:54,160 --> 00:38:56,480
Speaker 4: son of God was not above listening to his mother.

583
00:38:57,760 --> 00:39:00,320
Speaker 4: Jesus stood to his feet and gathered the serve perce.

584
00:39:00,760 --> 00:39:03,760
Speaker 4: He greeted them and sent them to fill six stone

585
00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:09,000
Speaker 4: jars with water. The servants were confused, but they did

586
00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:12,920
Speaker 4: as they were told. The jars were massive and very heavy.

587
00:39:13,480 --> 00:39:17,000
Speaker 4: It took two servants to carry just one jar. They

588
00:39:17,040 --> 00:39:19,759
Speaker 4: traveled to the nearby well and filled the jars to

589
00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:23,719
Speaker 4: the brim. Although it seemed like nonsense, they did as

590
00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:28,000
Speaker 4: they were told, rolling up their sleeves. Jesus helped carry

591
00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:31,319
Speaker 4: some of the jugs back to the celebration. Then he

592
00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:34,399
Speaker 4: gestured for the servants to take the water and pour

593
00:39:34,520 --> 00:39:38,880
Speaker 4: them into people's cups. One of the servants darted his

594
00:39:38,920 --> 00:39:42,000
Speaker 4: eyes towards Jesus, then towards the bride's father.

595
00:39:42,560 --> 00:39:45,680
Speaker 6: We will look like fools if we pour water into

596
00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:46,360
Speaker 6: his cup.

597
00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:50,719
Speaker 4: He thought. Nevertheless, all the servants did as they were

598
00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:54,240
Speaker 4: told as they brought the jars of water to the guests.

599
00:39:54,640 --> 00:39:58,919
Speaker 4: Jesus reclined at his table. The disciples were beside him,

600
00:39:59,160 --> 00:40:02,279
Speaker 4: waiting to see what would happen next. One of the

601
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:06,040
Speaker 4: servants approached the host and gently poured the contents into

602
00:40:06,120 --> 00:40:11,040
Speaker 4: his cup. To the servants dismay, water did not come out,

603
00:40:11,400 --> 00:40:16,640
Speaker 4: but wine, deep, fragrant red wine flowed from the stone jar.

604
00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:19,480
Speaker 4: The host took a sip and laughed.

605
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:23,120
Speaker 6: Ha I see we have saved the best for last.

606
00:40:23,239 --> 00:40:26,880
Speaker 4: He shouted. The servants were shocked, and the disciples were

607
00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:30,240
Speaker 4: left speechless. The rest of the guests were served wine

608
00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:34,759
Speaker 4: and the celebration continued. Mary looked over at Jesus from

609
00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:38,479
Speaker 4: the other side of the room. Jesus raised his cup

610
00:40:38,560 --> 00:40:43,680
Speaker 4: to her, smiled and nodded. Mary gave a look of contentment.

611
00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:49,080
Speaker 4: It was a truly special moment. The first public miracle

612
00:40:49,360 --> 00:40:53,000
Speaker 4: Jesus ever performed was not a grand gesture of strength,

613
00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:57,440
Speaker 4: nor was it a mighty act of nature. No, it

614
00:40:57,600 --> 00:41:02,360
Speaker 4: was a small favor to please his No one knew

615
00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:05,160
Speaker 4: where the wine had come from except the servants and

616
00:41:05,239 --> 00:41:10,239
Speaker 4: the disciples that quatch. In this act, Jesus showcased the

617
00:41:10,280 --> 00:41:14,440
Speaker 4: heart of Elisha. He showed that a miracle could be

618
00:41:14,520 --> 00:41:18,600
Speaker 4: a simple and kind act of service towards the ones

619
00:41:18,640 --> 00:41:19,040
Speaker 4: you love.

620
00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:26,040
Speaker 3: Our king has arrived. This episode set the tone for

621
00:41:26,120 --> 00:41:29,360
Speaker 3: the rest of our story to unfold. In a short time,

622
00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:34,840
Speaker 3: Jesus's divinity, humanity, and personality were revealed to us, but

623
00:41:34,920 --> 00:41:39,080
Speaker 3: a few things needed to happen before Jesus entered the scene. First,

624
00:41:39,480 --> 00:41:42,480
Speaker 3: we had a prelude highlighting Israel's need for a savior.

625
00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:46,120
Speaker 3: Moses and Isaiah were two of many in the Old Testament,

626
00:41:46,200 --> 00:41:50,480
Speaker 3: to prophesy about a promised redeemer. Israel's problem from the

627
00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:54,240
Speaker 3: very beginning with slavery, not just slavery to foreign nations,

628
00:41:54,760 --> 00:41:58,680
Speaker 3: but to their own sin. They constantly found themselves captive

629
00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:04,200
Speaker 3: to their own depravity and selfishness. Their enslavement to Egypt, Babylon,

630
00:42:04,280 --> 00:42:08,240
Speaker 3: and Rome were merely pictures of their inner struggle. Israel

631
00:42:08,560 --> 00:42:12,640
Speaker 3: was continually captive, unable to break their chains, so they

632
00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:16,520
Speaker 3: pined after the promised deliverer to save them. How would

633
00:42:16,560 --> 00:42:19,239
Speaker 3: they know who this person was or when he would come.

634
00:42:20,000 --> 00:42:23,319
Speaker 3: God also promised a forerunner, someone to pave the way

635
00:42:23,360 --> 00:42:26,200
Speaker 3: for Jesus to come. That person was going to be

636
00:42:26,239 --> 00:42:29,439
Speaker 3: a voice crying out from the wilderness. That person ended

637
00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:34,160
Speaker 3: up being the one and only John the Baptist. The

638
00:42:34,200 --> 00:42:38,320
Speaker 3: episode begins with John the Baptist, a rugged and interesting character.

639
00:42:38,960 --> 00:42:42,319
Speaker 3: There was something mystic and strange about him, almost like

640
00:42:42,360 --> 00:42:46,000
Speaker 3: a sage or hermit found in fairy tales. His earthly

641
00:42:46,040 --> 00:42:49,000
Speaker 3: and naturalistic features were supposed to send us back to

642
00:42:49,040 --> 00:42:51,719
Speaker 3: an ancient time when people dwelt in the garden of Eden.

643
00:42:53,160 --> 00:42:56,200
Speaker 3: John was a messenger from a different plane, hearkening to

644
00:42:56,239 --> 00:42:57,680
Speaker 3: the coming of the promised son.

645
00:42:57,719 --> 00:42:58,280
Speaker 4: Of Eve.

646
00:43:00,360 --> 00:43:04,799
Speaker 3: Was simple, repent and be baptized. Although the message was straightforward,

647
00:43:04,960 --> 00:43:08,320
Speaker 3: it was far from easy. At this point in history,

648
00:43:08,640 --> 00:43:12,399
Speaker 3: the Jewish people were entrenched in ideology and dogma. Their

649
00:43:12,440 --> 00:43:16,520
Speaker 3: tendency towards vain religiosity made it difficult for the message

650
00:43:16,560 --> 00:43:19,880
Speaker 3: of repentance to sink in. The religious elite had a

651
00:43:19,880 --> 00:43:23,960
Speaker 3: particularly hard time receiving the message. John was proclaiming they

652
00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:28,600
Speaker 3: had spent centuries protecting themselves under religious system. John confronted

653
00:43:28,640 --> 00:43:32,040
Speaker 3: their hypocrisy, and Jesus would later continue in that fight.

654
00:43:33,719 --> 00:43:37,040
Speaker 3: John's passion drew a large crowd. Many people turned from

655
00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:40,719
Speaker 3: their sin and devoted their lives to God. John was

656
00:43:40,760 --> 00:43:43,680
Speaker 3: paving the way for a new hero to emerge, Jesus.

657
00:43:44,480 --> 00:43:47,160
Speaker 3: Jesus came unto the scene and was baptized by John.

658
00:43:47,760 --> 00:43:50,400
Speaker 3: It didn't take long for the story to reveal exactly

659
00:43:50,480 --> 00:43:54,960
Speaker 3: who Jesus was. The heavens opened up, the spirit descended,

660
00:43:55,360 --> 00:43:58,640
Speaker 3: and a voice cried out from the skies, declaring, this

661
00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:03,160
Speaker 3: is my beloved sink in whom I'm well pleased. This

662
00:44:03,239 --> 00:44:07,359
Speaker 3: event signaled the beginning of Jesus's ministry. By being baptized,

663
00:44:07,480 --> 00:44:11,719
Speaker 3: Jesus identified with humanity's need for repentance. Jesus didn't have

664
00:44:11,840 --> 00:44:15,160
Speaker 3: anything to repent from, but he was baptized to signal

665
00:44:15,200 --> 00:44:19,319
Speaker 3: the beginning of something glorious. After Jesus was baptized, he

666
00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:23,279
Speaker 3: retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray. It is

667
00:44:23,360 --> 00:44:27,520
Speaker 3: every leader's destiny to spend time in the wilderness. Moses, David,

668
00:44:27,960 --> 00:44:31,600
Speaker 3: Elijah all spent time alone in the wilderness. It is

669
00:44:31,680 --> 00:44:34,640
Speaker 3: the dry and hungry waste land where leaders find their

670
00:44:34,680 --> 00:44:37,680
Speaker 3: true strength in God. It was in the wilderness where

671
00:44:37,719 --> 00:44:40,399
Speaker 3: Satan tempted Jesus, and it was in the wilderness where

672
00:44:40,480 --> 00:44:45,120
Speaker 3: Jesus established his dominance over darkness. Everyone too as moments

673
00:44:45,120 --> 00:44:48,720
Speaker 3: of spiritual despair and temptation. In these moments, we realize

674
00:44:48,719 --> 00:44:52,359
Speaker 3: how strong our faith truly is. Faith that goes untested

675
00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:56,480
Speaker 3: is destined for failure. I want to focus on two

676
00:44:56,600 --> 00:44:59,640
Speaker 3: moments in this episode that have implications for you and me.

677
00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:05,080
Speaker 3: The first is the call of Nathaniel. Initially, Nathaniel was

678
00:45:05,120 --> 00:45:07,800
Speaker 3: skeptical that anything good could come from a dirty place

679
00:45:07,880 --> 00:45:10,600
Speaker 3: like Nazareth. His God was up as he walked to

680
00:45:10,680 --> 00:45:14,879
Speaker 3: me Jesus. However, his god was immediately thrown off when

681
00:45:14,960 --> 00:45:18,239
Speaker 3: Jesus acted like he knew him. Nathaniel asked if they

682
00:45:18,280 --> 00:45:20,879
Speaker 3: had met, and he responded, I could see you under

683
00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:24,520
Speaker 3: the fig tree. This was clearly a space where Nathaniel

684
00:45:24,560 --> 00:45:27,600
Speaker 3: met God. Nobody else but God could have known about

685
00:45:27,600 --> 00:45:31,120
Speaker 3: the fig tree. Jesus immediately broke down the walls in

686
00:45:31,239 --> 00:45:34,279
Speaker 3: Nathaniel's heart. It is not a stretch for us to

687
00:45:34,320 --> 00:45:37,440
Speaker 3: imagine what this fig tree was for Nathaniel. It was

688
00:45:37,480 --> 00:45:40,120
Speaker 3: probably a secret place where he wrestled with his feelings

689
00:45:40,160 --> 00:45:44,400
Speaker 3: about God, prayed and meditated on the Word. Perhaps it

690
00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:47,600
Speaker 3: was a quiet place of contemplation and rest. Whatever it was,

691
00:45:48,080 --> 00:45:49,840
Speaker 3: we knew it was a place where he was alone,

692
00:45:50,239 --> 00:45:52,640
Speaker 3: and only he and God knew what went on there.

693
00:45:53,280 --> 00:45:55,880
Speaker 3: We all have these areas of our lives, areas that

694
00:45:56,000 --> 00:46:00,000
Speaker 3: are unseen to the rest of the world. Moments of weakness, vulnerability,

695
00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:03,960
Speaker 3: the honesty, and maybe even dreams for the future. These

696
00:46:04,080 --> 00:46:06,680
Speaker 3: are hidden parts of who we are that nobody else

697
00:46:06,760 --> 00:46:09,839
Speaker 3: knows about. It is often in these secret places where

698
00:46:09,840 --> 00:46:14,719
Speaker 3: God desires to do his greatest work. Psalm fifty one says, behold,

699
00:46:14,880 --> 00:46:17,400
Speaker 3: you delight in truth in the inward being, and you

700
00:46:17,480 --> 00:46:20,960
Speaker 3: teach me wisdom in the secret heart. There is great

701
00:46:21,000 --> 00:46:23,080
Speaker 3: safety in having a God who knows us and is

702
00:46:23,160 --> 00:46:26,560
Speaker 3: not surprised by our flaws or skeptical of our gifts.

703
00:46:27,080 --> 00:46:30,759
Speaker 3: We saw Nathaniel's cynicism melt away when he felt known

704
00:46:30,840 --> 00:46:35,000
Speaker 3: by God. His skeptical posture shifted, and he declared, Rabbi,

705
00:46:35,600 --> 00:46:38,200
Speaker 3: you are the son of God. You are the King

706
00:46:38,239 --> 00:46:42,000
Speaker 3: of Israel. Do you see the shifting pasture he went from?

707
00:46:42,239 --> 00:46:44,680
Speaker 3: If this guy is from Nazareth, so he must be

708
00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:48,400
Speaker 3: worthless to you are the son of God. What changed?

709
00:46:48,840 --> 00:46:52,560
Speaker 3: What changed is that Nathaniel was disarmed. Jesus gave him

710
00:46:52,560 --> 00:46:55,520
Speaker 3: a word of encouragement that piqued his interests, and then

711
00:46:55,560 --> 00:46:58,319
Speaker 3: reminded him that he was there when Nathaniel was at

712
00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:02,280
Speaker 3: his most vulnerable and a lie. Jesus wants to remind

713
00:47:02,320 --> 00:47:05,000
Speaker 3: you today that he sees you and understands you when

714
00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:07,719
Speaker 3: nobody else sees you, and he is there when you

715
00:47:07,760 --> 00:47:10,399
Speaker 3: are at your most lonely. For any of you who

716
00:47:10,400 --> 00:47:14,680
Speaker 3: have felt forgotten, misunderstood, and alone, Jesus is with you

717
00:47:15,080 --> 00:47:19,000
Speaker 3: under the fig tree. The episode ended with Jesus's first miracle.

718
00:47:19,520 --> 00:47:21,200
Speaker 3: There are two points I want to make about this

719
00:47:21,320 --> 00:47:24,480
Speaker 3: event before we say goodbye. The first point is small

720
00:47:24,560 --> 00:47:28,239
Speaker 3: but important. Jesus's first miracle was doing a favor for

721
00:47:28,320 --> 00:47:31,400
Speaker 3: his mother. One of his final acts before dying on

722
00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:33,759
Speaker 3: the cross will also be taking care of his mother.

723
00:47:34,680 --> 00:47:37,280
Speaker 3: Jesus was the son of God, but he was also

724
00:47:37,400 --> 00:47:40,120
Speaker 3: the son of Mary. He was able to balance the

725
00:47:40,160 --> 00:47:42,880
Speaker 3: divine call of God and the earthly call of family.

726
00:47:43,640 --> 00:47:46,719
Speaker 3: The second point is a larger point, you, guys. No

727
00:47:46,840 --> 00:47:50,520
Speaker 3: scripture is multi layered. The Gospels are no exception. They

728
00:47:50,520 --> 00:47:54,640
Speaker 3: weren't written on accident, and John in particular inserts more

729
00:47:54,680 --> 00:47:59,440
Speaker 3: commentary in the words, imagery and sentence structure than any

730
00:47:59,560 --> 00:48:02,960
Speaker 3: other the Gospel writers. This story from a bird's eye

731
00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:05,279
Speaker 3: view is a look at the new work Jesus is

732
00:48:05,320 --> 00:48:08,560
Speaker 3: doing in replacement of the old Jewish law and tradition.

733
00:48:09,239 --> 00:48:12,560
Speaker 3: The old religious system has run out and fallen short.

734
00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:15,160
Speaker 3: Jesus is going to take what was lacking and fill

735
00:48:15,160 --> 00:48:18,960
Speaker 3: it with something new and spectacular. His work is new wine.

736
00:48:19,600 --> 00:48:22,000
Speaker 3: The tension we will see between him and the Pharisees

737
00:48:22,080 --> 00:48:26,319
Speaker 3: and future episodes exemplifies this concept. Jesus has come to

738
00:48:26,400 --> 00:48:29,240
Speaker 3: usher in a new and fresh way of living with God.

739
00:48:30,000 --> 00:48:33,080
Speaker 3: The old way has become empty and run out. New

740
00:48:33,120 --> 00:48:36,680
Speaker 3: work is ahead. In our next episode, Jesus is going

741
00:48:36,719 --> 00:48:39,680
Speaker 3: to showcase his new work through the Lowly Outcast and

742
00:48:39,719 --> 00:48:42,560
Speaker 3: people on the Fringe. His new work will not begin

743
00:48:42,640 --> 00:48:46,840
Speaker 3: with flash, pomp and glamour. It will begin with the sick, needy,

744
00:48:46,920 --> 00:48:51,720
Speaker 3: and poor. Join us next time for episode five The Outcast.

745
00:48:51,960 --> 00:48:55,920
Speaker 3: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers

746
00:48:55,960 --> 00:48:59,240
Speaker 3: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

747
00:48:59,480 --> 00:49:03,320
Speaker 3: And to expe your heroes in the Bible Journey, download

748
00:49:03,360 --> 00:49:07,279
Speaker 3: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.

749
00:49:07,400 --> 00:49:11,520
Speaker 3: Forward slash heroes. Share this podcast with a family member

750
00:49:11,640 --> 00:49:14,360
Speaker 3: or friend so they can know Jesus Christ in a

751
00:49:14,400 --> 00:49:17,680
Speaker 3: personal way. You never know how great of an impact

752
00:49:17,719 --> 00:49:20,960
Speaker 3: the Bible and this podcast can have on someone's life.

753
00:49:21,160 --> 00:49:21,800
Speaker 3: God bless