1 00:00:00,460 --> 00:00:05,140 Speaker 1: Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach 2 00:00:05,180 --> 00:00:12,830 Speaker 1: me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51.6 Dear Lord, 3 00:00:13,330 --> 00:00:18,570 Speaker 1: you see all things. Nothing escapes your attention, especially the 4 00:00:18,630 --> 00:00:23,770 Speaker 1: sin I harbor in secret. You desire your truth to 5 00:00:23,850 --> 00:00:28,790 Speaker 1: shine like a light in dark places. I pray that 6 00:00:28,820 --> 00:00:31,389 Speaker 1: you will shine your truth in the dark areas of 7 00:00:31,470 --> 00:00:36,850 Speaker 1: my heart. Would you speak the truth in love to 8 00:00:36,890 --> 00:00:42,890 Speaker 1: my denial, shame, and shortcomings so that I might be restored? 9 00:00:45,270 --> 00:00:48,810 Speaker 1: I don't just want to be outwardly religious. I want 10 00:00:48,830 --> 00:00:52,250 Speaker 1: to be wholly changed by you from the inside out. 11 00:00:53,350 --> 00:00:59,900 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 12 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:05,170 Speaker 1: This is the Jesus Podcast. Continue listening to be swept 13 00:01:05,220 --> 00:01:10,590 Speaker 1: away by the dramatic and awe-inspiring story of Jesus, told 14 00:01:10,850 --> 00:01:15,670 Speaker 1: like never before. Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're 15 00:01:15,709 --> 00:01:19,570 Speaker 1: listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, but also 16 00:01:20,010 --> 00:01:23,569 Speaker 1: help us get discovered by more people. We want the 17 00:01:23,630 --> 00:01:27,699 Speaker 1: story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks 18 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:33,899 Speaker 1: for making that possible. The gentle touch of the sun 19 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:38,550 Speaker 1: softened the morning's cool bite. Rays of light paved the 20 00:01:38,590 --> 00:01:43,510 Speaker 1: road between Bethany and Jerusalem. Splashes of orange and hues 21 00:01:43,569 --> 00:01:49,170 Speaker 1: of muted pink arrayed the countryside. The pathway Jesus and 22 00:01:49,210 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: his companions traveled ascended and descended with the hills. The 23 00:01:54,980 --> 00:01:58,100 Speaker 1: tall grass beside them bent toward the city as if 24 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:03,540 Speaker 1: pointing the way forward. Standing proudly atop a cliff to 25 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: their left was a solitary fig tree. Its leaves were 26 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:12,640 Speaker 1: a deep shade of green. Jesus paused and peered at 27 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:17,340 Speaker 1: the fig tree with an intense gaze. He climbed the 28 00:02:17,380 --> 00:02:19,859 Speaker 1: slight slope to the tree and scanned it up and down. 29 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,209 Speaker 1: He surveyed its branches for fruit, but it had none. 30 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:28,609 Speaker 1: It was not the season for figs, yet this tree, 31 00:02:28,770 --> 00:02:33,850 Speaker 1: with its vibrant leaves and colorful complexion, touted itself differently. 32 00:02:35,690 --> 00:02:39,570 Speaker 1: The disciples watched Jesus place a hand on the tree's trunk. 33 00:02:41,139 --> 00:02:43,660 Speaker 1: They looked at his hand. It was the hand of 34 00:02:43,700 --> 00:02:49,100 Speaker 1: a craftsman, calloused from decades of labor. For the entire 35 00:02:49,180 --> 00:02:53,070 Speaker 1: time they knew him, they had watched those hands heal lepers, 36 00:02:53,710 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: give sight to the blind, and comfort the outcast. They 37 00:02:58,500 --> 00:03:04,180 Speaker 1: were the hands of restoration, blessing, and providence. However, as 38 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:07,590 Speaker 1: Jesus extended his right hand and placed it upon the tree, 39 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:12,990 Speaker 1: they felt a different power emanating from him. He grasped 40 00:03:13,050 --> 00:03:17,109 Speaker 1: it firmly and spoke a curse that sent chills down 41 00:03:17,150 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: their spines. May no one eat fruit from you ever again, 42 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:26,369 Speaker 1: he growled. Everyone looked at the tree, back at him, 43 00:03:26,970 --> 00:03:31,890 Speaker 1: then at the tree again. The fig tree stood unperturbed, 44 00:03:32,410 --> 00:03:34,410 Speaker 1: leaves rustling only slightly in the breeze. 45 00:03:36,530 --> 00:03:39,140 Speaker 2: What does it mean to be holy? Is it perfect 46 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,940 Speaker 2: church attendance, polished prayers, and a resume of righteous deeds? 47 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,340 Speaker 2: Are those who pray the best, sing the loudest, and 48 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,780 Speaker 2: have spotless pasts the ones who get God's favor? Or 49 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,890 Speaker 2: is it a humble heart? aware of its brokenness, desperately 50 00:03:52,990 --> 00:03:56,380 Speaker 2: reaching for God to receive his favor. This is the 51 00:03:56,440 --> 00:04:00,460 Speaker 2: Jesus Podcast. These are stories of passion, purpose, and the 52 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 2: divine thread that connects us all. I'm Pastor Zach from Pray.com, 53 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:07,500 Speaker 2: and I'm stoked you're here. It's Holy Week, so we 54 00:04:07,540 --> 00:04:11,380 Speaker 2: are highlighting stories from Jesus' final days before the crucifixion 55 00:04:11,790 --> 00:04:16,409 Speaker 2: and the resurrection. Today's episode is tense, as Jesus declares 56 00:04:16,529 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 2: woes over the priests, Pharisees, and religious system. We begin 57 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 2: today's episode with a flashback to the fig tree. This 58 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 2: was important to revisit since the fig tree returns in 59 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,670 Speaker 2: this episode. Jesus' curse over the fig tree was an 60 00:04:29,810 --> 00:04:33,489 Speaker 2: image of his disappointment in the religious figures dominating Israel 61 00:04:33,550 --> 00:04:36,650 Speaker 2: at the time. Like the fig tree, they had this 62 00:04:36,850 --> 00:04:40,990 Speaker 2: outward look of fruitfulness, but upon further inspection, they lacked substance. 63 00:04:41,570 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 2: Today's episode will challenge us to reflect our outward holiness 64 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: versus inward devotion to God. Are we walking and talking 65 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: like people of God? but have no depth within our hearts? 66 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 2: These are the questions we will wrestle with today. Pay 67 00:04:54,260 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 2: attention to Jesus' harsh words against the Pharisees. Instead of 68 00:04:57,860 --> 00:05:00,549 Speaker 2: judging them, pay close attention to your own life and 69 00:05:00,610 --> 00:05:02,849 Speaker 2: how you can better understand the heart of God. 70 00:05:05,770 --> 00:05:09,950 Speaker 1: The sun didn't shine that morning. A dark gray haze 71 00:05:10,390 --> 00:05:15,580 Speaker 1: shrouded the road between Bethany and Jerusalem. An ominous silence 72 00:05:16,180 --> 00:05:20,410 Speaker 1: lingered on the open trail. only cut by the disciples' 73 00:05:20,450 --> 00:05:26,940 Speaker 1: footsteps following their master. They turned the same corner in 74 00:05:26,950 --> 00:05:30,299 Speaker 1: the road as the day before, where a hill overlooks 75 00:05:30,339 --> 00:05:35,940 Speaker 1: the city. There the fig tree stood, only it wasn't 76 00:05:35,980 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: blooming as it was the day before. Its leaves had 77 00:05:40,170 --> 00:05:45,430 Speaker 1: dried up and withered. Its branches were rotted down to 78 00:05:45,470 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: the roots below the ground. Considering its leaves were vibrant 79 00:05:50,460 --> 00:05:56,020 Speaker 1: the day before, it was a dreadful sight. Everyone paused 80 00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: to look at the tree. Peter remembered his master's curse 81 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:04,469 Speaker 1: the day before. Rabbi! he began. 82 00:06:05,230 --> 00:06:07,909 Speaker 3: It looks like the fig tree you cursed has completely 83 00:06:08,029 --> 00:06:08,790 Speaker 3: rotted away. 84 00:06:09,529 --> 00:06:13,210 Speaker 1: He trailed off to consider the power Jesus had over nature. 85 00:06:14,910 --> 00:06:18,750 Speaker 1: He had witnessed him calm storms. walk on choppy seas, 86 00:06:19,410 --> 00:06:24,250 Speaker 1: and heal leprosy. Indeed, there was no one like the 87 00:06:24,310 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: Son of Man, nor could he ever hope to hold 88 00:06:28,580 --> 00:06:33,700 Speaker 1: that same power. Jesus reached out to his beloved disciples 89 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: with a compassionate hand and brought them close. His warm 90 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 1: demeanor was a soothing contrast to the cold air around them. 91 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:44,620 Speaker 3: Have faith in God. 92 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:49,229 Speaker 1: He said with a grin, He pointed toward the hills 93 00:06:49,350 --> 00:06:52,410 Speaker 1: rolling above them and said, Whoever. 94 00:06:52,170 --> 00:06:55,060 Speaker 3: Says to this mountain, be thrown into the sea, and 95 00:06:55,100 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 3: does so without a doubt but with faith in his heart, 96 00:06:58,279 --> 00:06:59,300 Speaker 3: it will be done for him. 97 00:06:59,980 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: The companions paused to consider his words. Surely they couldn't 98 00:07:04,940 --> 00:07:08,970 Speaker 1: have that type of power. Truly, it wasn't for them 99 00:07:09,029 --> 00:07:12,290 Speaker 1: to wield. Their rabbi assured them. 100 00:07:12,550 --> 00:07:16,270 Speaker 3: Saying, Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have 101 00:07:16,310 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 3: been heard. and watch God work wonders. 102 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,810 Speaker 1: He patted them on their backs and turned back toward Jerusalem. 103 00:07:24,550 --> 00:07:29,230 Speaker 1: The clouds continued their churning above them. The winds shifted 104 00:07:29,250 --> 00:07:34,470 Speaker 1: their course toward the city, propelling the group forward. After 105 00:07:34,530 --> 00:07:37,770 Speaker 1: Jesus outburst in the temple the day before, there was 106 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:40,790 Speaker 1: no predicting what kind of reception they would get this time. 107 00:07:43,470 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: Jesus entered the temple with a crowd amassing around him. 108 00:07:47,610 --> 00:07:50,310 Speaker 1: There was no more anonymity for him and his followers, 109 00:07:50,950 --> 00:07:55,110 Speaker 1: no more quiet walks through the marketplace, nor short discourses 110 00:07:55,190 --> 00:07:59,470 Speaker 1: outside the temple. Everywhere Jesus went, there was a scene. 111 00:08:00,650 --> 00:08:05,430 Speaker 1: The people multiplied with every step he took. He entered 112 00:08:05,470 --> 00:08:09,530 Speaker 1: the temple and smiled. The priest still needed to thoroughly 113 00:08:09,590 --> 00:08:11,690 Speaker 1: clean up the mess he had made the day before. 114 00:08:13,410 --> 00:08:16,239 Speaker 1: He stood on a platform near the eastern wall and 115 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:20,570 Speaker 1: began to teach. Each word trickled out of his mouth 116 00:08:20,770 --> 00:08:25,790 Speaker 1: like a refreshing stream of water. Even the more provocative 117 00:08:25,850 --> 00:08:30,830 Speaker 1: points cut straight to their souls, equally challenging and soothing. 118 00:08:32,309 --> 00:08:38,740 Speaker 1: His prose was interrupted by familiar voices of contention. The Pharisees, 119 00:08:39,220 --> 00:08:42,900 Speaker 1: devoted to religious power and dogma, cut his teaching short 120 00:08:43,260 --> 00:08:47,100 Speaker 1: to challenge him. They gestured to the mess Jesus had 121 00:08:47,179 --> 00:08:50,470 Speaker 1: made the day before, and pointed at him accusingly. 122 00:08:51,510 --> 00:08:54,610 Speaker 3: By what authority do you do these things? 123 00:08:55,410 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 1: They spat. Who gave you this authority? Their words were 124 00:08:59,650 --> 00:09:02,740 Speaker 1: meant to be venomous, but the chosen one of God 125 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 1: knew better than to fear them. They were the ones 126 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: without authority, not him. 127 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,220 Speaker 3: Let me answer your question with a question. If you 128 00:09:12,260 --> 00:09:14,540 Speaker 3: tell me the answer, then I will tell you where 129 00:09:14,580 --> 00:09:18,540 Speaker 3: my authority comes from. He stepped down from the platform 130 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,410 Speaker 3: and circled them. The closer he got to them, the 131 00:09:22,450 --> 00:09:28,070 Speaker 3: less in charge they felt. Righteous power emanated from Jesus 132 00:09:28,730 --> 00:09:33,060 Speaker 3: like a fire radiating heat. Where did the baptism of 133 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:36,420 Speaker 3: John come from? Was it from heaven or a simple 134 00:09:36,460 --> 00:09:37,100 Speaker 3: work of a man? 135 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:42,439 Speaker 1: The Pharisees snarled at the question. It was a trap, 136 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,469 Speaker 1: and they knew there was no way out. they should 137 00:09:46,510 --> 00:09:49,309 Speaker 1: accept his authority if they said it was from heaven. 138 00:09:51,110 --> 00:09:53,270 Speaker 1: They would anger the crowd who saw John as a 139 00:09:53,309 --> 00:09:58,030 Speaker 1: prophet if they said he was from man. Their political 140 00:09:58,130 --> 00:10:02,580 Speaker 1: prowess was at risk if they answered him. So they 141 00:10:02,660 --> 00:10:10,300 Speaker 1: remained silent before answering, We do not know. Pleased with 142 00:10:10,350 --> 00:10:12,950 Speaker 1: their answer, the Son of Man left them and said. 143 00:10:13,610 --> 00:10:16,010 Speaker 3: Then neither will I tell you by what authority I. 144 00:10:15,950 --> 00:10:18,969 Speaker 1: Do what I do. He went with his disciples into 145 00:10:18,990 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: the temple. to the area where offerings were made. The 146 00:10:23,140 --> 00:10:27,020 Speaker 1: temple treasury was bursting at the seams, with nobles, princes, 147 00:10:27,110 --> 00:10:31,670 Speaker 1: and priests parading themselves with a procession of trumpets behind them. 148 00:10:32,910 --> 00:10:36,329 Speaker 1: They offered gold, silver, and jewels to the temple, one 149 00:10:36,610 --> 00:10:41,179 Speaker 1: by one. The richer the man, the more pompous the offering. 150 00:10:43,179 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: Everyone gawked at noblemen with servants singing behind them. They 151 00:10:48,340 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 1: carried chests of gold and spices on pillows, dumping them 152 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:57,170 Speaker 1: in the large offering chalice. But the wealthy nobles and 153 00:10:57,210 --> 00:11:00,030 Speaker 1: princes were not the ones God had his eye on. 154 00:11:01,410 --> 00:11:05,309 Speaker 1: Hidden behind the pomp and circumstance was a poor widow. 155 00:11:06,570 --> 00:11:10,439 Speaker 1: Her gown was dark and frayed, and her head covering 156 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:15,020 Speaker 1: hid most of her face. She weaved through the crowd 157 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:19,540 Speaker 1: anonymously with two copper coins. tucked safely in her palm. 158 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: She held her offering close to her heart, whispering a 159 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:29,730 Speaker 1: soft prayer to God. She thought she was invisible compared 160 00:11:29,750 --> 00:11:33,850 Speaker 1: to the trumpets and parades of rich men, but Jesus 161 00:11:34,490 --> 00:11:39,270 Speaker 1: had his gaze fixed on her. He watched her intently 162 00:11:39,970 --> 00:11:43,670 Speaker 1: as she reached her hand above the basin and dropped 163 00:11:43,910 --> 00:11:48,290 Speaker 1: the two coins into it. They were like two teardrops 164 00:11:48,710 --> 00:11:53,130 Speaker 1: enveloped by the ocean. They were more significant to God 165 00:11:53,530 --> 00:11:59,050 Speaker 1: than the other offerings combined. Jesus was amazed by her. 166 00:12:00,090 --> 00:12:04,250 Speaker 1: His heart burst with joyful love, curling his entire face 167 00:12:04,370 --> 00:12:08,540 Speaker 1: up into a smile. He pointed to the woman and said. 168 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 3: Do you see that poor widow over there? 169 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,839 Speaker 1: The disciples had difficulty pointing her out from the crowd. 170 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:16,939 Speaker 1: but finally saw her leaving. 171 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 3: That woman has given more than the rest of these 172 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 3: men combined. They all gave out of their abundance, but 173 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 3: she gave. 174 00:12:25,220 --> 00:12:30,380 Speaker 1: Out of poverty. The companions left the temple. The sun 175 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 1: barely peeked through the cloud covering, and the wind seemed 176 00:12:34,740 --> 00:12:40,670 Speaker 1: peculiarly erratic. Immediately, a crowd surrounded Jesus, eager to hear 177 00:12:40,770 --> 00:12:45,530 Speaker 1: more words pour forth from heaven. He obliged and taught 178 00:12:45,550 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: them about the kingdom of heaven, the last days, and 179 00:12:48,500 --> 00:12:53,380 Speaker 1: the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He occasionally glanced at the hill, 180 00:12:53,660 --> 00:12:58,420 Speaker 1: cresting over the temple as he preached. Once again, Jesus 181 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: was interrupted by the questioning of Pharisees, Sadducees, and religious leaders. 182 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 1: Their harping and questioning vexed him. As the wind's howling 183 00:13:09,260 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 1: picked up, so did his passion. Jesus slammed his foot 184 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:18,380 Speaker 1: into the dirt and pointed toward them, his eyes watering 185 00:13:18,420 --> 00:13:22,110 Speaker 1: with loving rage like a father desperate for his children 186 00:13:22,270 --> 00:13:23,030 Speaker 1: to return to him. 187 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:28,330 Speaker 3: Woe to you, he cried. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, 188 00:13:28,770 --> 00:13:29,569 Speaker 3: you hypocrites. 189 00:13:30,530 --> 00:13:33,630 Speaker 1: Everyone was taken back, but he continued to press forward 190 00:13:33,950 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: with relentless zeal. 191 00:13:35,980 --> 00:13:38,179 Speaker 3: You have shut the door to the kingdom of heaven 192 00:13:38,420 --> 00:13:41,900 Speaker 3: in people's faces and locked yourself out in the process. 193 00:13:42,710 --> 00:13:46,010 Speaker 3: Woe to you, hypocrites! You cross seas and mountains to 194 00:13:46,050 --> 00:13:50,100 Speaker 3: gain new believers, or to make them empty shells like yourselves. 195 00:13:50,790 --> 00:13:53,719 Speaker 1: He pointed back to the treasury and shook his head. 196 00:13:55,260 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 3: Woe to you, you blind guides! You place material goods 197 00:14:00,179 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 3: and gifts over the one who receives them. You prioritize 198 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:07,030 Speaker 3: the gold given more than the temple that holds it, 199 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,200 Speaker 3: and the offering on the altar more than the altar itself. 200 00:14:11,350 --> 00:14:16,530 Speaker 3: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe every 201 00:14:16,690 --> 00:14:19,590 Speaker 3: ounce of mint and dill as if it makes you holy, 202 00:14:20,050 --> 00:14:26,890 Speaker 3: while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You blind guides! You've 203 00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:29,479 Speaker 3: strained out a gnat and swallowed a camel! 204 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:34,460 Speaker 1: He spoke to them as the word of God, justice incarnate. 205 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:39,620 Speaker 1: These Pharisees provoked him for too long. Now it was 206 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: time for all to hear who these men really were. 207 00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:47,430 Speaker 1: The Son of God pronounced woes on the religious leaders 208 00:14:47,870 --> 00:14:52,190 Speaker 1: with decisive force. He knew it would provoke them to vengeance. 209 00:14:53,030 --> 00:14:54,490 Speaker 1: That was part of his plan. 210 00:14:54,990 --> 00:14:59,990 Speaker 3: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You've scrubbed yourself clean, 211 00:15:00,550 --> 00:15:03,310 Speaker 3: and on the outside you are spotless. But I see 212 00:15:03,330 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 3: the stains within your soul. You are greedy and self-indulgent. 213 00:15:08,670 --> 00:15:14,070 Speaker 3: feeding off people's praises like leeches. Clean the inside of 214 00:15:14,150 --> 00:15:18,850 Speaker 3: the cup before worrying about the outside. Woe to you, 215 00:15:18,890 --> 00:15:22,490 Speaker 3: scribes and Pharisees, actors on the stage of religion. You 216 00:15:22,550 --> 00:15:27,030 Speaker 3: are whitewashed tombs, outwardly arrayed in splendor, but filled with 217 00:15:27,190 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 3: death and rotted bones on the inside. You appear righteous 218 00:15:32,130 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 3: to others, but I see you. I see what's inside. 219 00:15:37,870 --> 00:15:41,250 Speaker 3: You are full of hypocrisy, and the law has yet 220 00:15:41,290 --> 00:15:42,190 Speaker 3: to find your hearts. 221 00:15:42,890 --> 00:15:47,130 Speaker 1: The Pharisees were teeming with rage. It seeped out of 222 00:15:47,190 --> 00:15:50,350 Speaker 1: their pores and spilled onto the cobblestone floor beneath them. 223 00:15:51,470 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: But the prophet of God didn't care. He stood his 224 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:59,140 Speaker 1: ground and pronounced a final woe on them. Like a 225 00:15:59,260 --> 00:16:03,660 Speaker 1: sword unsheathed from his mouth, Jesus cut through their egos. 226 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:08,930 Speaker 3: Saying, Woe to you hypocrites! standing upon your lofty towers. 227 00:16:09,810 --> 00:16:12,990 Speaker 3: You built tombs for prophets and monuments to the righteous, 228 00:16:13,250 --> 00:16:15,350 Speaker 3: as if you wouldn't have been the ones to kill 229 00:16:15,390 --> 00:16:19,860 Speaker 3: them if they were still here today. Even now, you 230 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 3: conspire in your hearts against God's anointed. 231 00:16:23,780 --> 00:16:28,020 Speaker 1: The religious leaders gulped. He knew what they were up to. 232 00:16:28,700 --> 00:16:32,330 Speaker 1: He knew that they were conspiring to kill him. Jesus 233 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:37,490 Speaker 1: knew his fate and had made peace with him. That's 234 00:16:37,570 --> 00:16:41,810 Speaker 1: why he didn't relent against the Pharisees. There was nothing 235 00:16:41,890 --> 00:16:44,830 Speaker 1: they could do to him that he hadn't already foreseen 236 00:16:45,150 --> 00:16:48,150 Speaker 1: and prepared before the foundation of the world. 237 00:16:48,790 --> 00:16:52,650 Speaker 3: You brood of Phipus! How will you escape the clutches 238 00:16:52,710 --> 00:16:56,150 Speaker 3: of hell? I will send you prophets and wise men, 239 00:16:56,570 --> 00:16:59,950 Speaker 3: but you will kill and crucify them. You will flog 240 00:16:59,970 --> 00:17:03,090 Speaker 3: them outside your synagogues and persecute them from town to town. 241 00:17:03,870 --> 00:17:05,890 Speaker 3: The blood of the righteous will be shed by you. 242 00:17:06,930 --> 00:17:08,889 Speaker 3: blood of Abel from long ago. 243 00:17:09,810 --> 00:17:14,409 Speaker 1: Jesus was like a roaring lion in his declaration. His 244 00:17:14,490 --> 00:17:18,820 Speaker 1: veracity came from love, love for the lost and weary 245 00:17:19,060 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: who had been led astray by pious and prideful leaders. 246 00:17:23,619 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: Jesus turned and departed from them. Next time he stood 247 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:31,950 Speaker 1: before them, he would not speak. He would remain silent 248 00:17:32,390 --> 00:17:35,909 Speaker 1: as they chained him to the ground. At this moment, 249 00:17:36,330 --> 00:17:40,070 Speaker 1: He was roaring like a passionate lion. But in just 250 00:17:40,130 --> 00:17:43,650 Speaker 1: a few days, he would be silent like a lamb. 251 00:17:44,770 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: A lamb led to slaughter. At this moment, he was 252 00:17:50,390 --> 00:17:55,100 Speaker 1: roaring like a passionate lion. But in just a few days, 253 00:17:56,260 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: he would be silent like a lamb. A lamb led 254 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:02,780 Speaker 1: to the slaughter. 255 00:18:05,890 --> 00:18:07,790 Speaker 2: Let me take you back in time for a moment. 256 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:11,510 Speaker 2: The rolling grassy hills of Bethlehem are swaying to the 257 00:18:11,590 --> 00:18:15,230 Speaker 2: afternoon breeze. The prophet Samuel is walking up a path, 258 00:18:15,670 --> 00:18:19,969 Speaker 2: following the sound of a harp. The strumming sways with 259 00:18:20,020 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 2: the breeze, the daisies are blooming, the bees are buzzing, 260 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 2: and sheep are grazing in a pasture. Samuel sees a 261 00:18:28,260 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 2: young shepherd boy strumming underneath the tree, singing to the 262 00:18:31,940 --> 00:18:35,140 Speaker 2: Lord and looking after his sheep. The boy is handsome, 263 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 2: but he's young and otherwise unremarkable. His brothers were much 264 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:42,659 Speaker 2: more substantial when Samuel met them. They were warriors in 265 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,820 Speaker 2: the armies of Israel. But this boy, he was just 266 00:18:45,859 --> 00:18:49,449 Speaker 2: a shepherd. Samuel had been tasked with finding and anointing 267 00:18:49,510 --> 00:18:53,250 Speaker 2: God's chosen king. As Samuel looked upon the sons of Jesse, 268 00:18:53,530 --> 00:18:55,910 Speaker 2: he saw some that looked like kings on the outside. 269 00:18:56,410 --> 00:18:59,950 Speaker 2: But God wanted Samuel to see something different. He wanted 270 00:19:00,010 --> 00:19:03,580 Speaker 2: him to look beyond the outward appearance and into the heart. 271 00:19:04,210 --> 00:19:06,990 Speaker 2: He said in 1 Samuel 16, Do not look at 272 00:19:07,030 --> 00:19:09,430 Speaker 2: his appearance or on the height of his stature, because 273 00:19:09,619 --> 00:19:12,460 Speaker 2: I have rejected him. For the Lord doesn't see as 274 00:19:12,500 --> 00:19:15,899 Speaker 2: man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the 275 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 2: Lord looks at the heart. That shepherd boy was God's 276 00:19:18,820 --> 00:19:22,020 Speaker 2: chosen king, not because of his stature or status, but 277 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 2: because of his heart. He was a young man who 278 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,629 Speaker 2: sought God's heart and loved him with his entire being. 279 00:19:28,150 --> 00:19:30,930 Speaker 2: That young boy was David, the boy who slew Goliath 280 00:19:31,130 --> 00:19:33,250 Speaker 2: and the greatest king Israel had ever known. 281 00:19:33,690 --> 00:19:34,430 Speaker 1: Until Jesus. 282 00:19:35,130 --> 00:19:37,780 Speaker 2: He wasn't a perfect man. He had many failures, but 283 00:19:38,100 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 2: his heart was always seeking God's. The Lord doesn't see 284 00:19:42,020 --> 00:19:46,190 Speaker 2: as man sees. We look at outward things, status, looks, accolades, 285 00:19:46,230 --> 00:19:49,510 Speaker 2: and accomplishments. God doesn't consider those things like we do. 286 00:19:49,930 --> 00:19:54,250 Speaker 2: God looks at the heart. David, after a catastrophic moral failure, 287 00:19:54,690 --> 00:19:57,270 Speaker 2: would strum his harp again, and he would sing to 288 00:19:57,290 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 2: the Lord in Psalm 51, saying, For you will not 289 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 2: delight in sacrifice, for I would give it. You will 290 00:20:03,540 --> 00:20:06,540 Speaker 2: not be blessed with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of 291 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 2: God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, 292 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:13,430 Speaker 2: This episode opened up with the image of the fig tree. 293 00:20:13,990 --> 00:20:16,869 Speaker 2: In our last episode, Jesus cursed the fig tree. Was 294 00:20:16,910 --> 00:20:20,220 Speaker 2: that because God hates figs? Of course not. The tree 295 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: had vibrant leaves. Its branches were adorned with beautiful and 296 00:20:23,619 --> 00:20:27,260 Speaker 2: budding flowers. But when you looked closely, there weren't any 297 00:20:27,300 --> 00:20:30,619 Speaker 2: figs at all. This tree had the appearance of fruitfulness, 298 00:20:30,770 --> 00:20:34,570 Speaker 2: but no actual fruit. Jesus' woes to the priests and 299 00:20:34,590 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 2: the Pharisees weren't out of hatred or contempt. The reason 300 00:20:38,300 --> 00:20:41,850 Speaker 2: they caught so much of Jesus' ire was because they 301 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,550 Speaker 2: were exactly like the fig tree. They were adorned with 302 00:20:44,609 --> 00:20:47,889 Speaker 2: priestly robes. They tied everything that they had. They had 303 00:20:47,990 --> 00:20:52,270 Speaker 2: lofty prayers and eloquent sermons. But their lives bore no 304 00:20:52,330 --> 00:20:55,950 Speaker 2: genuine fruit. They didn't have a heart for God. And 305 00:20:56,030 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 2: at the end of the day, it's the heart that 306 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:01,700 Speaker 2: matters most. It's the substance of our lives, not just 307 00:21:01,740 --> 00:21:04,700 Speaker 2: the appearance of our lives, that matter most to God. 308 00:21:05,540 --> 00:21:10,180 Speaker 2: Today's story explored the theme of inward holiness versus outward holiness. 309 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:14,780 Speaker 2: The Pharisees, scribes, and priests had external righteousness, but inwardly, 310 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: they were corrupt, greedy, and indulgent. The fig tree was 311 00:21:18,660 --> 00:21:22,020 Speaker 2: a perfect image of their hypocrisy. The fig tree was vibrant, 312 00:21:22,220 --> 00:21:25,899 Speaker 2: blooming with green leaves and healthy branches. However, there was 313 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 2: no actual fruit budding from the tree. It had the 314 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,460 Speaker 2: appearance of fruitfulness without any of the fruit itself. Some 315 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 2: of us are content to live the same lives. We're 316 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:37,980 Speaker 2: content to have the appearance of righteousness, have the appearance 317 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:41,770 Speaker 2: of holiness, all the while actually making an impact on 318 00:21:41,850 --> 00:21:45,250 Speaker 2: anyone's life, not changing anything we do based on the 319 00:21:45,270 --> 00:21:49,310 Speaker 2: word of God, not genuinely and honestly seeking the heart 320 00:21:49,330 --> 00:21:53,110 Speaker 2: of God. Jesus said in Matthew 7, Beware of false 321 00:21:53,150 --> 00:21:56,120 Speaker 2: prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly 322 00:21:56,619 --> 00:21:59,139 Speaker 2: are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. 323 00:21:59,590 --> 00:22:02,230 Speaker 2: Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? 324 00:22:02,570 --> 00:22:05,540 Speaker 2: Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the 325 00:22:05,580 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 2: corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce 326 00:22:08,820 --> 00:22:11,460 Speaker 2: evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 327 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,500 Speaker 2: Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down 328 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:18,199 Speaker 2: and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits, you 329 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 2: will know them. You see, the curse of the fig 330 00:22:20,660 --> 00:22:24,180 Speaker 2: tree communicated something very important to us. Jesus could care 331 00:22:24,220 --> 00:22:27,300 Speaker 2: less about the appearance of fruit. He cares actually about 332 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 2: the fruit itself. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, which 333 00:22:30,880 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 2: then withered, he was simply exposing it for what it 334 00:22:33,660 --> 00:22:38,350 Speaker 2: already was, dead. My friends, let's not miss this moment 335 00:22:38,550 --> 00:22:41,570 Speaker 2: to do an honest inventory of our hearts. Have we 336 00:22:41,609 --> 00:22:44,609 Speaker 2: allowed our faith to be reduced to religious practices but 337 00:22:44,990 --> 00:22:49,190 Speaker 2: neglected to have a genuine and repentant heart? In contrast 338 00:22:49,210 --> 00:22:53,590 Speaker 2: to the Pharisees who paraded themselves with religious clout, Jesus 339 00:22:53,770 --> 00:22:59,180 Speaker 2: honed in on one individual. He pointed out a poor widow. Outwardly, 340 00:22:59,380 --> 00:23:02,330 Speaker 2: she didn't have much to offer. She was unsubstantial, and 341 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:05,870 Speaker 2: nobody actually noticed her. But Jesus saw her. This widow 342 00:23:05,910 --> 00:23:08,930 Speaker 2: was poor, without many resources to give. But what she 343 00:23:08,990 --> 00:23:11,869 Speaker 2: did give was an act of worship unto the Lord. 344 00:23:12,490 --> 00:23:16,379 Speaker 2: Her pure heart shined brightly that day, even though nobody 345 00:23:16,420 --> 00:23:20,300 Speaker 2: but Jesus saw it. She embodied the ethos of Christ's kingdom. 346 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,939 Speaker 2: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 347 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 2: kingdom of heaven. And blessed are the meek, for they 348 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:29,149 Speaker 2: shall inherit the earth. God's kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. 349 00:23:29,609 --> 00:23:32,689 Speaker 2: It is totally backwards from the world's logic. While the 350 00:23:32,730 --> 00:23:36,990 Speaker 2: world applauds status, clout, and hierarchies, Jesus elevates the humble 351 00:23:37,230 --> 00:23:41,149 Speaker 2: in the quiet spirit. In Mark 9.34, Jesus sat with 352 00:23:41,190 --> 00:23:43,890 Speaker 2: his disciples and he said to them, If anyone would 353 00:23:43,910 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 2: be first among you, he must be last of all, 354 00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:50,380 Speaker 2: a servant of all. That applies to each and every 355 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:53,679 Speaker 2: one of us. As Easter approaches, with his many religious 356 00:23:53,740 --> 00:23:57,340 Speaker 2: ceremonies and traditions, May we never forget God cares more 357 00:23:57,380 --> 00:23:59,740 Speaker 2: about our hearts than he does our church attendance or 358 00:23:59,780 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 2: our tithing check. He cares more about why we give 359 00:24:03,109 --> 00:24:05,550 Speaker 2: more than how much we give. He cares more about 360 00:24:05,590 --> 00:24:09,810 Speaker 2: our pursuit of love, justice, and kindness than any moral platitude, 361 00:24:09,950 --> 00:24:14,030 Speaker 2: lofty prayer, or eloquent speech. He cares more about how 362 00:24:14,050 --> 00:24:16,810 Speaker 2: the Bible affects our hearts than how many verses we 363 00:24:16,830 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 2: can actually recite. Our next episode will take a dark turn. 364 00:24:20,220 --> 00:24:23,030 Speaker 2: Satan will slither his way into Judas' heart and he 365 00:24:23,050 --> 00:24:26,750 Speaker 2: will make a fate-altering decision to betray Jesus. We're going 366 00:24:26,770 --> 00:24:29,710 Speaker 2: to explore themes of greed, corruption, and the ultimate value 367 00:24:29,770 --> 00:24:32,210 Speaker 2: we place on Jesus. I can't wait to join you 368 00:24:32,250 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 2: next time. If this podcast has blessed you in any way, 369 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:37,500 Speaker 2: consider leaving us a review. We want to hear how 370 00:24:37,540 --> 00:24:39,980 Speaker 2: the story of Jesus has affected your life. For more 371 00:24:40,020 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 2: inspiring contents, daily devotionals, and connections with different ministries, download 372 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:45,700 Speaker 2: the Pray.com app today.