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Speaker 1: And he said unto them, if any man will come

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Speaker 1: after me, let him deny himself and take up his

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Speaker 1: cross daily and follow me. Luke nine twenty three. Dear Jesus,

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Speaker 1: it's my heart's desire to follow after you. I only

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Speaker 1: want to be where you are and where you lead.

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Speaker 1: Being in the heart of your will is the safest

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Speaker 1: place to be. I realize you may lead in ways

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Speaker 1: that are foreign to me. I may not ununderstand where

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Speaker 1: you're taking me, and I honestly may not even want

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Speaker 1: to go there. But it is in those times that

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Speaker 1: I must deny myself, pick up my cross, and crucify

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Speaker 1: my flesh so I can follow you. It is painful

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Speaker 1: to let go of my expectations of what I thought

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Speaker 1: I wanted in my life, but that's what it means

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Speaker 1: to follow you and take up my cross. As surely

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Speaker 1: as you said in the garden the night before your crucifixion,

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Speaker 1: not my will, but Thy will be done, I too

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Speaker 1: must have that steadfast perseverance to Thy will and not

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Speaker 1: my will, as I follow you. Even as Jesus was

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Speaker 1: obedient unto death, he was raised up, and you glorified

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Speaker 1: him above all others. As I pursue you into your

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Speaker 1: plan and purpose for my life. I will accomplish more

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Speaker 1: than I ever thought possible. You will lead me into

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Speaker 1: your divine destiny and reward me for my obedience in

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Speaker 1: Jesus name.

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Speaker 2: Amen.

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Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories Ever

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Speaker 1: Told from pray do dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 2: Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans and I'm excited for

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Speaker 2: you to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Jesus.

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Speaker 2: Please follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify to get

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Speaker 2: the latest episode so you can continue strengthening your relationship

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Speaker 2: with Jesus. Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It

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Speaker 2: is a story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep,

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Speaker 2: a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph

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Speaker 2: over death and darkness. This is a story that continues

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Speaker 2: to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the

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Speaker 2: divine heart of God right into the hearts of you

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Speaker 2: and me. In this episode, the twelve Apostles are chosen

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Speaker 2: men brought from different backgrounds, united under one common goal.

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Speaker 2: Following Jesus. Along the way, we will meet some pharisees

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Speaker 2: and scribes who push against Jesus's tactics, that self righteousness

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Speaker 2: is placed before us. As a contrast, the heart of

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Speaker 2: Christ is to serve and set people free, while the

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Speaker 2: religious leaders would rather be served and bind people with

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Speaker 2: needless regulations. As we hear about these interactions between Jesus

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Speaker 2: and the religious leaders, we are invited to consider our

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Speaker 2: self righteous tendencies. Have we puffed ourselves up with religious practices.

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Speaker 2: Have we been so focused on our own morality that

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Speaker 2: we have ignored the needs of others. Perhaps some of

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Speaker 2: us need to be reminded that Jesus doesn't call the

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Speaker 2: righteous and perfect. Rather, he chooses broken and imperfect people

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Speaker 2: to display his glory. The prelude will remind us of

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Speaker 2: these truths, and we will be continually reminded of them

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Speaker 2: as the episode builds. There are many parts of this

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Speaker 2: story that intertwine and point to the same prevailing message

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Speaker 2: of grace. I will do my best to point them

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Speaker 2: out to you once the episode is over. For now,

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Speaker 2: enjoy episode six. The twelve.

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Speaker 3: Prayan Lude is chapter six. Since the Fall, a deep

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Speaker 3: pride had boiled in the furnace of mankind, men would

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Speaker 3: build kingdoms and monuments to themselves, seeking to be glorified

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Speaker 3: as gods. The ancient people of Babel once sought to

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Speaker 3: ascend into the heavens by building a large tower. Their

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Speaker 3: vain attempt at immortality was quickly thwarted by God. He

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Speaker 3: sent them scattering the far reaches of the earth. However,

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Speaker 3: mankind always found a way to elevate themselves. They sought power, riches,

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Speaker 3: and influence above humility, integrity, and charity. For all of

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Speaker 3: human history, nations rose and fell by their own arrogance.

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Speaker 3: Even the religious became great in their own minds. The

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Speaker 3: Pharisees and scribes measured their righteousness against others and created

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Speaker 3: barriers between God and people. Yet even in their hubris,

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Speaker 3: God loved them as his people fell deep into their

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Speaker 3: own greed. God was generous. When the people of Israel

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Speaker 3: were entangled by sin or captured by a for a nation,

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Speaker 3: he would deliver them by calling men and women of courage. However,

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Speaker 3: God never chose the strong. He never chose those who

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Speaker 3: were already exalted. God often chose the weak people of

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Speaker 3: this world to go against the arrogance of mankind. He

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Speaker 3: chose the small family of Abraham to create an entire nation.

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Speaker 3: He used Gideon, the forgotten son of a weak tribe

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Speaker 3: to conquer an army. He chose Esther, a humble peasant,

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Speaker 3: to influence a king. He chose David, a ruddy shepherd boy,

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Speaker 3: to defeat a giant. All these people were flawed, forgotten,

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Speaker 3: or fearful. Yet God moved in them to save nations

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Speaker 3: and become kings. For thousands of generations since the fall

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Speaker 3: of mankind, God has been using the weak things of

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Speaker 3: this world to thwart the strong. He continues to search

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Speaker 3: for the humble and the willing, despite their flaws, to

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Speaker 3: accomplish extraordinary works. Chapter six, the twelve Simon rested his

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Speaker 3: head against the mast of his boat, lounging in the sun.

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Speaker 3: The tide rocked the vessel back and forth as the

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Speaker 3: gentle breeze tickled his cheeks. He was supposed to be

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Speaker 3: washing his nets after a night of fishing. However, he

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Speaker 3: had labored all night with no catch, so Simon was

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Speaker 3: content to doze off while his brother Andrew tended to

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Speaker 3: the chores. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were

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Speaker 3: in the boat beside them. They hadn't caught anything either.

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Speaker 3: It was proving to be a hard time for fishermen.

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Speaker 3: Simon was weary from the evening's toil, an entire night

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Speaker 3: of labor with no fish to show for it. It

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Speaker 3: was frustrating. Many things in Simon's life were frustrating. He

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Speaker 3: looked up at the clouds and listened to the seagulls

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Speaker 3: fly out to sea. Perhaps the birds would have better

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Speaker 3: luck than him, he sighed and began to close his

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Speaker 3: eyes and rest. Simon's brief moment of peace was quickly

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Speaker 3: interrupted as he heard a commotion approaching the shore. He

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Speaker 3: pequked his eyes open to see Jesus briskly walking away

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Speaker 3: from a large crowd of people. Thousands of people crowded

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Speaker 3: around him. Many of them wanted to touch him so

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Speaker 3: they might be healed. Others wanted to be as close

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Speaker 3: to him as possible so they could hear every word

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Speaker 3: he said. Andrew smiled at the sight of Jesus. He

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Speaker 3: was much more impressed than Simon was. Simon still had

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Speaker 3: a lingering distrust, or perhaps it was more an inner guilt.

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Speaker 3: He did not find himself particularly worthy to be near

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Speaker 3: like that. The crowd was overwhelming Jesus at almost every side.

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Speaker 3: He backed up to the shore, but they were still

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Speaker 3: pressing in. Jesus looked back to see Simon laying down

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Speaker 3: in his boat, casually Watching Simon, Jesus exclaimed, could I

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Speaker 3: use your boat.

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Speaker 4: To teach from If I stay near this crowd, there's

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Speaker 4: certainly going to suffocate me.

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Speaker 3: He asked with a chuckle. Simon sat up and rubbed

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Speaker 3: his temple. He had been up all night, and now

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Speaker 3: his one moment of peace was interrupted. He was about

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Speaker 3: to say no until Andrew gave him a swift kick

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Speaker 3: in the shin. Wincing in pain, Simon gave a frustrated

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Speaker 3: smile and gestured for Jesus to climb in. Jesus boarded

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Speaker 3: the small fishing boat and sat on the bow. He

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Speaker 3: began teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven. Simon began repairing

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Speaker 3: a few nets, listening to him teach. His words poured

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Speaker 3: forth like heavy rain, the parched ground, all in attendance,

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Speaker 3: student silence. Simon found himself entranced by his words. He

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Speaker 3: had never heard someone teach with so much authority, passion,

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Speaker 3: and gentleness. Jesus finished, and the crown went back to

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Speaker 3: their homes. He looked back at Simon.

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Speaker 4: Let's go out to the deep, he said, maybe we'll

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Speaker 4: catch something.

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Speaker 3: Simon buried his face in his hands. He was not

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Speaker 3: emotionally ready for yet another day without a catch.

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Speaker 2: Teacher, we had been toiling all night.

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Speaker 3: We tried everything and scoured every section of this lake,

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Speaker 3: yet caught nothing. Simon's heart ached from defeat. He looked

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Speaker 3: up at Jesus. He was smiling, awaiting an answer. Andrew

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Speaker 3: was beside him, begging Simon to agree. Nevertheless, Simon said,

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Speaker 3: at your word, I will take us out. So the

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Speaker 3: three of them cast out the nets. James and John

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Speaker 3: launched their boat as well. Simon was not thrilled to

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Speaker 3: be out there. He was bitter. He gazed out at

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Speaker 3: the horizon, wondering if his wife would ever forgive him

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Speaker 3: for being such a failure. The boat rocked back and

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Speaker 3: forth while Jesus and Andrew watched the nets intently. Simon

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Speaker 3: thought they were foolish. He continued to look out at

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Speaker 3: the water, letting bitterness stew. We should leave, Simon said,

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Speaker 3: it's hopeless. He stood up to begin unwrapping the sails. Then,

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Speaker 3: as Simon stood up, he heard a slight tightening of

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Speaker 3: rope behind him. Simon frows his eyes widened, and he

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Speaker 3: looked back slowly. The nets were tightening at a fast pace,

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Speaker 3: so fast that if Simon did not act quickly, they

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Speaker 3: would break. He'd do for the nets as they were

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Speaker 3: being dragged off the side of the boat, Andrew and

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Speaker 3: Jesus leapt forward to help him. Together they dragged the

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Speaker 3: nets out of the water. As they pulled, Simon could

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Speaker 3: see the thousands of fish being drawn into the boat.

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Speaker 3: The three of them laughed as they continued to bring

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Speaker 3: in fish. Peter yelled for James and John to come

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Speaker 3: close to them so they could draw more in. The

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Speaker 3: men were screaming with delight. Both the boats were filled

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Speaker 3: with fish. It was the most joy Simon had felt

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Speaker 3: in years. Yet his smile quickly faded as the other

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Speaker 3: men cheered. Simon looked at Jesus. His eyes began to water,

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Speaker 3: and he fell to his knees.

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Speaker 1: Depart from me, Lord.

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Speaker 3: Simon said he felt so much shame for the life

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Speaker 3: he had been living. He had so much bitterness and

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Speaker 3: anger within him. He felt unworthy to be in the

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Speaker 3: presence of Jesus. I am a sinful man, O, Lord,

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Speaker 3: I am not worthy. Jesus understood Simon's heart. He bent

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Speaker 3: down and met him at high level.

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Speaker 4: You have lived with a great deal of fear.

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Speaker 3: For so long, Jesus said. He placed a hand on

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Speaker 3: Simon's shoulders. You no longer have to fear. Follow me,

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Speaker 3: and I will make you a fisher of men. Simon

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Speaker 3: looked up. He looked Jesus in the eyes for the

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Speaker 3: first time since they met. Simon nodded, as did Andrew, James,

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Speaker 3: and John. So the four men left their nets and

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Speaker 3: followed Jesus. The following day was the Sabbath, and Jesus

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Speaker 3: entered into the nearby synagogue to teach. The entire congregation

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Speaker 3: was enthralled with Jesus's words. The other scribes had simply

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Speaker 3: recycled one another's writings, yet Jesus spoke with a new

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Speaker 3: type of authority they had never heard before. From Jesus's

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Speaker 3: mouth were the very words of God. He cut straight

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Speaker 3: through the rough exterior of religious dogma and write to

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Speaker 3: the heart of his listeners. Jesus spoke the poetic truths

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Speaker 3: of God, and a light hearted spirit of joy filled

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Speaker 3: the room. Then from the corner of the synagogue, a

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Speaker 3: deep laughter emerged. The rumbling laughter turned into a wet

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Speaker 3: cackle as a man beat his fist against the wall.

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Speaker 3: The crowd stirred. Jesus knew exactly what was happening. This

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Speaker 3: man was possessed by a demon. The man's laughter was painful.

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Speaker 3: He coughed and screamed. His neck snapped back to look

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Speaker 3: at Jesus. Anger laced the surface of his eyes, yet

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Speaker 3: behind them there was deep pain. The demon pointed forward

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Speaker 3: to Jesus, What have we to do with you, Jesus

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Speaker 3: of Nazareth. The demon lurked forward, swinging the man's body

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Speaker 3: against the wall. Blood dripped down his temple. The demon spat,

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Speaker 3: you come to destroy us? Have you? The demon was

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Speaker 3: getting louder and more angry. The people were frightened, but

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Speaker 3: Jesus stood perfectly still as the demon approached him. These

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Speaker 3: people may not know who you are, but I do.

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Speaker 3: I know who you are. The demon paused to look

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Speaker 3: around the room. He basped in the fear of the people.

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Speaker 3: He pointed at Jesus again and said.

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Speaker 4: You are the Holy One, the sun of the Silent.

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Speaker 3: Jesus rebuked. His voice reverberated off the walls, and the

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Speaker 3: demon cowered back. Jesus stepped down from the platform and

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Speaker 3: walked towards the demon. With every step Jesus took forward,

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Speaker 3: the demon took a step back.

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Speaker 4: Come out of him now.

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Speaker 3: Jesus commanded. As Jesus spoke, the man's body flailed back

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Speaker 3: and hit the stone floor. A harsh scream echoed through

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Speaker 3: the entire synagogue as the man writhed in pain. The

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Speaker 3: demon jolted the man forward, then flung his body against

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Speaker 3: the wall again. Then the man slowly slid to the ground,

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Speaker 3: whispering in pain. The demon was gone. It would torment

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Speaker 3: him no more. Jesus embraced the man and had Andrew

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Speaker 3: attend to him. Everyone was silent as Jesus left the

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Speaker 3: synagogue to care for him. Up until then people saw

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Speaker 3: Jesus as a great teacher. They were beginning to realize

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Speaker 3: he was much more. The next morning, Jesus sat on

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Speaker 3: a stone, leaning against the side of the mountain. He

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Speaker 3: looked out overlooking the sunrise as it slowly peeked over

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Speaker 3: the horizon. His face lit up from the rising sun.

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Speaker 3: Jesus would often pull away to be alone with his father,

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Speaker 3: who would speak of eternity and the Kingdom, entering the

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Speaker 3: hearts of men. The sun was making its way over

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Speaker 3: the green pastures below and Jesus could hear the stirring

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Speaker 3: of people gathering at the base of the mountain. He smiled.

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Speaker 3: They were so eager to see him, hear from him,

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Speaker 3: and witness his miracles. However, they would not always be

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Speaker 3: this devoted. Jesus knew the thickle nature of people. Despite this,

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Speaker 3: he loved them. He would serve them to the very

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Speaker 3: end and ultimately lay down his life for them. Jesus

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Speaker 3: made his way down the mountain. Sure enough, the crowd

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Speaker 3: was growing larger by the minute as people rushed out

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Speaker 3: of their homes. Jesus smiled and greeted them without saying

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Speaker 3: a word. He made his way towards the city. As

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Speaker 3: Jesus in the crowd came to the outer wall, a

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Speaker 3: man emerged from the corner. He limped toward Jesus. The

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Speaker 3: right side of his face was missing a cheek, exposing

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Speaker 3: rotting muscle underneath. His eyes were faded from deterioration, and

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Speaker 3: his left hand was missing several fingers. What was left

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Speaker 3: of his body was covered in bandages, tightly holding together

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Speaker 3: his limbs. The man was stricken with leprosy. From the

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Speaker 3: looks of him, he had been slowly dying for many years.

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Speaker 3: He did not look at Jesus. Rather, he limped towards

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Speaker 3: him with his head held low.

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Speaker 4: Unclean.

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Speaker 3: He shouted, unclean. The crowd jolted backwards at the sight

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Speaker 3: of him. The leper fell to his knees.

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Speaker 5: Jesus, if you are willing, you could make me clean,

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Speaker 5: he said.

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Speaker 3: Jesus was moved with compassion. He knew the pain of leprosy.

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Speaker 3: He also knew the isolation this man felt. Lepers were outcasts,

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Speaker 3: driven out to keep others safe. This man was slowly

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Speaker 3: deteriorating all alone. He knelt down beside the man. The

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Speaker 3: crown gasped as he drew closer. Jesus touck the man's

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Speaker 3: shoulders and embraced him. The leper sobbed in his arms.

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Speaker 3: It was the first human contact he had had in years.

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Speaker 3: Be clean, Jesus said, I am willing. As Jesus said this,

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Speaker 3: the man's body was restored. He looked down at his

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Speaker 3: hands to see all his fingers attached. He unwrapped his

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Speaker 3: arms and legs to see the sores gone. He felt

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Speaker 3: his cheek smooth and fall. Jesus smiled and whispered, Depart,

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Speaker 3: and do.

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Speaker 4: Not tell any one what has happened to day instead

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Speaker 4: go worship God in the temper.

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Speaker 3: So the man departed from there invigorated with new life.

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Speaker 3: Jesus had a heart for the sick. Their plight represented

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Speaker 3: the greater woes of humanity. People were sick with sin

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Speaker 3: and slowly dying. Jesus came so they might have life

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Speaker 3: and life more abundant. After a few days, Jesus returned

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Speaker 3: to Capernaum. He remained there in the home of one

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Speaker 3: of his friends. It was not long before the home

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Speaker 3: began filling up with people desiring to hear Jesus. Every

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Speaker 3: inch of the home was filled with people. Outside of

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Speaker 3: the home, the three men carrying their friend. He was

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Speaker 3: completely paralyzed, unable to even speak. The men heard that

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Speaker 3: Jesus was in town and were hoping to have Jesus

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Speaker 3: heal their friend. However, they saw that people were overflowing

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Speaker 3: outside of the house. The three men looked down at

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Speaker 3: their companion.

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Speaker 4: Is this the ball sat back really going to keep

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Speaker 4: him from being healed?

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Speaker 3: One of them thought. He turned towards the house and

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Speaker 3: scanned its surroundings. He looked down at the base of

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Speaker 3: the home, then up with the roof. A small smile

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Speaker 3: cracked on the corner of his face. I have an idea,

300
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Speaker 3: he said. Jesus was teaching in the middle of the home.

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Speaker 3: Hundreds of people sat and stood around him, inching as

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00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:31,400
Speaker 3: close to him as possible to hear. Jesus was speaking

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Speaker 3: about the coming of God's kingdom. He revealed the reason

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Speaker 3: behind God's law and the depth of his love revealed

305
00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:42,719
Speaker 3: in it. As Jesus was speaking, he felt a small

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00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:47,320
Speaker 3: piece of plaster fall on his head. Startled, Jesus looked

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Speaker 3: up to see the roof being torn apart from the outside.

308
00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,800
Speaker 3: Jesus stood to his feet and the crowd stepped back

309
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Speaker 3: as more roofing crashed onto the floor, shattering all around

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Speaker 3: the room. A bright light shone through the ceiling. Then,

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Speaker 3: like an angel appearing, Jesus saw a silhouette of a

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Speaker 3: man on a stretcher being lowered down by ropes. The

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Speaker 3: three friends had found a way to Jesus. The paralytic

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Speaker 3: was lowered slowly. Jesus went under the man and helped

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Speaker 3: him to the floor. The crowd stirred and shouted up

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Speaker 3: with the ceiling. Jesus looked up. He could see the

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Speaker 3: friend's guilty smiles. Jesus grinned and nodded towards them. They

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Speaker 3: had done well. The mark of a true friend is

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Speaker 3: how far they are willing to go to get them

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00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:44,359
Speaker 3: to Jesus. He looked down at the man. His face

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00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:49,960
Speaker 3: was stagnant and emotionless. However, Jesus could see the longing

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Speaker 3: in his eyes. He placed his hand on his shoulder

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Speaker 3: and said.

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Speaker 4: My child, your sins a forgiven Blasphemby.

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Speaker 3: A voice from the corner, Jesus looked up to see

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Speaker 3: a scribe scoffing at Jesus. He stepped forward and pointed.

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Speaker 5: What authority do you have to forgive this man's sins?

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Speaker 5: For we all know he is paralyzed because God is

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Speaker 5: punishing him.

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Speaker 3: Who do you think you are?

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Speaker 5: God alone has the authority to forgive sins?

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Speaker 3: The scrime spat on the ground. Teeming with self righteous anger.

333
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Speaker 3: He scanned the room looking for approving nods. Jesus looked

334
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Speaker 3: back at the paralytic. He put his hand on his

335
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Speaker 3: head and smiled.

336
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:42,760
Speaker 4: Then tell me, scribe, Jesus began. What takes less authority

337
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Speaker 4: to say your sins are forgiven? Or get up and walk?

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Speaker 3: As Jesus said this, the paralytics toes began to twitch.

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00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:56,080
Speaker 3: His eyes widened as he began to move his fingers

340
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Speaker 3: as well. Then, with a burst of energy, he sat ap.

341
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Speaker 3: He moved his mouth and began to mumble under his breath.

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00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:09,240
Speaker 3: He looked up at Jesus, eyes beaming with hope. A

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Speaker 3: large cheer could be heard from the ceiling as the

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00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:16,200
Speaker 3: man's friends nearly fell through the hole in excitement. Jesus

345
00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:19,320
Speaker 3: helped the man to his feet. He looked down and

346
00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,639
Speaker 3: began hopping up and down. The two of them embraced,

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Speaker 3: and the man ran out to greet his friends. The

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00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,920
Speaker 3: four of them leapt for joy, laughing and slapping each

349
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Speaker 3: other around. The scribe shrunk back into the crown, and

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Speaker 3: everyone applauded as the man left, walking shoulder to shoulder

351
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Speaker 3: of his companions. After these things, Jesus was making his

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Speaker 3: way through the city's streets. People followed at a distance

353
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Speaker 3: as Jesus conversed with Simon, James, and John. As they

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Speaker 3: made their way through the marketplace, Simon pointed out the

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Speaker 3: long line of people waiting to pay their taxes. Traitor,

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Speaker 3: they yelled towards the onto the line, spitting on the floor.

357
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Speaker 5: Are you content to feed off of the suffering of

358
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Speaker 5: your own people.

359
00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,600
Speaker 3: Jesus looked to see the tax collector being berated by

360
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Speaker 3: the crowd. Tax collectors were considered Jewish traitors. They hoared

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Speaker 3: themselves to the Roman government and used corruption for their

362
00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:24,640
Speaker 3: own gain. Sitting at the booth was Matthew. He slumped

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Speaker 3: down quietly counting the coin, doing his best to block

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Speaker 3: out the noise. Jesus peered over to see a few

365
00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:38,600
Speaker 3: tears streaming from his face. Jesus approached the booth. Matthew

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00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:41,320
Speaker 3: had grown accustomed to men and women coming to the

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00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:45,679
Speaker 3: tax booth to spit on him and ridicule him. Jesus

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00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:50,000
Speaker 3: simply smiled and said two simple words that would change

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Speaker 3: Matthew's life forever. Follow me, Jesus said plainly. Simon and

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Speaker 3: Andrew gasped when they heard. Jesus looked at Matthew. He

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00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:05,320
Speaker 3: seemed just as shocked as they did. Jesus began walking away.

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Speaker 3: The choice was Matthew's to make. He had made a

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Speaker 3: great deal of wealth being a tax collector. He had

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Speaker 3: favor with Rome and coins in his purse. Yet there

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Speaker 3: was no favor with man or riches of the world

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00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:24,359
Speaker 3: that could truly satisfy him. He longed for purpose. He

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Speaker 3: longed to be known for those he helped, not exploited.

378
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Speaker 3: Is Jesus worth following? Matthew looked at Jesus walking away.

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Speaker 1: Yes, he is worth everything.

380
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Speaker 3: He thought to himself. Matthew stood to his feet and

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Speaker 3: ran after Jesus.

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Speaker 4: My Lord, he yelled, my King.

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Speaker 3: Jesus turned around and laughed. The two of them embraced.

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Speaker 3: Simon and Andrew were perplexed. Why did Jesus choose a

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Speaker 3: tax collector, they thought.

386
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Speaker 4: To themselves, doesn't he know they are all corrupt?

387
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Speaker 3: Yet they did not understand what Jesus understood, that there

388
00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:07,640
Speaker 3: are none that are righteous. Jesus did not choose Matthew

389
00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:11,400
Speaker 3: because he was morally higher than the rest, or more talented.

390
00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:15,760
Speaker 3: He saw beyond what man saw, He saw the heart.

391
00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:20,800
Speaker 3: That night, Jesus and his followers ate at Matthew's house.

392
00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:25,520
Speaker 3: More tax collectors came to eat with them. Jesus enjoyed

393
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Speaker 3: their company, enduring the glares of the Pharisees. Far off,

394
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Speaker 3: the Pharisees stood outside the house with their arms crossed.

395
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Speaker 3: They stopped one of his disciples and said, look how

396
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Speaker 3: he dies with tax collectors and sinners. Aren't you, ashamed

397
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Speaker 3: to follow him. The disciple paused, unsure of how he

398
00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:49,920
Speaker 3: should answer. Before he could say anything, Jesus stepped outside

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00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:55,720
Speaker 3: and approached them. His eyes were piercing, filled with deep wisdom.

400
00:26:55,880 --> 00:27:00,159
Speaker 3: There was a silence between them. Although the Pharisees were

401
00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:04,800
Speaker 3: the religious rulers of the time, Jesus still intimidated them.

402
00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:06,520
Speaker 3: Tell me, Jesus said.

403
00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,600
Speaker 4: Who needs a doctor more the sick, well the healthy.

404
00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,920
Speaker 3: The Pharisees said nothing, knowing the answer was obvious.

405
00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:17,320
Speaker 4: You sit here praising yourselves for your good health, all

406
00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:20,560
Speaker 4: the while ignoring those who suffer around you. Had not

407
00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:22,920
Speaker 4: come to sit at the table of the righteous and

408
00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:26,680
Speaker 4: bask in my own glory like you do. I've come

409
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:28,280
Speaker 4: to help the sinners in need.

410
00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,639
Speaker 3: Jesus left with his disciple back inside. As he left,

411
00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:36,640
Speaker 3: he gestured for the Pharisees to join them. They sneered

412
00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:41,200
Speaker 3: and laughed. Jesus never scoffed at the sinners. He did

413
00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:45,280
Speaker 3: not shame the prostitutes or shun the tax collectors. He

414
00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:49,919
Speaker 3: ate beside them. He laughed with them, He heard their stories.

415
00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:54,480
Speaker 3: He taught them about a life lived with God. When

416
00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:59,240
Speaker 3: people met Jesus, they became righteous. They did not become

417
00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:05,919
Speaker 3: righteous to eat Jesus. Not long after, Jesus and his

418
00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:09,080
Speaker 3: disciples were walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath.

419
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Speaker 3: They had been walking for quite some time and were

420
00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:16,000
Speaker 3: beginning to get hungry. Andrew slid his hand through the

421
00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:19,760
Speaker 3: grain as they sauntered beside it. Taking one in his hand,

422
00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:22,960
Speaker 3: he plucked the grain and tossed it to John. The

423
00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:25,400
Speaker 3: men were hungry, and the outer layer of the grain

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00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:30,160
Speaker 3: fields were okay for eating. They continued to pluck, eat,

425
00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:33,720
Speaker 3: and walk until they spotted the Pharisees walking their way.

426
00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:38,720
Speaker 3: Simon quickly tossed his grain away, and John scarfed his

427
00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:43,280
Speaker 3: down in his mouth. Jesus chuckled, seeing how they became

428
00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:45,760
Speaker 3: flustered children when the Pharisees arrived.

429
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Speaker 5: Are you going to do anything about your followers, Jesus,

430
00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:51,680
Speaker 5: they're harvesting grain on the sabbath.

431
00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:55,520
Speaker 3: Jesus took a piece of grain and rolled it on

432
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Speaker 3: his fingers.

433
00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,160
Speaker 4: Aren't you men who know the scriptures.

434
00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:02,960
Speaker 3: Jesus asked sarcastically, do not.

435
00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:06,320
Speaker 4: Remember how David eat bread designated for the temple when

436
00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:07,880
Speaker 4: he was overcome with hunger.

437
00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:11,120
Speaker 3: The Pharisees were insulted by the insinuation that they had

438
00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:14,840
Speaker 3: not read the story. Jesus tossed a piece of grain

439
00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:15,560
Speaker 3: in his mouth.

440
00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:19,400
Speaker 4: Something greater than the temple is here. I suggest you

441
00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:22,960
Speaker 4: read more and find the meaning behind the words of God.

442
00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:29,240
Speaker 4: I desire mercy over sacrifice. If you truly knew what

443
00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:32,320
Speaker 4: that meant, you were not come here badgering men who've

444
00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:36,240
Speaker 4: done nothing wrong. For the Messiah is lord over the Sabbath,

445
00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:37,240
Speaker 4: not you.

446
00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:41,840
Speaker 3: Jesus continued walking toward the synagogue with his disciples behind him.

447
00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:45,440
Speaker 3: A faint laughter could be heard from them. They had

448
00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:48,280
Speaker 3: never heard any one speak to the Pharisees that way.

449
00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:52,520
Speaker 3: Before Jesus entered the synagogue and sat to listen to

450
00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:55,800
Speaker 3: the word of the Lord. The Pharisees trickled in as well.

451
00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:59,480
Speaker 3: They came behind Jesus and gestured towards a man with

452
00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:00,400
Speaker 3: a withered hand.

453
00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:04,080
Speaker 5: Tell us, Jesus, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

454
00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:07,640
Speaker 3: They were goading him, trying to catch him breaking more

455
00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:11,320
Speaker 3: Sabbath law in front of more people. Jesus stood to

456
00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:14,320
Speaker 3: his feet and walked towards the man with a withered hand.

457
00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:16,480
Speaker 3: He brought him before everyone.

458
00:30:17,120 --> 00:30:20,440
Speaker 4: He was not ashamed, tell me, pharisees, how many of

459
00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:22,080
Speaker 4: you have sheep or goats.

460
00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:25,920
Speaker 3: A few of them nodded and raised their hand. Jesus

461
00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:30,240
Speaker 3: took the man's withered arm and examined it. Looking back

462
00:30:30,280 --> 00:30:32,760
Speaker 3: at the pharisees, he asked, how many.

463
00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:34,680
Speaker 4: Of you, if your sheep fell in a pit on

464
00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:37,400
Speaker 4: the sabbath, would take hold of it and lift it out.

465
00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:41,960
Speaker 3: They did not respond. Since the answer was clear, Jesus

466
00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:45,800
Speaker 3: was angry at them. They could not see past their pride.

467
00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:49,440
Speaker 4: Tell me who is of more value, your sheep or

468
00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,600
Speaker 4: this man. I will say this once to you, so

469
00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:56,240
Speaker 4: hear me. It is lawful to do good on the sabbath,

470
00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:59,520
Speaker 4: for the Sabbath was made for man to rest in God,

471
00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:02,320
Speaker 4: not hide in fear of judgment.

472
00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,440
Speaker 3: He turned to the man and said, stretch out your hand,

473
00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,240
Speaker 3: and the man stretched it out and it was restored

474
00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:15,400
Speaker 3: healthy like the other. The crowd awed, and the Pharisees

475
00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:20,640
Speaker 3: slipped out, conspiring how they might end him. After this,

476
00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:23,400
Speaker 3: Jesus took some of his followers up to a mountain.

477
00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:28,160
Speaker 3: The crowd followed them and remained at the bottom. Jesus

478
00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:31,760
Speaker 3: paused and looked out at the sea of faces. He

479
00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:35,600
Speaker 3: did not see what others saw. He saw sheep that

480
00:31:35,640 --> 00:31:39,840
Speaker 3: were without a shepherd. They need guidance, They needed to

481
00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:43,880
Speaker 3: be empowered and enlivened by God's spirit. There were a

482
00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:48,000
Speaker 3: few followers beside him. He looked at them and pointed

483
00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:51,120
Speaker 3: down at the crowd. Look out at them. The harvest

484
00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:55,200
Speaker 3: is plentiful. There's no shortage of people longing for hope.

485
00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:58,040
Speaker 3: Do not pray for the people to come, for they

486
00:31:58,040 --> 00:32:01,920
Speaker 3: are already among you. Pray for the laborers. Pray for

487
00:32:02,040 --> 00:32:05,360
Speaker 3: men and women to rise up and work in this field.

488
00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:08,960
Speaker 4: The harvest is plentiful, but laborers are few.

489
00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:14,120
Speaker 3: With those words, Jesus appointed twelve men to be his apostles,

490
00:32:15,240 --> 00:32:19,720
Speaker 3: chosen men they would follow Jesus everywhere. These men were

491
00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:23,960
Speaker 3: not chosen for their wisdom, influence, or skill. Each of

492
00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:27,440
Speaker 3: them had gifts, and each of them had flaws. They

493
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:32,440
Speaker 3: were imperfect vessels chosen by God to do mighty works.

494
00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:37,480
Speaker 3: God chose them for their hearts, but also for their weakness,

495
00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:41,760
Speaker 3: for in their weakness God is shown to be strong.

496
00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:47,240
Speaker 3: He chose Simon, who he would now call Peter, which

497
00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:52,520
Speaker 3: means rock. Peter was loudmouthed and made rash decisions, yet

498
00:32:52,520 --> 00:32:56,360
Speaker 3: within him was the heart of the leader. He chose

499
00:32:56,440 --> 00:33:00,200
Speaker 3: James and John, the sons of Zebedee. He nicknamed them

500
00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:04,640
Speaker 3: sons of Thunder for their fire and enthusiasm. However, it

501
00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:09,160
Speaker 3: often got the better of them. He chose Andrew, Philip

502
00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:14,880
Speaker 3: and Bartholomew, the silent and humble servants. He chose Matthew

503
00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:19,360
Speaker 3: the tax collector, and Thomas the Skeptic. He chose James

504
00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:23,600
Speaker 3: and Alphaeus. One of the most unique men he chose

505
00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:27,440
Speaker 3: was Simon the Zealot. He was one of the notorious

506
00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:32,600
Speaker 3: dagger Men, a league of assassins trying to overthrow Roman rule. However,

507
00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:38,600
Speaker 3: Simon renounced his old ways for the sake of following Christ. Finally,

508
00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:44,280
Speaker 3: he chose Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.

509
00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:48,560
Speaker 3: He chose him and loved him, despite knowing who he

510
00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:54,680
Speaker 3: would become. This was the heart of Christ. Jesus's first

511
00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:57,760
Speaker 3: call to the twelve was for them to be with him.

512
00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:01,200
Speaker 3: Their closeness to Jesus would prove to be the source

513
00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:05,640
Speaker 3: of their strength. Moments sitting by the camp fire, sharing

514
00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:09,640
Speaker 3: stories and laughing would prove to be useful. They would

515
00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:13,400
Speaker 3: learn to be with God before doing anything for God.

516
00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:17,319
Speaker 3: So they too would not grow prideful like the Pharisees.

517
00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:22,400
Speaker 3: Out of that relationship, Jesus would send them out to preach, heal,

518
00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:26,160
Speaker 3: and cast out demons in his name. The disciples were

519
00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:30,080
Speaker 3: empowered by Jesus, and their strength grew day by day.

520
00:34:31,640 --> 00:34:36,000
Speaker 3: Jesus overlooked the crowd below. He knew many would eventually

521
00:34:36,080 --> 00:34:39,920
Speaker 3: turn on him. He turned to the twelve and said.

522
00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:43,759
Speaker 4: Whoever desires to come after me must first pick up

523
00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:47,279
Speaker 4: his cross and follow me. Whoever holds his life too

524
00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:51,440
Speaker 4: dear to lay it down will lose his life. However,

525
00:34:51,920 --> 00:34:56,359
Speaker 4: whoever loses his life for my sake would truly find it.

526
00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:59,160
Speaker 4: For what does it profit a man if he gains

527
00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:02,440
Speaker 4: the world's possess that loses his own soul.

528
00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:06,160
Speaker 3: Jesus called his disciples to a higher standard than the

529
00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:10,320
Speaker 3: Pharisees or scrimes. He called them to deny themselves instead

530
00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:14,200
Speaker 3: of elevate themselves. He did not call them to religious

531
00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:18,759
Speaker 3: repetition of vain practices. He called them to lay down

532
00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:23,200
Speaker 3: their lives, money, and convenience so that others may thrive.

533
00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:29,799
Speaker 3: Jesus would model this himself. He would sacrifice everything so

534
00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:31,560
Speaker 3: that people could be renewed.

535
00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:40,680
Speaker 2: Follow me. Those are the words that changed history. The

536
00:35:40,719 --> 00:35:43,799
Speaker 2: people chosen to follow Jesus in this episode were used

537
00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:46,840
Speaker 2: by God to spread the Gospel throughout the ancient world.

538
00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:50,640
Speaker 2: These small moments had a great ripple effect into the future.

539
00:35:51,360 --> 00:35:54,200
Speaker 2: We begin with the call of Simon, who would later

540
00:35:54,239 --> 00:35:58,640
Speaker 2: be called Peter, a rough fisherman from Galilee. His failure

541
00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:01,560
Speaker 2: to catch fish all night left him grumpy and tired,

542
00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:07,560
Speaker 2: but Jesus quickly broke down his rough exterior. Andrew, Simon, James,

543
00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:11,400
Speaker 2: and John's failure to catch fish, followed by immediate success

544
00:36:11,440 --> 00:36:14,440
Speaker 2: when Jesus was with them, is a metaphor. We on

545
00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:17,320
Speaker 2: our own are unable to truly be effective for the

546
00:36:17,400 --> 00:36:20,319
Speaker 2: Kingdom of God. No matter how much we toil, we

547
00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:23,680
Speaker 2: are unable to succeed without the presence of Jesus leading

548
00:36:23,719 --> 00:36:26,840
Speaker 2: and empowering us. As long as he is in our boat,

549
00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:29,640
Speaker 2: we know we are on the right path. There will

550
00:36:29,680 --> 00:36:31,880
Speaker 2: be many scenes with Jesus in a boat with his

551
00:36:31,960 --> 00:36:35,600
Speaker 2: disciples in future episodes. Pay attention to those and search

552
00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:38,520
Speaker 2: for meaning when you encounter them. When the boat was

553
00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:43,279
Speaker 2: overflowing with fish, Andrew, James, and John cheered, but not Peter.

554
00:36:43,960 --> 00:36:47,279
Speaker 2: He fell on his knees and wept. Why wasn't he

555
00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:50,000
Speaker 2: happy about the fish? What compelled him to hide his

556
00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:53,319
Speaker 2: face from Jesus and say, depart from me, Lord? I

557
00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:55,799
Speaker 2: think it was because Simon knew he was unworthy to

558
00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:59,879
Speaker 2: receive anything from Jesus. Simon was a salty fisherman from

559
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:03,440
Speaker 2: an unremarkable city. We also know he had a temper

560
00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:06,280
Speaker 2: and a tendency to run his mouth. To put it plainly,

561
00:37:06,920 --> 00:37:09,640
Speaker 2: Simon was a sinner. When he came face to face

562
00:37:09,719 --> 00:37:12,720
Speaker 2: with the goodness of Jesus, he no longer felt worthy

563
00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:15,440
Speaker 2: to be in his presence. Those who truly come in

564
00:37:15,520 --> 00:37:19,160
Speaker 2: contact with the holiness of God feel this way and psalmate.

565
00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:22,359
Speaker 2: David looks up to the heavens and says, when I

566
00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:25,560
Speaker 2: consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon

567
00:37:25,680 --> 00:37:28,280
Speaker 2: and the stars which you have made. What is Man

568
00:37:28,320 --> 00:37:30,560
Speaker 2: that you are mindful of him? And the Son of

569
00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:33,759
Speaker 2: Man that you visit him? When we truly consider the

570
00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:37,640
Speaker 2: splendor of God, we feel small and insignificant. Who are

571
00:37:37,680 --> 00:37:40,640
Speaker 2: we that God would bless us and call us? The

572
00:37:40,640 --> 00:37:43,640
Speaker 2: fact that God regards us at all is humbly. I

573
00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:46,120
Speaker 2: think that is what Simon experienced on the boat. That

574
00:37:46,239 --> 00:37:49,440
Speaker 2: morning he experienced the glory of God and was humble.

575
00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:54,120
Speaker 2: Jesus responded to Simon with a call with tenderness and power.

576
00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:57,120
Speaker 2: He said, follow me, and I will make you a

577
00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:00,959
Speaker 2: fisher of men. This statement is consistent with the theme

578
00:38:01,000 --> 00:38:05,200
Speaker 2: of the episode. Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John

579
00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:08,279
Speaker 2: and told them he would make them fishers of men.

580
00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:11,640
Speaker 2: It wasn't that they were already fishers of men. Rather,

581
00:38:12,120 --> 00:38:14,840
Speaker 2: Jesus would make them into what they were meant to be.

582
00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:18,840
Speaker 2: This is similar to the call of Abraham and Genesis twelve.

583
00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:22,279
Speaker 2: God called Abraham to follow him and said, I will

584
00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:25,640
Speaker 2: make you a great nation. I will bless you and

585
00:38:25,840 --> 00:38:28,720
Speaker 2: make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.

586
00:38:29,320 --> 00:38:32,560
Speaker 2: God didn't call Abraham because he was already great. He

587
00:38:32,600 --> 00:38:35,719
Speaker 2: called Abraham and made him great. In the same way,

588
00:38:35,800 --> 00:38:38,760
Speaker 2: the disciples were not called because they were already great,

589
00:38:39,160 --> 00:38:42,880
Speaker 2: but Jesus would make them great. Let this encourage you today.

590
00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:46,320
Speaker 2: Who we become when we follow Jesus is more important

591
00:38:46,560 --> 00:38:50,120
Speaker 2: than who we are when we begin following Jesus. After

592
00:38:50,160 --> 00:38:53,400
Speaker 2: the interaction with Simon in the boat, we were thrust

593
00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:56,800
Speaker 2: into another scene with the demon. The sea was supposed

594
00:38:56,800 --> 00:38:59,279
Speaker 2: to scare us a little bit and remind us that

595
00:38:59,320 --> 00:39:02,200
Speaker 2: there is another spiritual realm outside the line of sight.

596
00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:05,960
Speaker 2: Jesus didn't just come to help people catch fish. He

597
00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:08,919
Speaker 2: came to wage war against the dark forces at work

598
00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:12,280
Speaker 2: in the hearts of men and women. Jesus preached great

599
00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:15,360
Speaker 2: sermons and helped many people with their physical ailments, but

600
00:39:15,440 --> 00:39:19,280
Speaker 2: he also came to establish authority over people's hearts. Jesus

601
00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:22,239
Speaker 2: quickly established dominance over the demon and cast him out.

602
00:39:22,920 --> 00:39:25,760
Speaker 2: This event is a small taste of the spiritual battle

603
00:39:25,800 --> 00:39:29,560
Speaker 2: waging around us. There are dark entities at work, and

604
00:39:29,600 --> 00:39:32,960
Speaker 2: we would be wise to not ignore them. Nevertheless, we

605
00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:36,560
Speaker 2: shouldn't be scared. This scene also reminds us that Jesus

606
00:39:36,640 --> 00:39:40,080
Speaker 2: has ultimate authority and power over the demons. They know

607
00:39:40,239 --> 00:39:43,279
Speaker 2: him and quake in fear of him. The scene with

608
00:39:43,360 --> 00:39:45,319
Speaker 2: the leper on the side of the road and the

609
00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,480
Speaker 2: paralytic lowered from the roof were both related to the

610
00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:52,040
Speaker 2: scene with the demoniac. When Jesus heals people, it is

611
00:39:52,120 --> 00:39:54,759
Speaker 2: meant to be a metaphor for the inner healing he

612
00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:57,399
Speaker 2: does in all of us. The sin that plagues our

613
00:39:57,400 --> 00:40:01,200
Speaker 2: heart decays our souls like leprosy. The shame of sin

614
00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:04,760
Speaker 2: paralyzes us and keeps us from walking a life of purpose.

615
00:40:05,160 --> 00:40:08,560
Speaker 2: Jesus addresses the physical needs of these men, but the

616
00:40:08,640 --> 00:40:11,800
Speaker 2: greater work is the salvation and sanctification of our souls.

617
00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:16,240
Speaker 2: Jesus reminded us of this by forgiving the paralytic sins

618
00:40:16,520 --> 00:40:19,360
Speaker 2: before healing his body. We are all in need of

619
00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:22,920
Speaker 2: God's forgiveness, and we are able to receive it because

620
00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:26,279
Speaker 2: of Christ's work on our behalf. The friends that lower

621
00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:29,400
Speaker 2: the paralytic are placed in the story as a contrast

622
00:40:29,719 --> 00:40:32,840
Speaker 2: to the Pharisees and religious leaders. Think about it for

623
00:40:32,840 --> 00:40:35,719
Speaker 2: a moment. The Pharisees and scribes were meant to bring

624
00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:39,040
Speaker 2: people close to God. It was their job to teach

625
00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:42,560
Speaker 2: and serve people according to the law and prophets. Instead,

626
00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:46,160
Speaker 2: they created barriers between people and God. They set up

627
00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:48,960
Speaker 2: a system that made it difficult for others to access

628
00:40:49,000 --> 00:40:52,719
Speaker 2: the heart of God. However, the friends of this paralyzed

629
00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:55,840
Speaker 2: man did whatever they could to get their friend close

630
00:40:55,880 --> 00:40:59,799
Speaker 2: to God. They risk their safety and convenience to see

631
00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:03,759
Speaker 2: their friend healed. They are a stark contrast to the Pharisees.

632
00:41:04,520 --> 00:41:07,680
Speaker 2: Their faithfulness causes us to question the idea of friendship

633
00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:10,880
Speaker 2: and love. Do we have the same devotion as these men?

634
00:41:11,440 --> 00:41:13,319
Speaker 2: Do we lay us out our own convenience for the

635
00:41:13,360 --> 00:41:16,600
Speaker 2: sake of our friends being close to Jesus? What lengths

636
00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:19,160
Speaker 2: are we willing to go to make sure those close

637
00:41:19,200 --> 00:41:22,239
Speaker 2: to us can experience freedom in Christ? So far in

638
00:41:22,320 --> 00:41:25,600
Speaker 2: the story, we have seen Jesus reach out to the reject,

639
00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:28,840
Speaker 2: the lowly, and the sick. However, we have yet to

640
00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:32,000
Speaker 2: see him reach out to someone who is universally hated

641
00:41:32,040 --> 00:41:36,279
Speaker 2: among the Jews, tax collectors. Tax collectors were among the

642
00:41:36,440 --> 00:41:39,879
Speaker 2: most hated people of the time. They were called race

643
00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:44,160
Speaker 2: traders and apostates due to their loyalty to Rome. They

644
00:41:44,239 --> 00:41:48,720
Speaker 2: traded their kinship for money and actively exploited their fellow Jews.

645
00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:52,200
Speaker 2: Surely a man like this wouldn't receive any attention from

646
00:41:52,200 --> 00:41:56,480
Speaker 2: the Messiah. Right wrong. Tax collectors were often sought out

647
00:41:56,480 --> 00:41:59,879
Speaker 2: by Jesus, and they often sought Jesus out. He gave

648
00:42:00,239 --> 00:42:03,960
Speaker 2: the love that the countrymen refused to give. Matthew, one

649
00:42:04,000 --> 00:42:07,240
Speaker 2: of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, was one of them.

650
00:42:07,560 --> 00:42:11,080
Speaker 2: Jesus gave him a simple call, follow me. This is

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00:42:11,120 --> 00:42:13,440
Speaker 2: the call he gives to all of us. It is

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00:42:13,480 --> 00:42:17,439
Speaker 2: an invitation to adventure, growth and glory. But the call

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00:42:17,520 --> 00:42:20,640
Speaker 2: of Jesus comes at a cost. Those who desire to

654
00:42:20,680 --> 00:42:23,840
Speaker 2: follow him must die to their old ways and embrace

655
00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:27,319
Speaker 2: the new way of living. Matthew considered the costs and

656
00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:31,840
Speaker 2: chose to follow Christ. The Pharisees didn't understand Jesus's motives.

657
00:42:32,120 --> 00:42:36,560
Speaker 2: They questioned his righteousness because he ate with sinners. Jesus, however,

658
00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:40,320
Speaker 2: has some coarse words for them. Tell me, Jesus said,

659
00:42:40,680 --> 00:42:43,200
Speaker 2: who needs a doctor more, the sick or the healthy?

660
00:42:43,800 --> 00:42:47,560
Speaker 2: The Pharisee said nothing, knowing the answer was obvious. You

661
00:42:47,640 --> 00:42:50,440
Speaker 2: sit here praising yourself for your good health, all the

662
00:42:50,480 --> 00:42:53,680
Speaker 2: while ignoring those who suffer around you. I have not

663
00:42:53,760 --> 00:42:55,640
Speaker 2: come to sit at the table of the righteous or

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00:42:55,719 --> 00:42:58,600
Speaker 2: basque in my own glory like you do. I have

665
00:42:58,719 --> 00:43:02,760
Speaker 2: come to help the sinners in need. Jesus, being God,

666
00:43:03,040 --> 00:43:06,480
Speaker 2: refused to flaunt his righteousness like a merit badge. He

667
00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:09,920
Speaker 2: knew that true righteousness was acted out in love, not

668
00:43:10,040 --> 00:43:13,680
Speaker 2: displayed to make others feel inferior. A big sticking point

669
00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:17,479
Speaker 2: between Jesus and the Pharisees was regarding the Sabbath. Many

670
00:43:17,560 --> 00:43:20,719
Speaker 2: rules and regulations were formed around the Sabbath, which was

671
00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:24,160
Speaker 2: a day designed for rest and worship. So many rules

672
00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:26,480
Speaker 2: had been formed around the Sabbath that it was basically

673
00:43:26,560 --> 00:43:29,400
Speaker 2: a job to keep them. The irony was lost on

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00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:33,319
Speaker 2: the religious leaders, but not on Jesus. When his disciples

675
00:43:33,360 --> 00:43:37,160
Speaker 2: plucked some grain to snack on, they were angry. Jesus

676
00:43:37,160 --> 00:43:40,239
Speaker 2: abbit was swift to point out their hypocrisy. If the

677
00:43:40,280 --> 00:43:43,719
Speaker 2: Sabbath was a day made for rest and worship, then

678
00:43:43,760 --> 00:43:46,200
Speaker 2: what good was it to place so much burden on

679
00:43:46,239 --> 00:43:50,000
Speaker 2: people to keep it. Like many vain religious traditions, they

680
00:43:50,040 --> 00:43:53,680
Speaker 2: accomplished the opposite of what they claimed to do. That's

681
00:43:53,680 --> 00:43:55,719
Speaker 2: why Jesus made it a point to heal the man

682
00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:58,600
Speaker 2: with a withered hand on the Sabbath. He wanted to

683
00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:01,360
Speaker 2: show everyone that nobody should refuse to do what is

684
00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:05,359
Speaker 2: right just because it went against some moral tradition. This

685
00:44:05,440 --> 00:44:07,880
Speaker 2: is what the apostle Paul meant when he said, but

686
00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:15,880
Speaker 2: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearons, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,

687
00:44:15,880 --> 00:44:21,440
Speaker 2: and self control. Against such things, there is no law. Love, faithfulness, kindness,

688
00:44:21,520 --> 00:44:25,839
Speaker 2: trump any religious tradition against these things, there is no law.

689
00:44:26,520 --> 00:44:29,560
Speaker 2: This episode ended with the calling of the twelve. Their

690
00:44:29,560 --> 00:44:32,719
Speaker 2: appointment brought us back to the prelude, reminding us that

691
00:44:32,760 --> 00:44:36,120
Speaker 2: God doesn't call the brave, strong, and perfect. He chooses

692
00:44:36,160 --> 00:44:39,440
Speaker 2: the fisherman, the tax collector, and the dagger men to

693
00:44:39,520 --> 00:44:43,839
Speaker 2: display his glory. All vain displays of religiosity are put

694
00:44:43,840 --> 00:44:46,959
Speaker 2: aside as. Jesus appoints a band of sinners and makes

695
00:44:47,000 --> 00:44:50,359
Speaker 2: them sings. I enjoyed my time with you today. Our

696
00:44:50,400 --> 00:44:54,759
Speaker 2: next episode will feature Jesus' most famous sermon. He establishes

697
00:44:54,800 --> 00:44:59,480
Speaker 2: the kingdom Ethos and reminds us that character triumphs over

698
00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:03,640
Speaker 2: sank them. Join us next time for episode seven, My

699
00:45:03,800 --> 00:45:08,560
Speaker 2: Burden is Life. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,

700
00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:11,600
Speaker 2: daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to

701
00:45:11,640 --> 00:45:14,480
Speaker 2: pray dot com and to expand your heroes in the

702
00:45:14,520 --> 00:45:18,080
Speaker 2: Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at

703
00:45:18,080 --> 00:45:22,400
Speaker 2: Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on

704
00:45:22,480 --> 00:45:25,879
Speaker 2: Apple or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as

705
00:45:25,920 --> 00:45:29,840
Speaker 2: they come out, so you can strengthen your relationship with Jesus.

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00:45:30,080 --> 00:45:30,720
Speaker 2: God bless