1
00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,000
Speaker 1: For God so loved the world that he gave his

2
00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:07,480
Speaker 1: only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish,

3
00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:14,280
Speaker 1: but have everlasting life. John three sixteen. Thank you, Heavenly Father,

4
00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:18,840
Speaker 1: for your unfathomable love for me. No one will ever

5
00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,080
Speaker 1: or could ever love me with the pure and unconditional.

6
00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:23,720
Speaker 2: Love you have for me.

7
00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:28,520
Speaker 1: You ask me to believe, believe in your son and

8
00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,840
Speaker 1: the price he paid out of his love for me.

9
00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:35,239
Speaker 1: I wept in gratitude when I realized how selfish I

10
00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:40,320
Speaker 1: am in comparison to his astounding love. I left my

11
00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,199
Speaker 1: voice in praise and sing joy to the world. The

12
00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:49,000
Speaker 1: Lord has come, and Heaven and Nature sing. Prepare our

13
00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:53,080
Speaker 1: hearts Lord to receive the greatest gift of knowing. Jesus,

14
00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,800
Speaker 1: fill our hearts with joy as we sing praises for

15
00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,000
Speaker 1: your glorious goodness.

16
00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:00,120
Speaker 2: Amen.

17
00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:07,280
Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.

18
00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,120
Speaker 1: From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.

19
00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,560
Speaker 3: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, jehost for Heroes in the Bible. Jesus.

20
00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:20,080
Speaker 3: If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review

21
00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,479
Speaker 3: and let us know how this podcast has impacted your life.

22
00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,720
Speaker 3: Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the

23
00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,600
Speaker 3: story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's

24
00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,680
Speaker 3: love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death

25
00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,120
Speaker 3: and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape

26
00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,320
Speaker 3: and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart

27
00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,440
Speaker 3: of God right into the hearts of you and me.

28
00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,400
Speaker 3: In this episode, Jesus's heart for the outcast has put

29
00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:50,120
Speaker 3: on full display. This episode features one compelling interaction after another.

30
00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:52,720
Speaker 3: While some of the gospels put an emphasis on the

31
00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,360
Speaker 3: public ministry of Jesus, the Gospel of John is unique

32
00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:59,280
Speaker 3: with its greater emphasis on the one on one interactions

33
00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:03,840
Speaker 3: Jesus had with selected individuals. This episode highlights many of

34
00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:07,800
Speaker 3: those connections, reminding us that Jesus wasn't just a public figure,

35
00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:11,280
Speaker 3: but a friend and mentor. He took time for people,

36
00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:14,400
Speaker 3: noticed those on the fringe, and revealed his glory through

37
00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:19,720
Speaker 3: simple conversations. This episode introduces us to famous characters like

38
00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,640
Speaker 3: Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well, as well as

39
00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:25,120
Speaker 3: lesser known figures like the father with the sick son

40
00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:29,639
Speaker 3: and the invalid by the pools. All of these individuals

41
00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,320
Speaker 3: came face to face with Jesus and were changed forever

42
00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:36,200
Speaker 3: because of him. Nobody can truly meet Jesus and remain neutral.

43
00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:38,800
Speaker 3: Anyone who comes face to face with him must make

44
00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:43,080
Speaker 3: a decision about who he is to them. Ironically, the

45
00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,200
Speaker 3: religiously lead and pious leaders had a harder time accepting

46
00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,079
Speaker 3: him than the sick and social outcast. As it turns out,

47
00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,320
Speaker 3: self righteous religion can keep people from truly seeing Jesus

48
00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,320
Speaker 3: for who he is. In this episode, I want to

49
00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,399
Speaker 3: challenge all of us to see the ways in which

50
00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,560
Speaker 3: Jesus interacts with the outcast. How does he speak with

51
00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,000
Speaker 3: people who have been rejected by society? To what lengths

52
00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,600
Speaker 3: will Jesus go to comfort and compel people's hearts. Before

53
00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:13,040
Speaker 3: we dive into this next time in Jesus' ministry, we

54
00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,560
Speaker 3: will have a prelude, a story captured from another time

55
00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:20,280
Speaker 3: and space. We are introduced to David, an outcast in

56
00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,240
Speaker 3: his own way who became a king. His life is

57
00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:25,560
Speaker 3: an example to us all of God's heart for the

58
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,120
Speaker 3: people on the fringe. The small Shepherd's boys rise to

59
00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,160
Speaker 3: power shows us that God prefers to use the weak

60
00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,160
Speaker 3: things of the world to display his strength. I hope

61
00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,560
Speaker 3: it encourages you today. Here is episode five The Outcast.

62
00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:51,880
Speaker 4: Prelude to Chapter five. One thousand years before the birth

63
00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:56,360
Speaker 4: of Christ, a young shepherd boy lounged under the clouds.

64
00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,600
Speaker 4: He watched the sheep grays and frolic while strumming the liar.

65
00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:06,200
Speaker 4: The solitude of a shepherd's life did not bother him.

66
00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:10,040
Speaker 4: His father had nearly forgotten him altogether anyways, and his

67
00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:14,240
Speaker 4: brothers were self consumed. If he was being honest, he

68
00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,839
Speaker 4: preferred the company of sheep. As dull as they were,

69
00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:23,200
Speaker 4: they were endearing. They needed his guidance, protection and provision.

70
00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,880
Speaker 4: Without him, they would surely fall off a cliff or

71
00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:30,680
Speaker 4: starve to death. The boy thought about his relationship with

72
00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,960
Speaker 4: God this way. He would often look at his sheep

73
00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:39,039
Speaker 4: and ponder how God was his shepherd, guiding, protecting, and

74
00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:44,120
Speaker 4: providing for him. In the solitude of the sheep pasture,

75
00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:48,400
Speaker 4: the young shepherd strummed him to the Lord. He played

76
00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:53,880
Speaker 4: passionately for an audience of one. These tender moments happened

77
00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:58,640
Speaker 4: often between him and God. He was constantly after his heart.

78
00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:01,920
Speaker 4: He knew that his sheep's while being was dependent on

79
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:06,400
Speaker 4: its closeness to the shepherd, so The boy drew close

80
00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:10,120
Speaker 4: to the Lord daily, singing to him and meditating on

81
00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:14,359
Speaker 4: his law. As small and unassuming as he was, he

82
00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:18,520
Speaker 4: was not without courage. Wolves and lions would often prowl

83
00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:21,240
Speaker 4: on the perimeter of the pasture, looking to feast on

84
00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:25,599
Speaker 4: the helpless sheep. The shepherd boy was continually alert and

85
00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,840
Speaker 4: ready for battle. He had to slay a few wolves

86
00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:33,000
Speaker 4: and lions in his time. However, nobody would assume that

87
00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,679
Speaker 4: of the boy. He was ruddy and clearly the runt

88
00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,640
Speaker 4: of his family. He did not carry himself like his

89
00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:46,040
Speaker 4: brothers or his father. They were regal, sturdy, and kinglike. However,

90
00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:50,120
Speaker 4: the boy was content with his sheep. He loved that

91
00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:54,080
Speaker 4: they needed him. When the nation of Israel needed a

92
00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,359
Speaker 4: champion to rise up and defeat the giant Golire and

93
00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:03,240
Speaker 4: his Philistine army, no soldier forward. There were no princes, warriors,

94
00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:07,200
Speaker 4: or noblemen brave enough to fight. The prophet and Judge

95
00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,320
Speaker 4: of Israel, Samuel, was sent by God to find a

96
00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:14,240
Speaker 4: man worthy enough to lead the nation. He looked at

97
00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:18,479
Speaker 4: the strong, the tall, and the noble. He considered the

98
00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:23,080
Speaker 4: men who carried themselves like kings. However, the Lord had

99
00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:28,120
Speaker 4: rejected them as his chosen servant. Instead he had. Samuel

100
00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,960
Speaker 4: looked to the pastors, where a shepherd boy tended to

101
00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:31,760
Speaker 4: the sheep.

102
00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:37,880
Speaker 2: Man looks at the outward appearance. God told Samuel, however,

103
00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:42,920
Speaker 2: I look beyond what men say. I look at the heart.

104
00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,680
Speaker 2: Samuel looked at the ruddy shepherd boy. He did not

105
00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:51,440
Speaker 2: have a keenly demeanor. He was the rejected son of

106
00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:56,880
Speaker 2: his family and an outcast. However, dwelling within him was

107
00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,839
Speaker 2: a heart after God. The Lord called the shepherd boy

108
00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,599
Speaker 2: and empowered him to slay giants. He would go on

109
00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,640
Speaker 2: to be the greatest king Israel had ever known. The

110
00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,760
Speaker 2: otherwise unassuming.

111
00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:14,760
Speaker 4: And weak boy was a hero and God's chosen champion,

112
00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:21,120
Speaker 4: King David. These are the people God chose to lead armies,

113
00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:25,679
Speaker 4: restore nations, and proclaim his truths. He chose the weak

114
00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:30,160
Speaker 4: to showcase his strength. He chose the homeless and gave

115
00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:35,080
Speaker 4: them a home. He chose the rejective and gave them purpose.

116
00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,280
Speaker 4: For God chose the foolish things of this world to

117
00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:42,720
Speaker 4: put to shame all those who felt wise or strong

118
00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:47,400
Speaker 4: in their own right. God was in the business for

119
00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:56,440
Speaker 4: choosing the outcasts. Chapter five. The Outcasts Jesus's name began

120
00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:01,320
Speaker 4: to grow in popularity. As John the Baptist faith into anonymity,

121
00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,840
Speaker 4: more and more people who used to follow him began

122
00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:09,640
Speaker 4: to follow Jesus. However, the true identity of Jesus was

123
00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:14,640
Speaker 4: still only seen in part. Some people called him the Messiah,

124
00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,640
Speaker 4: but they were still not entirely sure what that meant.

125
00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:21,400
Speaker 4: Many people thought the Messiah would be a political hero.

126
00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:26,000
Speaker 4: Some thought the Messiah would be a man of war. However,

127
00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:31,400
Speaker 4: not many predicted a carpenter from a small town. Jesus's

128
00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:35,440
Speaker 4: words reflected the prophetic description of the Messiah, but the

129
00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:40,000
Speaker 4: way he carried himself seemed almost too humble and too unassuming,

130
00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:45,120
Speaker 4: So people followed Jesus, curious as to what he would

131
00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:50,800
Speaker 4: do next. It was passover, a time when people from

132
00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,240
Speaker 4: the entire region would gather near the temple to worship.

133
00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:58,160
Speaker 4: Millions of people flowed in and out of the city streets,

134
00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:02,880
Speaker 4: bringing their families, sacrifices and prayers to offer up to

135
00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:07,800
Speaker 4: the Lord. It was a grand celebration of God redeeming

136
00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:11,600
Speaker 4: his people from slavery in Egypt. It was also a

137
00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:17,199
Speaker 4: time of deep contemplation. Men and women considered the depth

138
00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,560
Speaker 4: of God's love for them and his blessing over them

139
00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:25,760
Speaker 4: as a holy nation and chosen people. Jesus walked among

140
00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,679
Speaker 4: the sea of faces towards the temple. The top of

141
00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:33,000
Speaker 4: the temple could be seen in the distance. It was

142
00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,840
Speaker 4: radiant and a glorious image of God's presence dwelling in

143
00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:40,760
Speaker 4: the middle of the city. It was Jesus' desire that

144
00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:45,440
Speaker 4: all would experience God at the center of their own lives.

145
00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,880
Speaker 4: His heart was warmed as he saw Jews, Greeks, and

146
00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:54,280
Speaker 4: people of all creeds and cultures gathering to worship. The

147
00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,600
Speaker 4: heart of God is for all to enter in and

148
00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:03,240
Speaker 4: seek his face. Jesus walked through the temple gates, his

149
00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,560
Speaker 4: brow furrowed as he saw the people within. In the

150
00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:12,439
Speaker 4: temple courtyard, he found people selling sacrifices and hackling prices.

151
00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:17,240
Speaker 4: Men were bringing oxen, pigeons, goats, and sheep, claiming they

152
00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:22,000
Speaker 4: were special and therefore required to make a sacrifice. The

153
00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:26,120
Speaker 4: temple officials also had a special currency, and the exchange

154
00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,319
Speaker 4: rate was too steep for many people to buy a sacrifice.

155
00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:34,760
Speaker 4: Jesus watched in horror as the temple was being used

156
00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:39,520
Speaker 4: as a place to exploit people. Foreigners brought their own

157
00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,760
Speaker 4: sacrifices and were swiftly turned away if they could not

158
00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:49,840
Speaker 4: afford a new temple certified sacrifice. Jesus's blood boiled within him.

159
00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,080
Speaker 4: The courtyard he was standing in was a special place.

160
00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:57,079
Speaker 4: It was the courtyard that gentiles and foreigners were allowed

161
00:10:57,120 --> 00:11:01,400
Speaker 4: to come and worship, Yet the religious leaders used it

162
00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:06,600
Speaker 4: to grow rich. A quiet rage dwelled within the gentle

163
00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:11,040
Speaker 4: son of God, a rage so pure and so righteous

164
00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:14,440
Speaker 4: that if he wished, he could send fire down from heaven.

165
00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:18,760
Speaker 4: Jesus looked at the money changers and the swindlers haggling

166
00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:23,680
Speaker 4: near the steps. They were selling salvation. They were selling

167
00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:28,680
Speaker 4: a connection with God. Jesus would not allow it. He

168
00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,400
Speaker 4: looked to his left to see palm Franz laying on

169
00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,920
Speaker 4: the floor. He also saw some netting used the whole

170
00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:39,280
Speaker 4: animals draped over the side of the steps. Jesus gathered

171
00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:43,360
Speaker 4: these things, sat down, and began to weave. No one

172
00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:47,839
Speaker 4: noticed him methodically sowing leaves and rope together. They were

173
00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:52,360
Speaker 4: too consumed with making a prophet. When God established the

174
00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,320
Speaker 4: nation of Israel, he commanded that they would be a

175
00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:59,280
Speaker 4: sanctuary for every nation. He commanded that they be a

176
00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:03,839
Speaker 4: safe haven for refugees and foreigners. He also commanded that

177
00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:07,320
Speaker 4: any one who desired to repent and seek his face

178
00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:12,400
Speaker 4: would not be denied blessing the people appointed to reflect

179
00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:17,080
Speaker 4: God's heart had given in to corruption. Jesus would not

180
00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,240
Speaker 4: allow anybody to be separated from the loving and brace

181
00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:23,200
Speaker 4: of God. He would not allow the foreigner to be

182
00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,760
Speaker 4: turned away. He would not allow the poor to be

183
00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:30,680
Speaker 4: put in debt because they couldn't afford a nicer sacrifice.

184
00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:34,880
Speaker 4: It was King David who said, for you will not

185
00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,960
Speaker 4: delight and sacrifice, or I would give it. He would

186
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:42,760
Speaker 4: not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of

187
00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:47,120
Speaker 4: God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.

188
00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,760
Speaker 4: O God, you will not despise. With these words burning

189
00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,840
Speaker 4: in his heart, Jesus rose to his feet. He raised

190
00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,760
Speaker 4: his hand high in the air to reveal a whip

191
00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,840
Speaker 4: of chords. Then, with the strong swing of his hips,

192
00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:06,640
Speaker 4: Jesus slashed the whip forward to hit the oxen. The

193
00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:10,520
Speaker 4: animals panicked broke free from their cases. He knoked over

194
00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:14,200
Speaker 4: the carts and sent people fleeing in a panic. Then

195
00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:18,120
Speaker 4: Jesus marched over to the money changers with the mighty

196
00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:22,040
Speaker 4: Heart of God. Jesus lifted the stone tables and flipped

197
00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,920
Speaker 4: them over. The heavy structures crashed to the floor, shaking

198
00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:30,080
Speaker 4: the ground. Gold and silver spilled all over the courtyard floor,

199
00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,880
Speaker 4: and the money changers frantically picked them up like birds

200
00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:38,640
Speaker 4: pecking it bread. Jesus stood above the temple steps, holding

201
00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:40,960
Speaker 4: the whip in one hand in a crate of doves

202
00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:45,720
Speaker 4: in another. He had single handedly destroyed the temple marketplace.

203
00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,400
Speaker 4: Raising the doves in the air, he smashed the crate

204
00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:54,000
Speaker 4: to the ground, releasing the doves. People stopped their panicking

205
00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,680
Speaker 4: for a moment to look at Jesus. Huffing, he pointed

206
00:13:57,720 --> 00:13:59,960
Speaker 4: at the pharisees and scribes watching from them.

207
00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,400
Speaker 5: This is where men and women are meant to seek

208
00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,880
Speaker 5: the face of their God. Yet you have set up

209
00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:09,360
Speaker 5: monuments to greed. You have made my father's house a

210
00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,640
Speaker 5: house of trade, and you have rejected the outcasts.

211
00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,080
Speaker 4: The scribes had heard rumors of Jesus, but this was

212
00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,520
Speaker 4: their first time meeting him. What gives you the right

213
00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:23,560
Speaker 4: to do these things? What signs shall you give us

214
00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:28,680
Speaker 4: to prove your authority? They retorted. The crowd was stirring.

215
00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:33,400
Speaker 4: Jesus began walking towards them. The few of the disciples

216
00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,480
Speaker 4: saw Jesus. They looked at the fire in his eyes.

217
00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,360
Speaker 4: They remembered the words of David when he prophesied about

218
00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:44,720
Speaker 4: the Messiah, saying, zeal for your house will consume me.

219
00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,640
Speaker 4: They watched Jesus march forward, with his strength even greater

220
00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:53,160
Speaker 4: than David's. He had a passion for the House of

221
00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,800
Speaker 4: God and for all those who would seek.

222
00:14:55,640 --> 00:15:00,480
Speaker 6: Him in it. Destroy this temple, Jesus began, and in

223
00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,600
Speaker 6: three days I will raise it up. It will stand

224
00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:05,800
Speaker 6: in greater glory than before.

225
00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,000
Speaker 4: The chuckle could be heard from the crowd. One of

226
00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,120
Speaker 4: them scoffed at him and said, it took forty six

227
00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,120
Speaker 4: years to rebuild that temple, and you think you could

228
00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,960
Speaker 4: do so in three days. Jesus shook his head and

229
00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:25,080
Speaker 4: walked down the steps. Jesus's words confused them. However, Jesus

230
00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,640
Speaker 4: was speaking of his own destruction and his own resurrection

231
00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:32,840
Speaker 4: to come. His disciples did not understand these things at

232
00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:37,880
Speaker 4: the time, but they would. Jesus dropped his whip and

233
00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,840
Speaker 4: left the temple. No one dared to go after him.

234
00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:46,320
Speaker 4: The scribes and the pharisees watched Jesus leave. Then a

235
00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:49,920
Speaker 4: small applause followed. They looked out at the sea of

236
00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:54,840
Speaker 4: people cheering for Jesus. They looked at one another, afraid

237
00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:58,480
Speaker 4: of what this man from Nazareth might do to their power.

238
00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:04,680
Speaker 4: Many of the scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders scoffed at

239
00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,880
Speaker 4: Jesus and wrote him off as a madman. There were

240
00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,440
Speaker 4: many zealots and radicals during that time. They pegged him

241
00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:16,360
Speaker 4: as just another voice crying out in insanity. They were wrong,

242
00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,360
Speaker 4: They were dangerously wrong. They had not even come close

243
00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,400
Speaker 4: to what Jesus's purpose really was. His display of anger

244
00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:31,520
Speaker 4: was quickly dismissed and spat at. However, not all the

245
00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,680
Speaker 4: religious leaders were so flippant with Jesus. One of them

246
00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:40,920
Speaker 4: in particular, was curious. Nicodemus had been teaching God's law

247
00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:44,880
Speaker 4: for many years. He had spent his entire life poring

248
00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:48,440
Speaker 4: over the scriptures and encouraging the masses that one day

249
00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:53,280
Speaker 4: the Messiah would come. So when he saw Jesus he

250
00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:59,080
Speaker 4: could not help but wonder. It was late, and Jesus

251
00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,760
Speaker 4: was staying in a home before departing for Galilee. The

252
00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,679
Speaker 4: city streets were dark and silent, all except a single

253
00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:11,040
Speaker 4: hooded figure lurking its way towards the house. He held

254
00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,840
Speaker 4: a small lantern and approached the door with the utmost precaution.

255
00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,480
Speaker 4: Jesus heard a small knock at the door and opened it,

256
00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:24,639
Speaker 4: standing with his face slightly illuminated by the lantern. Was

257
00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:30,480
Speaker 4: Nicodemus come in? Jesus said with a smile. Jesus knew

258
00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:33,960
Speaker 4: why Nicodemus had come so late. He was afraid to

259
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:38,480
Speaker 4: be seen with Jesus after the day's events at the temple. However,

260
00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:42,600
Speaker 4: his curiosity piqued and he had questions that needed answering.

261
00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,040
Speaker 4: Jesus gestured for Nicodemus to have a seat and have

262
00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:50,639
Speaker 4: a drink. A few of Jesus's disciples were sitting by

263
00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:51,080
Speaker 4: the fire.

264
00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:55,680
Speaker 5: To what do I owe this pleasure Nicodemus, Jesus asked, Surely,

265
00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,520
Speaker 5: a ruler of the Jews such as yourself, is busy

266
00:17:58,560 --> 00:17:59,639
Speaker 5: with many things.

267
00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,200
Speaker 4: Nicodemus stared at his comp for a while. Where would

268
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,560
Speaker 4: he begin? For so long Nicodemus had lived with this

269
00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,239
Speaker 4: angst about the direction of the Pharisees. He knew that

270
00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,159
Speaker 4: in many ways the people had fallen further from God.

271
00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:17,080
Speaker 4: He looked up to see Jesus, staring at him attentively.

272
00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:22,600
Speaker 7: Rabbi Nicodemus said, there is no doubt in my mind

273
00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,480
Speaker 7: that you are a brilliant teacher with a heart that

274
00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,800
Speaker 7: is close to God. Truly, He must have set you,

275
00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,600
Speaker 7: for no one can do or say the things you

276
00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:33,040
Speaker 7: do without being blessed.

277
00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:37,280
Speaker 4: Jesus nodded in agreement. He looked at the fire for

278
00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:41,359
Speaker 4: a moment to ponder what Nicodemus had just said. He

279
00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:44,560
Speaker 4: was more than just a teacher, and Nicodemus would soon

280
00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:49,520
Speaker 4: learn that. Jesus saw in Nicodemus a man without answers,

281
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,359
Speaker 4: yet forced to pretend he had them.

282
00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:56,000
Speaker 5: Unless one is born again, he will be unable to

283
00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:58,760
Speaker 5: truly see the Kingdom of God.

284
00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:03,000
Speaker 4: Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled. He looked around at the

285
00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:07,520
Speaker 4: disciples they shroud. They didn't know what Jesus was saying either.

286
00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,240
Speaker 4: I'm not following, Nicodemus admitted.

287
00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,479
Speaker 7: Are you saying that in order to inherit heaven one

288
00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,960
Speaker 7: must re enter his mother's womb and be born a

289
00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:17,680
Speaker 7: second time?

290
00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:21,560
Speaker 4: Nicodemus was beginning to fear Jesus actually was a madman.

291
00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:27,840
Speaker 5: Jesus laughed, No, No, you see, we're all born in flesh, yes,

292
00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,840
Speaker 5: but we enter this world with our bodies from our

293
00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:31,480
Speaker 5: mother's womb.

294
00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:36,320
Speaker 4: Nicodemus nodded in agreement. Jesus continued, saying.

295
00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,840
Speaker 5: But you must be born a second time, not a

296
00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,720
Speaker 5: flesh and not through a womb, but of God's spirit.

297
00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:48,520
Speaker 4: Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus was a teacher

298
00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,679
Speaker 4: himself and very respected among the religious elite. He was

299
00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,920
Speaker 4: not used to being lost in the discussion regarding philosophy.

300
00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,840
Speaker 4: Jesus sensed his confusion and leaned forward.

301
00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,760
Speaker 5: Do not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and no

302
00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:06,480
Speaker 5: one can see it except when the leaves rustle. It

303
00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:09,159
Speaker 5: is the same with being borne by the spirit. You

304
00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:13,560
Speaker 5: cannot see the spirit itself. However, when it compels a person,

305
00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:15,359
Speaker 5: it becomes obvious.

306
00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:20,920
Speaker 4: Nicodemus was beginning to understand in part. However, more questions

307
00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:21,840
Speaker 4: flooded his mind.

308
00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:24,520
Speaker 7: How can one be born again in the spirit?

309
00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:25,720
Speaker 4: He asked, you.

310
00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:28,680
Speaker 5: Are a teacher of God's word, Nicodemus.

311
00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:29,680
Speaker 4: Jesus replied, you.

312
00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:33,640
Speaker 5: Should understand this. What I have begun has been foretold.

313
00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:37,440
Speaker 5: The words I speak have been poured out, and the

314
00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,680
Speaker 5: acts I perform have become evident. Yet you and the

315
00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,439
Speaker 5: rest of the phairs you still do not see. You

316
00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:47,960
Speaker 5: are blind. How could I possibly explain heavenly matters to

317
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,639
Speaker 5: you when your eyes are fixed unearthly things.

318
00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:56,840
Speaker 4: Jesus's words struck a chord with Nicodemus. He knew that greed, power,

319
00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:00,879
Speaker 4: and piety had tainted the good intentions of the religious leaders.

320
00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,320
Speaker 4: He was guilty of the same thing. How could he

321
00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:07,520
Speaker 4: truly see heaven if he was so focused on earthly

322
00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:12,439
Speaker 4: matters such as influence and money. Jesus discerned the shame

323
00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:16,000
Speaker 4: willing up with the Nicodemus. He could see his heart.

324
00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:21,040
Speaker 4: He was not like the others. Nicodemus truly longed to

325
00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:26,280
Speaker 4: see God move. Jesus stretched out his hands and warmed

326
00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:27,080
Speaker 4: them by the fire.

327
00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,159
Speaker 5: Do you remember the bronze serpent that was raised up

328
00:21:30,160 --> 00:21:33,479
Speaker 5: by Moses to heal the people of Israel in the wilderness.

329
00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:37,560
Speaker 4: Jesus asked. Nicodemus nodded. It was a well known story.

330
00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,200
Speaker 4: The people of Israel had been affected with venomous snakes,

331
00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:45,000
Speaker 4: so Moses erected a bronze serpent high in the air,

332
00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:47,560
Speaker 4: and all who looked upon it were healed.

333
00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:50,880
Speaker 5: It is the same thing for the Messiah. He too

334
00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,920
Speaker 5: must be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him

335
00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:56,240
Speaker 5: may have eternal life.

336
00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:03,000
Speaker 4: Jesus said. Nicodemus's eyes widened. Jesus removed his gaze from

337
00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:07,280
Speaker 4: the fire and looked at him. There was a moment

338
00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:11,879
Speaker 4: of silence as Nicodemus processed what Jesus had just said.

339
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,919
Speaker 4: Just as the serpent was a representation of what was

340
00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,679
Speaker 4: killing Israel, so the son of Man must be lifted

341
00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:23,840
Speaker 4: up as a representation of what is killing humanity. Sin

342
00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:28,399
Speaker 4: Jesus could see cogs turning in Nicodemus's mind.

343
00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:33,040
Speaker 5: It is because of love, Nicodemus, Jesus said, For God

344
00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:36,720
Speaker 5: so loved the world that he gave up his only son,

345
00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:40,440
Speaker 5: and whoever looks upon him and believes will not perish.

346
00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:44,159
Speaker 5: They will live, and they will have life everlasting.

347
00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:48,159
Speaker 4: Nicodemus's heart was beating out of his chest as he

348
00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:52,200
Speaker 4: listened to Jesus speak. All was beginning to become clear.

349
00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:55,560
Speaker 4: Jesus continued, God did.

350
00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:58,399
Speaker 5: Not send the Son to condemn the world. No, he

351
00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,600
Speaker 5: sent him so that all might be saved.

352
00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,840
Speaker 4: The fire popped and embers flew up in the air

353
00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:09,800
Speaker 4: next to the two men. It was joy in Jesus's voice.

354
00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:13,600
Speaker 4: Although not everyone in the room understood him fully, his

355
00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:18,280
Speaker 4: words were powerful. They sank deep, like a seed planted

356
00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:22,439
Speaker 4: in rich soil. Jesus leaned over, and the flickering flame

357
00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:24,959
Speaker 4: of the fireplace reflected in his eyes.

358
00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:29,080
Speaker 5: The light of God has come to the world, Jesus said.

359
00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:33,119
Speaker 5: If people love their darkness, they hight in it. The

360
00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:37,400
Speaker 5: sinful heart delights in the shadows. Evil hates the light

361
00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:42,000
Speaker 5: because light exposes all that lurks in darkness. Yet there

362
00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:45,040
Speaker 5: will be those that cling to the truth. Those are

363
00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:48,399
Speaker 5: the people that dwell in the light. They will see

364
00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:50,440
Speaker 5: their works blessed by God.

365
00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:55,920
Speaker 4: Nicodemus smiled and nodded. He could not quite grasp all

366
00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:59,640
Speaker 4: of what Jesus was saying. However, he had the feeling

367
00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:03,480
Speaker 4: that he had not heard the last from Jesus. Nicodemus

368
00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,480
Speaker 4: would keep a close watch on him, looking for signs

369
00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:11,200
Speaker 4: of God. Nicodemus stood to his feet and gestured good

370
00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,240
Speaker 4: bye to Jesus and the others in the room. He

371
00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,560
Speaker 4: thanked them and left without his hood. He did not

372
00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:23,520
Speaker 4: want to be another man dwelling in the shadows. The

373
00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:27,800
Speaker 4: next day, Jesus and his followers left Judea. The sun

374
00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:31,720
Speaker 4: was high above the skies of Samaria. Its rays scorched

375
00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:36,080
Speaker 4: the earth below, beating down relentlessly. It was around the

376
00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,920
Speaker 4: valley of Samaria where Jesus was traveling on his way

377
00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:43,560
Speaker 4: to Galilee. The Jews hated the Samaritans and held deep

378
00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:48,800
Speaker 4: prejudices against them. Usually, any Jewish traveler walked around Samaria,

379
00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:54,640
Speaker 4: not Jesus. He decided to travel through it. About half

380
00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:57,520
Speaker 4: way through their journey, some of the disciples went into

381
00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:01,600
Speaker 4: town to retrieve some food. Jesus remained on the road.

382
00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:06,879
Speaker 4: Seeing a small well just a few feet ahead, Jesus

383
00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:10,600
Speaker 4: walked towards the well. A woman was there drawing water.

384
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,359
Speaker 4: Jesus approached and sat on a small bench beside the well.

385
00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,199
Speaker 4: The woman noticed him, but paid no attention. Instead, she

386
00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:23,040
Speaker 4: methodically brought up the bucket and poured the water.

387
00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:23,680
Speaker 2: Into a basin.

388
00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:29,000
Speaker 4: Jesus peered out at the sigh. Its light was draining,

389
00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:33,119
Speaker 4: and he found himself parched. He looked at the woman,

390
00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:36,560
Speaker 4: Would you mind drawing me some water, Jesus asked politely.

391
00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:40,400
Speaker 4: The woman looked up at him. Her eyes were glazed

392
00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,080
Speaker 4: over and impassive. She shook her head with apathy.

393
00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,960
Speaker 8: Now why would a Jewish man want a Samaritan woman

394
00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:50,919
Speaker 8: to draw him water, she asked, I seem to recall

395
00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:54,520
Speaker 8: your people hating my people. What do you call us again?

396
00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:55,800
Speaker 8: Dirty dogs?

397
00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:59,960
Speaker 4: She continued drawing water for herself earth at Jesus, sitting

398
00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:05,280
Speaker 4: across from her. Jesus leaned back slightly. Unbothered by the

399
00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:09,400
Speaker 4: woman's tone, he smiled and squinted back up with the sun.

400
00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:12,399
Speaker 5: If you knew who was asking you for water, you

401
00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:14,239
Speaker 5: wouldn't be so dismissive.

402
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:14,680
Speaker 4: Jesus said.

403
00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:17,919
Speaker 5: In fact, you'd be asking me for living water.

404
00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:22,400
Speaker 4: The woman stopped, annoyed at Jesus's peppy tone.

405
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,240
Speaker 8: Ah, it looks like you have been traveling jew Where

406
00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:29,280
Speaker 8: would you even get living water from. You have no

407
00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:31,639
Speaker 8: bucket to draw water with, and there is not a

408
00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:32,800
Speaker 8: river for miles.

409
00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:36,199
Speaker 4: The woman's tone was harsh. She was sweating from the

410
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:40,280
Speaker 4: sweltering heat and wanted to be done drawing water. Normally,

411
00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,560
Speaker 4: the other women in the city would draw water in

412
00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:46,560
Speaker 4: the morning before the day became too hot. However, she

413
00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,800
Speaker 4: was not accepted by the other women. She was an

414
00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:54,200
Speaker 4: outcast and shamed by them, so to save herself the ridicule,

415
00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:59,280
Speaker 4: she drew her water alone. During the afternoon, Jesus stood

416
00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:03,080
Speaker 4: up and closer to the well. He took the bucket

417
00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,280
Speaker 4: and drew from the well. He poured it into the

418
00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:10,560
Speaker 4: woman's basin and smiled. You see this water, Jesus asked.

419
00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:12,480
Speaker 4: If you drink this water.

420
00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,440
Speaker 5: You'll be thirsty again, and then you'll need to come back,

421
00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,600
Speaker 5: and the cycle will repeat itself. Whoever drinks this water

422
00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:23,480
Speaker 5: will inevitably need more. However, whoever drinks the water I

423
00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:25,800
Speaker 5: give them, they'll never thirst again.

424
00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,480
Speaker 4: The woman perked up with interest. If she could get

425
00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:32,840
Speaker 4: her hands on some of that water, she wouldn't have

426
00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:34,640
Speaker 4: to come draw water in the middle of the day.

427
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:38,919
Speaker 8: How can I get this water, she asked, impatiently. Drawing

428
00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:41,440
Speaker 8: water is difficult, and I would like to save myself

429
00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:42,280
Speaker 8: the time.

430
00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:45,280
Speaker 4: Jesus continued to draw water and pour it into the

431
00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:50,000
Speaker 4: woman's basin, she was so intent on Jesus's words that

432
00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,120
Speaker 4: she didn't notice him drawing water for her. All right,

433
00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:54,879
Speaker 4: Jesus said.

434
00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:56,960
Speaker 5: Go and call your husband and I would tilly.

435
00:27:57,359 --> 00:28:01,000
Speaker 4: The woman's lips pursed. She shrummed and looked down at

436
00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:01,479
Speaker 4: the ground.

437
00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:04,120
Speaker 8: I don't really have a husband.

438
00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:08,520
Speaker 5: She admitted. Jesus nodded in agreement. You are right to

439
00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:12,240
Speaker 5: say you have no husband. You have had five husbands

440
00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:14,840
Speaker 5: in your past, and the man you're sleeping with now

441
00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:16,040
Speaker 5: isn't even your husband.

442
00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:20,600
Speaker 4: The woman was taken aback. Her rough exterior was beginning

443
00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:24,880
Speaker 4: to crack as Jesus revealed these things about her. However,

444
00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:29,200
Speaker 4: she did her best to remain callous, holding back tears.

445
00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,640
Speaker 4: She put on a fake smile and changed the subject.

446
00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:35,920
Speaker 8: I perceive you are a prophet.

447
00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:38,160
Speaker 4: She said, clearing a frog in her throat.

448
00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:42,560
Speaker 8: Then you probably know how sacred this well is. Our

449
00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:46,240
Speaker 8: forefathers worshiped on this very mountain. However, you Jews say

450
00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:48,440
Speaker 8: the temple is the correct place to worship.

451
00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:48,720
Speaker 1: Now.

452
00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:53,440
Speaker 4: The woman's voice was hoarse, her eyes were watering. She

453
00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:58,040
Speaker 4: thought religious small talk would deflect what Jesus had said.

454
00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:01,800
Speaker 4: Jesus sat beside them woman and gestured for her to

455
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:05,960
Speaker 4: sit as well. He could feel the anguish.

456
00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:06,040
Speaker 2: In her heart.

457
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:11,640
Speaker 4: His words had struck a deep chord. Her five divorces

458
00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:14,720
Speaker 4: were a source of shame for her. They were the

459
00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:18,400
Speaker 4: reason she was an outcast in her own city. Jesus

460
00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:21,840
Speaker 4: looked far off into the distance, knowing that eye contact

461
00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:24,320
Speaker 4: would only make the woman more uncomfortable.

462
00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:27,960
Speaker 5: Believe me, the time is coming when people won't even

463
00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:31,560
Speaker 5: worship on a mountain or a temple. The true worshippers

464
00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:34,680
Speaker 5: will worship in spirit and in truth.

465
00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:38,880
Speaker 4: Jesus said. The woman was pleased that Jesus was playing

466
00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:40,560
Speaker 4: along with her religious small talk.

467
00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:45,320
Speaker 5: She nodded, saying, yes, it is a mystery.

468
00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:48,560
Speaker 8: However, I am sure the Messiah will come and tell

469
00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:50,640
Speaker 8: us all we need to know about worship.

470
00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:55,760
Speaker 4: Jesus turned his gaze towards the woman. His smile was

471
00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:59,720
Speaker 4: warmer than the sun itself. Yes he will, Jesus said,

472
00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:04,560
Speaker 4: I am he. The woman turned her head swiftly. Her

473
00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:07,880
Speaker 4: eyes met Jesus's. The second the words came out of

474
00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,000
Speaker 4: his mouth. She knew it to be true. That is

475
00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:13,080
Speaker 4: why he had known about the depth of her shame.

476
00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:16,040
Speaker 4: That is why he was able to slowly crack the

477
00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:20,160
Speaker 4: walls she put between her and others. As Jesus spoke

478
00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:23,600
Speaker 4: to the woman, his disciples were returning with lunch. They

479
00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:27,160
Speaker 4: could see Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman and immediately

480
00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:32,800
Speaker 4: judged him. However, they said nothing. They couldn't hear their conversation. However,

481
00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:35,240
Speaker 4: they saw the woman leap to her feet at something

482
00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,960
Speaker 4: Jesus said and run off back to the city. The

483
00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:42,320
Speaker 4: woman ran fast into the city, knocking on every door

484
00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:42,960
Speaker 4: she could find.

485
00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,320
Speaker 8: I have found him, she yelled, Come and see for yourself.

486
00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,240
Speaker 4: People began to emerge from their homes to see the commotion.

487
00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:53,200
Speaker 8: You must meet this man by the well. He told

488
00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:57,600
Speaker 8: me everything about me. I believe he may be the Messiah.

489
00:30:57,640 --> 00:31:00,280
Speaker 4: So many of the Samaritans dropped with them they were

490
00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:04,040
Speaker 4: doing and came to Jesus. They sat at his feet

491
00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:06,880
Speaker 4: and listened as he spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven.

492
00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:10,800
Speaker 4: The woman was front and center, beaming from ear to

493
00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:15,120
Speaker 4: ear at every word proceeding from Jesus's mouth. She was

494
00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:18,719
Speaker 4: once an outcast, but in Jesus she found a sense

495
00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:24,840
Speaker 4: of belonging and hope. Many heard and believed. Then, after

496
00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:30,160
Speaker 4: two days, Jesus departed to Galilee. As Jesus and his

497
00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:33,640
Speaker 4: followers came to Galilee, word had spread that he had

498
00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:38,160
Speaker 4: been preaching new truths about the Kingdom of God. Eventually

499
00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:42,280
Speaker 4: they reached a town called Copernium. Only moments had passed

500
00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:45,080
Speaker 4: before Jesus heard the loud noise of a man yelling

501
00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:49,760
Speaker 4: at the distance Jesus. The voice yelled, Jesus. The group

502
00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:52,760
Speaker 4: looked back and saw a portly man huffing his way

503
00:31:52,840 --> 00:31:57,040
Speaker 4: up and inclined. He was determined to reach them. Jesus

504
00:31:57,120 --> 00:31:59,200
Speaker 4: stopped as the man fell at his feet.

505
00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,720
Speaker 7: Jesus Us, they said, you had come to Capernaum.

506
00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:05,719
Speaker 4: The man was out of breath and keeled over from running.

507
00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:11,520
Speaker 7: Please you must heal my son. He's dying.

508
00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:15,000
Speaker 4: There were many who had approached Jesus, already asking for

509
00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:19,120
Speaker 4: signs and wonders to prove himself. Jesus was not interested

510
00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:22,240
Speaker 4: in being their magician or proving his deity to all

511
00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:22,880
Speaker 4: who asked.

512
00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:26,160
Speaker 5: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not have.

513
00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:30,440
Speaker 4: Faith, Jesus said, beginning to walk away. The man was

514
00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:33,600
Speaker 4: red and could barely stand, but he was able to

515
00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:35,600
Speaker 4: raise himself and run after Jesus.

516
00:32:36,480 --> 00:32:38,640
Speaker 5: No, my lord, please.

517
00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:42,200
Speaker 4: The man fell on his face, whimpering from the pain.

518
00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:47,280
Speaker 7: My son, Please heal my son. Please come before I

519
00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:47,960
Speaker 7: lose him.

520
00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:48,400
Speaker 2: He begged.

521
00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:53,760
Speaker 4: This was the heart Jesus desired. This man genuinely desired

522
00:32:53,760 --> 00:32:57,120
Speaker 4: for Jesus to use his power to heal not to

523
00:32:57,160 --> 00:33:00,960
Speaker 4: put on a show or prove a point. Jesus knelt

524
00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:04,680
Speaker 4: down and helped the man to his feet. He brushed

525
00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:06,240
Speaker 4: the dust off his cloak.

526
00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:09,840
Speaker 5: And smiled, Go, your son is healed.

527
00:33:09,680 --> 00:33:14,960
Speaker 4: Jesus said. The man nodded and laughed. That very hour,

528
00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:19,880
Speaker 4: the man's son was healed. This was the second miracle

529
00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:23,760
Speaker 4: performed by Jesus. This time it was in response to

530
00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:27,240
Speaker 4: a father's heart for his son. This was a love

531
00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:33,680
Speaker 4: Jesus knew well. Eventually, Jesus made his way to Nazareth alone.

532
00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:36,360
Speaker 4: It had been a while since he stepped foot in

533
00:33:36,440 --> 00:33:40,720
Speaker 4: his home. Jesus walked down the bumpy road, greeting people

534
00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:44,400
Speaker 4: as he passed. He passed the well where his mother

535
00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:48,040
Speaker 4: would often take him as a boy. A few children

536
00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:51,040
Speaker 4: came up to Jesus and climbed up on to his shoulders.

537
00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:55,600
Speaker 4: Jesus was beloved in his town. He and his family

538
00:33:55,800 --> 00:34:00,040
Speaker 4: were craftsmen and were very much loved by every one.

539
00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:03,080
Speaker 4: He visited his mother and siblings and enjoined the quaint

540
00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:07,600
Speaker 4: and quiet atmosphere. Jesus gazed out at the town where

541
00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,560
Speaker 4: he grew up. It was dusty and dull, but brimming

542
00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:16,040
Speaker 4: with potential. The next day, Jesus went to the synagogue.

543
00:34:16,640 --> 00:34:19,200
Speaker 4: It was Sabbath, and it was custom for one of

544
00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:21,719
Speaker 4: the rabbis to stand up and read from the word

545
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:25,320
Speaker 4: of God. Jesus stood up among the people he knew

546
00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:30,320
Speaker 4: and loved, and opened the scroll of Isaiah. The crowd smiled,

547
00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:33,120
Speaker 4: pleased to see the son of Joseph back in their

548
00:34:33,160 --> 00:34:38,279
Speaker 4: midst Jesus straightened the scroll and spoke clearly, saying.

549
00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:41,359
Speaker 5: The spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has

550
00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:44,160
Speaker 5: called me to proclaim good news to those who are poor.

551
00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:47,120
Speaker 5: He has sent me out so I may bring liberty

552
00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:50,680
Speaker 5: to the captives, give the blind this sight, and set

553
00:34:50,719 --> 00:34:55,040
Speaker 5: free all who are oppressed. It is I who proclaimed

554
00:34:55,040 --> 00:34:57,240
Speaker 5: the year of the Lord's favor.

555
00:34:57,800 --> 00:35:01,080
Speaker 4: Jesus rolled up the scroll and stood before the congregation.

556
00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:04,759
Speaker 4: He had just read a well known prophecy about the

557
00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:09,239
Speaker 4: mission of the Messiah. Jesus drew a deep breath and

558
00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:10,520
Speaker 4: opened up his arms.

559
00:35:11,320 --> 00:35:15,120
Speaker 5: Today, my friends, this scripture has been fulfilled.

560
00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:19,560
Speaker 4: The crowd stirred a little. They looked at one another, perplexed.

561
00:35:20,040 --> 00:35:22,880
Speaker 4: Did he just call himself the Messiah? One of them asked,

562
00:35:23,239 --> 00:35:25,920
Speaker 4: isn't this Joseph's son. A few of them rose to

563
00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:29,920
Speaker 4: their feet prove these claims to us, they shouted. The

564
00:35:29,960 --> 00:35:33,160
Speaker 4: crowd continued to bicker and laugh at Jesus for saying

565
00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:35,960
Speaker 4: such nonsense. They had all known him since he was

566
00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:39,279
Speaker 4: a boy. To them, he was just the carpenter's son

567
00:35:39,719 --> 00:35:43,319
Speaker 4: and nothing else. Jesus sighed, I.

568
00:35:43,480 --> 00:35:46,680
Speaker 5: Know many of you were looking for signs and wonders

569
00:35:46,719 --> 00:35:50,160
Speaker 5: like the ones I performed in Capernaum. However, no prophet

570
00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:54,800
Speaker 5: is accepted in his hometown. Jesus shook his head, although

571
00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:57,879
Speaker 5: I suppose it comes as no surprise. In the days

572
00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:01,400
Speaker 5: of Elijah, many people had recheckted did his works, and

573
00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:03,400
Speaker 5: many gentiles accepted them.

574
00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:07,640
Speaker 4: As Jesus said these things, the entire synagogue unleashed in

575
00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:11,880
Speaker 4: an uproar. Their objections grew violent, and they drove Jesus

576
00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:15,600
Speaker 4: out of the building. Foaming with rage. The people cornered

577
00:36:15,680 --> 00:36:19,160
Speaker 4: Jesus to the brow of a hill. Jesus took a

578
00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:22,600
Speaker 4: step back to see he had no more room. The

579
00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:27,040
Speaker 4: hill dropped off into a gorge below. They spat and

580
00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:31,600
Speaker 4: clawed at Jesus, proclaiming deity over them. Jesus was backed

581
00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:34,759
Speaker 4: against the bluff. He looked at the steep drop right

582
00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:38,879
Speaker 4: behind him. They were going to throw him off. Their

583
00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,560
Speaker 4: anger was from a deep well of insecurity. They could

584
00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:46,160
Speaker 4: not stand the thought of Jesus being elevated above them.

585
00:36:46,640 --> 00:36:50,120
Speaker 4: The mob lunged at him, and the fury Jesus had

586
00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:53,200
Speaker 4: very little time to think. He jumped to the side,

587
00:36:53,480 --> 00:36:57,279
Speaker 4: avoiding their initial attack. Jesus weaved through the crowd before

588
00:36:57,320 --> 00:37:00,400
Speaker 4: any could grab him. He left Nazareth w without a

589
00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:03,839
Speaker 4: good bye. He was now an outcast in his own

590
00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:10,320
Speaker 4: town and rejected by his own people. Days had passed

591
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:12,920
Speaker 4: and Jesus was back in Jerusalem for the feast of

592
00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:16,120
Speaker 4: the Jews. By the sheep Gate, there was a pool

593
00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:20,960
Speaker 4: called Bethesda. The pool was surrounded by five roofed colonnades

594
00:37:21,120 --> 00:37:25,160
Speaker 4: that protected the water below. Jesus drew closer to see

595
00:37:25,239 --> 00:37:30,440
Speaker 4: hundreds of invalids, blind, lame, and paralyzed surrounding the pools.

596
00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:34,720
Speaker 4: Many loved ones were slowly leading them beside the water.

597
00:37:35,840 --> 00:37:38,520
Speaker 4: It was believed back then that an angel would stir

598
00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:43,440
Speaker 4: up the water once a year to heal the sick, lame, blind.

599
00:37:43,200 --> 00:37:43,920
Speaker 2: And afflicted.

600
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:48,360
Speaker 4: It was a silly tradition, but Jesus admired the faith

601
00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:50,719
Speaker 4: of those who brought their loved ones down to the pool.

602
00:37:52,120 --> 00:37:55,640
Speaker 4: Jesus walked beside the pillars, observing those who had been

603
00:37:55,719 --> 00:38:01,719
Speaker 4: afflicted with disease, blindness, and other disabilities. His compassion was

604
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:05,600
Speaker 4: stirred for them. As he was walking, he stumbled upon

605
00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:08,160
Speaker 4: a man sitting on the floor with his back leaned

606
00:38:08,239 --> 00:38:12,279
Speaker 4: up against a pillar. The man's brow was furrowed and

607
00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:15,080
Speaker 4: his lips were clenched as he glared at people by

608
00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:19,000
Speaker 4: the pool. Jesus could see that this man was an

609
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:22,799
Speaker 4: invalid and had been for quite some time. The man

610
00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:26,000
Speaker 4: lay there, steaming in anger towards the crowd of people.

611
00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:29,560
Speaker 4: Jesus sat beside the man and turned to him.

612
00:38:29,840 --> 00:38:31,280
Speaker 5: Do you want to be healed?

613
00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:35,840
Speaker 4: Jesus asked. The man's body was ravaged with sickness. His

614
00:38:35,960 --> 00:38:39,320
Speaker 4: eyes were weary, and he looked at Jesus with complete disdain.

615
00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:42,879
Speaker 7: There is no one to drop me in the pool.

616
00:38:42,760 --> 00:38:43,440
Speaker 2: The man said.

617
00:38:44,320 --> 00:38:48,640
Speaker 4: He looked away from Jesus, longing after the pool. Jesus

618
00:38:48,719 --> 00:38:51,400
Speaker 4: could sense that there was a deep desire to be healed,

619
00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:54,239
Speaker 4: but also a desire for some one to care enough

620
00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:57,839
Speaker 4: to bring him to the pool. He was an outcast

621
00:38:58,160 --> 00:38:59,360
Speaker 4: even among the crippled.

622
00:39:00,080 --> 00:39:02,600
Speaker 7: Any time I have tried to go down to the pool.

623
00:39:03,719 --> 00:39:08,200
Speaker 7: Another cuts in front of me. Why do I even bother?

624
00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:14,920
Speaker 4: The man said, his eyes watered from pain and anguish.

625
00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:17,880
Speaker 4: Jesus stood to his feet. He had asked the man

626
00:39:18,080 --> 00:39:21,160
Speaker 4: if he wanted to be healed. Although the man did

627
00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:24,280
Speaker 4: not answer the question, Jesus knew the answer.

628
00:39:24,600 --> 00:39:28,480
Speaker 5: Will get up, then, gather your things, take your bed,

629
00:39:28,880 --> 00:39:29,360
Speaker 5: and walk.

630
00:39:29,520 --> 00:39:32,960
Speaker 4: The man darted his eyes up, ready to yell, but

631
00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:36,320
Speaker 4: then he felt a jolt in his abdomen and legs.

632
00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:41,040
Speaker 4: A warm sensation rose from his toes to the top

633
00:39:41,080 --> 00:39:45,000
Speaker 4: of his head. The man's eyes widened in radiant glee.

634
00:39:45,320 --> 00:39:48,040
Speaker 4: He could not believe what was happening. The man placed

635
00:39:48,080 --> 00:39:50,760
Speaker 4: his hands and knees on the floor, then slowly stood

636
00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:55,560
Speaker 4: to his feet. Tears streamed down his face. He locked

637
00:39:55,600 --> 00:40:00,400
Speaker 4: up to thank Jesus, but he was gone. Took his

638
00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:03,759
Speaker 4: bed and ran to the temple. His smile was infectious

639
00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:06,320
Speaker 4: as he danced in the temple courtyard like a child.

640
00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:09,880
Speaker 4: The religious leaders saw that he was carrying his bed

641
00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:11,040
Speaker 4: and took notice.

642
00:40:11,480 --> 00:40:14,480
Speaker 7: Who cannot carry something that large on the Sabbath?

643
00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:15,360
Speaker 2: They yelled.

644
00:40:15,960 --> 00:40:18,800
Speaker 4: The man was too delighted by his freedom to consider

645
00:40:18,840 --> 00:40:19,440
Speaker 4: such things.

646
00:40:20,040 --> 00:40:20,320
Speaker 3: Ah ha.

647
00:40:20,760 --> 00:40:23,680
Speaker 9: A few moments ago, I was unable to walk. A

648
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:26,600
Speaker 9: man came and healed me, and he told me to

649
00:40:26,640 --> 00:40:30,080
Speaker 9: pick up my bed and go. So here I am

650
00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:32,880
Speaker 9: with my bed in my arms. Unashamed.

651
00:40:33,360 --> 00:40:36,160
Speaker 4: The man ran out of the temple courtyard, skipping and

652
00:40:36,239 --> 00:40:39,280
Speaker 4: humming with new life. As the man left the gates,

653
00:40:39,480 --> 00:40:42,560
Speaker 4: a figure caught his eye. It was him, the man

654
00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:46,719
Speaker 4: who healed him. The man walked towards Jesus, overjoyed to

655
00:40:46,760 --> 00:40:51,879
Speaker 4: see him again. Jesus smiled and gave him a fatherly hug.

656
00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:56,919
Speaker 5: Yes, you are well, Now go and sin no more.

657
00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:00,279
Speaker 4: The man went away and eventually told the relief jeous

658
00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:04,320
Speaker 4: leaders that it was Jesus who healed him. They scoffed

659
00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,560
Speaker 4: that Jesus would do such a thing on the Sabbath.

660
00:41:07,640 --> 00:41:11,040
Speaker 4: Over the years, the religious leaders had created a litany

661
00:41:11,080 --> 00:41:14,960
Speaker 4: of unnecessary laws around the Sabbath. A man could not

662
00:41:15,120 --> 00:41:17,759
Speaker 4: drag a chair across the dirt because it would be

663
00:41:17,800 --> 00:41:23,000
Speaker 4: considered plowing. So many rules, so much rigidity. The lack

664
00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:26,480
Speaker 4: of joy was choking the people of Israel, and Jesus

665
00:41:26,560 --> 00:41:29,720
Speaker 4: was determined to return them to the heart of God.

666
00:41:31,200 --> 00:41:34,880
Speaker 4: Jesus stood before the religious leaders and said, plainly.

667
00:41:35,080 --> 00:41:38,480
Speaker 5: My Father is working good things in his people, so

668
00:41:38,480 --> 00:41:39,600
Speaker 5: why shall do the same.

669
00:41:40,480 --> 00:41:44,200
Speaker 4: This was the heart of Jesus. He would extend his

670
00:41:44,360 --> 00:41:48,000
Speaker 4: reach to the outcasts. He would bring people back to

671
00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:52,560
Speaker 4: a pure and simple devotion to God. Not only this,

672
00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:56,719
Speaker 4: but he would do just as Isaiah prophesied. He would

673
00:41:56,760 --> 00:42:00,640
Speaker 4: proclaim good news to the poor. He would bring liberty

674
00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:04,200
Speaker 4: to the captives, he would restore sight to the blind.

675
00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:08,560
Speaker 4: And for all who felt oppressed, rejected, or unloved, he

676
00:42:08,560 --> 00:42:13,240
Speaker 4: would pour forth his liberating spirit. It was now time

677
00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:17,080
Speaker 4: for the Lord to do a new work for his people.

678
00:42:20,160 --> 00:42:23,719
Speaker 3: God's heart is for the outcast. This was exemplified in

679
00:42:23,760 --> 00:42:27,280
Speaker 3: the very beginning with our prelude. He chose a forgotten

680
00:42:27,360 --> 00:42:30,600
Speaker 3: son of a herdsman to become king. King David's life

681
00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:33,439
Speaker 3: and rise is a reminder to us that God cares

682
00:42:33,560 --> 00:42:37,440
Speaker 3: less about regality and religiosity and more about drawing close

683
00:42:37,480 --> 00:42:40,600
Speaker 3: to the heart of his people. Jesus reflected the heart

684
00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:43,560
Speaker 3: of God in this episode, especially when he confronts the

685
00:42:43,640 --> 00:42:47,240
Speaker 3: money changes in the temple. Jesus noticed that the religious

686
00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:50,880
Speaker 3: leaders had created a system to exploit the outsiders and

687
00:42:50,920 --> 00:42:54,520
Speaker 3: the poor. Unless you were wealthy, established, and local, it

688
00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:56,720
Speaker 3: was very hard to make a sacrifice at the temple.

689
00:42:57,400 --> 00:43:00,560
Speaker 3: Barriers were created between people and God, and Jesus had

690
00:43:00,600 --> 00:43:03,480
Speaker 3: come to build bridges. It is rare when we get

691
00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:06,439
Speaker 3: to see Jesus angry, so when it happens, we must

692
00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:10,040
Speaker 3: pay attention. The exploitation of the poor and powerless drove

693
00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:14,279
Speaker 3: Jesus to rage. He flipped tables, coiled a whip, and

694
00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:18,400
Speaker 3: released the animals into the streets. The scriptures concerning worship

695
00:43:18,440 --> 00:43:22,040
Speaker 3: and sacrifice were very clear. Everyone should be able to

696
00:43:22,120 --> 00:43:26,719
Speaker 3: come before God to repent. Jesus's mission was to make

697
00:43:26,760 --> 00:43:31,400
Speaker 3: God accessible to people of every culture, color, creed, and class.

698
00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:35,080
Speaker 3: Jesus violently flipping tables in the temple is a picture.

699
00:43:35,840 --> 00:43:39,360
Speaker 3: Just as Jesus destroyed these physical barriers between people and God,

700
00:43:39,760 --> 00:43:42,960
Speaker 3: he would also destroy the spiritual barriers between people and God.

701
00:43:43,480 --> 00:43:46,520
Speaker 3: The Cross of Christ was a proverbial flipping of tables,

702
00:43:46,840 --> 00:43:49,920
Speaker 3: breaking down the religious systems that kept people from a

703
00:43:49,960 --> 00:43:53,719
Speaker 3: connection with God. Jesus became a friend of the outcasts,

704
00:43:53,719 --> 00:43:57,240
Speaker 3: but an enemy of the establishment. The religious leaders questioned

705
00:43:57,280 --> 00:44:01,360
Speaker 3: Jesus authority, unable to understand what he was saying. Jesus

706
00:44:01,360 --> 00:44:04,719
Speaker 3: often confused the self righteous, those who thought they were

707
00:44:04,840 --> 00:44:09,080
Speaker 3: morally superior struggle to understand the concept of grace. Jesus

708
00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:12,480
Speaker 3: will have an ongoing ideological battle with the religious leaders.

709
00:44:13,480 --> 00:44:16,640
Speaker 3: The tension between them represents the tension between the old

710
00:44:16,760 --> 00:44:19,760
Speaker 3: and new covenants, and the battle we all have between

711
00:44:19,800 --> 00:44:23,319
Speaker 3: our own righteousness and the righteousness given by God. Not

712
00:44:23,440 --> 00:44:26,879
Speaker 3: all religious leaders hated Jesus, though one in particular found

713
00:44:26,880 --> 00:44:31,120
Speaker 3: his words and actions compelling. Nicodemus met with Jesus under

714
00:44:31,160 --> 00:44:35,680
Speaker 3: the cover of midnight, seeking answers to his questions. Jesus

715
00:44:35,719 --> 00:44:39,279
Speaker 3: was happy to oblige the conversation with Nicodemus gave us

716
00:44:39,320 --> 00:44:43,040
Speaker 3: the famous John three point sixteen for God, Soul, love

717
00:44:43,080 --> 00:44:46,279
Speaker 3: the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that

718
00:44:46,360 --> 00:44:50,400
Speaker 3: whoever should believe in him will have everlasting life. Slowly,

719
00:44:50,440 --> 00:44:54,239
Speaker 3: but surely, Jesus is revealing to others and us who

720
00:44:54,320 --> 00:44:57,719
Speaker 3: he is. Nicodemus is astounded, but unable to make a

721
00:44:57,800 --> 00:45:01,200
Speaker 3: true commitment to Jesus. We see an important trait of

722
00:45:01,280 --> 00:45:04,680
Speaker 3: Jesus in this episode. He is always willing to engage

723
00:45:04,680 --> 00:45:08,279
Speaker 3: with the needy and the outcasts. This story highlighted three

724
00:45:08,320 --> 00:45:11,200
Speaker 3: times when Jesus was met by or went to meet

725
00:45:11,239 --> 00:45:14,000
Speaker 3: someone on the fringe. The first was the woman at

726
00:45:14,040 --> 00:45:17,359
Speaker 3: the well. The Samaritan woman was rejected by her own

727
00:45:17,400 --> 00:45:20,359
Speaker 3: people due to her several affairs. On top of that,

728
00:45:20,920 --> 00:45:23,960
Speaker 3: it was taboo for Jews to have any interaction with Samaritans,

729
00:45:24,040 --> 00:45:27,920
Speaker 3: let alone a Samaritian woman. Jesus's willingness to engage with

730
00:45:28,040 --> 00:45:31,799
Speaker 3: this woman tells us at least three things. One, he

731
00:45:31,880 --> 00:45:35,200
Speaker 3: cares very little about societal norms, especially if they are

732
00:45:35,239 --> 00:45:38,759
Speaker 3: founded on prejudice. Two, he is willing to risk his

733
00:45:38,840 --> 00:45:43,120
Speaker 3: reputation in order to connect with people that need him. Three,

734
00:45:43,200 --> 00:45:47,800
Speaker 3: he desires to cross cultural boundaries to make connections. Another

735
00:45:47,840 --> 00:45:50,840
Speaker 3: thing worth mentioning about this interaction is the water in

736
00:45:50,880 --> 00:45:53,799
Speaker 3: the well. Not only does Jesus use it as a

737
00:45:53,840 --> 00:45:57,080
Speaker 3: conversation starter to talk about living water in reference to

738
00:45:57,120 --> 00:46:00,319
Speaker 3: the Holy Spirit, but the act of drawing water is

739
00:46:00,400 --> 00:46:03,560
Speaker 3: in and of itself a picture. This woman had deep

740
00:46:03,680 --> 00:46:07,360
Speaker 3: hurt within her, Like water in a well, Jesus patiently

741
00:46:07,600 --> 00:46:11,759
Speaker 3: and methodically, without her noticing, draws water out of the well.

742
00:46:12,600 --> 00:46:14,960
Speaker 3: In the same way he is drawing out her pain

743
00:46:15,520 --> 00:46:19,440
Speaker 3: and pasted to refresh and renew her soul. The next

744
00:46:19,440 --> 00:46:22,520
Speaker 3: interaction Jesus had with someone in need was the man

745
00:46:22,520 --> 00:46:25,839
Speaker 3: whose son needed healing. Jesus showed him and his son

746
00:46:25,960 --> 00:46:29,360
Speaker 3: mercy because he too has a father's heart. Let me

747
00:46:29,400 --> 00:46:31,479
Speaker 3: pause for a moment and remind you that God loves

748
00:46:31,520 --> 00:46:34,920
Speaker 3: you like a devoted father. Some of you had wonderful fathers,

749
00:46:34,960 --> 00:46:38,040
Speaker 3: and you understand in some way the love of Christ. However,

750
00:46:38,080 --> 00:46:40,040
Speaker 3: some of you might have grown up without the love

751
00:46:40,080 --> 00:46:43,480
Speaker 3: of your father. Being courriage that God loves you with

752
00:46:43,600 --> 00:46:47,000
Speaker 3: an undying and devoted fatherly love. He went to great

753
00:46:47,080 --> 00:46:50,240
Speaker 3: lengths to tell you how much He loves you. Jesus

754
00:46:50,239 --> 00:46:52,960
Speaker 3: made sure this man wasn't asking for a sign from

755
00:46:53,000 --> 00:46:56,279
Speaker 3: him out of pettiness. The fatherly heart of this man

756
00:46:56,400 --> 00:46:58,759
Speaker 3: was drawn out, just like the broken heart of the

757
00:46:58,800 --> 00:47:02,080
Speaker 3: woman at the well. Jesus rewarded him and his son

758
00:47:02,239 --> 00:47:05,640
Speaker 3: was healed. The final interaction Jesus had with someone on

759
00:47:05,719 --> 00:47:08,760
Speaker 3: the fringe was the invalid. He said by the pools,

760
00:47:09,120 --> 00:47:11,920
Speaker 3: bitter at the world, that he couldn't be healed. This

761
00:47:12,000 --> 00:47:14,920
Speaker 3: man wasn't just on the fringe because he wasn't invalid,

762
00:47:15,280 --> 00:47:19,320
Speaker 3: but he wasn't even accepted among the crippled community. Jesus

763
00:47:19,360 --> 00:47:22,000
Speaker 3: asked him a simple question, do you want to be healed.

764
00:47:22,440 --> 00:47:25,560
Speaker 3: The answer to that question seems obvious, doesn't it. Of course,

765
00:47:25,640 --> 00:47:28,200
Speaker 3: this man wants to be healed, But instead of giving

766
00:47:28,200 --> 00:47:31,399
Speaker 3: a yes or no, the man explains how nobody cared

767
00:47:31,520 --> 00:47:34,640
Speaker 3: enough to lure him into the pool. To him, the

768
00:47:34,680 --> 00:47:37,400
Speaker 3: main reason he wasn't healed was because nobody paid attention

769
00:47:37,440 --> 00:47:40,800
Speaker 3: to him or showed him any mercy. Jesus was happy

770
00:47:40,800 --> 00:47:44,439
Speaker 3: to extend that mercy. The man walked, cheered, and ran

771
00:47:44,480 --> 00:47:47,520
Speaker 3: around proclaiming what had happened to him. I want to

772
00:47:47,560 --> 00:47:50,680
Speaker 3: point out an absurdity in this episode that can't go unnoticed.

773
00:47:51,239 --> 00:47:53,840
Speaker 3: The Pharisees, when seeing this man walking with his bed,

774
00:47:54,360 --> 00:47:58,960
Speaker 3: reprimand him for breaking the Sabbage traditions. Regulations like these

775
00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:02,160
Speaker 3: were not explicitly stated in the Law of Moses. Rather,

776
00:48:02,600 --> 00:48:05,319
Speaker 3: they were rules created by the religious leaders on top

777
00:48:05,360 --> 00:48:08,520
Speaker 3: of the law. In their attempt to be righteous, they

778
00:48:08,560 --> 00:48:11,759
Speaker 3: put undue burdens on people and kept them from closeness

779
00:48:11,800 --> 00:48:14,880
Speaker 3: with God. Conflicts around the Sabbath are going to be

780
00:48:14,960 --> 00:48:19,120
Speaker 3: a common occurrence between Jesus and the Pharisees. Look for

781
00:48:19,200 --> 00:48:22,920
Speaker 3: them as the series continues, and ask yourself why Jesus

782
00:48:22,960 --> 00:48:26,920
Speaker 3: is so passionate about pushing the boundaries around Sabbath tradition.

783
00:48:27,840 --> 00:48:31,080
Speaker 3: Also ask yourself why these men were so passionate about

784
00:48:31,120 --> 00:48:34,920
Speaker 3: the Sabbath. In future episodes, we will explore the conflicting

785
00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:39,200
Speaker 3: philosophies of Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. For now,

786
00:48:39,600 --> 00:48:41,560
Speaker 3: I want to leave you with a thought to ponder.

787
00:48:42,120 --> 00:48:45,040
Speaker 3: If Jesus is supposed to be a greater king than David,

788
00:48:45,360 --> 00:48:47,040
Speaker 3: what do you think about his kingdom?

789
00:48:47,080 --> 00:48:47,480
Speaker 5: So far?

790
00:48:48,040 --> 00:48:51,840
Speaker 3: On the surface, it doesn't seem very grand or powerful.

791
00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:55,239
Speaker 3: If Jesus is establishing a kingdom on earth, then what

792
00:48:55,520 --> 00:48:59,240
Speaker 3: is that kingdom supposed to look like? Given jesus actions

793
00:48:59,280 --> 00:49:02,360
Speaker 3: thus far, how are we supposed to participate in building

794
00:49:02,360 --> 00:49:06,920
Speaker 3: the Kingdom of God? Where we are in our homes, churches, workplaces, schools,

795
00:49:06,960 --> 00:49:11,040
Speaker 3: and communities. Ponder these things and pray that His kingdom

796
00:49:11,040 --> 00:49:13,040
Speaker 3: would come and His will would be done on earth

797
00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:16,920
Speaker 3: as it is in heaven. Amen, thank you for joining

798
00:49:16,960 --> 00:49:21,760
Speaker 3: me for today's episode. In our next episode, Jesus's popularity grows,

799
00:49:21,840 --> 00:49:24,360
Speaker 3: and with it is need for helpers. He chooses some

800
00:49:24,480 --> 00:49:28,319
Speaker 3: men to walk alongside him, learn and perform miracles. What

801
00:49:28,400 --> 00:49:31,000
Speaker 3: war is Philosophers or noblemen do you think Jesus will

802
00:49:31,080 --> 00:49:35,200
Speaker 3: choose find out an episode six the twelve. Thanks again

803
00:49:35,239 --> 00:49:38,880
Speaker 3: for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom

804
00:49:38,880 --> 00:49:41,600
Speaker 3: to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com. And

805
00:49:41,680 --> 00:49:45,040
Speaker 3: to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download the

806
00:49:45,160 --> 00:49:49,160
Speaker 3: Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org Forward

807
00:49:49,200 --> 00:49:52,560
Speaker 3: slash Heroes. Please write a review and let me know

808
00:49:52,640 --> 00:49:56,359
Speaker 3: how Jesus in this podcast has impacted your life. God

809
00:49:56,400 --> 00:49:56,720
Speaker 3: bless