1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:04,420 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Abraham believed in God and it was 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:10,870 Speaker 1: counted to him as righteousness. Romans 4, 3. Dear Lord, 3 00:00:11,610 --> 00:00:15,890 Speaker 1: we understand that no righteous deeds or religious ceremonies could 4 00:00:16,130 --> 00:00:21,310 Speaker 1: ever replace pure faith in you. Trust in your promises 5 00:00:21,450 --> 00:00:26,020 Speaker 1: and redemption are what save us, not works. Keep us 6 00:00:26,180 --> 00:00:30,060 Speaker 1: humble and grounded in that knowledge. so we would not 7 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:34,870 Speaker 1: become boastful or arrogant. Just as Abraham believed in you 8 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,330 Speaker 1: and it was accounted to him as righteousness, we declare 9 00:00:38,409 --> 00:00:43,810 Speaker 1: belief in the work of Christ. May that faith transform us, 10 00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:48,849 Speaker 1: empower us to live righteous lives, and glorify you daily. 11 00:00:49,450 --> 00:00:55,730 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 12 00:00:56,330 --> 00:00:59,330 Speaker 1: Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the 13 00:00:59,370 --> 00:01:01,190 Speaker 1: Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. 14 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:14,259 Speaker 2: Abram's head leaned against the stone and slowly he drifted 15 00:01:14,340 --> 00:01:18,130 Speaker 2: away to sleep. He closed his eyes and then opened 16 00:01:18,190 --> 00:01:22,470 Speaker 2: them to see a terrible vision. He sprang up and 17 00:01:22,510 --> 00:01:26,039 Speaker 2: looked around him. He saw hundreds of thousands of people 18 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:30,020 Speaker 2: with scars on their backs, dragging stones through the sand 19 00:01:30,060 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 2: and mud. The voice of God spoke to Abram. 20 00:01:33,819 --> 00:01:35,580 Speaker 3: Saying, Know this. 21 00:01:36,819 --> 00:01:39,340 Speaker 4: Your offspring will be strangers in a land that is 22 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 4: not theirs. They will be slaves there and afflicted for 23 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:45,620 Speaker 4: four hundred years. 24 00:01:46,260 --> 00:01:47,270 Speaker 3: Abram looked at the people. 25 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,650 Speaker 2: They were his descendants, a vast sea of faces, all 26 00:01:51,790 --> 00:01:55,700 Speaker 2: somehow from him. Their image faded, and Abram was shown 27 00:01:55,740 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: a mighty torrent of water, thrashing against an army and 28 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,050 Speaker 2: his descendants running towards safety. 29 00:02:02,950 --> 00:02:06,750 Speaker 4: I will bring judgment on their oppressors, and once I 30 00:02:06,770 --> 00:02:10,510 Speaker 4: have freed them, they will have a great reward. 31 00:02:11,510 --> 00:02:14,450 Speaker 2: Abram looked around him as millions flooded the valley he 32 00:02:14,530 --> 00:02:19,820 Speaker 2: called home. They outnumbered the stars. Then he saw nothing. 33 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 2: It was just him and the Lord. God spoke tenderly 34 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:24,300 Speaker 2: to him. 35 00:02:24,660 --> 00:02:29,590 Speaker 3: Saying, As for you, Abraham, you will have peace. 36 00:02:33,750 --> 00:02:37,950 Speaker 5: Welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm your host, Ethan, 37 00:02:38,110 --> 00:02:41,380 Speaker 5: from Pray.com, here to guide you through the Bible's most 38 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:45,260 Speaker 5: iconic stories. If this podcast has blessed you thus far, 39 00:02:45,780 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 5: please take a moment to leave a comment and review. 40 00:02:49,460 --> 00:02:52,639 Speaker 5: Doing so will make sure others discover these life-changing stories. 41 00:02:53,340 --> 00:02:55,900 Speaker 5: And be sure to download the Pray.com app to hear 42 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:58,820 Speaker 5: the Bible come to life and make prayer a priority 43 00:02:58,980 --> 00:03:02,060 Speaker 5: in your daily walk with God. It's my hope that 44 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:06,660 Speaker 5: this podcast would showcase the true hero of the Bible, Jesus. 45 00:03:08,810 --> 00:03:13,470 Speaker 5: As heroic and admirable as Noah, Abraham, and Moses are, 46 00:03:14,350 --> 00:03:17,010 Speaker 5: they are mere images of the true hero who came 47 00:03:17,110 --> 00:03:21,490 Speaker 5: after them. the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, 48 00:03:21,850 --> 00:03:26,690 Speaker 5: and the author of our faith. So, join me now 49 00:03:26,910 --> 00:03:30,329 Speaker 5: as we immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Genesis 50 00:03:30,370 --> 00:03:36,330 Speaker 5: chapter 15, where God beckons Abram out of his tent 51 00:03:36,630 --> 00:03:40,250 Speaker 5: to gaze at the stars. Within them is a promise, 52 00:03:41,620 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 5: a promise of a greater hero that will come from 53 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 5: his lineage. Let's begin. 54 00:03:48,630 --> 00:03:50,350 Speaker 3: Fear not, the voice called out. 55 00:03:51,410 --> 00:03:54,290 Speaker 2: Abram sat up in a sweat. He looked around for 56 00:03:54,330 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 2: the source of the voice, but he could only see 57 00:03:56,790 --> 00:03:58,380 Speaker 2: Sarai sleeping beside him. 58 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 3: Fear not, Abram, the voice said again. 59 00:04:02,140 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 2: Abram looked forward. A cool breeze blew in from the 60 00:04:05,340 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 2: entrance of his tent. He stood to his feet and 61 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 2: walked outside. God was beckoning him, drawing him out of 62 00:04:14,020 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: slumber and into a vision. He heard the voice of 63 00:04:17,220 --> 00:04:20,900 Speaker 2: God again, This time, it seemed he was speaking all 64 00:04:21,020 --> 00:04:22,620 Speaker 2: around and within him. 65 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:27,300 Speaker 3: Fear not, Abram. I am your shield and your great reward. 66 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:31,630 Speaker 2: Abram paused and considered God's declaration as the cool breeze 67 00:04:31,710 --> 00:04:34,870 Speaker 2: brought the scent of falling leaves through the valley. His 68 00:04:34,930 --> 00:04:39,010 Speaker 2: bottom lip quivered slightly, both from the cold and from 69 00:04:39,050 --> 00:04:43,210 Speaker 2: the sadness within his heart. He closed his eyes and replied, 70 00:04:43,950 --> 00:04:47,250 Speaker 2: O Lord God! Whatever reward you have for me does 71 00:04:47,290 --> 00:04:51,190 Speaker 2: not matter if I continue childless. My treasure will pass 72 00:04:51,230 --> 00:04:54,510 Speaker 2: with me and be given to my servant, and my 73 00:04:54,589 --> 00:04:58,150 Speaker 2: name will die along with me. Abram's doubt was not 74 00:04:58,190 --> 00:05:01,290 Speaker 2: a denial of God's promise, but rather a desire for 75 00:05:01,350 --> 00:05:04,849 Speaker 2: God's promise. He wanted it to be true, but the 76 00:05:04,950 --> 00:05:08,690 Speaker 2: one desire of his heart had eluded him. God's presence 77 00:05:08,750 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: surrounded Abram. He was enveloped in the comforting embrace. 78 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:14,140 Speaker 3: Of the Lord Almighty. 79 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 1: Oh, Abram. 80 00:05:15,910 --> 00:05:19,430 Speaker 3: A son from your flesh will be given to you. 81 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:23,029 Speaker 2: God's presence called Abram to walk up a small grassy 82 00:05:23,070 --> 00:05:25,469 Speaker 2: hill like the gentle nudge of a father. 83 00:05:25,490 --> 00:05:28,670 Speaker 3: Look up at the heavens, God whispered. 84 00:05:29,390 --> 00:05:33,430 Speaker 2: Abram turned his gaze towards the heavens. Casting his gaze upward, 85 00:05:33,790 --> 00:05:37,770 Speaker 2: his eyes met a cosmic tapestry that stretched infinitely beyond 86 00:05:37,810 --> 00:05:44,020 Speaker 2: his reach. Unobstructed by clouds are earthly illuminations. A myriad 87 00:05:44,060 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 2: of twinkling stars painted the night canvas, each a distant sun, 88 00:05:49,940 --> 00:05:54,119 Speaker 2: a silent testament to the vastness of the universe. Abram 89 00:05:54,160 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 2: found himself entranced, humbled, and insignificant. God spoke to Abram's 90 00:06:00,620 --> 00:06:02,580 Speaker 2: heart in this state of awe, saying. 91 00:06:02,980 --> 00:06:08,180 Speaker 3: Your descendants will outnumber the stars. Through you, all the 92 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,870 Speaker 3: nations of the world will be blessed. 93 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 2: Abram's heart echoed. 94 00:06:12,820 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 1: Melted. 95 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,820 Speaker 2: As he surveyed the expanse of heaven, he realized just 96 00:06:17,900 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 2: how incredible it was that the creator of the stars 97 00:06:20,980 --> 00:06:22,839 Speaker 2: considered him, knew him. 98 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,669 Speaker 1: And loved him. Abram believed God. 99 00:06:27,670 --> 00:06:30,029 Speaker 2: He had faith that the Lord would follow through with 100 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:35,969 Speaker 2: his promises. That belief, that faith, is what made Abraham righteous. 101 00:06:36,890 --> 00:06:40,930 Speaker 2: No deed, ceremony, or religious gesture would ever replace that 102 00:06:41,089 --> 00:06:45,770 Speaker 2: pure trust in God's word. Abram looked up at the heavens, 103 00:06:46,330 --> 00:06:50,500 Speaker 2: tears fogging his vision, and whispered to the Lord, Oh, 104 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:51,799 Speaker 2: shall these things happen? 105 00:06:52,339 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 3: Bring me a heifer, goat, ram, turtle dove, and pigeon. 106 00:06:58,170 --> 00:06:59,050 Speaker 3: The Lord replied. 107 00:06:59,970 --> 00:07:03,750 Speaker 2: Abram knew exactly what God was requesting. In his culture, 108 00:07:04,210 --> 00:07:08,390 Speaker 2: Covenants were made through sacrifice. Two people making promises would 109 00:07:08,490 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 2: split animals in half and walk through the middle. To 110 00:07:12,180 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 2: seal a covenant with blood meant that if one were 111 00:07:14,340 --> 00:07:18,820 Speaker 2: to break that promise, it would mean death. God intended 112 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 2: to make an unbreakable vow with Abram, a promise sealed 113 00:07:22,540 --> 00:07:26,850 Speaker 2: in blood that would endure throughout the generations. Abram took 114 00:07:26,890 --> 00:07:29,570 Speaker 2: his eyes off the heavens and retreated to his tent. 115 00:07:30,270 --> 00:07:34,110 Speaker 2: The following day, He gathered the necessary animals, split them 116 00:07:34,150 --> 00:07:39,300 Speaker 2: in half, then waited. The sun's heavy rays were briefly 117 00:07:39,420 --> 00:07:43,660 Speaker 2: shaded by the wings of vultures flying overhead. They descended 118 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,780 Speaker 2: on the carcasses of the animals, but Abraham fought them off. 119 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 2: Thrashing and screaming, he scared them away, then sat on 120 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 2: a stone and panted. Abram was sure God would show up. 121 00:07:55,920 --> 00:08:00,050 Speaker 2: He had heard his voice so clearly. Abram leaned back 122 00:08:00,190 --> 00:08:03,210 Speaker 2: and looked out on the horizon. He waited for God's 123 00:08:03,250 --> 00:08:09,510 Speaker 2: voice to return. He waited all day, staring, praying, pondering. 124 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:14,850 Speaker 2: Faith kept him hopeful. The day drew on, and Abram 125 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: watched the sun slowly descend over the valley. Hues of 126 00:08:18,510 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 2: orange and crimson splashed the skies, matching the blood soaking 127 00:08:22,580 --> 00:08:27,070 Speaker 2: the ground near the slain animals. Abram's head leaned against 128 00:08:27,130 --> 00:08:31,490 Speaker 2: the stone, and slowly he drifted away to sleep. He 129 00:08:31,570 --> 00:08:35,510 Speaker 2: closed his eyes, then opened them to see a terrible vision. 130 00:08:36,350 --> 00:08:39,910 Speaker 2: He sprang up and looked around him. He saw hundreds 131 00:08:39,929 --> 00:08:43,100 Speaker 2: of thousands of people with scars on their backs, dragging 132 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 2: stones through sand and mud. The voice of God spoke 133 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 2: to Abram, saying. 134 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:52,579 Speaker 4: Know this, your offspring will be strangers in a land 135 00:08:52,620 --> 00:08:56,830 Speaker 4: that is not theirs. They will be slaves there and 136 00:08:56,870 --> 00:08:59,130 Speaker 4: afflicted for four hundred years. 137 00:08:59,980 --> 00:09:04,119 Speaker 2: Abram looked at the people. They were his descendants, a 138 00:09:04,179 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 2: vast sea of faces, all somehow from him. Their image faded, 139 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 2: and Abram was shown a mighty torrent of water thrashing 140 00:09:11,860 --> 00:09:15,179 Speaker 2: against an army and his descendants running toward safety. 141 00:09:16,059 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 4: I will bring judgment on their oppressors, and once I 142 00:09:19,900 --> 00:09:23,439 Speaker 4: have freed them, they will have a great reward. 143 00:09:24,450 --> 00:09:25,709 Speaker 3: Abram looked around. 144 00:09:25,670 --> 00:09:28,770 Speaker 2: As millions flooded the valley he called home. 145 00:09:29,650 --> 00:09:34,050 Speaker 3: They outnumbered the stars. Then he saw nothing. 146 00:09:35,090 --> 00:09:38,580 Speaker 2: It was just him and the Lord. God spoke tenderly 147 00:09:38,660 --> 00:09:38,959 Speaker 2: to him. 148 00:09:39,100 --> 00:09:43,940 Speaker 3: Saying, As for you, Abraham, you will have peace. 149 00:09:44,900 --> 00:09:49,439 Speaker 2: Abram opened his eyes to see something miraculous. God had 150 00:09:49,620 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 2: passed through the sacrifices himself. A smoking fire pot and 151 00:09:54,730 --> 00:09:57,170 Speaker 2: a flaming torch stood at the other end of them. 152 00:09:58,370 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 2: God had made his promise to Abraham. and his offspring 153 00:10:01,300 --> 00:10:05,060 Speaker 2: without him. But what of the blood that's required if 154 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 2: I break my part of the covenant? 155 00:10:08,500 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 3: Abram wondered. 156 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,020 Speaker 2: God was the one to pass through himself. 157 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,819 Speaker 1: That means God. 158 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 2: Would be the one to die if Abram and his 159 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:23,150 Speaker 2: descendants broke their promise. God would later rename Abram, making 160 00:10:23,210 --> 00:10:27,290 Speaker 2: him Abraham, a father of nations. He said that through 161 00:10:27,350 --> 00:10:30,870 Speaker 2: his seed, all the nations would be blessed. A son 162 00:10:30,950 --> 00:10:33,910 Speaker 2: from his lineage would rise to redeem and bless the world. 163 00:10:34,870 --> 00:10:40,099 Speaker 2: Abraham eagerly awaited that time. He believed in the future redemption. 164 00:10:40,780 --> 00:10:45,820 Speaker 2: He hoped for that future blessing. And one day, He 165 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 2: would meet the promised son in eternity. 166 00:10:52,380 --> 00:10:56,220 Speaker 5: What a moving moment between God and Abram. Could you 167 00:10:56,300 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 5: feel the intimacy between them? Could you sense Abram's doubt 168 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 5: melting away under the warm embrace of his heavenly father? 169 00:11:07,070 --> 00:11:10,170 Speaker 5: It makes sense that Abram would be doubtful of God's promises. 170 00:11:10,830 --> 00:11:13,550 Speaker 5: Think about it. He was old and had tried to 171 00:11:13,590 --> 00:11:17,650 Speaker 5: have children for years. He feared all his blessings wouldn't 172 00:11:17,710 --> 00:11:24,090 Speaker 5: be shared with his descendants. But God comforted Abram and 173 00:11:24,150 --> 00:11:27,490 Speaker 5: made a promise that his offspring would outnumber the stars 174 00:11:27,530 --> 00:11:34,420 Speaker 5: in the sky. They would multiply, suffer from slavery, be rescued, 175 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 5: and prosper in the land promised to them. And through them, 176 00:11:38,740 --> 00:11:43,579 Speaker 5: a greater hero would come. Abram took all of this 177 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:47,970 Speaker 5: in and had faith in God That faith was accounted 178 00:11:48,010 --> 00:11:52,990 Speaker 5: to him as righteousness. It wasn't any good deeds, holy exploits, 179 00:11:53,190 --> 00:11:57,700 Speaker 5: or obedience that made him righteous. It was his belief 180 00:11:57,860 --> 00:12:01,020 Speaker 5: in the promises of God. To seal the promise he 181 00:12:01,059 --> 00:12:05,459 Speaker 5: made to Abram, God made a covenant. He had Abram 182 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:10,010 Speaker 5: prepare sacrifices for them to walk through together. These type 183 00:12:10,050 --> 00:12:13,870 Speaker 5: of contracts were weighty back then. That's why God walked 184 00:12:13,890 --> 00:12:17,709 Speaker 5: through the sacrifice on his own. He was going to 185 00:12:17,750 --> 00:12:22,630 Speaker 5: bear sole responsibility for the promise. If Abram or any 186 00:12:22,650 --> 00:12:26,150 Speaker 5: of his descendants broke the covenant, God would pay the penalty, 187 00:12:26,670 --> 00:12:30,830 Speaker 5: not them. He would eventually do that through the sacrifice 188 00:12:30,870 --> 00:12:36,430 Speaker 5: of Jesus. Abram was eventually renamed Abraham, and God promised 189 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,100 Speaker 5: that all the nations would be blessed one day through 190 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:44,950 Speaker 5: his seed. Abraham looked forward to that time. He hoped 191 00:12:45,090 --> 00:12:48,380 Speaker 5: in God and believed his promised descendant would save the world. 192 00:12:50,170 --> 00:12:55,859 Speaker 5: He knew his prophesied son would be greater than him, mightier. Now, 193 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 5: let's fast forward to when Abraham's descendants are great in number. 194 00:13:01,620 --> 00:13:03,980 Speaker 5: They have an established culture and a way of life. 195 00:13:05,059 --> 00:13:08,500 Speaker 5: They look back at Abraham as the ultimate example of righteousness, 196 00:13:08,860 --> 00:13:11,660 Speaker 5: but they seem to have forgotten that someone greater than 197 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:12,839 Speaker 5: him was supposed to come. 198 00:13:15,540 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 2: Just admit it, one of the scribes shouted from a 199 00:13:18,460 --> 00:13:22,500 Speaker 2: group of Jewish leaders. You are a Samaritan dog and 200 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 2: are possessed by a demon. The crowd stirred, uncomfortable with 201 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:32,570 Speaker 2: the accusation. Jesus remained calm under scrutiny. His eyes pierced 202 00:13:32,620 --> 00:13:35,969 Speaker 2: through his accusers. He exhaled and shook his head. I 203 00:13:36,450 --> 00:13:39,890 Speaker 2: do not have a demon, he replied matter-of-factly. I honor 204 00:13:39,929 --> 00:13:43,230 Speaker 2: my father in all things, yet you stand here and 205 00:13:43,270 --> 00:13:43,810 Speaker 2: dishonor me. 206 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: I won't fret over this, though, for I do not 207 00:13:46,940 --> 00:13:47,820 Speaker 1: seek my own glory. 208 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:51,300 Speaker 2: There's only one who seeks my glory, and he's the 209 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,990 Speaker 2: ultimate judge between you and me. He looked away from 210 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:59,730 Speaker 2: the group of accusers, turned to the crowd, and said, Truly, truly, 211 00:13:59,950 --> 00:14:02,290 Speaker 2: I say to you, if anyone keeps. 212 00:14:02,150 --> 00:14:04,390 Speaker 1: My words, he will never see death. 213 00:14:05,150 --> 00:14:08,780 Speaker 2: The group of scribes and Pharisees stirred. Their holy veneer 214 00:14:08,820 --> 00:14:12,470 Speaker 2: was slowly eroding. giving way to a more perturbed and 215 00:14:12,570 --> 00:14:15,579 Speaker 2: petty countenance. Now we are sure that you have a demon, 216 00:14:15,820 --> 00:14:18,500 Speaker 2: they shouted. They began to spit on the floor and 217 00:14:18,580 --> 00:14:18,980 Speaker 2: mock him. 218 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:23,300 Speaker 3: Abraham died, as did all the prophets. 219 00:14:23,900 --> 00:14:28,020 Speaker 2: Yet you say whoever keeps your word will never taste death. 220 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:30,110 Speaker 5: Who do you think you are? 221 00:14:30,630 --> 00:14:34,190 Speaker 2: You think you're greater than Abraham? The Jews postured to 222 00:14:34,250 --> 00:14:38,750 Speaker 2: threaten Jesus, but he remained unperturbed by their presence. Jesus 223 00:14:38,790 --> 00:14:41,530 Speaker 2: stepped towards them, and they took a few paces back 224 00:14:41,590 --> 00:14:44,370 Speaker 2: as he approached. I would tell you again, I do 225 00:14:44,410 --> 00:14:46,300 Speaker 2: not aim to give myself glory. 226 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,660 Speaker 3: If I did, it would mean nothing. 227 00:14:49,380 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 2: It is my father who glorifies me, your God. 228 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 5: But you don't know him, do you? I know him, 229 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 5: and your father, Abraham, knew him. He rejoiced that. 230 00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:01,500 Speaker 1: One day he would get to see me. 231 00:15:02,210 --> 00:15:04,530 Speaker 2: He had faith in me and was filled with joy. 232 00:15:04,810 --> 00:15:06,210 Speaker 1: Ridiculous, they shouted. 233 00:15:06,230 --> 00:15:07,950 Speaker 3: You're not even fifty years old. 234 00:15:08,390 --> 00:15:10,110 Speaker 4: Yet you claim to have seen Abraham? 235 00:15:10,290 --> 00:15:14,230 Speaker 2: Jesus' gentle countenance shifted slightly at that moment. It was 236 00:15:14,330 --> 00:15:17,470 Speaker 2: as if the air around him became thick with glory. 237 00:15:18,490 --> 00:15:23,310 Speaker 2: Jesus spoke, his voice resounding with calm authority. I was 238 00:15:23,390 --> 00:15:24,470 Speaker 2: before Abraham. 239 00:15:25,350 --> 00:15:28,380 Speaker 1: Before Abraham was the great I Am. 240 00:15:29,030 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 2: Those were the words they had been waiting for. Jesus 241 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:37,100 Speaker 2: had claimed to be God himself. With zealous rage, the 242 00:15:37,180 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 2: Jews ran to retrieve stones. They wanted to end Jesus' life. 243 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:47,260 Speaker 2: Jealous and indignant, they turned with rocks to hurl at Jesus. 244 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:48,580 Speaker 3: But he had vanished. 245 00:15:49,420 --> 00:15:53,630 Speaker 2: He had escaped from the temple just in time. One day, 246 00:15:53,890 --> 00:15:57,410 Speaker 2: the Jewish leaders would successfully execute Jesus, but they would 247 00:15:57,450 --> 00:16:01,110 Speaker 2: do so on his timing, not theirs. He would use 248 00:16:01,170 --> 00:16:03,850 Speaker 2: death as a tool to fulfill the promise made to 249 00:16:04,030 --> 00:16:08,430 Speaker 2: Abraham long ago. He would be the seed that sprung 250 00:16:08,570 --> 00:16:12,700 Speaker 2: up from the line of Abraham to bless every nation. 251 00:16:15,060 --> 00:16:19,060 Speaker 5: Abraham indeed became the father of a great nation. God's 252 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 5: promise to Abraham was kept, and the children of Israel 253 00:16:21,780 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 5: were preserved through slavery, wilderness, war, oppression, and pride. Despite themselves, 254 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:34,990 Speaker 5: God was faithful. Through them, the great hero of heaven came. 255 00:16:36,870 --> 00:16:39,750 Speaker 5: but not everyone recognized him as the Messiah right away. 256 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:45,780 Speaker 5: Jesus was continually challenged about his identity, but we know 257 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:50,020 Speaker 5: now that he is the promised Redeemer, the seed from 258 00:16:50,140 --> 00:16:54,910 Speaker 5: Abraham that would bless every nation. In his discourse with 259 00:16:54,990 --> 00:16:58,450 Speaker 5: the religious leaders, he declared that he was there before Abraham. 260 00:16:59,410 --> 00:17:03,910 Speaker 5: He said, Before Abraham was the great I Am. Before 261 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,710 Speaker 5: Abraham was the great I Am. What does that mean? 262 00:17:08,230 --> 00:17:14,540 Speaker 5: That means that Jesus pre-existed Abraham and life itself. He 263 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,780 Speaker 5: was the one who spoke life and light into existence. 264 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 5: He was the one who fashioned man from the dust 265 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 5: and crafted the heavens and the earth. Jesus was God himself. 266 00:17:29,590 --> 00:17:32,710 Speaker 5: In this way, Jesus is more than just a patriarch 267 00:17:32,750 --> 00:17:36,050 Speaker 5: of faith or a member of a great lineage. He 268 00:17:36,109 --> 00:17:39,540 Speaker 5: is God. He's not just a man of faith. He 269 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:45,910 Speaker 5: is the one we put our faith in. Through Jesus, 270 00:17:46,170 --> 00:17:49,570 Speaker 5: the lineage of Abraham was extended beyond just a bloodline. 271 00:17:50,570 --> 00:17:54,689 Speaker 5: He unified different nations, cultures, and creeds under the banner 272 00:17:54,710 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 5: of faith into a nation of faith, under the banner 273 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 5: of faith into a nation of faith, the church. Because 274 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:07,260 Speaker 5: of all this and more, Jesus is greater than Abraham 275 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 5: Be sure to join us next time as we explore 276 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:16,679 Speaker 5: another patriarch in the lineage of Abraham. This man is 277 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:20,730 Speaker 5: not known for his courage or strength. In fact, he 278 00:18:20,830 --> 00:18:23,609 Speaker 5: willingly submitted himself to be killed by his own father. 279 00:18:25,070 --> 00:18:28,230 Speaker 5: Join us next episode to discover why Jesus is the 280 00:18:28,310 --> 00:18:29,130 Speaker 5: greater Isaac.