1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:03,940 Speaker 1: He has shown you, O man, what is good. What 2 00:00:03,980 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: does Yahweh require of you but to act justly, to 3 00:00:08,020 --> 00:00:13,309 Speaker 1: love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 4 00:00:13,310 --> 00:00:20,730 Speaker 1: 6.8 Heavenly Father, this world is filled with distraction. Sin abounds, 5 00:00:21,770 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: and the temptation to engage in superficial religiosity or pursue 6 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:32,050 Speaker 1: worldly desires can easily derail us. we pray for your 7 00:00:32,090 --> 00:00:35,670 Speaker 1: guidance to keep our eyes fixed on the mission you've 8 00:00:35,690 --> 00:00:40,690 Speaker 1: laid out before us. Help us to embrace justice, to 9 00:00:40,729 --> 00:00:45,540 Speaker 1: be vessels for your mercy, and to embody humility in 10 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:50,200 Speaker 1: our walk with you every day. Prevent us from losing 11 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,780 Speaker 1: sight of the profound simplicity of your call on our lives. 12 00:00:55,340 --> 00:00:57,700 Speaker 1: May we not be swayed by the empty promises of 13 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:03,050 Speaker 1: this world, but find our purpose and joy in aligning 14 00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:08,250 Speaker 1: our actions with your will. Instill in us a deep 15 00:01:08,310 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: desire to serve you and your creation, to make a 16 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: difference in the lives of those around us, and to 17 00:01:16,060 --> 00:01:21,980 Speaker 1: reflect your love in all we do. Keep us focused, Lord, 18 00:01:22,220 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: on the real mission, living out the values of Micah 6.8, 19 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: for in doing so, we find true fulfillment and purpose. 20 00:01:32,740 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 21 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:43,500 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to listen 22 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:48,950 Speaker 1: to Jesus' tense words against the religious elite. Have you 23 00:01:48,990 --> 00:01:52,530 Speaker 1: enjoyed this journey so far? Share this podcast with a 24 00:01:52,570 --> 00:01:56,030 Speaker 1: friend or family member who'd enjoy it. We want the 25 00:01:56,090 --> 00:01:58,590 Speaker 1: whole world to hear the story of Jesus. 26 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:02,580 Speaker 2: You hypocrites! 27 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: Jesus interrupted with a shout. His voice boomed against the walls. 28 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: The room fell silent. Jesus' anger was palpable, pulsating from 29 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: him like heat from a furnace. The air shifted, and 30 00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 1: everyone tensed with fear and reverence. At this moment, it 31 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:27,460 Speaker 1: was clear to everyone in the room that Jesus wasn't 32 00:02:27,540 --> 00:02:33,270 Speaker 1: a mere man. He was in command. He was the Lord. 33 00:02:34,750 --> 00:02:37,510 Speaker 1: He stepped from the dais toward the rulers and said, 34 00:02:37,530 --> 00:02:38,690 Speaker 1: When it's. 35 00:02:38,590 --> 00:02:41,610 Speaker 3: The Sabbath, do you refuse to untie your ox or 36 00:02:41,630 --> 00:02:44,170 Speaker 3: your donkey and lead them to water? Do you let 37 00:02:44,210 --> 00:02:47,430 Speaker 3: them go thirsty because you couldn't manage an ounce of effort? 38 00:02:48,450 --> 00:02:50,230 Speaker 3: You wouldn't let your animals go parched. 39 00:02:50,790 --> 00:02:51,430 Speaker 1: How much more. 40 00:02:51,370 --> 00:02:56,370 Speaker 4: Precious is this woman, a daughter of Abraham, a daughter 41 00:02:56,430 --> 00:02:56,930 Speaker 4: of God? 42 00:02:57,889 --> 00:03:01,130 Speaker 1: He pointed to her, trying to draw some humanity from 43 00:03:01,169 --> 00:03:02,190 Speaker 1: the religious rulers. 44 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:05,490 Speaker 2: Look at her. Look at her. 45 00:03:06,770 --> 00:03:11,300 Speaker 4: Satan has bound this woman for 18 years. But now 46 00:03:11,340 --> 00:03:14,980 Speaker 4: her bonds are loosened on the Sabbath. Today of all 47 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 4: days should be for such an act. For it is 48 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:22,299 Speaker 4: on this day we celebrate bonds being broken. 49 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:28,540 Speaker 1: As Jesus said these things, the crowd began to clap. Jesus' 50 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:32,119 Speaker 1: passion had stirred them up. They were able to see 51 00:03:32,180 --> 00:03:35,140 Speaker 1: the good in what Jesus had done. At the end 52 00:03:35,180 --> 00:03:38,370 Speaker 1: of the day, it was hard to deny something purely 53 00:03:38,530 --> 00:03:43,950 Speaker 1: good for the sake of ceremony. The people erupted in cheers. 54 00:03:44,610 --> 00:03:48,170 Speaker 1: Some of the women embraced Eva. The rulers stepped back, 55 00:03:48,570 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: flustered and ashamed. None of them relented. Instead, They swiped 56 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: their robes back and turned their feet away from Jesus. 57 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:04,780 Speaker 1: The ruler of the synagogue blushed scarlet. Heat filled his body, 58 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:10,270 Speaker 1: and he turned to leave. He paced down the length 59 00:04:10,330 --> 00:04:14,510 Speaker 1: of the synagogue and a few long hallways. His sandals 60 00:04:14,630 --> 00:04:20,150 Speaker 1: clacked on the hard stone floors. He passed altar after altar, 61 00:04:20,650 --> 00:04:23,789 Speaker 1: quickening into the secret back room. until he found the 62 00:04:23,830 --> 00:04:29,430 Speaker 1: chief priest preparing his white ceremonial garments and ephod. He 63 00:04:29,470 --> 00:04:34,580 Speaker 1: said with a bow. The chief priest wrapped his head 64 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:38,360 Speaker 1: in wool and linen scarves. He calls himself a rabbi, 65 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:46,020 Speaker 1: doesn't he? The rabbi replied darkly. The chief priest's face 66 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,539 Speaker 1: coiled in disgust. Blasphemy! 67 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:54,049 Speaker 5: Perhaps it's time we did something about this. Jesus of Nazareth. 68 00:04:56,270 --> 00:05:01,490 Speaker 5: Much too early for that. Arrange for a dinner. Invite Jesus. 69 00:05:02,450 --> 00:05:05,630 Speaker 5: I want our highest ranking officials to see what you 70 00:05:05,690 --> 00:05:06,170 Speaker 5: have seen. 71 00:05:07,490 --> 00:05:11,190 Speaker 1: We need to be of one mind going forward. The 72 00:05:11,250 --> 00:05:16,290 Speaker 1: ruler bowed his head, then turned to conspire against Jesus. 73 00:05:18,970 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 6: Laws can be used for good or evil, depending on 74 00:05:21,710 --> 00:05:24,650 Speaker 6: how they're used. Some of us may be rule followers 75 00:05:24,690 --> 00:05:27,060 Speaker 6: who love laws, while others might find laws to be 76 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:30,820 Speaker 6: restrictive and threats to our freedom. Understanding the purpose of 77 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 6: God's law is crucial to understanding God's heart. The Apostle 78 00:05:34,779 --> 00:05:37,900 Speaker 6: Paul says in Galatians 3.23, Before the coming of this faith, 79 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:40,810 Speaker 6: we are held in custody under the law, locked up 80 00:05:40,870 --> 00:05:43,530 Speaker 6: until faith that was to come would be revealed. So 81 00:05:43,550 --> 00:05:46,170 Speaker 6: the law was our guardian until Christ came that we 82 00:05:46,210 --> 00:05:49,610 Speaker 6: might be justified by faith. Now this faith has come. 83 00:05:49,810 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 6: We are no longer under a guardian. God's law acted 84 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,779 Speaker 6: as a guardian, a babysitter, if you will, leading people 85 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,080 Speaker 6: away from sin. But once Jesus came, there was no 86 00:06:00,140 --> 00:06:03,180 Speaker 6: need for a guardian because the law was completely fulfilled 87 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 6: as a new covenant of grace took its place. Welcome 88 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 6: to The Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the 89 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,340 Speaker 6: depth of Christ's love through storytelling and the glory of 90 00:06:12,380 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 6: God's truth. It's great to have you here today. Be 91 00:06:15,140 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 6: sure to take a second and follow the podcast so 92 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,460 Speaker 6: that you don't miss out on any of these exciting stories. 93 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:23,610 Speaker 6: Our miraculous story for today takes place immediately following our 94 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,570 Speaker 6: story from last time. After Jesus causes a scene in 95 00:06:26,589 --> 00:06:29,150 Speaker 6: the synagogue for healing on the Sabbath, he's invited to 96 00:06:29,170 --> 00:06:31,370 Speaker 6: the home of a Pharisee to share a meal. But 97 00:06:31,410 --> 00:06:34,429 Speaker 6: this act of hospitality was only a facade for a trap. 98 00:06:34,950 --> 00:06:38,109 Speaker 6: Yet another attempt to catch Jesus in his words. But 99 00:06:38,150 --> 00:06:40,820 Speaker 6: if we've learned anything about Jesus, it's that he always 100 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:44,420 Speaker 6: has a plan to redeem even the most deplorable of situations. 101 00:06:46,950 --> 00:06:49,870 Speaker 1: It was Matan's job to ready the rooftop banquet for 102 00:06:49,890 --> 00:06:53,690 Speaker 1: the Pharisees. He paced around the sides of the area, 103 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,260 Speaker 1: ducking under the lanterns and curtains flowing in the wind. 104 00:06:58,940 --> 00:07:01,940 Speaker 1: The candlelight on the wood table was like that for 105 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:07,060 Speaker 1: a wedding. Fumes from the feast cooking downstairs frothed up 106 00:07:07,110 --> 00:07:11,910 Speaker 1: through the windows. Lamb with honey sauce and gravy. Fresh 107 00:07:12,030 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: baked bread with melted butter. sweet day cake with savory 108 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:17,220 Speaker 1: pine nuts. 109 00:07:17,940 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 2: The chief priest must be trying to impress. 110 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:24,790 Speaker 1: Someone, Matan thought to himself. Rumor had it that they 111 00:07:24,820 --> 00:07:29,210 Speaker 1: were all coming tonight, all the chief priests, lawyers, scribes, 112 00:07:29,250 --> 00:07:34,810 Speaker 1: and Pharisees. They were assembling for a particular purpose, to 113 00:07:34,890 --> 00:07:40,150 Speaker 1: suss out Jesus of Nazareth. Apparently, he was a miracle-working 114 00:07:40,210 --> 00:07:45,330 Speaker 1: man of sorts, a sort of people's teacher. and he 115 00:07:45,390 --> 00:07:50,130 Speaker 1: was to dine with the Pharisees tonight. Matan knew little 116 00:07:50,190 --> 00:07:56,380 Speaker 1: about such things, being a Gentile servant. Matan hobbled around 117 00:07:56,420 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: the sides of the table, setting bowls out and lighting lanterns, satisfied. 118 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: Everything looked perfect. The night had that particular warm wind 119 00:08:09,180 --> 00:08:12,100 Speaker 1: in it. It was the type of warmth that brought 120 00:08:12,140 --> 00:08:16,170 Speaker 1: a sense of nostalgia, mixed with the premonition that something 121 00:08:16,290 --> 00:08:23,210 Speaker 1: glorious was possible. Matan closed his eyes, feeling the weight 122 00:08:23,250 --> 00:08:27,080 Speaker 1: of the setting sun on his face. He breathed deep 123 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:33,500 Speaker 1: and felt young again, and he dared to hold, dared 124 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:38,140 Speaker 1: to forget the pain in his legs, the muscle straining 125 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:43,780 Speaker 1: and swelling in his abdomen. His leg had grown heavier, 126 00:08:44,179 --> 00:08:49,530 Speaker 1: more bloated, and stiff year after year. A hand new 127 00:08:49,610 --> 00:08:53,270 Speaker 1: swelling had appeared on him just this month alone. A 128 00:08:53,309 --> 00:08:56,390 Speaker 1: great lump in his neck and a bulge on his 129 00:08:56,429 --> 00:09:02,270 Speaker 1: forehead where fluid formed. Matan returned to work, hobbled around, 130 00:09:02,690 --> 00:09:08,850 Speaker 1: setting the table. His breaths strained. Down below, the voices 131 00:09:08,950 --> 00:09:11,530 Speaker 1: echoed up and lofted towards him as a group of 132 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:16,890 Speaker 1: men hiked the stairs to the rooftop. Matan tensed and 133 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:21,540 Speaker 1: stood at attention beside the water pitcher. The Jewish rulers 134 00:09:21,660 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: piled into the rooftop. Taking place at the table, he 135 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:31,709 Speaker 1: served them one by one. The lawyers sat in a 136 00:09:31,750 --> 00:09:35,390 Speaker 1: group on one end, the Pharisees on the other, and 137 00:09:35,429 --> 00:09:43,020 Speaker 1: in the center, Caiaphas. He lounged with regality. Sitting across 138 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,460 Speaker 1: from him at the other end of the table was 139 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:52,150 Speaker 1: the carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus. He sat there, peacefully, calm, 140 00:09:53,150 --> 00:09:55,610 Speaker 1: like a dove in a nest of crows. 141 00:09:56,309 --> 00:09:59,950 Speaker 2: He has no idea what he's landed himself into, Matanda. 142 00:10:00,020 --> 00:10:00,260 Speaker 3: Thought. 143 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:05,420 Speaker 1: So tell us, Jesus, Kaifa said, rolling up the sleeve 144 00:10:05,460 --> 00:10:08,829 Speaker 1: of his tunic. What makes you think it is lawful 145 00:10:08,950 --> 00:10:13,050 Speaker 1: to work on the Sabbath? Matan slowly filled Jesus' cup 146 00:10:13,110 --> 00:10:18,630 Speaker 1: with water. Kaifa's question seemed crafted. as if he'd practiced 147 00:10:18,650 --> 00:10:22,750 Speaker 1: it in the mirror before arriving. He was intentionally vague, 148 00:10:23,470 --> 00:10:24,790 Speaker 1: trying to set traps for him. 149 00:10:25,570 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 2: He should have never come. 150 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 1: Jesus looked up at Matan and smiled. He scanned his 151 00:10:31,660 --> 00:10:35,620 Speaker 1: body up and down. He saw the swelling in his leg, 152 00:10:36,220 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: the tumor on his neck, and the discoloration on his skin. 153 00:10:40,350 --> 00:10:44,330 Speaker 1: Thank you, he said with a warm tone. He looked 154 00:10:44,390 --> 00:10:46,390 Speaker 1: at the other end of the table and sipped his cup. 155 00:10:47,550 --> 00:10:50,110 Speaker 1: Jesus replied with a question of his own. 156 00:10:50,590 --> 00:10:52,990 Speaker 2: Is it lawful to do anything good on the Sabbath? 157 00:10:53,429 --> 00:10:58,820 Speaker 1: He glanced between them all, lawyers, rabbis, and Pharisees. But 158 00:10:58,860 --> 00:11:02,719 Speaker 1: they each fell silent and wouldn't quite meet his eyes. 159 00:11:04,540 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: All except the ruler himself, who frowned at him. Matan 160 00:11:10,140 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: returned to the water pitcher on the side, anxious to 161 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:17,770 Speaker 1: see how this exchange would turn out. Jesus raised the 162 00:11:17,809 --> 00:11:19,370 Speaker 1: volume of his voice slightly. 163 00:11:19,870 --> 00:11:22,770 Speaker 4: You asked me your question as if I'd violated something. 164 00:11:23,309 --> 00:11:25,630 Speaker 4: At least you could do as answer me. Is it 165 00:11:25,670 --> 00:11:27,730 Speaker 4: lawful to do anything good on the Sabbath? 166 00:11:28,370 --> 00:11:32,130 Speaker 1: The Pharisees stirred, but Caiaphas remained calm. 167 00:11:32,670 --> 00:11:36,130 Speaker 5: What you consider good and what we consider good may 168 00:11:36,170 --> 00:11:37,610 Speaker 5: be two different things. 169 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,860 Speaker 1: His gaze was intense. Caiaphas was used to being the 170 00:11:41,890 --> 00:11:46,030 Speaker 1: most competent and most powerful person in the room. He 171 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,599 Speaker 1: was intent on reminding Jesus of who he was dealing with. 172 00:11:50,420 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: Then I'll be more specific. 173 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: Is it lawful to heal someone on the Sabbath? 174 00:11:55,720 --> 00:12:01,449 Speaker 1: Jesus waved Matan back again. Confused, the servant looked from Jesus' 175 00:12:01,530 --> 00:12:05,070 Speaker 1: full cup and back to him. But Jesus waved him 176 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:11,220 Speaker 1: over still. Matan approached the table, aware of the judging 177 00:12:11,380 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: eye stabbing into his back. Jesus stood up and met 178 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:20,990 Speaker 1: Matan eye to eye. He inspected the tumor on his neck, 179 00:12:22,330 --> 00:12:24,969 Speaker 1: then took a better look at his leg. You've been 180 00:12:25,010 --> 00:12:28,030 Speaker 1: in a lot of pain, haven't you? Jesus whispered. 181 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:33,130 Speaker 2: More than you could imagine, Matan thought, but. 182 00:12:33,050 --> 00:12:37,890 Speaker 1: He remained silent. He bowed his head. Jesus reached his 183 00:12:37,950 --> 00:12:42,620 Speaker 1: hand toward the lump on the servant's neck. Matan shrugged away. 184 00:12:44,110 --> 00:12:51,410 Speaker 1: His cheeks flushed scarlet. But Jesus softly, slowly, reached out 185 00:12:51,490 --> 00:12:55,320 Speaker 1: and touched the lump on his back. And as he 186 00:12:55,360 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 1: touched it, the lump deflated. It drained and went down. 187 00:13:02,700 --> 00:13:07,089 Speaker 1: Matan's eyes went wide, and he felt the cold drain 188 00:13:07,130 --> 00:13:10,850 Speaker 1: of water seeping from his neck and the pressure release 189 00:13:10,910 --> 00:13:15,830 Speaker 1: from his flesh. His swollen ankles released, and the puffy, 190 00:13:15,990 --> 00:13:22,010 Speaker 1: tight lumps drained. He felt in an instant lighter. His 191 00:13:22,090 --> 00:13:27,590 Speaker 1: heart beat evened and steadied. The Pharisees' faces went slack. 192 00:13:28,570 --> 00:13:33,010 Speaker 1: They'd seen the servant with this swelling for years, significant 193 00:13:33,090 --> 00:13:36,990 Speaker 1: bulges on his back and feet. They had prayed for 194 00:13:37,030 --> 00:13:40,990 Speaker 1: him before, told him to sacrifice burnt offerings, and gave 195 00:13:41,030 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: him specific instructions for his healing. Here, in short moments, 196 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: Matan was healed entirely, as though it were hardly working 197 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:59,460 Speaker 1: at all. Of course, for Jesus, it wasn't work. Matan 198 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: dropped the water pitcher. His nerves went on edge. He 199 00:14:03,700 --> 00:14:07,780 Speaker 1: touched his neck, feeling the smooth, even surface of his skin. 200 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:12,660 Speaker 1: He awkwardly took a few steps backward, like he wanted 201 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:14,980 Speaker 1: to run and see for himself in a mirror, but 202 00:14:15,340 --> 00:14:18,610 Speaker 1: didn't know if he could go. Go on, Jesus said. 203 00:14:19,270 --> 00:14:22,790 Speaker 1: And the servant raced down the steps, feeling new strength 204 00:14:22,850 --> 00:14:26,710 Speaker 1: in his legs. Jesus turned back to the men at 205 00:14:26,730 --> 00:14:27,130 Speaker 1: the table. 206 00:14:27,590 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 4: Another question for all of you. Which of you, having 207 00:14:31,450 --> 00:14:33,990 Speaker 4: a son that had fallen into a well on a 208 00:14:34,050 --> 00:14:38,090 Speaker 4: Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out? Is that 209 00:14:38,210 --> 00:14:41,950 Speaker 4: really considered work? What atonement would you suggest for such 210 00:14:41,990 --> 00:14:42,930 Speaker 4: a horrible sin? 211 00:14:43,350 --> 00:14:47,430 Speaker 1: The Pharisees and lawyers glanced sideways at one another, too 212 00:14:47,490 --> 00:14:51,250 Speaker 1: startled to speak, and no one could admit to such 213 00:14:51,340 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 1: cruelty as to not saving their son. The table went silent, 214 00:14:56,540 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 1: and for a long while no one ate. No one 215 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:05,290 Speaker 1: dared answer him. Caiaphas drew a long sip from his cup, 216 00:15:06,510 --> 00:15:11,010 Speaker 1: eyes locked onto Jesus. The tension was cut when they 217 00:15:11,070 --> 00:15:16,540 Speaker 1: heard servants and cooks shouting from downstairs. Laughter and squeals 218 00:15:16,620 --> 00:15:20,940 Speaker 1: of delight shook the house. Matan's voice resonated like the 219 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: sound of angels in heaven. 220 00:15:25,220 --> 00:15:27,710 Speaker 2: I can walk. It didn't even hurt. 221 00:15:28,350 --> 00:15:33,670 Speaker 1: On the rooftop, the Pharisee slowly, silently, began to eat again. 222 00:15:35,110 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: Caiaphas chewed his food slowly, frowning at the table. To him, 223 00:15:41,780 --> 00:15:45,980 Speaker 1: the laughter, the cheering, and the squeals were not pleasant. 224 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: To him, they were the sound of disorder. It was 225 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:54,380 Speaker 1: the sound of people's loyalty turning from him and the 226 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:58,130 Speaker 1: rest of the priest's. Jesus took a bite from his 227 00:15:58,210 --> 00:16:01,530 Speaker 1: plate and lifted his cup to the rest of the men. 228 00:16:02,110 --> 00:16:03,410 Speaker 4: Thank you for inviting me here. 229 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:05,620 Speaker 2: The food alone was worth the trip. 230 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:11,420 Speaker 1: They all nodded with smiles. But behind them were boiling 231 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:13,380 Speaker 1: pots of hatred. 232 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:23,980 Speaker 6: From the streets to the synagogue to private homes, Jesus 233 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,710 Speaker 6: lived his life in perfect alignment to the Father's will. 234 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:28,620 Speaker 6: If we think about it long enough, we can probably 235 00:16:28,660 --> 00:16:31,330 Speaker 6: think of examples where we act differently depending on where 236 00:16:31,370 --> 00:16:34,490 Speaker 6: we are or who we're with. But Jesus' character never changed. 237 00:16:34,930 --> 00:16:37,450 Speaker 6: Whether he was with the disciples, preaching to thousands, or 238 00:16:37,530 --> 00:16:41,250 Speaker 6: playing mental ping-pong with religious leaders, his heart was always 239 00:16:41,310 --> 00:16:44,650 Speaker 6: the same and his words were never wavering from the truth. 240 00:16:45,250 --> 00:16:48,580 Speaker 6: But one might wonder why Jesus would accept an invitation 241 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:50,860 Speaker 6: given to him from the Pharisees in the first place. 242 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:53,780 Speaker 6: It seems clear when we read through the Bible that 243 00:16:53,820 --> 00:16:57,540 Speaker 6: they were clearly against him. And Jesus was well aware 244 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:01,300 Speaker 6: that they were against him. In fact, he depended on 245 00:17:01,340 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 6: them being against him. He knew that he would be rejected, 246 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:07,659 Speaker 6: and he knew that this rejection would be the platform 247 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:11,180 Speaker 6: that gave way for the crucifixion. He knew their disdain 248 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,679 Speaker 6: was a catalyst for their demands for him to be 249 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:16,540 Speaker 6: crucified on the cross, but he also knew that the 250 00:17:16,619 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 6: cross was the very place he needed to be, where 251 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 6: he would willingly take the sins of the world and 252 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 6: allow the Father to pour out his wrath in order 253 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 6: for our sins to be forgiven. Yet knowing what lay ahead, 254 00:17:27,859 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 6: that didn't stop Jesus from being present and from continuing 255 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 6: to love those people that were right in front of him, 256 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:37,940 Speaker 6: even those that deeply hated him. Jesus didn't view people 257 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 6: as enemies. And even if he did, he was the 258 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:43,420 Speaker 6: one who taught that we must love our enemies anyways. 259 00:17:44,060 --> 00:17:47,340 Speaker 6: Jesus knew that the Pharisees' minds were clouded. And though 260 00:17:47,380 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 6: he rebuked them for this, it was always in the 261 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,139 Speaker 6: heart to see them repent, turn from their sins, and 262 00:17:52,180 --> 00:17:55,110 Speaker 6: follow him. We often say that it's best to call 263 00:17:55,150 --> 00:17:58,610 Speaker 6: people up instead of call people out. When Jesus was 264 00:17:58,930 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 6: talking with the Pharisees, he wasn't calling them out to 265 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 6: shame them. He was calling them up to live up 266 00:18:03,619 --> 00:18:06,100 Speaker 6: to their potential. We ought to do this with each other. 267 00:18:06,540 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 6: And we see this happen with the Pharisee Nicodemus, who 268 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 6: meets with Jesus in secret one night to learn about 269 00:18:12,180 --> 00:18:15,390 Speaker 6: the rabbi, only to wind up honoring him as he's 270 00:18:15,430 --> 00:18:19,130 Speaker 6: the slain Messiah by helping burying him in reverence and respect. 271 00:18:19,730 --> 00:18:22,170 Speaker 6: Jesus knew that nobody was too far gone in their 272 00:18:22,210 --> 00:18:24,619 Speaker 6: sin to turn back to the loving arms of the Father. 273 00:18:25,220 --> 00:18:27,859 Speaker 6: And while these Pharisees may not indicate any desire to 274 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:31,770 Speaker 6: follow Jesus, there was one person there who Jesus knew would. 275 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:35,190 Speaker 6: In our story, we were introduced to Matan, a Gentile 276 00:18:35,270 --> 00:18:38,109 Speaker 6: servant who had suffered from a certain sickness for years. 277 00:18:38,590 --> 00:18:41,209 Speaker 6: Though he had tried to heed the religious leader's advice 278 00:18:41,250 --> 00:18:44,310 Speaker 6: of sacrifices, offerings, and cleansings for hope to be healed, 279 00:18:44,750 --> 00:18:46,990 Speaker 6: none of it seemed to work. But to his delight, 280 00:18:47,130 --> 00:18:50,130 Speaker 6: that would change on this special night because the healer 281 00:18:50,270 --> 00:18:53,270 Speaker 6: was in attendance. But what's really neat about this miracle 282 00:18:53,350 --> 00:18:57,490 Speaker 6: is that Matan hadn't come to Jesus or looked for healing. Instead, 283 00:18:57,869 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 6: Jesus found him. Despite Jesus knowing this was all a 284 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,659 Speaker 6: setup to try and incriminate him, Jesus was willing to 285 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:07,100 Speaker 6: enter into this metaphorical den of thieves to save this 286 00:19:07,180 --> 00:19:10,340 Speaker 6: man and set him free. That truth should radiate in 287 00:19:10,380 --> 00:19:13,500 Speaker 6: our hearts. Jesus is willing to go to the dangerous 288 00:19:13,580 --> 00:19:16,219 Speaker 6: places in order to save us. He went to the 289 00:19:16,260 --> 00:19:19,530 Speaker 6: grave in order to save us. You see, this miracle 290 00:19:19,650 --> 00:19:23,540 Speaker 6: is but a foreshadowing, another sweet and wonderful shadow of 291 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 6: things to come. Jesus, the Lord of all creation, would 292 00:19:27,380 --> 00:19:31,220 Speaker 6: humble himself, die on a cross, dive into the grave 293 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 6: and into the depths of Hades, and come out again 294 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,580 Speaker 6: so that we might be healed and redeemed from what 295 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 6: plagues us. As David says in Psalm 139, where can 296 00:19:40,700 --> 00:19:42,850 Speaker 6: I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from 297 00:19:42,890 --> 00:19:44,550 Speaker 6: your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you 298 00:19:44,590 --> 00:19:46,550 Speaker 6: are there. If I make my bed in the depths, 299 00:19:46,790 --> 00:19:48,739 Speaker 6: you are there. We can run as far away from 300 00:19:48,780 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 6: God as possible, but he would... still be there, waiting 301 00:19:50,980 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 6: for us to turn back to Him. And in fact, 302 00:19:53,340 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 6: we often find God meeting us in these dark places, 303 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:59,659 Speaker 6: going into the depths to bring us out. Are you 304 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:02,030 Speaker 6: in need of that type of hope today? Are you 305 00:20:02,090 --> 00:20:04,629 Speaker 6: in need of Jesus bringing you out of the depths? 306 00:20:05,090 --> 00:20:05,750 Speaker 1: Call to Him. 307 00:20:06,210 --> 00:20:10,469 Speaker 6: Pray to Him. Repent, yes, but also believe. Believe that 308 00:20:10,570 --> 00:20:13,909 Speaker 6: Jesus can call you up, not just out. He's not 309 00:20:13,950 --> 00:20:16,550 Speaker 6: here shaming you for the rules that you've broken, but 310 00:20:16,630 --> 00:20:19,880 Speaker 6: rather calling out the best in you, your potential, saying 311 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,780 Speaker 6: there's more to life than this. Thanks again for listening 312 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,220 Speaker 6: to the Jesus Podcast. You already know what to do. 313 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:29,139 Speaker 6: Make sure to follow this podcast, share it with a friend, 314 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,080 Speaker 6: and if you've been enjoying it, please leave us a review. 315 00:20:32,700 --> 00:20:35,810 Speaker 6: And for more daily devotionals, prayers, and wisdom to last 316 00:20:35,850 --> 00:20:38,310 Speaker 6: a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.