1 00:00:00,860 --> 00:00:03,920 Speaker 1: He has shown you, O man, what is good. What 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,950 Speaker 1: does Yahweh require of you but to act justly, to 3 00:00:08,010 --> 00:00:13,289 Speaker 1: love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 4 00:00:13,289 --> 00:00:20,710 Speaker 1: 6.8 Heavenly Father, this world is filled with distraction. Sin abounds, 5 00:00:21,750 --> 00:00:26,419 Speaker 1: and the temptation to engage in superficial religiosity or pursue 6 00:00:26,540 --> 00:00:32,030 Speaker 1: worldly desires can easily derail us. We pray for your 7 00:00:32,070 --> 00:00:35,650 Speaker 1: guidance to keep our eyes fixed on the mission you've 8 00:00:35,690 --> 00:00:40,670 Speaker 1: laid out before us. Help us to embrace justice, to 9 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:45,540 Speaker 1: be vessels for your mercy, and to embody humility in 10 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:50,180 Speaker 1: our walk with you every day. Prevent us from losing 11 00:00:50,300 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: sight of the profound simplicity of your call on our lives. 12 00:00:55,330 --> 00:00:57,690 Speaker 1: May we not be swayed by the empty promises of 13 00:00:57,730 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 1: this world, but find our purpose, and joy in aligning 14 00:01:03,220 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: our actions with your will. Instill in us a deep 15 00:01:08,300 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: desire to serve you and your creation, to make a 16 00:01:12,459 --> 00:01:16,010 Speaker 1: difference in the lives of those around us, and to 17 00:01:16,069 --> 00:01:21,970 Speaker 1: reflect your love in all we do. Keep us focused, Lord, 18 00:01:22,209 --> 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 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:38,420 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 21 00:01:39,410 --> 00:01:43,490 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to listen 22 00:01:43,550 --> 00:01:48,950 Speaker 1: to Jesus' tense words against the religious elite. Have you 23 00:01:48,990 --> 00:01:52,510 Speaker 1: enjoyed this journey so far? Share this podcast with a 24 00:01:52,550 --> 00:01:56,020 Speaker 1: friend or family member who'd enjoy it. We want the 25 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: whole world to hear the story of Jesus. 26 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 2: You hypocrites! 27 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:07,500 Speaker 1: Jesus interrupted with a shout. His voice boomed against the walls. 28 00:02:08,620 --> 00:02:14,470 Speaker 1: The room fell silent. Jesus' anger was palpable, pulsating from 29 00:02:14,500 --> 00:02:19,190 Speaker 1: him like heat from a furnace. The air shifted, and 30 00:02:19,310 --> 00:02:24,010 Speaker 1: everyone tensed with fear and reverence. At this moment, it 31 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:27,450 Speaker 1: was clear to everyone in the room that Jesus wasn't 32 00:02:27,530 --> 00:02:33,250 Speaker 1: a mere man. He was in command. He was the Lord. 33 00:02:34,730 --> 00:02:37,510 Speaker 1: He stepped from the dais toward the rulers and said, 34 00:02:37,530 --> 00:02:38,669 Speaker 1: When it's. 35 00:02:38,570 --> 00:02:41,590 Speaker 2: The Sabbath, do you refuse to untie your ox or 36 00:02:41,610 --> 00:02:44,150 Speaker 2: your donkey and lead them to water? Do you let 37 00:02:44,190 --> 00:02:47,410 Speaker 2: them go thirsty because you couldn't manage an ounce of effort? 38 00:02:48,450 --> 00:02:51,269 Speaker 2: You wouldn't let your animals go parched. How much more 39 00:02:51,370 --> 00:02:56,370 Speaker 2: precious is this woman, a daughter of Abraham, a daughter 40 00:02:56,410 --> 00:02:56,930 Speaker 2: of God? 41 00:02:57,870 --> 00:03:01,110 Speaker 1: He pointed to her, trying to draw some humanity from 42 00:03:01,150 --> 00:03:02,170 Speaker 1: the religious rulers. 43 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:07,970 Speaker 2: Look at her. Look at her. Satan has bound this 44 00:03:08,030 --> 00:03:12,500 Speaker 2: woman for 18 years. But now her bonds are loosened 45 00:03:12,540 --> 00:03:15,980 Speaker 2: on the Sabbath. Today of all days should be for 46 00:03:16,020 --> 00:03:20,220 Speaker 2: such an act. For it is on this day we 47 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 2: celebrate bonds being broken. 48 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: As Jesus said these things, the crowd began to clap. Jesus' 49 00:03:28,620 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: passion had stirred them up. They were able to see 50 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,150 Speaker 1: the good in what Jesus had done. At the end 51 00:03:35,170 --> 00:03:38,350 Speaker 1: of the day, it was hard to deny something purely 52 00:03:38,510 --> 00:03:43,930 Speaker 1: good for the sake of ceremony. The people erupted in cheers. 53 00:03:44,610 --> 00:03:48,150 Speaker 1: Some of the women embraced Eva. The rulers stepped back, 54 00:03:48,550 --> 00:03:54,820 Speaker 1: flustered and ashamed. None of them relented. Instead, They swiped 55 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,100 Speaker 1: their robes back and turned their feet away from Jesus. 56 00:03:59,910 --> 00:04:04,770 Speaker 1: The ruler of the synagogue blushed scarlet. Heat filled his body, 57 00:04:05,310 --> 00:04:10,270 Speaker 1: and he turned to leave. He paced down the length 58 00:04:10,310 --> 00:04:14,490 Speaker 1: of the synagogue and a few long hallways. His sandals 59 00:04:14,610 --> 00:04:20,150 Speaker 1: clacked on the hard stone floors. He passed altar after altar, 60 00:04:20,630 --> 00:04:23,770 Speaker 1: quickening into the secret back room. until he found the 61 00:04:23,810 --> 00:04:29,419 Speaker 1: chief priest preparing his white ceremonial garments and ephod. He 62 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 1: said with a bow. The chief priest wrapped his head 63 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: in wool and linen scarves. 64 00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:39,180 Speaker 3: He calls himself a rabbi, doesn't he? 65 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:47,339 Speaker 1: The rabbi replied darkly. The chief priest's face coiled in disgust. 66 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:48,540 Speaker 2: Blasphemy! 67 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:54,050 Speaker 3: Perhaps it's time we did something about this. Jesus of Nazareth. 68 00:04:56,250 --> 00:05:01,490 Speaker 3: Much too early for that. Arrange for a dinner. Invite Jesus. 69 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:05,610 Speaker 3: I want our highest ranking officials to see what you 70 00:05:05,670 --> 00:05:06,150 Speaker 3: have seen. 71 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:11,190 Speaker 1: We need to be of one mind going forward. The 72 00:05:11,250 --> 00:05:16,270 Speaker 1: ruler bowed his head, then turned to conspire against Jesus. 73 00:05:18,950 --> 00:05:21,660 Speaker 4: Laws can be used for good or evil, depending on 74 00:05:21,690 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 4: how they're used. Some of us may be rule followers 75 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:27,060 Speaker 4: who love laws, while others might find laws to be 76 00:05:27,140 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 4: restrictive and threats to our freedom. Understanding the purpose of 77 00:05:30,940 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 4: God's law is crucial to understanding God's heart. The Apostle 78 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 4: Paul says in Galatians 3.23, Before the coming of this faith, 79 00:05:38,310 --> 00:05:40,790 Speaker 4: we are held in custody under the law, locked up 80 00:05:40,850 --> 00:05:43,510 Speaker 4: until faith that was to come would be revealed. So 81 00:05:43,529 --> 00:05:46,150 Speaker 4: the law was our guardian until Christ came that we 82 00:05:46,190 --> 00:05:49,590 Speaker 4: might be justified by faith. Now this faith has come. 83 00:05:49,810 --> 00:05:53,460 Speaker 4: We are no longer under a guardian. God's law acted 84 00:05:53,540 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 4: as a guardian, a babysitter, if you will, leading people 85 00:05:56,820 --> 00:06:00,060 Speaker 4: away from sin. But once Jesus came, there was no 86 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 4: need for a guardian because the law was completely fulfilled 87 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:06,660 Speaker 4: as a new covenant of grace took its place. Welcome 88 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:09,940 Speaker 4: to The Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the 89 00:06:09,980 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 4: depth of Christ's love through storytelling and the glory of 90 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,060 Speaker 4: God's truth. It's great to have you here today. Be 91 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 4: sure to take a second and follow the podcast so 92 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 4: that you don't miss out on any of these exciting stories. 93 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:23,580 Speaker 4: Our miraculous story for today takes place immediately following our 94 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,550 Speaker 4: story from last time. After Jesus causes a scene in 95 00:06:26,570 --> 00:06:29,130 Speaker 4: the synagogue for healing on the Sabbath, he's invited to 96 00:06:29,170 --> 00:06:31,370 Speaker 4: the home of a Pharisee to share a meal. But 97 00:06:31,410 --> 00:06:34,409 Speaker 4: this act of hospitality was only a facade for a trap. 98 00:06:34,950 --> 00:06:38,089 Speaker 4: Yet another attempt to catch Jesus in his words. But 99 00:06:38,130 --> 00:06:40,820 Speaker 4: if we've learned anything about Jesus, it's that he always 100 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 4: has a plan to redeem even the most deplorable of situations. 101 00:06:46,930 --> 00:06:49,860 Speaker 1: It was Matan's job to ready the rooftop banquet for 102 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:53,700 Speaker 1: the Pharisees. He paced around the sides of the area, 103 00:06:54,460 --> 00:06:57,220 Speaker 1: ducking under the lanterns and curtains flowing in the wind. 104 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,940 Speaker 1: The candlelight on the wood table was like that for 105 00:07:01,980 --> 00:07:07,050 Speaker 1: a wedding. Fumes from the feast cooking downstairs frothed up 106 00:07:07,089 --> 00:07:11,890 Speaker 1: through the windows. Lamb with honey sauce and gravy. Fresh 107 00:07:12,010 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: baked bread with melted butter. sweet date cake with savory 108 00:07:16,620 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: pine nuts. 109 00:07:17,930 --> 00:07:20,270 Speaker 2: The chief priest must be trying to impress. 110 00:07:20,010 --> 00:07:24,790 Speaker 1: Someone, Matan thought to himself. Rumor had it that they 111 00:07:24,810 --> 00:07:29,190 Speaker 1: were all coming tonight, all the chief priests, lawyers, scribes, 112 00:07:29,250 --> 00:07:34,790 Speaker 1: and Pharisees. They were assembling for a particular purpose, to 113 00:07:34,870 --> 00:07:40,140 Speaker 1: suss out Jesus of Nazareth. Apparently, he was a miracle-working 114 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: man of sorts, a sort of people's teacher. and he 115 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: was to dine with the Pharisees tonight. Matan knew little 116 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: about such things, being a Gentile servant. Matan hobbled around 117 00:07:56,400 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: the sides of the table, setting bowls out and lighting lanterns, satisfied. 118 00:08:02,580 --> 00:08:09,110 Speaker 1: Everything looked perfect. The night had that particular warm wind 119 00:08:09,190 --> 00:08:12,090 Speaker 1: in it. It was the type of warmth that brought 120 00:08:12,130 --> 00:08:16,150 Speaker 1: a sense of nostalgia, mixed with the premonition that something 121 00:08:16,270 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: glorious was possible. Matan closed his eyes, feeling the weight 122 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: of the setting sun on his face. He breathed deep 123 00:08:27,740 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: and felt young again, and he dared to hope, dared 124 00:08:33,540 --> 00:08:38,140 Speaker 1: to forget the pain in his legs, the muscle straining 125 00:08:38,620 --> 00:08:43,770 Speaker 1: and swelling in his abdomen. His leg had grown heavier, 126 00:08:44,190 --> 00:08:49,530 Speaker 1: more bloated, and stiff year after year. A hand new 127 00:08:49,590 --> 00:08:53,250 Speaker 1: swelling had appeared on him just this month alone. A 128 00:08:53,290 --> 00:08:56,380 Speaker 1: great lump in his neck and a bulge on his 129 00:08:56,440 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: forehead where fluid formed. Matan returned to work, hobbled around, 130 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:08,850 Speaker 1: setting the table. His breaths strained. Down below, the voices 131 00:09:08,929 --> 00:09:11,510 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 00:09:16,940 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: stood at attention beside the water pitcher. The Jewish rulers 134 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:27,460 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 --> 00:09:35,370 Speaker 1: group on one end, the Pharisees on the other, and 137 00:09:35,410 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: in the center, Caiaphas. He lounged with regality. Sitting across 138 00:09:43,059 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: from him at the other end of the table was 139 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:52,150 Speaker 1: the carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus. He sat there, peacefully, calm, 140 00:09:53,130 --> 00:09:55,590 Speaker 1: like a dove in a nest of crows. 141 00:09:56,290 --> 00:09:59,930 Speaker 2: He has no idea what he's landed himself into, Matanza. 142 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: So tell us, Jesus, Caiaphas said, rolling up the sleeve 143 00:10:05,460 --> 00:10:06,020 Speaker 1: of his tunic. 144 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,690 Speaker 3: What makes you think it is lawful to work on 145 00:10:09,710 --> 00:10:10,250 Speaker 3: the Sabbath? 146 00:10:10,950 --> 00:10:16,949 Speaker 1: Matan slowly filled Jesus' cup with water. Caiaphas' question seemed crafted. 147 00:10:17,670 --> 00:10:20,050 Speaker 1: as if he'd practiced it in the mirror before arriving. 148 00:10:21,309 --> 00:10:24,770 Speaker 1: He was intentionally vague, trying to set traps for him. 149 00:10:25,550 --> 00:10:26,810 Speaker 2: He should have never come. 150 00:10:27,410 --> 00:10:31,570 Speaker 1: Jesus looked up at Matan and smiled. He scanned his 151 00:10:31,630 --> 00:10:35,590 Speaker 1: body up and down. He saw the swelling in his leg, 152 00:10:36,210 --> 00:10:39,730 Speaker 1: the tumor on his neck, and the discoloration on his skin. 153 00:10:40,309 --> 00:10:44,290 Speaker 1: Thank you, he said with a warm tone. He looked 154 00:10:44,350 --> 00:10:46,350 Speaker 1: at the other end of the table and sipped his cup. 155 00:10:47,530 --> 00:10:50,110 Speaker 1: Jesus replied with a question of his own. 156 00:10:50,590 --> 00:10:52,970 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 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,719 Speaker 1: they each fell silent and wouldn't quite meet his eyes. 159 00:11:04,540 --> 00:11:10,070 Speaker 1: All except the ruler himself, who frowned at him. Matan 160 00:11:10,140 --> 00:11:13,270 Speaker 1: returned to the water pitcher on the side, anxious to 161 00:11:13,330 --> 00:11:17,750 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 00:11:19,850 --> 00:11:22,750 Speaker 2: You asked me your question as if I'd violated something. 164 00:11:22,770 --> 00:11:25,609 Speaker 2: The least you could do is answer me. Is it 165 00:11:25,650 --> 00:11:27,709 Speaker 2: lawful to do anything good on the Sabbath? 166 00:11:28,370 --> 00:11:32,130 Speaker 1: The Pharisee stirred, but Caiaphas remained calm. 167 00:11:32,670 --> 00:11:36,140 Speaker 3: What you consider good and what we consider good may 168 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 3: be two different things. 169 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: His gaze was intense. Caiaphas was used to being the 170 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:46,020 Speaker 1: most competent and most powerful person in the room. He 171 00:11:46,059 --> 00:11:49,579 Speaker 1: was intent on reminding Jesus of who he was dealing with. 172 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 2: Then I'll be more specific. Is it lawful to heal 173 00:11:54,020 --> 00:11:55,099 Speaker 2: someone on the Sabbath? 174 00:11:55,720 --> 00:12:01,429 Speaker 1: Jesus waved Matan back again. Confused, the servant looked from Jesus' 175 00:12:01,510 --> 00:12:05,050 Speaker 1: full cup and back to him. But Jesus waved him 176 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:11,190 Speaker 1: over still. Matan approached the table, aware of the judging 177 00:12:11,350 --> 00:12:15,910 Speaker 1: eye stabbing into his back. Jesus stood up and met 178 00:12:15,990 --> 00:12:20,970 Speaker 1: Matan eye to eye. He inspected the tumor on his neck, 179 00:12:22,309 --> 00:12:24,030 Speaker 1: then took a better look at his leg. 180 00:12:24,590 --> 00:12:26,750 Speaker 2: You've been in a lot of pain, haven't you? 181 00:12:27,270 --> 00:12:32,990 Speaker 1: Jesus whispered. More than you could imagine, Matan thought, but 182 00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:37,890 Speaker 1: he remained silent. He bowed his head. Jesus reached his 183 00:12:37,929 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: hand toward the lump on the servant's neck. Matan shrugged away. 184 00:12:44,090 --> 00:12:51,390 Speaker 1: His cheeks flushed scarlet. But Jesus softly, slowly, reached out 185 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,300 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 00:13:02,710 --> 00:13:07,069 Speaker 1: Matan's eyes went wide, and he felt the cold drain 188 00:13:07,110 --> 00:13:10,830 Speaker 1: of water seeping from his neck and the pressure release 189 00:13:10,890 --> 00:13:15,810 Speaker 1: from his flesh. His swollen ankles released, and the puffy, 190 00:13:15,970 --> 00:13:21,990 Speaker 1: tight lumps drained. He felt in an instant lighter. His 191 00:13:22,070 --> 00:13:28,809 Speaker 1: heartbeat evened and steadied. The Pharisees' faces went slack. They'd 192 00:13:28,890 --> 00:13:33,550 Speaker 1: seen the servant with this swelling for years, significant bulges 193 00:13:33,690 --> 00:13:37,470 Speaker 1: on his back and feet. They had prayed for him before, 194 00:13:38,220 --> 00:13:41,839 Speaker 1: told him to sacrifice burnt offerings, and gave him specific 195 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: instructions for his healing. Here, in short moments, Matan was 196 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:52,449 Speaker 1: healed entirely, as though it were hardly working at all. 197 00:13:54,050 --> 00:13:59,950 Speaker 1: Of course, for Jesus, it wasn't work. Matan dropped the 198 00:14:00,010 --> 00:14:04,500 Speaker 1: water pitcher. His nerves went on edge. He touched his neck, 199 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: feeling the smooth, even surface of his skin. He awkwardly 200 00:14:09,980 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: took a few steps backward, like he wanted to run 201 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:15,940 Speaker 1: and see for himself in a mirror, but didn't know 202 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,450 Speaker 1: if he could go. Go on, Jesus said. And the 203 00:14:19,500 --> 00:14:23,450 Speaker 1: servant raced down the steps, feeling new strength in his legs. 204 00:14:24,890 --> 00:14:27,130 Speaker 1: Jesus turned back to the men at the table. 205 00:14:27,570 --> 00:14:31,390 Speaker 2: Another question for all of you. Which of you, having 206 00:14:31,430 --> 00:14:33,970 Speaker 2: a son that had fallen into a well on a 207 00:14:34,030 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 2: Sabbath day, will not immediately repent Pull him out. Is 208 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 2: that really considered work? What atonement would you suggest for 209 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:42,900 Speaker 2: such a horrible sin? 210 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:47,430 Speaker 1: The Pharisees and lawyers glanced sideways at one another, too 211 00:14:47,470 --> 00:14:51,230 Speaker 1: startled to speak, and no one could admit to such 212 00:14:51,330 --> 00:14:55,790 Speaker 1: cruelty as to not saving their son. The table went silent, 213 00:14:56,510 --> 00:15:00,750 Speaker 1: and for a long while, no one ate. No one 214 00:15:00,910 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: dared answer him. Caiaphas drew a long sip from his cup. 215 00:15:06,490 --> 00:15:10,990 Speaker 1: eyes locked onto Jesus. The tension was cut when they 216 00:15:11,050 --> 00:15:16,510 Speaker 1: heard servants and cooks shouting from downstairs. Laughter and squeals 217 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: of delight shook the house. Matan's voice resonated like the 218 00:15:20,980 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: sound of angels in heaven. 219 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 2: I can walk! It didn't even hurt! 220 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:33,630 Speaker 1: On the rooftop, the Pharisee slowly, silently, began to eat again. 221 00:15:35,100 --> 00:15:41,100 Speaker 1: Caiaphas chewed his food slowly, frowning at the table. To him, 222 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: the laughter, the cheering, and the squeals were not pleasant. 223 00:15:46,780 --> 00:15:50,550 Speaker 1: To him, they were the sound of disorder. It was 224 00:15:50,590 --> 00:15:54,370 Speaker 1: the sound of people's loyalty turning from him and the 225 00:15:54,430 --> 00:15:58,130 Speaker 1: rest of the priests. Jesus took a bite from his 226 00:15:58,210 --> 00:16:01,530 Speaker 1: plate and lifted his cup to the rest of the men. 227 00:16:02,110 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 2: Thank you for inviting me here. The food alone was 228 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 2: worth the trip. 229 00:16:05,930 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: They all nodded with smiles. But behind them were boiling 230 00:16:11,660 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: pots of hatred. 231 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 4: From the streets to the synagogue to private homes, Jesus 232 00:16:24,020 --> 00:16:26,700 Speaker 4: lived his life in perfect alignment to the Father's will. 233 00:16:27,180 --> 00:16:28,620 Speaker 4: If we think about it long enough, we can probably 234 00:16:28,660 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 4: think of examples where we act differently depending on where 235 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,450 Speaker 4: we are or who we're with. But Jesus' character never changed. 236 00:16:34,890 --> 00:16:37,420 Speaker 4: Whether he was with the disciples, preaching to thousands, or 237 00:16:37,500 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 4: playing mental ping-pong with religious leaders, his heart was always 238 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 4: the same and his words were never wavering from the truth. 239 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 4: But one might wonder why Jesus would accept an invitation 240 00:16:48,660 --> 00:16:50,850 Speaker 4: given to him from the Pharisees in the first place. 241 00:16:51,470 --> 00:16:53,770 Speaker 4: It seems clear when we read through the Bible that 242 00:16:53,810 --> 00:16:57,530 Speaker 4: they were clearly against him. And Jesus was well aware 243 00:16:57,610 --> 00:17:01,290 Speaker 4: that they were against him. In fact, he depended on 244 00:17:01,350 --> 00:17:04,470 Speaker 4: them being against him. He knew that he would be rejected, 245 00:17:04,590 --> 00:17:07,629 Speaker 4: and he knew that this rejection would be the platform 246 00:17:07,670 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 4: that gave way for the crucifixion. He knew their disdain 247 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,659 Speaker 4: was a catalyst for their demands for him to be 248 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,540 Speaker 4: crucified on the cross, but he also knew that the 249 00:17:16,619 --> 00:17:19,060 Speaker 4: cross was the very place he needed to be, where 250 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 4: he would willingly take the sins of the world and 251 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 4: allow the Father to pour out his wrath in order 252 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 4: for our sins to be forgiven. Yet knowing what lay ahead, 253 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 4: that didn't stop Jesus from being present and from continuing 254 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,389 Speaker 4: to love those people that were right in front of him, 255 00:17:33,890 --> 00:17:37,930 Speaker 4: even those that deeply hated him. Jesus didn't view people 256 00:17:37,990 --> 00:17:40,949 Speaker 4: as enemies. And even if he did, he was the 257 00:17:41,090 --> 00:17:43,410 Speaker 4: one who taught that we must love our enemies anyways. 258 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,340 Speaker 4: Jesus knew that the Pharisees' minds were clouded. And though 259 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 4: he rebuked them for this, it was always in the 260 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 4: heart to see them repent, turn from their sins, and 261 00:17:52,180 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 4: follow him. We often say that it's best to call 262 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 4: people up instead of call people out. When Jesus was 263 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 4: talking with the Pharisees, He wasn't calling them out to 264 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,580 Speaker 4: shame them. He was calling them up to live up 265 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 4: to their potential. We ought to do this with each other. 266 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,379 Speaker 4: And we see this happen with the Pharisee Nicodemus, who 267 00:18:09,420 --> 00:18:12,140 Speaker 4: meets with Jesus in secret one night to learn about 268 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:15,370 Speaker 4: the rabbi, only to wind up honoring him as he's 269 00:18:15,410 --> 00:18:19,110 Speaker 4: the slain Messiah by helping burying him in reverence and respect. 270 00:18:19,710 --> 00:18:22,130 Speaker 4: Jesus knew that nobody was too far gone in their 271 00:18:22,170 --> 00:18:24,629 Speaker 4: sin to turn back to the loving arms of the Father. 272 00:18:25,210 --> 00:18:27,869 Speaker 4: And while these Pharisees may not indicate any desire to 273 00:18:27,910 --> 00:18:31,750 Speaker 4: follow Jesus, there was one person there who Jesus knew would. 274 00:18:32,170 --> 00:18:35,180 Speaker 4: In our story, we were introduced to Matan, a Gentile 275 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 4: servant who had suffered from a certain sickness for years. 276 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 4: Though he had tried to heed the religious leader's advice 277 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,300 Speaker 4: of sacrifices, offerings, and cleansings for hope to be healed, 278 00:18:44,740 --> 00:18:46,980 Speaker 4: none of it seemed to work. But to his delight, 279 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 4: that would change on this special night, because the healer 280 00:18:50,260 --> 00:18:53,260 Speaker 4: was in attendance. But what's really neat about this miracle 281 00:18:53,340 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 4: is that Matan hadn't come to Jesus or looked for healing. Instead, 282 00:18:57,869 --> 00:19:00,770 Speaker 4: Jesus found him. Despite Jesus knowing this was all a 283 00:19:00,810 --> 00:19:03,629 Speaker 4: setup to try and incriminate him, Jesus was willing to 284 00:19:03,780 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 4: enter into this metaphorical den of thieves to save this 285 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 4: man and set him free. That truth should radiate in 286 00:19:10,380 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 4: our hearts. Jesus is willing to go to the dangerous 287 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,199 Speaker 4: places in order to save us. He went to the 288 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 4: grave in order to save us. You see, this miracle 289 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:23,550 Speaker 4: is but a foreshadowing, another sweet and wonderful shadow of 290 00:19:23,590 --> 00:19:27,310 Speaker 4: things to come. Jesus, the Lord of all creation, would 291 00:19:27,369 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 4: humble himself, die on a cross, dive into the grave 292 00:19:31,220 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 4: and into the depths of Hades, and come out again 293 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 4: so that we might be healed and redeemed from what 294 00:19:36,619 --> 00:19:40,659 Speaker 4: plagues us. As David says in Psalm 139, where can 295 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:42,850 Speaker 4: I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from 296 00:19:42,869 --> 00:19:44,550 Speaker 4: your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you 297 00:19:44,570 --> 00:19:46,530 Speaker 4: are there. If I make my bed in the depths, 298 00:19:46,790 --> 00:19:48,750 Speaker 4: you are there. We can run as far away from 299 00:19:48,790 --> 00:19:50,940 Speaker 4: God as possible, but he would still be there, waiting 300 00:19:50,980 --> 00:19:53,060 Speaker 4: for us to turn back to Him. And in fact, 301 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,300 Speaker 4: we often find God meeting us in these dark places, 302 00:19:56,460 --> 00:19:59,639 Speaker 4: going into the depths to bring us out. Are you 303 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:02,030 Speaker 4: in need of that type of hope today? Are you 304 00:20:02,070 --> 00:20:04,609 Speaker 4: in need of Jesus bringing you out of the depths? 305 00:20:05,070 --> 00:20:09,290 Speaker 4: Call to Him. Pray to Him. Repent, yes, but also believe. 306 00:20:09,910 --> 00:20:13,170 Speaker 4: Believe that Jesus can call you up, not just out. 307 00:20:13,570 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 4: He's not here shaming you for the rules that you've broken, 308 00:20:16,420 --> 00:20:19,300 Speaker 4: but rather calling out the best in you, your potential, 309 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:23,419 Speaker 4: saying there's more to life than this. Thanks again for 310 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 4: listening to the Jesus Podcast. You already know what to do. 311 00:20:26,619 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 4: Make sure to follow this podcast, share it with a friend, 312 00:20:29,619 --> 00:20:32,070 Speaker 4: and if you've been enjoying it, please leave us a review. 313 00:20:32,690 --> 00:20:35,790 Speaker 4: And for more daily devotionals, prayers, and wisdom to last 314 00:20:35,830 --> 00:20:38,290 Speaker 4: a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.