WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 20 - 7:30 pm 0:00:00.190 --> 0:00:02.890 And he said unto them, If any man will come 0:00:02.990 --> 0:00:06.570 after me, let him deny himself, and take up his 0:00:06.650 --> 0:00:13.490 cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9.23 Dear Jesus, it's 0:00:13.600 --> 0:00:17.800 my heart's desire to follow after you. I only want 0:00:17.820 --> 0:00:21.540 to be where you are and where you lead. Being 0:00:21.620 --> 0:00:24.040 in the heart of your will is the safest place 0:00:24.079 --> 0:00:28.180 to be. I realize you may lead in ways that 0:00:28.400 --> 0:00:31.990 are foreign to me. I may not understand where you're 0:00:32.010 --> 0:00:35.590 taking me. And I honestly may not even want to 0:00:35.610 --> 0:00:39.050 go there. But it is in those times that I 0:00:39.170 --> 0:00:42.910 must deny myself, pick up my cross, and crucify my 0:00:42.970 --> 0:00:47.409 flesh so I can follow you. It is painful to 0:00:47.450 --> 0:00:50.130 let go of my expectations of what I thought I 0:00:50.190 --> 0:00:53.230 wanted in my life. But that's what it means to 0:00:53.310 --> 0:00:56.910 follow you and take up my cross. As surely as 0:00:56.950 --> 0:00:59.780 you said in the garden the night before your crucifixion, 0:01:00.690 --> 0:01:05.149 Not my will, but thy will be done. I too 0:01:05.270 --> 0:01:10.190 must have that steadfast perseverance to thy will and not 0:01:10.290 --> 0:01:14.800 my will as I follow you. Even as Jesus was 0:01:14.890 --> 0:01:19.240 obedient unto death, he was raised up, and you glorified 0:01:19.300 --> 0:01:22.899 him above all others. As I pursue you into your 0:01:22.940 --> 0:01:26.820 plan and purpose for my life, I will accomplish more 0:01:26.880 --> 0:01:30.429 than I ever thought possible. You will lead me into 0:01:30.470 --> 0:01:37.990 your divine destiny and reward me for my obedience. In Jesus' name, amen. 0:01:39.610 --> 0:01:43.200 Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 0:01:43.240 --> 0:01:47.340 told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 0:01:49.180 --> 0:01:51.800 Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you 0:01:51.820 --> 0:01:55.600 to join me on Heroes in the Bible, Jesus. Please 0:01:55.640 --> 0:01:59.190 follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify, to get the 0:01:59.230 --> 0:02:03.240 latest episodes so you can continue strengthening your relationship with Jesus. 0:02:04.160 --> 0:02:07.460 Welcome to The Greatest Story Ever Told. It is a 0:02:07.600 --> 0:02:10.679 story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's 0:02:10.720 --> 0:02:13.510 love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death 0:02:13.669 --> 0:02:17.070 and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape 0:02:17.169 --> 0:02:19.889 and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart 0:02:19.930 --> 0:02:22.290 of God right into the hearts of you and me. 0:02:23.150 --> 0:02:26.579 In this episode, the 12 apostles are chosen, men brought 0:02:26.639 --> 0:02:31.400 from different backgrounds, united under one common goal, following Jesus. 0:02:31.919 --> 0:02:34.780 Along the way, we will meet some Pharisees and scribes 0:02:34.800 --> 0:02:39.740 who push against Jesus' tactics. Their self-righteousness is placed before 0:02:39.800 --> 0:02:42.600 us as a contrast. The heart of Christ is to 0:02:42.660 --> 0:02:45.889 serve and set people free, while the religious leaders would 0:02:45.950 --> 0:02:49.870 rather be served and bind people with needless regulations. As 0:02:49.910 --> 0:02:53.889 we hear about these interactions between Jesus and the religious leaders, 0:02:54.570 --> 0:02:58.390 we are invited to consider our self-righteous tendencies. Have we 0:02:58.490 --> 0:03:02.290 puffed ourselves up with vain religious practices? Have we been 0:03:02.330 --> 0:03:05.310 so focused on our own morality that we have ignored 0:03:05.350 --> 0:03:08.380 the needs of others? Perhaps some of us need to 0:03:08.410 --> 0:03:12.240 be reminded that Jesus doesn't call the righteous imperfect. Rather, 0:03:12.280 --> 0:03:15.200 he chooses broken and imperfect people to display his glory. 0:03:16.060 --> 0:03:18.710 The prelude will remind us of these truths. and we 0:03:18.730 --> 0:03:21.570 will be continually reminded of them as the episode builds. 0:03:22.230 --> 0:03:24.750 There are many parts of this story that intertwine and 0:03:24.810 --> 0:03:27.730 point to the same prevailing message of grace. I will 0:03:27.770 --> 0:03:29.790 do my best to point them out to you once 0:03:29.850 --> 0:03:34.579 the episode is over. For now, enjoy Episode 6, The Twelve. 0:03:41.260 --> 0:03:47.740 Prelude to Chapter 6 Since the fall, a deep, Pride 0:03:47.800 --> 0:03:51.840 had boiled in the furnace of mankind. Men would build 0:03:51.920 --> 0:03:56.560 kingdoms and monuments to themselves, seeking to be glorified as gods. 0:03:58.220 --> 0:04:01.200 The ancient people of Babel had once sought to ascend 0:04:01.360 --> 0:04:05.760 into the heavens by building a large tower. Their vain 0:04:05.820 --> 0:04:10.339 attempt at immortality was quickly thwarted by God. He sent 0:04:10.380 --> 0:04:14.260 them scattering to the far reaches of the earth. However, 0:04:14.700 --> 0:04:20.929 mankind always found a way to elevate themselves. They sought power, riches, 0:04:21.350 --> 0:04:27.370 and influence above humility, integrity, and charity. For all of 0:04:27.450 --> 0:04:32.030 human history, nations rose and fell by their own arrogance. 0:04:33.290 --> 0:04:36.970 Even the religious became great in their own minds. The 0:04:37.010 --> 0:04:42.110 Pharisees and scribes measured their righteousness against others and created 0:04:42.210 --> 0:04:47.400 barriers between God and people. Yet even in their hubris, 0:04:48.040 --> 0:04:52.440 God loved them. As his people fell deep into their 0:04:52.550 --> 0:04:57.229 own greed, God was generous. When the people of Israel 0:04:57.270 --> 0:05:00.729 were entangled by sin or captured by a foreign nation, 0:05:01.350 --> 0:05:06.630 he would deliver them by calling men and women of courage. However, 0:05:07.270 --> 0:05:11.030 God never chose the strong. He never chose those who 0:05:11.050 --> 0:05:16.150 were already exalted. God often chose the weak people of 0:05:16.210 --> 0:05:20.670 this world to go against the arrogance of mankind. He 0:05:20.710 --> 0:05:24.890 chose the small family of Abraham to create an entire nation. 0:05:25.910 --> 0:05:29.750 He used Gideon, the forgotten son of a weak tribe, 0:05:30.170 --> 0:05:35.060 to conquer an army. He chose Esther, a humble peasant, 0:05:35.540 --> 0:05:40.219 to influence a king. He chose David, a ruddy shepherd boy, 0:05:40.760 --> 0:05:45.810 to defeat a giant. All these people were flawed, forgotten, 0:05:46.290 --> 0:05:50.330 or fearful, yet God moved in them to save nations 0:05:50.830 --> 0:05:55.230 and become kings. For thousands of generations since the fall 0:05:55.270 --> 0:05:58.589 of mankind, God has been using the weak things of 0:05:58.630 --> 0:06:03.609 this world to thwart the strong. He continues to search 0:06:03.650 --> 0:06:07.650 for the humble and the willing, despite their flaws, to 0:06:07.730 --> 0:06:17.750 accomplish extraordinary works. Chapter 6 The Twelve Simon rested his 0:06:17.790 --> 0:06:20.890 head against the mast of his boat, lounging in the sun. 0:06:22.150 --> 0:06:24.800 The tide rocked the vessel back and forth as a 0:06:24.830 --> 0:06:28.360 gentle breeze tickled his cheeks. He was supposed to be 0:06:28.420 --> 0:06:32.440 washing his nets after a night of fishing. However, he 0:06:32.460 --> 0:06:36.460 had labored all night with no catch. So Simon was 0:06:36.540 --> 0:06:40.080 content to doze off while his brother Andrew tended to 0:06:40.100 --> 0:06:44.510 the chores. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were 0:06:44.550 --> 0:06:47.970 in the boat beside them. They hadn't caught anything either. 0:06:49.170 --> 0:06:51.909 It was proving to be a hard time for fishermen. 0:06:52.850 --> 0:06:56.880 Simon was weary from the evening's toil. An entire night 0:06:56.920 --> 0:07:00.140 of labor with no fish to show for it. It 0:07:00.200 --> 0:07:05.419 was frustrating. Many things in Simon's life were frustrating. He 0:07:05.480 --> 0:07:08.180 looked up at the clouds and listened to the seagulls 0:07:08.440 --> 0:07:11.790 fly out to sea. Perhaps the birds would have better 0:07:11.850 --> 0:07:15.670 luck than him. He sighed and began to close his 0:07:15.850 --> 0:07:20.730 eyes and rest. Simon's brief moment of peace was quickly 0:07:20.790 --> 0:07:24.980 interrupted as he heard a commotion approaching the shore. He 0:07:25.060 --> 0:07:28.660 peeked his eyes open to see Jesus briskly walking away 0:07:28.700 --> 0:07:33.179 from a large crowd of people. Thousands of people crowded 0:07:33.220 --> 0:07:36.300 around him. Many of them wanted to touch him so 0:07:36.340 --> 0:07:39.080 they might be healed. Others wanted to be as close 0:07:39.120 --> 0:07:41.940 to him as possible. so they could hear every word 0:07:42.010 --> 0:07:46.360 he said. Andrew smiled at the sight of Jesus. He 0:07:46.400 --> 0:07:50.660 was much more impressed than Simon was. Simon still had 0:07:50.700 --> 0:07:55.360 a lingering distrust, or perhaps it was more an inner guilt. 0:07:56.500 --> 0:07:59.880 He did not find himself particularly worthy to be near 0:07:59.900 --> 0:08:03.840 a man like that. The crowd was overwhelming Jesus at 0:08:03.900 --> 0:08:07.220 almost every side. He backed up to the shore, but 0:08:07.240 --> 0:08:10.860 they were still pressing in. Jesus looked back to see 0:08:10.950 --> 0:08:16.600 Simon laying down in his boat, casually watching. Simon! Jesus exclaimed. 0:08:17.200 --> 0:08:19.360 Could I use your boat to teach from? If I 0:08:19.380 --> 0:08:21.860 stay near this crowd, they're certainly going to suffocate me. 0:08:22.160 --> 0:08:26.420 He asked with a chuckle. Simon sat up and rubbed 0:08:26.460 --> 0:08:29.460 his temple. He had been up all night, and now 0:08:29.520 --> 0:08:32.780 his one moment of peace was interrupted. He was about 0:08:32.820 --> 0:08:35.480 to say no until Andrew gave him a swift kick 0:08:35.520 --> 0:08:39.560 in the shin. Wincing in pain, Simon gave a frustrated 0:08:39.660 --> 0:08:44.679 smile and gestured for Jesus to climb in. Jesus boarded 0:08:44.710 --> 0:08:48.070 the small fishing boat and sat on the bow. He 0:08:48.110 --> 0:08:52.070 began teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Simon began repairing 0:08:52.130 --> 0:08:56.290 a few nets, listening to him teach. His words poured 0:08:56.390 --> 0:09:00.430 forth like heavy rain to the parched ground. All in 0:09:00.490 --> 0:09:06.370 attendance stood in silence. Simon found himself entranced by his words. 0:09:07.429 --> 0:09:11.630 He had never heard someone teach with so much authority, passion, 0:09:12.330 --> 0:09:16.809 and gentleness. Jesus finished, and the crowd went back to 0:09:16.850 --> 0:09:19.330 their homes. He looked back at Simon. 0:09:20.050 --> 0:09:22.910 Let's go out to the deep, he said. Maybe we'll 0:09:22.929 --> 0:09:23.530 catch something. 0:09:24.220 --> 0:09:27.240 Simon buried his face in his hands. He was not 0:09:27.320 --> 0:09:30.480 emotionally ready for yet another day without a catch. 0:09:31.100 --> 0:09:34.560 Teacher, we have been toiling all night. night. 0:09:35.020 --> 0:09:38.440 We tried everything and scoured every section of this lake, 0:09:38.480 --> 0:09:43.700 yet caught nothing. Simon's heart ached from defeat. He looked 0:09:43.760 --> 0:09:48.040 up at Jesus. He was smiling, awaiting an answer. Andrew 0:09:48.090 --> 0:09:52.190 was beside him, begging Simon to agree. Nevertheless, Simon said, 0:09:52.770 --> 0:09:56.030 at your word, I will take us out. So the 0:09:56.070 --> 0:09:59.410 three of them cast out the nets. James and John 0:09:59.470 --> 0:10:03.680 launched their boat as well. Simon was not thrilled to 0:10:03.720 --> 0:10:07.590 be out there. He was bitter. He gazed out at 0:10:07.620 --> 0:10:10.590 the horizon, wondering if his wife would ever forgive him 0:10:10.650 --> 0:10:13.850 for being such a failure. The boat rocked back and 0:10:13.910 --> 0:10:18.630 forth while Jesus and Andrew watched the nets intently. Simon 0:10:18.670 --> 0:10:21.530 thought they were foolish. He continued to look out at 0:10:21.570 --> 0:10:25.870 the water, letting bitterness stew. We should leave, Simon said. 0:10:26.230 --> 0:10:27.010 It's hopeless. 0:10:27.830 --> 0:10:30.989 He stood up to begin unwrapping the sails. Then, as 0:10:31.050 --> 0:10:34.630 Simon stood up, he heard a slight tightening of rope 0:10:34.929 --> 0:10:39.670 behind him. Simon froze. His eyes widened, and he looked 0:10:39.750 --> 0:10:43.600 back slowly. The nets were tightening at a fast pace, 0:10:44.120 --> 0:10:47.140 so fast that if Simon did not act quickly, they 0:10:47.160 --> 0:10:49.700 would break. He dove for the nets as they were 0:10:49.720 --> 0:10:52.920 being dragged off the side of the boat. Andrew and 0:10:52.960 --> 0:10:56.480 Jesus leapt forward to help him. Together, they dragged the 0:10:56.540 --> 0:10:59.839 nets out of the water. As they pulled, Simon could 0:10:59.880 --> 0:11:03.680 see thousands of fish being drawn into the boat. The 0:11:03.720 --> 0:11:06.459 three of them laughed as they continued to bring in fish. 0:11:07.380 --> 0:11:09.620 Peter yelled for James and John to come close to 0:11:09.660 --> 0:11:12.380 them so they could draw more in. The men were 0:11:12.420 --> 0:11:15.960 screaming with delight. Both the boats were filled with fish. 0:11:16.710 --> 0:11:20.250 It was the most joy Simon had felt in years. 0:11:21.630 --> 0:11:25.960 Yet his smile quickly faded. As the other men cheered, 0:11:26.660 --> 0:11:31.940 Simon looked at Jesus. His eyes began to water, and 0:11:31.960 --> 0:11:32.959 he fell to his knees. 0:11:33.700 --> 0:11:35.380 Depart from me, Lord. 0:11:35.800 --> 0:11:40.640 Simon said. He felt so much shame for the life 0:11:40.800 --> 0:11:44.270 he had been living. He had so much bitterness and 0:11:44.510 --> 0:11:48.390 anger within him. He felt unworthy to be in the 0:11:48.470 --> 0:11:53.189 presence of Jesus. I am a sinful man, O Lord. 0:11:53.410 --> 0:11:54.809 I am not worthy. 0:11:55.230 --> 0:11:59.140 Jesus understood Simon's heart. He bent down and met him 0:11:59.179 --> 0:11:59.839 at eye level. 0:12:00.360 --> 0:12:03.219 You have lived with a great deal of fear for so. 0:12:03.000 --> 0:12:07.900 Long, Jesus said. He placed a hand on Simon's shoulders. 0:12:08.760 --> 0:12:12.610 You no longer have to fear. Follow me, and I 0:12:12.750 --> 0:12:14.069 will make you a fisher of men. 0:12:15.110 --> 0:12:18.650 Simon looked up. He looked Jesus in the eyes for 0:12:18.670 --> 0:12:24.350 the first time since they met. Simon nodded, as did Andrew, James, 0:12:24.750 --> 0:12:29.240 and John. So the four men left their nets and 0:12:29.340 --> 0:12:34.360 followed Jesus. The following day was the Sabbath, and Jesus 0:12:34.500 --> 0:12:38.900 entered into the nearby synagogue to teach. The entire congregation 0:12:39.140 --> 0:12:43.360 was enthralled with Jesus' words. The other scribes had simply 0:12:43.440 --> 0:12:47.400 recycled one another's writings. Yet Jesus spoke with a new 0:12:47.760 --> 0:12:52.260 type of authority they had never heard before. From Jesus' 0:12:52.320 --> 0:12:56.350 mouth were the very words of God. He cut straight 0:12:56.420 --> 0:13:00.189 through the rough exterior of religious dogma and right to 0:13:00.210 --> 0:13:04.569 the heart of his listeners. Jesus spoke the poetic truths 0:13:04.630 --> 0:13:09.410 of God, and a light-hearted spirit of joy filled the room. Then, 0:13:09.790 --> 0:13:13.589 from the corner of the synagogue, a deep laughter emerged. 0:13:14.730 --> 0:13:17.689 The rumbling laughter turned into a wet cackle as a 0:13:17.750 --> 0:13:22.050 man beat his fist against the wall. The crowd stirred. 0:13:23.090 --> 0:13:27.950 Jesus knew exactly what was happening. This man was possessed 0:13:28.050 --> 0:13:32.829 by a demon. The man's laughter was painful. He coughed 0:13:33.150 --> 0:13:36.410 and screamed. His neck snapped back to look at Jesus. 0:13:37.170 --> 0:13:40.340 Anger laced the surface of his eyes. Yet behind them 0:13:40.420 --> 0:13:45.110 there was deep pain. The demon pointed forward to Jesus. 0:13:45.929 --> 0:13:50.490 What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? 0:13:51.150 --> 0:13:54.670 The demon looked forward, swinging the man's body against the wall. 0:13:55.350 --> 0:14:00.199 Blood dripped down his temple. The demon spat. Have you 0:14:00.280 --> 0:14:01.940 come to destroy us? 0:14:02.500 --> 0:14:03.140 Have you? 0:14:03.559 --> 0:14:06.980 The demon was getting louder and more angry. The people 0:14:07.040 --> 0:14:10.939 were frightened, but Jesus stood perfectly still as the demon 0:14:10.980 --> 0:14:15.520 approached him. These people may not know who you are, 0:14:16.300 --> 0:14:20.370 but I do. I know who you are. The demon 0:14:20.470 --> 0:14:24.210 paused to look around the room. He basked in the 0:14:24.290 --> 0:14:28.370 fear of the people. He pointed at Jesus again and said, 0:14:28.850 --> 0:14:33.510 You are the Holy One, the Son of... Be silent, 0:14:33.930 --> 0:14:38.510 Jesus rebuked. His voice reverberated off the walls, and the 0:14:38.550 --> 0:14:42.950 demon cowered back. Jesus stepped down from the platform and 0:14:43.010 --> 0:14:46.970 walked towards the demon. With every step Jesus took forward, 0:14:47.390 --> 0:14:48.850 the demon took a step back. 0:14:49.530 --> 0:14:51.370 Come out of him! Now! 0:14:52.090 --> 0:14:56.450 Jesus commanded. As Jesus spoke, the man's body flailed back 0:14:56.510 --> 0:15:00.690 and hit the stone floor. A harsh scream echoed through 0:15:00.710 --> 0:15:04.690 the entire synagogue as the man writhed in pain. The 0:15:04.730 --> 0:15:07.870 demon jolted the man forward, then flung his body against 0:15:07.890 --> 0:15:11.210 the wall again. Then the man slowly slid to the ground, 0:15:11.700 --> 0:15:16.360 whimpering in pain. The demon was gone. It would torment 0:15:16.420 --> 0:15:21.640 him no more. Jesus embraced the man and had Andrew 0:15:21.920 --> 0:15:26.250 attend to him. Everyone was silent as Jesus left the 0:15:26.260 --> 0:15:30.550 synagogue to care for him. Up until then, people saw 0:15:30.610 --> 0:15:34.790 Jesus as a great teacher. They were beginning to realize 0:15:35.290 --> 0:15:41.700 he was much more. The next morning, Jesus sat on 0:15:41.740 --> 0:15:45.720 a stone, leaning against the side of the mountain. He 0:15:45.760 --> 0:15:49.730 looked out, overlooking the sunrise as it slowly peeked over 0:15:49.770 --> 0:15:53.790 the horizon. His face lit up from the rising sun. 0:15:55.490 --> 0:15:58.650 Jesus would often pull away to be alone with his Father. 0:15:59.870 --> 0:16:03.400 The two would speak of eternity and the kingdom entering 0:16:03.440 --> 0:16:06.920 the hearts of men. The sun was making its way 0:16:07.220 --> 0:16:10.820 over the green pastures below, and Jesus could hear the 0:16:10.860 --> 0:16:13.600 stirring of people gathering at the base of the mountain. 0:16:15.180 --> 0:16:18.890 He smiled. They were so eager to see him, hear 0:16:18.950 --> 0:16:23.330 from him, and witness his miracles. However, they would not 0:16:23.470 --> 0:16:29.250 always be this devoted. Jesus knew the fickle nature of people. 0:16:30.550 --> 0:16:34.940 Despite this, he loved them. He would serve them to 0:16:34.980 --> 0:16:38.680 the very end and ultimately lay down his life for them. 0:16:41.060 --> 0:16:44.760 Jesus made his way down the mountain. Sure enough, the 0:16:44.800 --> 0:16:47.800 crowd was growing larger by the minute as people rushed 0:16:47.880 --> 0:16:52.460 out of their homes. Jesus smiled and greeted them. Without 0:16:52.520 --> 0:16:55.320 saying a word, he made his way towards the city. 0:16:56.740 --> 0:16:59.040 As Jesus and the crowd came to the outer wall, 0:16:59.660 --> 0:17:03.220 a man emerged from the corner. He limped toward Jesus. 0:17:04.040 --> 0:17:06.560 The right side of his face was missing a cheek, 0:17:07.200 --> 0:17:12.889 exposing rotting muscle underneath. His eyes were faded from deterioration 0:17:13.290 --> 0:17:17.110 and his left hand was missing several fingers. What was 0:17:17.230 --> 0:17:20.919 left of his body was covered in bandages, tightly holding 0:17:20.980 --> 0:17:26.780 together his limbs. The man was stricken with leprosy. From 0:17:26.820 --> 0:17:29.340 the looks of him, he had been slowly dying for 0:17:29.460 --> 0:17:34.109 many years. He did not look at Jesus. Rather, he 0:17:34.190 --> 0:17:38.869 limped towards him with his head held low.' Unclean!' he shouted. 0:17:38.890 --> 0:17:39.810 Unclean! 0:17:40.420 --> 0:17:43.669 The crowd jolted backwards at the sight of him. The 0:17:43.710 --> 0:17:44.990 leper fell to his knees. 0:17:45.390 --> 0:17:49.850 Jesus, if you are willing, you could make me clean, 0:17:50.230 --> 0:17:50.570 he said. 0:17:51.550 --> 0:17:56.510 Jesus was moved with compassion. He knew the pain of leprosy. 0:17:57.190 --> 0:18:01.990 He also knew the isolation this man felt. Lepers were outcasts, 0:18:02.540 --> 0:18:06.300 driven out to keep others safe. This man was slowly 0:18:06.380 --> 0:18:12.369 deteriorating all alone. He knelt down beside the man. The 0:18:12.400 --> 0:18:17.010 crowd gasped as he drew closer. Jesus took the man's 0:18:17.070 --> 0:18:21.890 shoulders and embraced him. The leper sobbed in his arms. 0:18:23.070 --> 0:18:26.310 It was the first human contact he had had in years. 0:18:27.520 --> 0:18:28.920 Be clean, Jesus said. 0:18:29.840 --> 0:18:30.379 I am willing. 0:18:30.960 --> 0:18:35.359 As Jesus said this, the man's body was restored. He 0:18:35.400 --> 0:18:37.780 looked down at his hands to see all of his 0:18:37.840 --> 0:18:41.630 fingers attached. He unwrapped his arms and legs to see 0:18:41.670 --> 0:18:47.209 the sores gone. He felt his cheek smooth and full. 0:18:48.590 --> 0:18:50.010 Jesus smiled and whispered. 0:18:51.090 --> 0:18:56.629 Depart, and do not tell anyone what has happened today. Instead, 0:18:57.720 --> 0:18:59.540 go worship God in the temple. 0:19:00.060 --> 0:19:03.440 So the man departed from there, invigorated with new life. 0:19:04.580 --> 0:19:08.119 Jesus had a heart for the sick. Their plight represented 0:19:08.160 --> 0:19:12.409 the greater woes of humanity. People were sick with sin 0:19:12.810 --> 0:19:17.330 and slowly dying. Jesus came so they might have life, 0:19:18.150 --> 0:19:23.950 and life more abundant. After a few days, Jesus returned 0:19:23.990 --> 0:19:26.990 to Capernaum. He remained there in the home of one 0:19:27.020 --> 0:19:30.020 of his friends. It was not long before the home 0:19:30.040 --> 0:19:34.480 began filling up with people desiring to hear Jesus. Every 0:19:34.619 --> 0:19:38.129 inch of the home was filled with people Outside of 0:19:38.170 --> 0:19:41.919 the home, the three men carrying their friend. He was 0:19:41.980 --> 0:19:47.290 completely paralyzed, unable to even speak. The men heard that 0:19:47.390 --> 0:19:49.970 Jesus was in town and were hoping to have Jesus. 0:19:50.260 --> 0:19:54.879 heal their friend. However, they saw that people were overflowing 0:19:54.960 --> 0:19:58.200 outside of the house. The three men looked down at 0:19:58.240 --> 0:19:58.970 their companion. 0:19:59.530 --> 0:20:02.510 Is this small setback really going to keep him from 0:20:02.570 --> 0:20:03.290 being healed? 0:20:03.750 --> 0:20:07.250 One of them thought. He turned towards the house and 0:20:07.310 --> 0:20:10.510 scanned its surroundings. He looked down at the base of 0:20:10.550 --> 0:20:14.820 the home, then up at the roof. A small smile 0:20:15.230 --> 0:20:18.200 cracked on the corner of his face. I have an idea, 0:20:18.780 --> 0:20:22.520 he said. Jesus was teaching in the middle of the home. 0:20:23.760 --> 0:20:26.720 Hundreds of people sat and stood around him, inching as 0:20:26.840 --> 0:20:31.420 close to him as possible to hear. Jesus was speaking 0:20:31.500 --> 0:20:35.380 about the coming of God's kingdom. He revealed the reason 0:20:35.440 --> 0:20:38.720 behind God's law and the depth of his love revealed 0:20:38.760 --> 0:20:42.710 in it. As Jesus was speaking, he felt a small 0:20:42.830 --> 0:20:47.310 piece of plaster fall on his head. Startled, Jesus looked 0:20:47.369 --> 0:20:50.010 up to see the roof being torn apart from the outside. 0:20:51.350 --> 0:20:53.790 Jesus stood to his feet, and the crowd stepped back 0:20:54.150 --> 0:20:57.850 as more roofing crashed onto the floor, shattering all around 0:20:57.869 --> 0:21:02.060 the room. A bright light shone through the ceiling. Then, 0:21:02.580 --> 0:21:05.879 like an angel appearing, Jesus saw a silhouette of a 0:21:05.940 --> 0:21:10.230 man on a stretcher being lowered down by ropes. The 0:21:10.270 --> 0:21:14.490 three friends had found a way to Jesus. The paralytic 0:21:14.810 --> 0:21:19.050 was lowered slowly. Jesus went under the man and helped 0:21:19.070 --> 0:21:22.969 him to the floor. The crowd stirred and shouted up 0:21:23.010 --> 0:21:27.459 at the ceiling. Jesus looked up. He could see the friends' 0:21:27.800 --> 0:21:33.340 guilty smiles. Jesus grinned and nodded towards them. They had 0:21:33.380 --> 0:21:37.140 done well. The mark of a true friend is how 0:21:37.240 --> 0:21:40.200 far they are willing to go to get them to Jesus. 0:21:41.619 --> 0:21:45.340 He looked down at the man. His face was stagnant 0:21:45.840 --> 0:21:50.600 and emotionless. However, Jesus could see the longing in his eyes. 0:21:52.000 --> 0:21:54.080 He placed his hand on his shoulder and said. 0:21:54.619 --> 0:21:57.530 My child, your sins are forgiven. 0:21:57.960 --> 0:21:58.740 Blasphemy! 0:21:59.220 --> 0:22:02.869 A voice shouted from the corner. Jesus looked up to 0:22:02.910 --> 0:22:07.990 see a scribe scoffing at Jesus. He stepped forward and pointed. 0:22:08.250 --> 0:22:11.570 What authority do you have to forgive this man's sins? 0:22:12.670 --> 0:22:15.510 For we all know he is paralyzed because God is 0:22:15.630 --> 0:22:16.290 punishing him. 0:22:17.490 --> 0:22:18.560 Who do you think you are? 0:22:19.600 --> 0:22:22.429 God alone has the authority to forgive sins. 0:22:23.080 --> 0:22:26.840 The scribe spat on the ground, teeming with self-righteous anger. 0:22:27.480 --> 0:22:33.220 He scanned the room, looking for approving nods. Jesus looked 0:22:33.260 --> 0:22:36.280 back at the paralytic. He put his hand on his 0:22:36.300 --> 0:22:37.680 head and smiled. 0:22:38.290 --> 0:22:39.580 Then tell me, scribe. 0:22:40.020 --> 0:22:40.820 Jesus began. 0:22:41.560 --> 0:22:44.820 What takes less authority to say? Your sins are forgiven? 0:22:44.840 --> 0:22:46.919 Or get up and walk? 0:22:47.660 --> 0:22:51.560 As Jesus said this, the paralytic's toes began to twitch. 0:22:52.760 --> 0:22:56.080 His eyes widened as he began to move his fingers 0:22:56.160 --> 0:23:00.090 as well. Then, with a burst of energy, he sat up. 0:23:01.030 --> 0:23:03.670 He moved his mouth and began to mumble under his breath. 0:23:05.070 --> 0:23:09.300 He looked up at Jesus, eyes beaming with hope. A 0:23:09.340 --> 0:23:11.720 large cheer could be heard from the ceiling as the 0:23:11.760 --> 0:23:16.240 man's friends nearly fell through the hole in excitement. Jesus 0:23:16.280 --> 0:23:19.429 helped the man to his feet. He looked down and 0:23:19.450 --> 0:23:22.590 began hopping up and down. The two of them embraced, 0:23:22.890 --> 0:23:26.189 and the man ran out to greet his friends. The 0:23:26.250 --> 0:23:29.910 four of them leapt for joy, laughing and slapping each 0:23:29.970 --> 0:23:34.129 other around. The scribes shrunk back into the crowd, and 0:23:34.270 --> 0:23:37.859 everyone applauded as the man left, walking shoulder to shoulder 0:23:37.920 --> 0:23:42.369 with his companions. After these things, Jesus was making his 0:23:42.430 --> 0:23:46.120 way through the city streets. People followed at a distance 0:23:46.540 --> 0:23:51.359 as Jesus conversed with Simon, James, and John. As they 0:23:51.400 --> 0:23:54.480 made their way through the marketplace, Simon pointed out the 0:23:54.500 --> 0:23:59.280 long line of people waiting to pay their taxes.' Traitor!' 0:23:59.050 --> 0:24:01.669 they yelled towards the front of the line, spitting on 0:24:01.710 --> 0:24:04.109 the floor.' Are you content to feed off of the 0:24:04.190 --> 0:24:07.260 suffering of your own people?' Jesus looked to see a 0:24:07.680 --> 0:24:12.159 tax collector being berated by the crowd. Tax collectors were 0:24:12.200 --> 0:24:16.800 considered Jewish traitors. They whored themselves to the Roman government 0:24:17.359 --> 0:24:21.000 and used corruption for their own gain. Sitting at the 0:24:21.040 --> 0:24:26.619 booth was Matthew. He slumped down, quietly counting the coin, 0:24:27.000 --> 0:24:31.320 doing his best to block out the noise. Jesus peered 0:24:31.400 --> 0:24:34.550 over to see a few tears streaming from his face. 0:24:35.910 --> 0:24:39.970 Jesus approached the booth. Matthew had grown accustomed to men 0:24:40.070 --> 0:24:42.830 and women coming to the tax booth to spit on 0:24:42.890 --> 0:24:47.680 him and ridicule him. Jesus simply smiled and said two 0:24:47.920 --> 0:24:53.960 simple words that would change Matthew's life forever. Follow me, 0:24:54.340 --> 0:24:59.220 Jesus said plainly. Simon and Andrew gasped when they heard Jesus. 0:24:59.840 --> 0:25:02.280 They looked at Matthew. He seemed just as shocked as 0:25:02.300 --> 0:25:07.200 they did. Jesus began walking away. The choice was Matthew's 0:25:07.240 --> 0:25:09.800 to make. He had made a great deal of wealth 0:25:09.880 --> 0:25:13.679 being a tax collector. He had favor with Rome and 0:25:13.770 --> 0:25:17.010 coins in his purse. Yet there was no favor with 0:25:17.050 --> 0:25:20.989 man or riches of the world that could truly satisfy him. 0:25:22.070 --> 0:25:25.429 He longed for purpose. He longed to be known for 0:25:25.470 --> 0:25:32.149 those he helped, not exploited. Was Jesus worth following? Matthew 0:25:32.170 --> 0:25:33.950 looked at Jesus, walking away. 0:25:34.710 --> 0:25:34.930 Yes. 0:25:35.910 --> 0:25:40.430 He is worth everything, he thought to himself. Matthew stood 0:25:40.450 --> 0:25:42.280 to his feet and ran after Jesus. 0:25:43.040 --> 0:25:44.100 My Lord, he yelled. 0:25:44.640 --> 0:25:46.000 My King, Jesus. 0:25:45.760 --> 0:25:50.480 Turned around and laughed. The two of them embraced. Simon 0:25:50.500 --> 0:25:54.960 and Andrew were perplexed. Why did Jesus choose a tax collector, 0:25:55.260 --> 0:25:58.640 they thought to themselves. Doesn't he know they are all corrupt? 0:25:59.420 --> 0:26:03.580 Yet they did not understand what Jesus understood. That there 0:26:03.660 --> 0:26:07.670 are none that are righteous. Jesus did not choose Matthew 0:26:07.750 --> 0:26:11.370 because he was morally higher than the rest or more talented. 0:26:12.310 --> 0:26:15.770 He saw beyond what man saw. He saw the heart. 0:26:17.170 --> 0:26:20.770 That night, Jesus and his followers ate at Matthew's house. 0:26:21.910 --> 0:26:25.550 More tax collectors came to eat with them. Jesus enjoyed 0:26:25.570 --> 0:26:29.020 their company, enduring the glares of the Pharisees far off. 0:26:29.880 --> 0:26:33.240 The Pharisees stood outside the house with their arms crossed. 0:26:34.000 --> 0:26:37.399 They stopped one of his disciples and said, Look how. 0:26:37.300 --> 0:26:41.560 He dies with tax collectors and sinners. Aren't you ashamed 0:26:41.600 --> 0:26:45.379 to follow him? The disciple paused, unsure of how he 0:26:45.420 --> 0:26:49.900 should answer. Before he could say anything, Jesus stepped outside 0:26:49.960 --> 0:26:50.680