1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,080 Speaker 1: And he taught saying unto them, is it not written 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: my house shall be called of all nations the House 3 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: of prayer, But ye have made it a den of thieves. 4 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: Mark eleven seventeen. As the truth of Mark eleven and 5 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,760 Speaker 1: twelve hits my soul. May it serve as a reminder 6 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: to never allow my life to be as a fake tree. 7 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: Never allow my life to have the appearance of godliness 8 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: and the appearance of obedience, when in reality there is 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: no fruit of it in my life. At this moment, 10 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 1: I am making the conscious choice to allow my words 11 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: and my actions to remain in alignment. Give me the 12 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: boldness to stand up for righteousness like Jesus in the 13 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: temple court yard, to oppose anything and everything that is 14 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: counter cultural to the word of God. Let me speak 15 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: with the authority of Heaven behind me, Let me speak 16 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: with the love of Jesus within me, and let me 17 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: speak with a caring heart to restore people back to 18 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 1: the rightful place. With you, God, I decree and declare 19 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: that I will not be intimidated nor silenced by those 20 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: who give the appearance that they are in power, but 21 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: who are corrupt in heart and deed. From this moment on, 22 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: I will live with a full assurance that whatever I 23 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,840 Speaker 1: speak in your name, I will be able to receive it, 24 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: because I live in direct obedience to you and your 25 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: word in Jesus name. Amen, stay tuned to immerse yourself 26 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: in the Greatest Stories Ever Told from pray dot COM's 27 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: podcast Heroes in the Bible. 28 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 2: Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, and I'm excited for 29 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: you to join me when Heroes in the Bible Jesus. 30 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: Please follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify to get 31 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 2: the latest episodes so you can continue strengthening your relationship 32 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 2: with Jesus. Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It 33 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 2: is a story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, 34 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 2: a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph 35 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 2: over death and darkness. This is a story that continues 36 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 2: to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the 37 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 2: divine heart of God right into the hearts of you 38 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 2: and me. This episode gives us a side of the 39 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 2: Savior we don't usually see. Angry Jesus. I do not 40 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 2: mean to give him this title in a demeaning way, 41 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 2: but once you listen to this episode, you will understand 42 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 2: what I mean. Jesus seems to be on a war 43 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: path in this episode, literally and figuratively flipping tables over. 44 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 2: It would seem that he is trying to burn away 45 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:53,839 Speaker 2: as much as he can before marching up to the cross, 46 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 2: so that a new work can grow from the ashes 47 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 2: where he rises again. Jesus is on fire, passionately prodding 48 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: at the pious priest and Pharisees. As much as I 49 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 2: love it when Jesus puts the religious leaders in their place, 50 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 2: we must all take heed lest we stumble. The words 51 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 2: pointed at the priest can easily be pointed at you 52 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: and me. Surely there have been times when we have 53 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 2: been self righteous and antagonistic. Take Jesus's words seriously so 54 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 2: your souls may be satisfied. We will begin this story 55 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 2: with the prelude, a story captured from a different time 56 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 2: and space. Our prelude today is a reminder of what 57 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 2: just happened, a commentary on what's passed, and a vision 58 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: for what's ahead. My prayer for you today is that 59 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 2: the coarse words of Jesus would smooth your souls like 60 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 2: sandpaper to wood. I pray that the passion of Jesus 61 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 2: would enliven your hearts and inspire you to walk righteously 62 00:03:47,520 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 2: in all you do. Here is episode fifteen Dinner Thieves. 63 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 3: Prelude to Chapter fifteen. With arms up to heaven, they 64 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 3: shouted his name, Hosanna to the son of David, they 65 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 3: cried out with cheers. The people of Israel lavished praise 66 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 3: upon Jesus as he rode into the city of Jerusalem 67 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 3: on a donkey. Their worship echoed forth from a time 68 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 3: long ago when King David walked those same streets. David's 69 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 3: sword had defended Israel from turmoil, his leadership had provided 70 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,599 Speaker 3: the time of unprecedented power, and his heart had helped 71 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 3: connect them to their creator. Now, fourteen generations later, a 72 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 3: descendant of David himself walked into the great city of Jerusalem. 73 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 3: Prophecies of old had foretold his coming. It was said 74 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,839 Speaker 3: that the Messiah would spring up from the stump of Jesse, 75 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 3: and salvation would pour forth from the city of David. 76 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 3: Yet this was not the Messiah people had envisioned. David 77 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 3: was a man of bloodshed. With his sling, sword and shield, 78 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 3: he tore through the ancient enemies of Israel. Now, as 79 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 3: Israel sat under the boot of yet another enemy. They 80 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 3: expected the son of David to ride forth with a 81 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 3: glorious army of angels behind him. They looked for lightning 82 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 3: to pierce through the heavens and strike down Rome. They 83 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 3: did not get the conquering warrior they expected. Instead, they 84 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 3: found a man who knelt down to change the bandages 85 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 3: of lepers. They found a teacher content to mingle in 86 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:46,160 Speaker 3: the city's streets with tax collectors and prostitutes. His vision 87 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 3: of a reformed nation did not require the overthrowing of 88 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 3: a government or the usurping of a throne. To Jesus, 89 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 3: it required a listening ear and tender heart. They praised 90 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 3: him now. They threw their coats to clear a path 91 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 3: for him. They sang and danced as he entered the gates. 92 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 3: Yet their praises would soon disappear into the quiet night 93 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 3: as their new king hung, bloodied and beaten on a 94 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 3: wooden hill. Nails would be his scepter and thorns would 95 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:27,239 Speaker 3: be his crown. Their psalms of glee would be silenced 96 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 3: as the thunder above would rolled over Bocan. The people 97 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 3: would stand in complete train as their conquering messiah cried 98 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 3: out to the heavens and breathed his last. The kings 99 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 3: of Earth, as mighty and great as they may be, 100 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 3: ultimately got to live and rule from a golden throne. 101 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 3: Yet the son of David, the Messiah would conquer the 102 00:06:54,920 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 3: earth from a rugged cross. Chapter fifteen, Din of Thieves. 103 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 3: The morning fire crackled over wood and stone. Its flames 104 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 3: caught through the crisp morning air like a hot blade 105 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 3: through ice. Jesus warmed his hands by the fire, waiting 106 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 3: for his disciples to wake. He watched them all rise 107 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 3: to their feet, stretching their arms and rubbing their eyes. 108 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 3: As they began to compose themselves, Jesus caught a glimpse 109 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 3: of a fig tree blooming in the distance. It was 110 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 3: not the season for figs, so the tree stood peculiarly, 111 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 3: like a sore thumb amidst many dead trees. Jesus held 112 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 3: his stomach. It growled incessantly. He rose to his feet 113 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 3: and walked towards the tree. As he approached the tree, 114 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 3: he examined that, despite its lush blooms, there was no 115 00:07:55,640 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 3: fruit growing from its leaves. The leaves were vibrant and green, 116 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 3: yet no figs hung from its branches. Jesus touched the 117 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 3: tree and paused for a long moment. A few of 118 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 3: the disciples could see Jesus pondering. He plucked one of 119 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 3: the leaves and baled it in his fist. He furrowed 120 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 3: his brow and cursed at the tree. 121 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 4: May no one ever eat fruit from you again. 122 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 3: He whispered. Jesus turned from the tree and stormed off. 123 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:32,199 Speaker 3: The disciples watched Jesus sit back at the fire. Then 124 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 3: they turned to the tree. Its leaves rustled lightly in 125 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,839 Speaker 3: the breeze. They could not quite understand what about this 126 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 3: tree warranted such a curse. Jesus and his disciples weaved 127 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 3: through the busy city streets, making their way towards the temple. 128 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 3: Merchants and beggars laced the alleyways, grabbing the attention of visitors. 129 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 3: Jesus passed through the busy streets and entered through the 130 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 3: archways into the temple courtyards. In the middle of the 131 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 3: courtyard were stairs leading up to the inner place, where 132 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:10,680 Speaker 3: sacrifices were made unto God. Surrounding the stairs and the 133 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 3: walkways were temple merchants selling sacrifices. The money changes were 134 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 3: there as well, exchanging temple currency. Jesus could hear nothing 135 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 3: but the clatteredal coins against stone tables and haggling of 136 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:30,800 Speaker 3: sheep and goats to temple visitors. The disciples trailed Jesus 137 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 3: at a safe distance, anticipating what was to come. Jesus 138 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 3: approached a large slab of stone propped upright as a table. 139 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 3: Weights and scales rested on it, with gold and silver 140 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,839 Speaker 3: coins spilling forth from leather pouches. Behind the table was 141 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:49,559 Speaker 3: a man. 142 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 4: Counting need temple coin. 143 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 3: The man asked, without looking up, Jesus said nothing. Instead, 144 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 3: he bent his knees down, ground the bottom of the 145 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 3: stone and flipped the table. Coins spilled everywhere, colliding with 146 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 3: the dust below. Jesus set his gaze on the cages 147 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 3: of doves and pigeons and released them into the air. 148 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 3: He darted to the other stone tables and one by 149 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 3: one flipped them over. The commotion was beginning to stir 150 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 3: as people watched Jesus cleanse the temple of greed and corruption. 151 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 3: He broke open cages, released animals, and drove out merchants. 152 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 3: It didn't take long for the priests and scribes to 153 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 3: come bolting out into the courtyard. 154 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 5: What is the meaning of this, they yelled, what have 155 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 5: you done? 156 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 3: The crowd was silent, standing at a distance from Jesus 157 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 3: on every end. Jesus flipped his last table, breathing heavily 158 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 3: from the strain of lifting stone. He turned around to 159 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 3: look at the priests standing above him on the stairway. 160 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 3: His eyes portrayed righteous anger. He planted his feet and 161 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 3: face them. 162 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 4: It is written my house shall be called a house of. 163 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 3: Prayer, Jesus said, gesturing to the temple. Jesus picked up 164 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 3: a sack of coins lying on the ground and lifted 165 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 3: it up to the priests. He tipped it over, allowing 166 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,199 Speaker 3: the coins to trickle out one by one. 167 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:23,559 Speaker 6: But you chosen priests of Erin, have made it a 168 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 6: den of thieves. 169 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 3: Jesus released the rest of the coins and threw the 170 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 3: sack onto the ground. The priests and scribes glared at 171 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 3: Jesus for a long while. The crowd began to surround him, 172 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 3: asking him to teach them more. As the crowd pressed 173 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 3: into Jesus, the temple guard unsheathed their swords to arrest him. 174 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 3: The priests stopped him. Jesus was too popular with the 175 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 3: crowd to touch if they arrested him. Now their reputation 176 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 3: would be ruined. They needed to wait for the perfect moment. 177 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 3: They perused the group of disciples following closely behind Jesus. 178 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 3: One of them met their eyes with a look of curiosity. 179 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 3: Judas met their gaze, then turned back to Jesus. The 180 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 3: high priest Caiaphas tilted his head and smirked. Perhaps he 181 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 3: had found a chink in the armor. Jesus and the 182 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 3: disciples left the temple. On the outskirts of the walls 183 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 3: were pathways filled with people visiting for the Passover festival. 184 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:37,199 Speaker 3: Families from Macedonia, Samaria, Greece, and Rome had filled the 185 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 3: streets to celebrate. Venders found their freshly baked bread into 186 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 3: the streets, giving off a sweet smelling aroma. As the 187 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 3: group passed through. Philip and Andrew walked behind the group, 188 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 3: assuring that the temple guards were not trailing them. It 189 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 3: was a contentious time to meander around the city. Jesus 190 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 3: was sure to draw attention wherever he went. Philip spotted 191 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 3: a few Greek men trailing them. He looked back, concerned 192 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 3: about their intentions. Philip nudged Andrew and gestured to the 193 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 3: men behind them. The two of them placed their hands 194 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 3: on their hips, daggers tucked under their robes. However, as 195 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 3: the two men walked closer, there were smiles on their faces. 196 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:27,079 Speaker 3: Philip and Andrew sighed in relief. As the two men 197 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 3: approached kind Sirs, they shouted, we. 198 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 7: Would love the opportunity to meet Jesus. We've heard that 199 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 7: he holds the secrets of the world tucked away in 200 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 7: Hebrew texts, and he could restore sight to blind men. 201 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 7: Might we speak with him? 202 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 3: Philip and Andrew smiled and went to the front of 203 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 3: the groom to meet Jesus. 204 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:47,959 Speaker 5: Master. 205 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:50,439 Speaker 2: There are a few Greek gentiles. 206 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 3: Who wish to speak with you, Philip said, Shall. 207 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 2: We turn them away or bring them to you. 208 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,559 Speaker 3: Jesus looked back to the two Greeks standing at attention 209 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 3: a dozen feet away to them and smiled. He looked 210 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:04,319 Speaker 3: to his disciples and said. 211 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 4: The gentiles are searching for hope. 212 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 8: The hour has surely come for the son of Man 213 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,319 Speaker 8: to be given up and glorified. 214 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 3: Jesus raised his voice for the Greek men to hear 215 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 3: as well, beckoning them forward. The small crowd began to 216 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 3: form around Jesus. As he spoke, he opened up his 217 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 3: arms and said. 218 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 6: Truly, Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of 219 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 6: wheat falls and dyes, it cannot grow in the earth. 220 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 4: And bear fruit. 221 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 6: Whoever holds his life dear to him will surely lose it. 222 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 6: But whoever forsakes it for my sake will gain eternal life. 223 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 3: The clouds began to roll in over the city, and 224 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 3: the wind was awakened from the east. The crowd watched 225 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 3: as Jesus looked to the skies. He breathed in the 226 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 3: crisp air rolling in from the hills. He tilted his 227 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 3: head to and spoke loudly, saying. 228 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 4: My soul is indeed troubled. But how shall I respond? 229 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 4: Shall I ask God to save me from what is 230 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 4: to come? Surely not? It is for this very purpose 231 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 4: I have come. 232 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 3: The storm clouds marched in from the horizon, yet no 233 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 3: rain fell. The darkened skies loomed over the Holy city 234 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 3: like an army of giants. Jesus lifted his voice again, 235 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 3: with his arms raised to heaven. 236 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 4: Saying, Father, glorify your name. 237 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 3: As Jesus said this, a flash of lightning whipped forth 238 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 3: from the heavens, followed by thunder. The baboon was strong 239 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 3: enough to shape the earth below them. The crowd gasped 240 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 3: in fear. They heard a voice bellowing out from the thunder, 241 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 3: saying I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. 242 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 3: The people stared at one another, asking if they had 243 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 3: also heard of voice in the thunder. They bickered and 244 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 3: questioned each other as to whether it was thunder or 245 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 3: a voice. The clouds continued to rage in a chaotic dance, 246 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 3: yet no more lightning or thunder broke free from the skies. 247 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 3: The people gazed up in awe, confused at what they 248 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:25,400 Speaker 3: had just heard. Jesus looked at them with compassion and said. 249 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 4: This voice has trumpeted from heaven, so you might understand. 250 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 4: Now is the time when the judgment of the universe 251 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 4: will pour forth from heaven on the son of Man. 252 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 4: The enemy of this world will be cast aside, and 253 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 4: I will be delivered up to death and draw people 254 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 4: to me. 255 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 3: The people looked at the skies for a little while longer, 256 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 3: then looked down to Jesus. It was difficult for them 257 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 3: to comprehend the glory of the Messiah coming in the 258 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:58,400 Speaker 3: form of a humble carpenter. Not only this, but they 259 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 3: thought that Messiah was supposed to be immortal, but Jesus 260 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:06,439 Speaker 3: kept speaking of his death. Teacher, the crowd said, it 261 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 3: is prophesied that Christ will live forever. How can you 262 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 3: say that the son of Man will be given up 263 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 3: to die? Who is the son of man? They asked. 264 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,359 Speaker 3: Jesus turned his head towards the hills outside the city. 265 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,639 Speaker 3: A small peak could be seen resting slightly above the 266 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 3: city walls. It was Gonkartha, the place of the skull. 267 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 3: He sighed, There was no use explaining it further. The 268 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 3: time for preaching was drawing to a close. The time 269 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 3: was coming for him to turn towards Calvary. 270 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 4: He turned to the crowd, Understand, the light is among 271 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:48,000 Speaker 4: you for a little while. Longer walk in the light 272 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 4: as long as you have it, for those who walk 273 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,320 Speaker 4: in darkness will stumble, and those who believe in the 274 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 4: light will become sons of the light. 275 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:02,159 Speaker 3: After saying these things, Jesus departed. The disciples desired to 276 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:06,680 Speaker 3: follow him, but he had to be alone. Jesus walked 277 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 3: the roads leading out of the busy areas and sat 278 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 3: on a small hill. He gazed into the heavens, watching 279 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 3: the clouds choreograph their final march. It was as if 280 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 3: the earth itself was preparing for what was going to 281 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 3: happen next. Jesus closed his eyes and felt the favor 282 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 3: of God fall upon him. Many had seen him perform 283 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:37,399 Speaker 3: signs and wonders, but still did not believe this was 284 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 3: foretold by Isaiah. Jesus whispered his words, saying. 285 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 4: Oh, Lord, who has believed what he heard from us? 286 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,879 Speaker 4: And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 287 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 4: Their eyes were blinded, their hearts were hardened, so they 288 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 4: will not see or turn their hearts to be healed. 289 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 3: Jesus looked down at the market place resting below the hill. 290 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:04,400 Speaker 3: He looked at the busy streets filled with people walking 291 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 3: towards the temple. They had come to worship God, not 292 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 3: knowing that God himself was in their midst. It broke 293 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:18,199 Speaker 3: Jesus's heart, knowing that so many people would miss the 294 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 3: real purpose of his coming. There were many people in 295 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:26,719 Speaker 3: power who believed, men like Nicodemus, but they feared the 296 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,400 Speaker 3: backlash of the Pharisees. They loved the glory that came 297 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 3: from mankind rather than the glory revealed by God. He 298 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 3: set his sights on the temple. He stood to his 299 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 3: feet and lifted his arms high. It was the heart 300 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 3: of a shepherd that compelled him to continue his work. 301 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:52,640 Speaker 3: Although so many had rejected him, he would still serve them. 302 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 3: He would still pray for them, bless them, and walk 303 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 3: with them, despite their failure to understand, despite their stubbornness, 304 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 3: and despite their pride, he would march up to the 305 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 3: place of the skull to make the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus 306 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 3: blared his sermon into the city. As people walked by, 307 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 3: they could hear him proclaiming from the hills. 308 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,639 Speaker 4: Whoever sees me sees him. I have come into the 309 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 4: world as light, so that whoever believes in me would 310 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,440 Speaker 4: not remain in a bit of despair and darkness. 311 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 3: Jesus yelled. He dropped his hands and fell to his knees. 312 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 3: The breeze made the tall grass beside him dance. A 313 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 3: few tears fell down his face as he looked longingly 314 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:45,159 Speaker 3: at the people below. 315 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,360 Speaker 4: To those who hear my words and still fail, no height, 316 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:53,159 Speaker 4: do not judge you. I did not come to judge 317 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 4: the world, but to save it. 318 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 3: The night had come and gone, and Jesus rose early 319 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 3: with his disciples to return to the city. As they 320 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 3: walked along the road, the disciples noticed a withered fig tree. 321 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 3: Peter saw it and knew it was the one Jesus cursed. 322 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 3: Its branches were rotted, and its leaves had died and fallen. 323 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 3: Its roots had shriveled up and ceased their clinging to 324 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 3: the earth, making the tree bow into the dust. Peter 325 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 3: took notice of the tree. Its blighted frame sent chills 326 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:34,119 Speaker 3: down his spine. With a single word, Jesus was able 327 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:39,679 Speaker 3: to remove the life from this tree. Lord, look, Peter said, 328 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 3: the fig tree, your cursed has died. Jesus looked back 329 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 3: at the tree and nodded, have faith in God, Peter. 330 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 3: Jesus answered, if you say. 331 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 8: To a mountain, be gone and cast into the sea, 332 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 8: with faith in your heart and no doubt, it will 333 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 8: be done for you whatever you ask him. Prayer, believe 334 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 8: truly and it will be given. And be sure not 335 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 8: to harbor unforgiveness in your heart. Forgive others while you pray, 336 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:07,840 Speaker 8: so that the Father may forgive you. 337 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 3: The group continued to follow Jesus, looking back at the tree. 338 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 3: It had once given the appearance of bearing fruit, but 339 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 3: bore no fruit at least now it was exposed for 340 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 3: what it truly was dead. They entered the temple a 341 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 3: second time, and the chief priests and pharisees were waiting 342 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:33,200 Speaker 3: for them like a pack of wolves. The moment Jesus's 343 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 3: face was seen walking from the shadows of the gates, 344 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 3: they pounced, by. 345 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,120 Speaker 5: Whose authority do you walk in such a way? 346 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:42,200 Speaker 3: The priests said, you. 347 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 5: Saunter in here and dictate how we should worship, but 348 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 5: you still have not told us where you get such authority. 349 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:53,160 Speaker 3: Their barrage of questions did not fluster Jesus. He grew 350 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:57,480 Speaker 3: tired of their constant toiling. Their hearts were far too 351 00:22:57,600 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 3: callous to listen. 352 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 8: Answer me this question, Jesus replied, by what authority did 353 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 8: John baptize the masses? Was it from heaven or from man? 354 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:12,360 Speaker 3: The priests looked at one another. They were trapped. If 355 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 3: they answered from heaven, Jesus could claim the same authority. 356 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 3: If they answered from man, the crowd would be angry 357 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 3: with them, since they believed John was a prophet. So 358 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 3: they stared blankly at Jesus a while before replying, we 359 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 3: cannot say. Jesus nodded his head and shrugged. 360 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 4: Well, then, neither will I tell you by what authority 361 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:37,439 Speaker 4: I do these things. 362 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:41,200 Speaker 3: By this point a crowd had gathered around them, making 363 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 3: an arena for Jesus and the religious leaders. They looked around, 364 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 3: fearful of what Jesus would say. Next, the son of 365 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 3: Man grinned and looked at the priests. 366 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 4: What do you think of this parable? A man had 367 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:57,440 Speaker 4: two sons. He went to the first son and asked 368 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 4: him to work in the vineyard. At first the son refused, 369 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:03,240 Speaker 4: but later changed his mind and obeyed the father. 370 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 8: The second son was asked to work, and he immediately 371 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:09,440 Speaker 8: stood to his feet and said, yes, I will go father. However, 372 00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 8: he did not go like he said, so which son 373 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:16,399 Speaker 8: approved and did the will of his father. 374 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 3: The priests paused again, fearful that their response would expose them. 375 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:29,919 Speaker 3: They lifted their heads and said the first son. Jesus nodded, you. 376 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 4: Scoff and lift up your noses to the tax collectors 377 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 4: and prostitutes. Yet they will inherit the kingdom of Heaven 378 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 4: before you, For you were told of the righteousness of 379 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:44,720 Speaker 4: God far before they were. When John proclaimed repentance, they 380 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 4: turned from their ways and honored God. However, you stood 381 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:48,919 Speaker 4: there and did nothing. 382 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 3: The priests and pharisees snarled at Jesus, but the crowns 383 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 3: were growing in number and they could not lash out 384 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 3: at him. Jesus walked around the priests. They had made 385 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 3: the misay, thinking Jesus was a guest in their temple. 386 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 3: However the opposite was true. It was Jesus's temple, his house. 387 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 3: Jesus planted his feet and continued to teach them a lesson, saying. 388 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 4: Here's another parable for you. There was a landowner who 389 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 4: planted a large vineyard. He planted the vines, put up 390 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 4: the fence, and dug the wine press. During the winter, 391 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 4: he leased his property to tenants, and the season for 392 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 4: fruit drew near. The owner of the land sent three 393 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 4: servants to go and get the fruit from the vineyard. 394 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:36,360 Speaker 6: However, the tenants beat one servant, killed another, and stoned 395 00:25:36,359 --> 00:25:36,840 Speaker 6: the third. 396 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 4: So the owner said more servants, but the tenants killed 397 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 4: them as well. 398 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 6: Finally, the owner sent his only son, thinking the tenants. 399 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 4: Would listen to him. However, they took him and they 400 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 4: killed him as well. 401 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,400 Speaker 3: Jesus opened his hands and looked at the religious leaders. 402 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 4: Answer me, this, what fate do you think awaits the tenants? 403 00:25:58,080 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 4: What shall the owner do to them? 404 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 3: The priests pondered for a moment and then responded. 405 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 5: The tenants are clearly wretchous. The land owners should put 406 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,560 Speaker 5: them to a miserable death and give the venue to 407 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 5: other tenants. 408 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:14,919 Speaker 3: Jesus raised an eyebrow and nodded. He continued to pace 409 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 3: around the priests. 410 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 4: Have you not read the scriptures that speak of this? 411 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:24,680 Speaker 4: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Therefore, 412 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 4: I tell you. 413 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 8: The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you 414 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,119 Speaker 8: and given to those who did not reject me. 415 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:36,120 Speaker 3: The priests and verses knew Jesus was speaking about them. 416 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:40,400 Speaker 3: They boiled with rage against him. However, they could do 417 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 3: nothing since the crowd was too enthralled with Jesus. They 418 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:50,439 Speaker 3: shrunk back, still trapped in Jesus's current of parables, Jesus 419 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:53,879 Speaker 3: kept his gaze firmly locked on his adversaries. 420 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 8: The kingdom of Heaven is compared to a great king 421 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 8: who threw a waiting feast for his son. He sent 422 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 8: out his servants into the city to call all those 423 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 8: who were invited. Some of them rejected the invitation they 424 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 8: were too busy. Others shrugged at the invitation. They did 425 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:08,400 Speaker 8: not care. 426 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 4: Others beat the servants who invited them, for they hated 427 00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:12,240 Speaker 4: the king. 428 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 6: Filled with rage, the king lifted his hands and said 429 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:16,720 Speaker 6: to his servants. 430 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 4: Those who I invited were not worthy. 431 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 8: Instead, go into the streets and invite as many people 432 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:26,119 Speaker 8: as you can find. So the servants invited everyone in 433 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:31,159 Speaker 8: the streets, beggars, merchants, sinners, slaves. The king clothed them 434 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,120 Speaker 8: in wedding garments and allowed them to enjoy the feast. 435 00:27:34,560 --> 00:27:37,520 Speaker 8: The wedding feast was filled with guests enjoying good food 436 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:41,159 Speaker 8: and laughter. One of them came in and rejected. 437 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 4: The wedding garment. 438 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 8: This guest was cast out into darkness, never to see. 439 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 4: The light of day again. For he was willing to 440 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:51,200 Speaker 4: enjoy the good food offered by the king, but he refused. 441 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 3: Discovering of grace, Jesus stepped closer to the priests than Pharisees. 442 00:27:56,800 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 3: He leaned in and whispered. 443 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:02,000 Speaker 4: For many are called, but few are chosen. 444 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,880 Speaker 3: With those words, Jesus departed from the temple with his disciples. 445 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 3: It would not belong until the religious leaders would have 446 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 3: their revenge on Jesus. However, even then they would be 447 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 3: mere tools in the greater work of God. The evil 448 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:24,919 Speaker 3: intentions of mankind were no match for God's cosmic rescue mission. 449 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:28,399 Speaker 3: He would bring in all those who had been cast 450 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:32,399 Speaker 3: out into the streets and invite them into his grand 451 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:37,160 Speaker 3: wedding feast. He would clothe them with grace and call 452 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 3: them beloved. The beggars, sinners, slaves, and outcasts would all 453 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 3: find a home in the loving embrace of God. Jesus 454 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,480 Speaker 3: left the temple more resolute in his mission to seek 455 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:53,920 Speaker 3: out and save the lost. 456 00:28:57,160 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 2: The prelude brought us back to our last episode, when 457 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 2: the people were praising Jesus with passion and joy. Why 458 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 2: do we need the constant reminder that people's expectations were misinformed? 459 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 2: The answer isn't pretty. To put it simply, it is 460 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:15,240 Speaker 2: because they represent us. You and I continually project our 461 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:18,360 Speaker 2: desires onto God and praise him in light of those projections. 462 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 2: Can I give you a common example? Oftentimes people talk 463 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:25,880 Speaker 2: about God's provision as if financial prosperity is promised to believers, 464 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 2: even though it isn't so. When a dollar comes their way, 465 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:32,720 Speaker 2: praise goes up. But what happens when the dollars stopped coming? 466 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,080 Speaker 2: When the dollar stopped coming, so do the praises. This 467 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,240 Speaker 2: same crowd that was praising Jesus will end up cursing him. 468 00:29:39,760 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 2: He didn't meet their expectations, so people turn their backs 469 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:45,520 Speaker 2: on him. May we not fall under this same trap, 470 00:29:45,560 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 2: brothers and sisters. May we continually be looking to God's 471 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,000 Speaker 2: word to inform us of his will, and may we 472 00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 2: eagerly wait on him to fulfill it. If I were 473 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 2: to pinpoint a theme of this episode, it would be hypocrisy. 474 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 2: The episode began with the fear tree. Jesus saw its 475 00:30:01,840 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 2: flowers blooming, signaling that there should be fruit ripe for 476 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:09,000 Speaker 2: the picking. However, there was no fruit to be found. 477 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 2: The tree had the appearance of fruitfulness, but no fruit 478 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:15,800 Speaker 2: at all. This fig tree is a graand metaphor for 479 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:19,080 Speaker 2: the Pharisees, priest and religious system of the age. For 480 00:30:19,160 --> 00:30:23,280 Speaker 2: all the religious festivals, ceremonies, and laws, there was no substance, 481 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:26,320 Speaker 2: just like the fig tree with flowers but no fruit. 482 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 2: The system had all the religious frills without any of 483 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:33,480 Speaker 2: the fruitfulness. Jesus cursed the tree so it wouldn't bear 484 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:37,280 Speaker 2: any fruit, which seemed harsh. However, it is better not 485 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 2: to bear fruit than falsely advertised you bear fruit. That 486 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:43,280 Speaker 2: was the meaning behind one of the parables Jesus taught 487 00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:45,960 Speaker 2: to the priest, What do you think of this parable? 488 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 2: A man had two sons. He went to the first 489 00:30:48,760 --> 00:30:50,959 Speaker 2: son and asked him to work in the vineyard. At 490 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 2: first the son refused, but later changed his mind and 491 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:57,560 Speaker 2: obeyed his father. The second summer was asked to work, 492 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 2: and he immediately stood to his feet and said, yes, 493 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 2: I will go. Father. However, he did not go like 494 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:06,720 Speaker 2: he said, which son approved and did the will of 495 00:31:06,760 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 2: his father. The fig tree was like the second son. 496 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:14,040 Speaker 2: Jesus through his parable and the fig tree is giving 497 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:17,160 Speaker 2: us a commentary on what he thinks about hypocrisy. In 498 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 2: Jesus's eyes, it is better for someone to sin and 499 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:23,160 Speaker 2: repent than claim to have never sinned in the first place. 500 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 2: John would eventually go on to say this in one 501 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:28,560 Speaker 2: of his letters. If we say we have fellowship with 502 00:31:28,640 --> 00:31:31,280 Speaker 2: him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do 503 00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 2: not practice the truth. And if we say we have 504 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:36,720 Speaker 2: no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not 505 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:39,840 Speaker 2: in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful 506 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 2: injustice forgive us our sins, and who cleanse us from 507 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,840 Speaker 2: all and righteousness. If we say we have not sinned, 508 00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:48,280 Speaker 2: we make him a liar, and his word is not 509 00:31:48,440 --> 00:31:51,360 Speaker 2: in us. It is better to acknowledge our mistakes and 510 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:54,880 Speaker 2: repent than deceive ourselves by claiming we have never sinned. 511 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 2: The religious structure in Venea, built around the temple riled 512 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:00,840 Speaker 2: Jesus up to the point of anynger. I would like 513 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:03,680 Speaker 2: to spend a good portion of our time here together 514 00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:06,840 Speaker 2: talking about why he was so angry. There were many 515 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 2: layers of corruption happening in the scene. First off, they 516 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:13,840 Speaker 2: had created a barrier between gentiles and God. This was 517 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:16,360 Speaker 2: the only part of the temple where gentiles were allowed 518 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 2: to come to worship. By filling it with a marketplace, 519 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:23,479 Speaker 2: they kept the gentiles from worshiping God. Second, they created 520 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 2: a barrier between the poor and God. The temple leaders 521 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:30,920 Speaker 2: were only accepting pre approved animals for sacrifice. People could 522 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 2: buy those animals, but only with the temple carency, which 523 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 2: had an outrageous exchange rate. The poor therefore were unable 524 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:41,280 Speaker 2: to come to worship God as well. This alone was 525 00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:44,760 Speaker 2: reason enough to make Jesus angry. When we get angry, 526 00:32:44,800 --> 00:32:48,320 Speaker 2: it is often because something we cherish was threatened our comfort, 527 00:32:48,720 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 2: our ego, or maybe something more precious like our spouse 528 00:32:52,040 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 2: or children. So when it comes to God displaying anger, 529 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,720 Speaker 2: he is protecting something precious as well. In this case, 530 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 2: he was protecting his purpose for humanity. Scripture was very 531 00:33:03,280 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 2: clear that the outcasts and foreigner should have access to God. 532 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:10,560 Speaker 2: It has always been God's desire to bring all nations 533 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 2: to himself, and it has always been his desire to 534 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:17,240 Speaker 2: create avenues for people to speak with Him, to worship him, 535 00:33:17,480 --> 00:33:20,280 Speaker 2: to be with him, and to walk with him. What 536 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:23,800 Speaker 2: we see Jesus doing here is violently driving out that 537 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:27,720 Speaker 2: which is separating the people from experiencing enimacy with God. 538 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,200 Speaker 2: It is a picture of what Jesus would do on 539 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:33,840 Speaker 2: the cross. The Cross was the most violent upheaval of 540 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 2: sin this world has ever seen. So just as Jesus 541 00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:41,360 Speaker 2: violently flipped the tables that were separating people from experiencing 542 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:45,200 Speaker 2: unity with God, he violently crucifies the very sins keeping 543 00:33:45,240 --> 00:33:48,160 Speaker 2: you from Him. The entire narrative of Scripture is that 544 00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:50,640 Speaker 2: we have so many barriers keeping us from a life 545 00:33:50,640 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 2: of peace with God, and that God will stop at 546 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:56,160 Speaker 2: nothing until all those barriers are flipped over and dealt 547 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:59,960 Speaker 2: away with Romans eight thirty eight and thirty nine says, 548 00:34:00,400 --> 00:34:04,080 Speaker 2: for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, 549 00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:07,880 Speaker 2: nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 550 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,560 Speaker 2: nor height nor depth, nor any other created things shall 551 00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:13,640 Speaker 2: be able to separate us from the love of God, 552 00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:17,719 Speaker 2: which is in Christ. Jesus, our Lord, Jesus removed all 553 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:21,200 Speaker 2: barriers between us and God. On the cross, he flipped 554 00:34:21,239 --> 00:34:24,440 Speaker 2: our tables. This theme of welcoming the outcast has been 555 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:27,719 Speaker 2: visited quite a bit during this series. Jesus gave the 556 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:31,359 Speaker 2: parable about the wedding feast to reaffirm that theme. All 557 00:34:31,400 --> 00:34:35,200 Speaker 2: the invited guests rejected their invitation, so the king invited 558 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:39,399 Speaker 2: people would appreciate the invitation law. He clothed them, fed them, 559 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:42,680 Speaker 2: and accepted them. This is what Jesus did to you 560 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:47,400 Speaker 2: and me. We are the vagabonds, outcasts, beggars and blind. 561 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:50,400 Speaker 2: We were far from God, but because of his grace 562 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 2: we have been brought into his presence. I would like 563 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:56,960 Speaker 2: to end our time today by talking about prayer. Jesus, 564 00:34:57,000 --> 00:35:00,399 Speaker 2: after flipping the table, said it is written house shall 565 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:03,560 Speaker 2: be called a house of prayer. But you chosen priests 566 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,880 Speaker 2: of Aaron have made it a dinner fees. This grand 567 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:09,920 Speaker 2: table flipping where Christ did on the cross, allowed for 568 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:13,080 Speaker 2: prayer to have its full and unhindered effect in our lives. 569 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:16,480 Speaker 2: Jeremiah twenty nine thirteen says, you will seek me and 570 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 2: find me when you seek Me with all your heart. 571 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:23,120 Speaker 2: There is no actual impact we are able to make 572 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:26,760 Speaker 2: as Christians without stepping into unity with God in prayer. 573 00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:31,000 Speaker 2: Seeking Him corporately and personally in prayer is how God 574 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:33,920 Speaker 2: desires his house to be used. He has made a 575 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:37,400 Speaker 2: way for us to access him. May Our churches and 576 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,759 Speaker 2: homes never be houses for merely preaching and learning, but 577 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:44,560 Speaker 2: places where we take advantage of the unity provided us 578 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:48,040 Speaker 2: through the shedding of Christ's blood. Because Jesus has made 579 00:35:48,040 --> 00:35:51,480 Speaker 2: a way, we can make prayer a priority. Our next 580 00:35:51,520 --> 00:35:57,040 Speaker 2: episode will feature love, service, sacrament, and betrayal. Join us 581 00:35:57,080 --> 00:36:01,200 Speaker 2: next time for episode sixteen, The Last Supper. Thanks again 582 00:36:01,239 --> 00:36:05,240 Speaker 2: for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom 583 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:08,680 Speaker 2: to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com and 584 00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:12,840 Speaker 2: to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download the 585 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:17,000 Speaker 2: Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward 586 00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:21,560 Speaker 2: slash heroes. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to 587 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:24,359 Speaker 2: get the newest episodes right as they come out, so 588 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:27,800 Speaker 2: you can strengthen your relationship with Jesus, God bless