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Speaker 1: And when he thus had spoken, he cried out with

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Speaker 1: a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John eleven forty three.

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Speaker 1: Thank you God that the story of Lazarus serves as

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Speaker 1: a reminder that death no longer has power over my soul.

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Speaker 1: Through the life of Jesus, you continually display from me

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Speaker 1: the fact that I can no longer that I can

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Speaker 1: conquer anything, including the goliath of death. Therefore, I will

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Speaker 1: not be afraid to live my life to the fullest

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Speaker 1: because I know that I will not die, but I

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Speaker 1: will simply transition into my heavenly home when my time comes.

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Speaker 1: I declare that I will not live with regret or remorse,

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Speaker 1: but instead I will maximize every opportunity that I am given.

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Speaker 1: I will love with an intense and compassionate heart, and

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Speaker 1: I will live out the purpose and plans that you

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Speaker 1: have for me.

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Speaker 2: Lord.

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Speaker 1: In the same way, Jesus, that you called forth Lazarus

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Speaker 1: from the tomb, I now call forth from the tombs

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Speaker 1: in my life the dreams and visions that have died

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Speaker 1: because of fear and doubt. I thank you Lord that

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Speaker 1: as I place them in your hands, you will breathe

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Speaker 1: new life and new strategy into every dream and vision

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Speaker 1: You've given me in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned to

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Speaker 1: immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories Ever Told from pray

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Speaker 1: dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 2: Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, your host for Heroes

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Speaker 2: in the Bible Jesus. If you've been enjoying this series,

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Speaker 2: please write a review and let me know how this

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Speaker 2: podcast has impacted your life. Welcome to the Greatest Story

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Speaker 2: Ever Told. It is a story of a shepherd's heart

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Speaker 2: for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and

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Speaker 2: a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a

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Speaker 2: story that continues to shape and mold the world around us,

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Speaker 2: bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts

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Speaker 2: of you and me. This episode has some of the

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Speaker 2: most famous teachings and acts of Jesus. The Good Samaritan, Martha, Marion,

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Speaker 2: Lazarus all make a debut in this episode. Not only

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Speaker 2: does this story satisfy our need for rich truth, but

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Speaker 2: it also serves as a turning point in Jesus' ministry.

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Speaker 2: Up until now, Jesus' ministry has been mostly public speaking

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Speaker 2: personal time of his disciples and healing the sick. His

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Speaker 2: miracles have drawn many crowds, and his popularity has risen. However,

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Speaker 2: this episode is a hinge point where everything is going

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Speaker 2: to tilt while Jesus was still teaching and performing miracles.

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Speaker 2: Most of the story from here on out is about

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Speaker 2: Jesus's aim at death. Squabbles with the Pharisees, as heated

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Speaker 2: as they might get, are not the real battle. Jesus

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Speaker 2: has his eyes fixed on a hill in Jerusalem, Golgotha.

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Speaker 2: The prelude provides us with a theme to latch onto

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Speaker 2: during this episode. Death is the ultimate enemy. Jesus's foe

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Speaker 2: has never been the Pharisees, the religious system, or the Romans.

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Speaker 2: His battle has always been against sin, death, and despair.

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Speaker 2: This episode blends the traditional teachings of Jesus with foreshadows

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Speaker 2: of his death on the Cross. This episode is rich

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Speaker 2: with amazing parables and events. However, our time afterward will

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Speaker 2: be focused more on the title of this episode, Lazarus,

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Speaker 2: come out join me afterwards as we unpack this beautiful

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Speaker 2: story together.

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Speaker 3: Prelude to chapter thirteen. You will not surely die, the

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Speaker 3: slithering voice whispered to Eve. God knows that if you

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Speaker 3: eat of the fruit, you will become like him. He

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Speaker 3: cannot stand to have an equal. The serpent was crafty

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Speaker 3: and knew how to deceive the hearts of people. He

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Speaker 3: would entice them with the same desire he had to

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Speaker 3: become like God. Adam and Eve looked at the tree.

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Speaker 3: Its fruit was ripe and ready to eat. Will we

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Speaker 3: surely be like God? They thought. Eve plucked the fruit

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Speaker 3: and gave one to her husband, who was next to her.

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Speaker 3: Together the two of them mate. With the first bite,

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Speaker 3: the entire order of the cosmos shifted. They had denied

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Speaker 3: their creator in search of their own power, and set

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Speaker 3: in motion a tragedy they could not undo. The knowledge

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Speaker 3: of good and evil was upon them, and with it

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Speaker 3: their potential to sin. The eternal state of their souls

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Speaker 3: shriveled into an hour glass. Death had entered the scene.

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Speaker 3: The sin of pride, striving to become their own God

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Speaker 3: would plague humanity for generations to come. They would stray

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Speaker 3: from God and beat against his faithfulness. The enemy Death

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Speaker 3: waged war against humanity. Yet God would not allow Death

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Speaker 3: to have the final word. His love for humanity would

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Speaker 3: swing like a mighty sword. He had a plan to

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Speaker 3: rescue his people from death. He would take it on himself,

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Speaker 3: allowing it to consume him, so his people would not

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Speaker 3: have to Chapter thirteen. Lazarus, come out.

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Speaker 4: Beild. I am sending you out a lambs among wolves.

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Speaker 3: Jesus said to his disciples.

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Speaker 4: They will want to devour you. They'll revile you, persecute you.

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Speaker 4: They'll spit in your direction. You must be steadfast.

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Speaker 3: Seventy two of his followers stood before him. Jesus turned

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Speaker 3: to the fields of grain. Behind him, the rich golden

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Speaker 3: ears of grain danced in the morning breeze. The bright

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Speaker 3: sun rays bounced off the field as Jesus spoke.

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Speaker 4: The harvest is plentiful. There are many who are ripe

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Speaker 4: to hear the gospel. However, the laborers are few. There

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Speaker 4: are few people willing to commit their lives to the harvest. Therefore,

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Speaker 4: pray for the laborers to be sent out.

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Speaker 3: The group of seventy two stood before Jesus with their

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Speaker 3: heads held high. They were a motley pack of misfits

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Speaker 3: and nobody's. Yet Jesus saw in them the potential to

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Speaker 3: do mighty works. He was preparing them to go out

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Speaker 3: in groups of two to proclaim the gospel. Jesus walked

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Speaker 3: among them encouraging them and building them up.

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Speaker 4: Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, greet no

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Speaker 4: one on the road. For your course is set and

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Speaker 4: your purpose is clear. When you enter each house, declare

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Speaker 4: peace to them, eat with them, dwell with them, and

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Speaker 4: hear them. Heal the sick, and preach the Kingdom of God.

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Speaker 4: If they do not receive you, brush off the dust

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Speaker 4: of your clothes and move on.

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Speaker 3: Jesus then sent out the seventy two to proclaim the

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Speaker 3: message of freedom, peace and righteousness throughout the region. Jesus

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Speaker 3: watched as every disciple left two by two. They did

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Speaker 3: not know it, but they were being trained. One day

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Speaker 3: they would be sent out by Jesus in a different way.

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Speaker 3: They would need to lean on each other and be courageous.

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Speaker 3: They didn't yet understand how much power would be given

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Speaker 3: to them. As they departed, Jesus ventured into the mountains.

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Speaker 3: He sat on a stone overlooking the region of Judea.

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Speaker 3: The wind was howling and the trees shuddered below. He

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Speaker 3: was reminded of the unrepentant cities of Sodom and Gomorah

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Speaker 3: long ago ah, how they had rejected salvation any time

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Speaker 3: God offered mercy, they denied it. Jesus looked upon the

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Speaker 3: cities below. They had been called to righteousness, yet fell

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Speaker 3: victim to the idolatry of self righteousness. They praised him

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Speaker 3: for his signs, yet rejected the authority by which he

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Speaker 3: did them. They were fickle, and while many of them

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Speaker 3: cheered for him, now he knew what they would be

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Speaker 3: chanting next. With the wind drowning out his voice, Jesus

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Speaker 3: yelled into the canyons.

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Speaker 4: Woe to you, Corsin, Woe to you, best SAIDA, For

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Speaker 4: if I have done my mighty works in the gentile cities,

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Speaker 4: they would have repented long ago. Yet they will see

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Speaker 4: more mercy than you. And woe to you Capernaum. You

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Speaker 4: think you will be exalted to Heaven, Yet hates who

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Speaker 4: hates you.

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Speaker 3: Jesus allowed his voice to echo through the canyons below.

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Speaker 3: The reverberating noise dissipated with the breeze. Jesus looked up

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Speaker 3: to Heaven, then back at the cities. He shook his

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Speaker 3: head and whispered, the.

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Speaker 4: One who hears you hear is me father. The one

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Speaker 4: who rejects you rejects me. And the one who rejects

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Speaker 4: me rejects you.

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Speaker 3: He continued to prank to God for repentance. There were

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Speaker 3: stiff necked people, unwilling to break and humble themselves. However,

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Speaker 3: Jesus loved them to such a degree he was prepared

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Speaker 3: to be humbled on their behalf. Jesus came down the

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Speaker 3: mountain after a few days. As he wandered back to

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Speaker 3: the road, he saw the group of seventy two walking

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Speaker 3: towards him. Jesus smiled as he watched them laugh, exchange stories,

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Speaker 3: and praise God. He had sent them out with the mission,

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Speaker 3: and they were returning with a renewed sense of purpose.

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Speaker 3: Even the demons fled and were subject to us by

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Speaker 3: your name. They disappeared, they shouted. The disciples were elated

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Speaker 3: at their new found mission. There was a profound sense

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Speaker 3: of fulfillment and bringing hope to households, healing the sick,

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Speaker 3: and preaching to the needy. Jesus could see the light

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Speaker 3: of God upon them. He embraced them and reached his

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Speaker 3: arms to heaven.

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Speaker 4: Yes, my friends, it is a joy, Jesus said. However,

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Speaker 4: I saw Satan himself fall from heaven like a bolt

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Speaker 4: of lightning. His pride was great, and so was his fall.

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Speaker 4: Listen to me, I have given you authority to buy

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Speaker 4: up the enemy and tread over serpents. Yet this power

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Speaker 4: is not what you should rejoice in. Rejoice that your

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Speaker 4: names are written in heaven.

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Speaker 3: He needed to remind them that the greatest in the

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Speaker 3: Kingdom of Heaven were the humble. Great pride precedes great falls.

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Speaker 3: The young lawyer was meandering around the outskirts of Judaea.

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Speaker 3: He enjoyed bouncing from small town to small town, attending

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Speaker 3: synagogues and debating the local teachers. This hobby was an

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Speaker 3: innocent one, since he was on a quest for knowledge.

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Speaker 3: He was most fulfilled when he was intellectually stimulated and

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Speaker 3: sought the greatest challenges the law of God had to offer.

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Speaker 3: Many people followed Matthias, eager to watch him debate the

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Speaker 3: scriptures and the philosophical quandaries of the universe. So when

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Speaker 3: he had heard Jesus was in the region, he could

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Speaker 3: not help but fantasize about them speaking with them. Jesus

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Speaker 3: was walking in the outer regions of Judea. He and

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Speaker 3: his disciples would travel from village to village, preaching and healing.

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Speaker 3: As he was tending to the needs of the people.

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Speaker 3: The young lawyer approached him. He held himself with the

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Speaker 3: arrogant glow of a student. There was an unearned confidence

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Speaker 3: exuding from him. His cocky posture was showcased in stark

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Speaker 3: contrast to Jesus's humble position as he mended a woman's

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Speaker 3: broken foot. He approached Jesus with a crowd of eager

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Speaker 3: patrons behind him. Jesus smiled at the young man and

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Speaker 3: greeted him. The young lawyer went straight for his question,

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Speaker 3: ready to engage Jesus in a discussion.

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Speaker 5: For the ages teacher, how shall I inherit eternal life?

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Speaker 3: He asked, allowing the crown behind him to prepare themsels.

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Speaker 3: Jesus stood to his feet and wiped his hands on

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Speaker 3: his robe. They were dirty from working with the people

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Speaker 3: all day. He looked at the people, then walked over

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Speaker 3: to a bucket of water nearby to wash his face well.

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Speaker 3: Jesus began, what does it say in the law? You

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Speaker 3: have read the law, I assume, the young lawyer was

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Speaker 3: jumping to answer, ready to begin his discussion with Jesus.

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Speaker 5: You shall love the Lord your God with all your

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Speaker 5: heart's soul, mind and strength. You shall love your neighbor

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Speaker 5: as yourself.

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Speaker 4: The lawyer replied, Ah, yes, Jesus answered, very good. Do

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Speaker 4: these things and you shall live into eternity.

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Speaker 3: Jesus smiled and turned back to another person in need

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Speaker 3: of healing. The lawyer stopped him, annoyed that he could

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Speaker 3: not keep Jesus's attention.

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Speaker 5: Well, then, who is considered my neighbor? Certainly that varies

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Speaker 5: from person to person.

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Speaker 3: The lawyer retorted. It was a common question of the day,

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Speaker 3: a question that certainly needed an answer. People were often

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Speaker 3: wondering who they needed to love and who they were

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Speaker 3: allowed to ignore. Jesus sighed and shook his head. He

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Speaker 3: looked up to the young lawyer and gestured for him

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Speaker 3: to take his seat next to him. He then gestured

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Speaker 3: for the crowd to come in close and listen. Jesus

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Speaker 3: began a story for the lawyer. It became apparent that

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Speaker 3: this would not be a conversation but a lesson.

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Speaker 4: The merchant was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road

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Speaker 4: is notoriously dangerous and filled with bandits ready to jump

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Speaker 4: like a prowling lion. Despite the rumors of robbers, the

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Speaker 4: man decided to travel anyway. He walked the countryside with

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Speaker 4: ease until that very band of robbers ambushed him out

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Speaker 4: of nowhere. There was a swift blow to the merchant's

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Speaker 4: head to disorient him. Then as the man fell to

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Speaker 4: his knees, another robber kicked him in jaw. They took

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Speaker 4: his money and all his supplies. When the man began

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Speaker 4: to chase after them to get his things back, the

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Speaker 4: robbers quickly made a mockery of him, breaking his ribs,

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Speaker 4: tossing him to the ground onslaughts and onslaughts of kicks.

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Speaker 4: The robbers tore off his clothes. They took everything he owned,

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Speaker 4: even the clothes off his back. They shamed him and

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Speaker 4: tossed him off the edge of the road into a

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Speaker 4: ditch full of stones and weeds. The man's body was

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Speaker 4: lifeless for hours. Every breath was a struggle. There were

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Speaker 4: moments when the man believed he was dead, only to

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Speaker 4: be reminded by the pain that he was very much alive.

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Speaker 4: All hope seemed to be lost until he saw a

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Speaker 4: priest walking on the road. The merchant knew he only

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Speaker 4: had a few moments to make his presence known, so

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Speaker 4: he yelled for help. His cries were painful, but they

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Speaker 4: caught the attention of the priest. However, to the merchant's dismay,

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Speaker 4: the priest looked at him and then just walked away.

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Speaker 4: He could not be bothered. On his way to the temple.

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Speaker 4: The day was drawing to a close, and the blistering

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Speaker 4: sun was replaced with the cold evening air. Naked and shivering,

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Speaker 4: the man was certain he would die. However, his hope

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Speaker 4: returned to him as another man of God walked past.

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Speaker 4: A levite was also on his way to the temple.

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Speaker 4: His elegant robes of fine color shone in the moonlight.

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Speaker 4: When the levite saw the man quivering by the wayside,

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Speaker 4: he cringed and shuffled over to the other side of

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Speaker 4: the road, pretending not to see him. A priest and

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Speaker 4: a levite had rejected him, all hope was lost for

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Speaker 4: the poor man. The merchant knew that night would be

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Speaker 4: a cruel executioner, so he dragged himself from the ditch

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Speaker 4: onto the road. His naked body trembled in the freezing

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Speaker 4: night air. In a matter of moments, the man drifted

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Speaker 4: into a deep sleep. As he allowed his mind to wander,

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Speaker 4: he came to terms with his own inevitable death. While

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Speaker 4: the merchant was sleeping. He did not hear the slow

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Speaker 4: trot trot trot of a mule passing by. The mule

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Speaker 4: stop and a Samaritan man dismounted and crouched beside the merchant.

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Speaker 4: The merchant was able to peer his eyes open to

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Speaker 4: see a dark figure hidden by night lift him off

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Speaker 4: the dirt and on to his mule. The Samaritan man

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Speaker 4: continued into the night until he found the dim light

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Speaker 4: of a nearby inn. The Samaritan paid for a room

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Speaker 4: in the inn and then tended to his wounds. He

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Speaker 4: bound up his broken bones and sewed up his torn flesh.

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Speaker 4: Once the man was healed, the Samaritan paid the innkeeper

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Speaker 4: enough money to take care of him for a few

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Speaker 4: more weeks. Can you believe it? Then he returned to

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Speaker 4: check up on him.

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Speaker 3: Jesus concluded his story and looked at the young lawyer

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Speaker 3: with a tender smile.

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Speaker 4: He said, so tell me which of the three was

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Speaker 4: a better neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan.

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Speaker 3: The lawyer was downtrodden and ashamed. The Samaritans were reviled

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Speaker 3: and hated among the Jews. If there was any one

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Speaker 3: he would call exempt from love. It was them.

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Speaker 5: I suppose it was the one who showed mercy.

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Speaker 3: He answered. Jesus placed his hand on the man's shoulder.

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Speaker 4: Very good, you are a wise man. Now go and

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Speaker 4: do likewise.

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Speaker 3: And with that Jesus stood to his feet to tend

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Speaker 3: to the rest of the city. Jesus did not engage

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Speaker 3: in the philosophical dialog the lawyer had hoped. However, he

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Speaker 3: gave him something that cut much deeper. He called him

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Speaker 3: to a higher standard of kindness. His story revealed deep

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Speaker 3: truths that had been hidden by dogma and prejudice. The

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Speaker 3: Jews considered the Samaritans dogs and wretch. They were treated

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Speaker 3: as sub human half breeds. On the other hand, priests

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Speaker 3: and Levites were revered as pillars of religious morality. Jesus

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Speaker 3: told the story of the good Samaritan to show that goodness, mercy,

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Speaker 3: and kindness can come from unexpected places. That showed Jesus

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Speaker 3: his heart that he was not concerned with cultural boundaries,

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Speaker 3: but human kindness. The smell of fresh saffron enveloped the

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Speaker 3: room as Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table.

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Speaker 3: It was a joy for the disciples to enjoy a

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Speaker 3: good meal among friends. They had entered the home of Mary, Martha,

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Speaker 3: and Lazarus. Their humble home proved as a welcome respite

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Speaker 3: from the brutal travel. Lazarus sat beside Jesus, sharing stories

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Speaker 3: and laughter. Jesus truly cherished Lazarus's friendship. Two of them

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Speaker 3: would often speak into the night about deep truths of God,

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Speaker 3: exchanging jokes along the way. Jesus then transitioned into teaching

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Speaker 3: the disciples. He poured into them deep truths and honest wisdom.

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Speaker 3: Mary sat at Jesus's feet and listened intently to every

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Speaker 3: word pouring from his mouth. She was nourished by the

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Speaker 3: gospel and soaked in every word she possibly could. However,

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Speaker 3: reeling in the corner of the room was Martha. She

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Speaker 3: anxiously swept the home, cooked the meal, and poured the wine.

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Speaker 3: Worry was visible on her face as she frantically paced

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Speaker 3: from room to room. Her anxious behavior was noticeable, and

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Speaker 3: Jesus could tell she was growing increasingly more annoyed at

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Speaker 3: her sister. Unaware of her sister's anger, Mary continued to

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Speaker 3: listen to Jesus. Martha, however, boiled with anger until she burst.

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Speaker 6: Jesus Are you not going to tell my sister to

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Speaker 6: help me? Do you not even care that I have

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Speaker 6: toiled all day on this meal and keeping the house clean,

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Speaker 6: yet she refuses to take any responsibility.

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Speaker 3: Martha was getting herself worked up. She fanned her face,

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Speaker 3: his tears began to well up. She was embarrassed that

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Speaker 3: she could not live up to her own standards of perfection,

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Speaker 3: and she was bitter at Mary for seeming to not

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Speaker 3: even care. Jesus gave a warm, soft smile Martha, he said,

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Speaker 3: gesturing for her to sit beside him. Martha rolled her

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Speaker 3: eyes and sat beside Jesus. He took her hand and

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Speaker 3: reassured her.

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Speaker 4: Martha, you are anxious about many things. You tend to

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Speaker 4: carry the whole weight of the world on your shoulders.

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Speaker 4: Do not be so troubled. The only thing you need

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Speaker 4: to pay attention to is what your sister is already doing. See,

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Speaker 4: she sits at my feet, she listens to my words.

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Speaker 4: She has chosen the correct task.

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Speaker 3: Martha looked at her sister with an affectionate smile. She

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Speaker 3: wiped her eyes and hugged Jesus. Then, removing the rags

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Speaker 3: from her garment, she ceased her cleaning and sat at

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Speaker 3: the feet of Jesus. As Jesus went around the surrounding

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Speaker 3: regions of Judea, he came in contact with many Pharisees

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Speaker 3: seeking to challenge his ministry. Their continual questioning often ended

340
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Speaker 3: in Jesus shaming their lack of understanding, Yet there was

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Speaker 3: a mounting hatred behind their accusations. They called him a

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Speaker 3: messenger of Satan and sought to rile up the crowds

343
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Speaker 3: against him. Lawyers joined them in order to trap him

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Speaker 3: in falsehoods. Yet each time Jesus remained a steady voice

345
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Speaker 3: of truth. He watched as they stockpiled reputation, influence, and power.

346
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Speaker 3: They wore their authority like finely cut gems. Although they

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Speaker 3: tithed of everything they had, they refused to give to

348
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Speaker 3: God what truly matter their hearts. Jesus was pondering these

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Speaker 3: things as they stood in the back of the crowd.

350
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Speaker 3: They assumed their typical position, arms crossed in the back,

351
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Speaker 3: scoffing and whispering amongst themselves. Jesus looked the rest of

352
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Speaker 3: the crowd, fielding their questions on the Kingdom of God.

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Speaker 3: A man's voice spoke up.

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Speaker 5: Saying, teacher, order, my brother to divide up his inheritance

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Speaker 5: with me.

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Speaker 4: Come now, who has made me the arbitrator over you?

357
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Speaker 3: Jesus said in jest. The crowd gave a quick chuckle,

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Speaker 3: and Jesus stroked his beard, preparing his response.

359
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Speaker 4: We must guard our.

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Speaker 3: Hearts, Jesus began.

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Speaker 4: You must guard our hearts against greed, for one's life

362
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Speaker 4: is so much more than simply his possessions.

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Speaker 3: The crowd nodded in agreement. Jesus spoke a parable saying.

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Speaker 4: The vibrant and luscious farmland of a rich man produced

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Speaker 4: an abundance of goods. In his pride over his work,

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Speaker 4: he thought to himself, what shall I do? I have

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Speaker 4: nowhere to store my crops. The man had an idea.

368
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Speaker 4: He stored his grains and goods for years and years

369
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Speaker 4: in giant storehouses. He had finally sowed up so much

370
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Speaker 4: food that he was prepared to retire and finally rest.

371
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Speaker 4: Yet God had different plans. His life was required of him.

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Speaker 4: That night. God said to him, fool, this night your

373
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Speaker 4: soul will be taken, and the things you have prepared

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Speaker 4: will rot and rust away with the rest of the earth.

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Speaker 4: This is the danger of those who store up all

376
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Speaker 4: their treasure here on earth, not thinking of the eternal

377
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Speaker 4: weight of their actions, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

378
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Speaker 3: Jesus turned to his disciples, understanding the worry of their hearts.

379
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Speaker 3: It was in the flesh of every man to pursue riches.

380
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Speaker 3: They wanted safety and prosperity for them and their families.

381
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Speaker 3: Yet Jesus knew the true solution to a thriving heart.

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Speaker 4: Do not be anxious, Jesus encouraged, Do not worry about

383
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Speaker 4: your life what you will eat till the clothes you

384
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Speaker 4: put on. The ravens neither sow nor reap for food.

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Speaker 4: They have no barn our storehouses to store up grain

386
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Speaker 4: for the winter. Yet God feeds them and cares for them.

387
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Speaker 4: Rest assured, you are of far more value than they.

388
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Speaker 4: None of you worrying will add one minute to your life.

389
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Speaker 4: If God raised the fields with immaculate lilies, how much

390
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Speaker 4: more will he care for the clothes on your back.

391
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Speaker 3: The disciples were still in anguish They did not want

392
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Speaker 3: to care about these things, yet they still found themselves worrying.

393
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Speaker 3: Jesus shook his head and looked at them endearingly, Oh.

394
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Speaker 4: You of little faith, All the other nations rage again

395
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Speaker 4: one another in pursuit of more, more riches, more power,

396
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Speaker 4: more status. You are not of this world. Seek first

397
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Speaker 4: the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these

398
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Speaker 4: other things will be added unto you. Fear not, little flock,

399
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Speaker 4: for it is God's good pleasure to give you his kingdom.

400
00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:24,600
Speaker 4: Sell what you have and give to the needy. Invest

401
00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:28,000
Speaker 4: in a storehouse that will not wither or rought with

402
00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:29,679
Speaker 4: treasures in heaven.

403
00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:33,959
Speaker 3: Jesus then pointed to his heart. He raised his voice

404
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Speaker 3: for all to hear.

405
00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:39,399
Speaker 4: Where your treasure is, your heart will follow.

406
00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:43,480
Speaker 3: The crowd had dissipated, but Jesus remained with the seventy two.

407
00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:48,159
Speaker 3: Jesus climbed up a small stone wall and sat there.

408
00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:51,919
Speaker 3: They looked up at him, content to sit and listen.

409
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Speaker 4: More. Be ready, Jesus warn be like men who are

410
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Speaker 4: put in charge of a wedding feast for their master,

411
00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:02,320
Speaker 4: but they don't know when he'll be coming. Blessed are

412
00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,639
Speaker 4: the servants who stay alert and vigilant. Blessed are the

413
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Speaker 4: servants he finds attending to the needs of the household,

414
00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:13,400
Speaker 4: preparing for the guests. For the servants that remain faithful,

415
00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:16,399
Speaker 4: the Master will have them join him to delight in

416
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Speaker 4: the feast. He may come at the first watch, the second,

417
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Speaker 4: or even the third. The servants do not know, and

418
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Speaker 4: neither will you know when the son of Man returns.

419
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Speaker 3: Peter looked up to Jesus, curious about the parable he

420
00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:31,960
Speaker 3: was telling. He raised his voice and.

421
00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:35,240
Speaker 4: Asked, Lord, who is this parable?

422
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Speaker 2: For is it for all of us?

423
00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:41,680
Speaker 3: Jesus smiled and hopped off the wall. He sat down

424
00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:45,440
Speaker 3: among the disciples, playing with a small stone in his hand.

425
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Speaker 4: There was a faithful servant who the Master put in

426
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Speaker 4: charge his manager over the household. Blessed is that servant.

427
00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,480
Speaker 4: If he is diligent, the Master will set him over

428
00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:56,160
Speaker 4: all his possessions.

429
00:27:56,480 --> 00:27:59,359
Speaker 3: Jesus then threw the stone at a nearby creek bed.

430
00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:02,399
Speaker 3: He raised his finger and said.

431
00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:06,359
Speaker 4: However, if the servant grows complacent and says, my master

432
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Speaker 4: is late, who cares about the feast, and then he

433
00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:11,159
Speaker 4: proceeds to beat the other servants and get drunk with

434
00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,480
Speaker 4: the wine for the feast, woe to him when the

435
00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:16,800
Speaker 4: master comes. The Master will come into the feast ready

436
00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:19,320
Speaker 4: to dine and fellowship, only to find the manager of

437
00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:23,840
Speaker 4: his house belligerent and drunk. His punishment will be severe.

438
00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:27,000
Speaker 3: Jesus then stood to his feet and helped Peter up.

439
00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:30,080
Speaker 3: He grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eye.

440
00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:34,080
Speaker 4: Peter, to whom much is given, much will be demanded.

441
00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:38,000
Speaker 4: Remember this and be faithful with what's entrusted to you.

442
00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:42,440
Speaker 3: Peter nodded and would remember these words. He held them

443
00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:46,960
Speaker 3: close to his heart. One day much would be required

444
00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:50,320
Speaker 3: of him, and he prayed he would have the strength

445
00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:51,800
Speaker 3: to rise to the occasion.

446
00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:55,720
Speaker 4: Be mindful, my friends, My deeds will cast a great

447
00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,800
Speaker 4: fire on this earth. There will be a great baptism.

448
00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:02,560
Speaker 4: I will endure a pain unlike any other. My so

449
00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:06,000
Speaker 4: anguish is until it is accomplished. Have not come to

450
00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:10,120
Speaker 4: bring harmony between people, but a sword. Households will be

451
00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:14,520
Speaker 4: divided because of me, father against son, son against father,

452
00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:19,160
Speaker 4: mother against daughter, and daughter against mother. They will disagree

453
00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:20,280
Speaker 4: because of my deeds.

454
00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:24,440
Speaker 3: For all of Christ's gentleness, he understood the weight of

455
00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:28,320
Speaker 3: what was about to happen. He understood that as he

456
00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,719
Speaker 3: stepped into the place of humanity, there would be a

457
00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:35,600
Speaker 3: great divide. There would be those who clung to him

458
00:29:35,640 --> 00:29:39,120
Speaker 3: as the hero of their souls, and those who chose

459
00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:42,760
Speaker 3: the path of Adam and Eve, those who would cling

460
00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:47,480
Speaker 3: to their own godhood. Such a divide would tear apart nations.

461
00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:51,880
Speaker 3: Yet in all of it there would be redemption, as

462
00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:59,560
Speaker 3: God's people mobilized to bring light into darkness. It was Sabbath.

463
00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:03,360
Speaker 3: Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. The entire

464
00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:07,120
Speaker 3: courtyard was overflowing with people waiting to hear Jesus teach

465
00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:12,120
Speaker 3: the oracles of God. As always, the pharisees and scribes

466
00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:15,800
Speaker 3: were in attendance, seeking to fire their arrows of dissension

467
00:30:16,040 --> 00:30:19,640
Speaker 3: whenever they could. Many people flowed in and out of

468
00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:23,680
Speaker 3: the room as Jesus spoke. Yet there was one who

469
00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:28,200
Speaker 3: caught Jesus' attention, a woman who hunched over in the

470
00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,640
Speaker 3: side of the room. She winced in pain as she

471
00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:36,120
Speaker 3: sat and listened. For eighteen years, she had been played

472
00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:40,440
Speaker 3: with a crooked spine. Her agony was great, and she

473
00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:46,200
Speaker 3: was in continual distress. Jesus ceased teaching and called out

474
00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:49,960
Speaker 3: to the woman, my child, he said. Although the room

475
00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:54,160
Speaker 3: was filled with people, the woman looked up somehow, knowing

476
00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:59,320
Speaker 3: he was speaking to her. Jesus stood to his feet

477
00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:00,920
Speaker 3: and opened his arms.

478
00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:04,280
Speaker 4: Rejoice, you are free from pain.

479
00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:09,000
Speaker 3: And as he spoke those words, a warm sensation rose

480
00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:13,080
Speaker 3: up her back like a rising tide. Her body shuddered

481
00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:16,560
Speaker 3: as she pulled her shoulders back and straightened her spine.

482
00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:19,520
Speaker 3: The look of joy on her face was like the

483
00:31:19,520 --> 00:31:23,200
Speaker 3: bright light of heaven. Jesus rose his arms up in

484
00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:26,920
Speaker 3: victory and cheered for her. The rest of the crowd

485
00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:31,680
Speaker 3: joined in. The woman was in dismay and tears. She

486
00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:34,800
Speaker 3: ran up to Jesus, bowed at his feet, then ran

487
00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:38,440
Speaker 3: to the other women, perceiving loving embraces eye to eye

488
00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:42,920
Speaker 3: for the first time. The ruler of the synagogue rose

489
00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:48,000
Speaker 3: to his feet in rage. No, he shouted. The pharisees

490
00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:49,680
Speaker 3: also chimed in, this.

491
00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:52,520
Speaker 7: Is a holy day. There are six days in which

492
00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:55,440
Speaker 7: work could be done. Jesus, heal your people then, but

493
00:31:55,560 --> 00:31:59,440
Speaker 7: today is God's day. Today is a day where no

494
00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:01,560
Speaker 7: work had been done.

495
00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:05,440
Speaker 3: The ruler of the synagogue quickly regretted his words as

496
00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:10,760
Speaker 3: Jesus walked off the platform and marched towards him. Jesus

497
00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:15,040
Speaker 3: was kind and gentle, yet there was a righteous and

498
00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:19,400
Speaker 3: humble power that dwelled within him. With the fiery tongue

499
00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:24,400
Speaker 3: of God, he shouted hypocrites the ruler and the pharisees

500
00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:27,840
Speaker 3: stepped back for a moment, fearful of Jesus's intensity.

501
00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,960
Speaker 4: On any given Sabbath, you would untie your ox a

502
00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:33,400
Speaker 4: donkey so that they may get a drink from the troth.

503
00:32:34,120 --> 00:32:37,400
Speaker 4: Here you look at this woman, a fellow child of Abraham,

504
00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:40,600
Speaker 4: and would allow her to suffer just because it's the Sabbath.

505
00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:44,360
Speaker 4: Answer me, oh, righteous men of God? Is he not

506
00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,440
Speaker 4: more precious to you than an ox or a donkey?

507
00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:51,000
Speaker 3: The ruler of the synagogue looked at the woman, then

508
00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:56,720
Speaker 3: shrunk back in shame. His religious pride had replaced godly compassion,

509
00:32:57,240 --> 00:33:01,400
Speaker 3: and he knew it. However, the fairy's hearts were already

510
00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:06,040
Speaker 3: far too hardened to care. They left, having further ammunition

511
00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:14,440
Speaker 3: against Jesus. Meanwhile, in the quiet village of Bethany, Lazarus

512
00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:18,719
Speaker 3: lay in bed, fighting for his life. His once lively

513
00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:22,920
Speaker 3: and bright countenance was replaced by a pale shell of himself.

514
00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,400
Speaker 3: His coughs echoed into the night, blood pouring health from

515
00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:32,680
Speaker 3: his lungs. Mary sat beside his bed, holding his hand

516
00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:36,760
Speaker 3: and cry. Martha brought in a bucket of warm water

517
00:33:37,080 --> 00:33:40,360
Speaker 3: and dabbed his head with a cloth It had been

518
00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,560
Speaker 3: a week since Lazarus became sick, and his health had

519
00:33:43,560 --> 00:33:48,640
Speaker 3: only declined since. Tears streamed down Mary's face as she

520
00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:51,640
Speaker 3: watched her brother shiver and gasp for air.

521
00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:53,760
Speaker 6: Is he going to die?

522
00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:58,680
Speaker 3: She whispered to Martha. Martha sat beside the bed next

523
00:33:58,720 --> 00:33:59,160
Speaker 3: to Mary.

524
00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:02,000
Speaker 6: He can't last much longer.

525
00:34:03,120 --> 00:34:07,840
Speaker 3: Martha paused, trying to hold back her tears. She was

526
00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:12,720
Speaker 3: the strongest of the three, continually keeping the family together. However,

527
00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:18,239
Speaker 3: she couldn't fix this. For all her anxiety, she could

528
00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:22,919
Speaker 3: not do anything to help her brother. Mary held Martha's hand.

529
00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:25,440
Speaker 6: We should send for him, she whispered.

530
00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:29,239
Speaker 3: Martha nodded and went downstairs to send one of her

531
00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:30,160
Speaker 3: teenage sons.

532
00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:32,200
Speaker 6: Go and find Jesus.

533
00:34:32,680 --> 00:34:33,280
Speaker 4: She ordered.

534
00:34:33,480 --> 00:34:35,759
Speaker 6: Do not rest until you find him.

535
00:34:36,080 --> 00:34:38,840
Speaker 3: The boy nodded and burst out of the door. The

536
00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:41,759
Speaker 3: boy was lean and fast. He knew if he ran

537
00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:44,560
Speaker 3: through the night, he could find Jesus by morning's light.

538
00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:50,120
Speaker 3: Over thirty miles away from Bethany, Jesus was walking with

539
00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:54,320
Speaker 3: his disciples to the synagogue. As he approached the steps

540
00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:57,880
Speaker 3: entering into the home, a boy came crashing into the group.

541
00:34:59,080 --> 00:35:02,520
Speaker 3: The boy fell into his face exhausted by the night's journey,

542
00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:07,440
Speaker 3: sweat and dirt covered his clothes. Jesus helped him up,

543
00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:12,040
Speaker 3: and the boy frantically held Jesus, my lord. He shouted

544
00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:13,239
Speaker 3: out of breath.

545
00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:16,160
Speaker 4: Lazarus, your dear friend, it's sick.

546
00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:19,720
Speaker 3: It died. The rest of the disciples gasped and stirred,

547
00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:24,280
Speaker 3: yet not Jesus. He simply nodded and sent the boil

548
00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:27,040
Speaker 3: on his way. Then he began to go back into

549
00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:32,680
Speaker 3: the synagogue. His disciples stopped him and asked, Jesus, why

550
00:35:32,719 --> 00:35:35,400
Speaker 3: don't you go to heal Lazarus, Because.

551
00:35:35,440 --> 00:35:38,239
Speaker 4: This illness does not lead to death, it leads to

552
00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:39,279
Speaker 4: the glory of God.

553
00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:44,240
Speaker 3: Jesus replied. They were surprised at his statement. Jesus had

554
00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:47,840
Speaker 3: so much power, he only needed to say a word

555
00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:50,920
Speaker 3: and Lazarus would be healed. But he spoke as if

556
00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:56,120
Speaker 3: Lazarus was not ill at all. Two days passed and

557
00:35:56,200 --> 00:35:58,520
Speaker 3: the disciples were packing up their things to.

558
00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:01,120
Speaker 4: Follow Jesus going back to Judea.

559
00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:06,040
Speaker 3: Jesus said plainly. The disciples were confused, since many of

560
00:36:06,120 --> 00:36:10,200
Speaker 3: Jesus's enemies were in Judea. Many people were plotting in

561
00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:13,680
Speaker 3: secret to kill him. Last time. They were in the region.

562
00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:15,880
Speaker 3: Jesus received multiple death threats.

563
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:20,799
Speaker 4: Rabbi, is this wise. The religious leaders are waiting for

564
00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:25,120
Speaker 4: you there to stone you. Remember last time they sent

565
00:36:25,160 --> 00:36:26,359
Speaker 4: guards to seize.

566
00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:30,280
Speaker 3: You, they warned. Jesus slung his pack over his shoulder

567
00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:34,120
Speaker 3: and began walking. He waved for the disciples to follow.

568
00:36:34,680 --> 00:36:37,640
Speaker 4: Come, we must hurry. He said, our friend Lazarus is

569
00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:40,279
Speaker 4: fallen asleep. We are gonna go wake him up.

570
00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:47,120
Speaker 3: The disciples were confused. They were apprehensive. Jesus sighed, Lazarus

571
00:36:47,200 --> 00:36:49,880
Speaker 3: is dead. Jesus said, plainly.

572
00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:52,399
Speaker 4: And for your sake, I'm glad I did not heal him,

573
00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:54,960
Speaker 4: because now you get to see what happens next.

574
00:36:55,640 --> 00:36:59,319
Speaker 3: So Jesus kept walking, not looking back to see if

575
00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:04,400
Speaker 3: the disciples were following. The disciples froze. There were many

576
00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:08,760
Speaker 3: violent men and Judea waiting to harm them. Thomas grabbed

577
00:37:08,760 --> 00:37:13,360
Speaker 3: his walking stick, sighed, and began walking after Jesus. He

578
00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:14,919
Speaker 3: turned back to the others and.

579
00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:19,359
Speaker 4: Said, well, I guess we're going to die with him.

580
00:37:19,880 --> 00:37:24,600
Speaker 3: The men chuckled and followed Jesus to Judea. After a

581
00:37:24,640 --> 00:37:29,000
Speaker 3: few days journey, Jesus arrived in Bethany. By that time,

582
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:32,919
Speaker 3: Lazarus had been dead for days. His corpse had begun

583
00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:37,560
Speaker 3: to rot, and the tomb outside the town. Jesus's heart

584
00:37:37,640 --> 00:37:41,280
Speaker 3: grew heavy as he approached the home of Mary and Martha.

585
00:37:42,200 --> 00:37:46,160
Speaker 3: They were outside in the garden weeping. Their eyes were

586
00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:51,720
Speaker 3: red from days of tears. They looked up. Martha's gaze

587
00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:54,640
Speaker 3: was piercing you. She shouted.

588
00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:57,560
Speaker 6: You should have been here.

589
00:37:57,840 --> 00:37:59,280
Speaker 3: She pointed at him, in pain.

590
00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:02,920
Speaker 6: We sent for you, and you did not come. You

591
00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:05,600
Speaker 6: remained in your synagogue while he rotted away.

592
00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:09,839
Speaker 3: Mary was silent, weeping on her knees and holding one

593
00:38:09,840 --> 00:38:11,120
Speaker 3: of Lazarus's sashes.

594
00:38:12,560 --> 00:38:16,960
Speaker 4: If only you had been here, she whispered, he would have.

595
00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:22,680
Speaker 3: He She could not hold back her tears. The women

596
00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:26,799
Speaker 3: were broken. Death was a cruel thief of joy, and

597
00:38:26,880 --> 00:38:31,160
Speaker 3: he had taken all of it. Martha composed herself and

598
00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,080
Speaker 3: looked at Jesus apologetically.

599
00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:37,920
Speaker 6: I am sorry, Lord, even now I know that you

600
00:38:38,080 --> 00:38:40,920
Speaker 6: do the will of God, and whatever you ask of

601
00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:42,520
Speaker 6: God will be given to you.

602
00:38:42,920 --> 00:38:46,960
Speaker 3: She wiped her nose and bowed her head. Jesus hugged

603
00:38:47,000 --> 00:38:51,319
Speaker 3: Martha and allowed her to cry for a while. He

604
00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:55,759
Speaker 3: led her to the bench, where Mary sat silently Lazarus

605
00:38:55,800 --> 00:39:00,960
Speaker 3: will rise again, Jesus said softly. Martha wiped her eyes

606
00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:02,840
Speaker 3: and said, we.

607
00:39:02,680 --> 00:39:04,719
Speaker 6: Know that he will have a life after this one.

608
00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:07,800
Speaker 6: The Messiah will come, and the day of the Resurrection

609
00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:08,879
Speaker 6: will come after him.

610
00:39:09,239 --> 00:39:13,000
Speaker 3: Jesus stood to his feet and walked towards the tombs.

611
00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:14,879
Speaker 3: He turned back to them.

612
00:39:15,160 --> 00:39:18,920
Speaker 4: I am the Resurrection and the Life, he said. Whoever

613
00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:22,680
Speaker 4: believes in me, even though he may die, will experience

614
00:39:23,160 --> 00:39:25,920
Speaker 4: life everlasting. Do you believe this?

615
00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:31,320
Speaker 6: Martha nodded yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ,

616
00:39:31,840 --> 00:39:33,800
Speaker 6: the living Son of God.

617
00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:38,080
Speaker 3: Jesus gave a brief smile and continued to Lazarus's tomb.

618
00:39:39,160 --> 00:39:42,600
Speaker 3: The clouds were dark in the sky. The skies seemed

619
00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:47,440
Speaker 3: ready to weep. Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was

620
00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:52,239
Speaker 3: cold as Jesus placed his hand on it. The disciples

621
00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:55,640
Speaker 3: stood at a distance, taking in the silence from Jesus.

622
00:39:57,280 --> 00:40:01,040
Speaker 3: He thought of his friend Lazarus. He was a man

623
00:40:01,080 --> 00:40:05,680
Speaker 3: of joy, laughter and wisdom. As the rain began to

624
00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:10,840
Speaker 3: fall from the sky, Jesus began to weep. He slammed

625
00:40:10,840 --> 00:40:14,960
Speaker 3: his fist against the dark stone. His bellows were drowned

626
00:40:14,960 --> 00:40:19,040
Speaker 3: out by the sound of falling rain. Jesus looked out

627
00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:21,880
Speaker 3: to Heaven, connecting with the heart of his father.

628
00:40:22,640 --> 00:40:24,320
Speaker 4: This not supposed to ap.

629
00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:28,880
Speaker 3: Jesus whispered, God was the creator of life, not death.

630
00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:35,440
Speaker 3: Mankind was supposed to experience life, not death. Death was

631
00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:38,440
Speaker 3: a cancer of creation as a result of the fall.

632
00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:43,440
Speaker 3: Death was the true and final enemy. It was the

633
00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:48,640
Speaker 3: enemy Jesus was determined to defeat. The rain was beating

634
00:40:48,719 --> 00:40:52,600
Speaker 3: down relentlessly. The earth seemed to be in unity with

635
00:40:52,640 --> 00:40:55,560
Speaker 3: the heart of Jesus. He turned to the group of

636
00:40:55,600 --> 00:40:59,719
Speaker 3: disciples with Martha and Mary. His eyes were filled with

637
00:40:59,760 --> 00:41:05,399
Speaker 3: hope fire. They sent shivers down the spines of the disciples.

638
00:41:05,280 --> 00:41:06,919
Speaker 4: Roam away the stone.

639
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:11,279
Speaker 3: He whispered, Peter and Andrew pushed at the large stone.

640
00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:16,960
Speaker 3: They grinded against the floor, slowly opening A crippling odor

641
00:41:17,080 --> 00:41:21,240
Speaker 3: seeped through the tomb entrance. The disciples and others covered

642
00:41:21,239 --> 00:41:26,400
Speaker 3: their noses and retreated back. Thunder burst through the skies,

643
00:41:26,719 --> 00:41:30,319
Speaker 3: and Jesus stepped towards the tomb. He spoke for the

644
00:41:30,480 --> 00:41:34,920
Speaker 3: entire group to hear. His voice mirrored the drums of

645
00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:35,760
Speaker 3: thunder above.

646
00:41:36,719 --> 00:41:40,280
Speaker 4: If you believe, you'll see the glory of God.

647
00:41:40,560 --> 00:41:43,600
Speaker 3: He looked up to heaven rained, falling on his face.

648
00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:47,560
Speaker 4: Father, I thank you that you hear every word I speak.

649
00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:49,560
Speaker 4: You are near to my Christ.

650
00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:53,440
Speaker 3: Jesus planted his feet firmly in the ground and fixed

651
00:41:53,480 --> 00:41:57,680
Speaker 3: his gaze into the dark and looming tomb. The clouds

652
00:41:57,960 --> 00:42:03,400
Speaker 3: whirled above, and lightning lit up disguise. Jesus's voice arose

653
00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:07,120
Speaker 3: like a tempest. The same breath that breathed life into

654
00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:10,680
Speaker 3: mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth like a

655
00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:12,320
Speaker 3: mighty wind into the cave.

656
00:42:12,680 --> 00:42:14,560
Speaker 4: Lazarus come out.

657
00:42:14,920 --> 00:42:17,840
Speaker 3: The rains ceased for a moment, and there was a

658
00:42:17,960 --> 00:42:24,640
Speaker 3: lingering silence. No one dared speak. Then, like a whisper,

659
00:42:25,280 --> 00:42:29,400
Speaker 3: they could hear a stirring in the tomb. A small

660
00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:33,719
Speaker 3: sliver of light cracked through the clouds. Jesus's gaze did

661
00:42:33,719 --> 00:42:37,680
Speaker 3: not leave the tomb. The others watched in dismay as

662
00:42:37,719 --> 00:42:41,640
Speaker 3: they saw Lazarus emerge from the darkness, covered in cloth,

663
00:42:43,280 --> 00:42:46,840
Speaker 3: like Adam so many generations ago. The breath of life

664
00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:50,840
Speaker 3: raised him from the ground. Mary and Martha ran and

665
00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:54,840
Speaker 3: embraced him. The three laughed in joy as Jesus returned

666
00:42:54,840 --> 00:43:00,160
Speaker 3: to his disciples. For thousands of generations, death had have

667
00:43:00,239 --> 00:43:05,160
Speaker 3: the final word. Jesus would no longer allow death to

668
00:43:05,320 --> 00:43:10,040
Speaker 3: rob the joy of his creation. He saw death in

669
00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:14,799
Speaker 3: an unworthy adversary. From that day forth, he set his

670
00:43:14,840 --> 00:43:19,480
Speaker 3: gaze on Jerusalem. Death was awaiting its challenger.

671
00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:26,319
Speaker 2: Death began with a lie. You will not surely die,

672
00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:29,799
Speaker 2: the slithering voice whispered to Eve. The lies of the

673
00:43:29,880 --> 00:43:32,880
Speaker 2: enemy and the garden were the beginning of the end. Life,

674
00:43:33,160 --> 00:43:36,799
Speaker 2: Light and the loving relationship between God and mankind were

675
00:43:36,920 --> 00:43:40,040
Speaker 2: severed on that day. Yet even in the very beginning,

676
00:43:40,440 --> 00:43:43,920
Speaker 2: when the wounds of the fall were still fresh, God

677
00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:47,919
Speaker 2: was promising redemption. He promised to crush the serpent's head

678
00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:51,319
Speaker 2: and restore unity between him and his children. For all

679
00:43:51,360 --> 00:43:54,760
Speaker 2: the miracles and great teachings we learned about, we must

680
00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:59,200
Speaker 2: never forget Jesus's primary objective, the redemption of mankind. As

681
00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:01,960
Speaker 2: we have said every episode thus far, this is a

682
00:44:02,040 --> 00:44:04,799
Speaker 2: story about a father's love for his children and a

683
00:44:04,800 --> 00:44:08,560
Speaker 2: hero's triumph over death and darkness. The story of Lazarus

684
00:44:08,719 --> 00:44:11,760
Speaker 2: was not just a miracle, but a reminder, a reminder

685
00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:14,280
Speaker 2: that Jesus is still aiming at death like an archer,

686
00:44:14,680 --> 00:44:17,759
Speaker 2: and he intends on hitting his target. The story of

687
00:44:17,840 --> 00:44:21,520
Speaker 2: Lazarus has embedded itself in our culture. His name is

688
00:44:21,560 --> 00:44:24,080
Speaker 2: known even to those who do not profess any sort

689
00:44:24,120 --> 00:44:27,400
Speaker 2: of faith. This story is so layered that I thought

690
00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:30,760
Speaker 2: it deserved most of our attention today, so let's unpack

691
00:44:30,840 --> 00:44:34,359
Speaker 2: it together. We're introduced to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus at

692
00:44:34,360 --> 00:44:38,200
Speaker 2: a gathering in their home. Martha fusses over hosting, Lazarus

693
00:44:38,320 --> 00:44:41,680
Speaker 2: bonds with Jesus like a brother, and Mary sits at

694
00:44:41,719 --> 00:44:45,160
Speaker 2: his feet to hear Jesus's teaching. We do not know

695
00:44:45,200 --> 00:44:48,600
Speaker 2: how Jesus originally became friends with the three siblings, but

696
00:44:48,640 --> 00:44:50,920
Speaker 2: we are led to believe that they have a history.

697
00:44:51,120 --> 00:44:54,160
Speaker 2: They were friends and loved each other dearly. That is

698
00:44:54,200 --> 00:44:57,520
Speaker 2: why when Lazarus was sick, they sent for Jesus without request.

699
00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:00,440
Speaker 2: Did you notice that they simply told to him he

700
00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:04,560
Speaker 2: was sick, knowing Jesus cared enough to help. However, Jesus

701
00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:08,000
Speaker 2: did something I certainly wouldn't have expected from him. He delayed.

702
00:45:08,719 --> 00:45:12,040
Speaker 2: Jesus intentionally waited two days before traveling to see him,

703
00:45:12,280 --> 00:45:15,920
Speaker 2: knowing full well that the sickness had taken Lazarus's life.

704
00:45:16,520 --> 00:45:19,520
Speaker 2: Why did he delay? What was the point of Jesus waiting?

705
00:45:20,480 --> 00:45:22,839
Speaker 2: It is possible that Jesus knew Lazarus would be dead

706
00:45:22,880 --> 00:45:25,879
Speaker 2: by the time he reached him. The extra delay made

707
00:45:25,920 --> 00:45:29,560
Speaker 2: it so there would be no mistaking Lazarus's death. If

708
00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:33,600
Speaker 2: Jesus raised him too soon, skeptics could simply claim Lazarus

709
00:45:33,680 --> 00:45:36,719
Speaker 2: was never dead in the first place. Waiting created a

710
00:45:36,760 --> 00:45:39,800
Speaker 2: greater chasm for Jesus to bridge between life and death.

711
00:45:40,440 --> 00:45:43,560
Speaker 2: His delay was not a denial, but a decision to

712
00:45:43,600 --> 00:45:47,480
Speaker 2: display more of his glory. Jesus wanted everyone to know

713
00:45:47,600 --> 00:45:51,280
Speaker 2: that death had no power over him or those he loved.

714
00:45:51,440 --> 00:45:54,640
Speaker 2: Perhaps Jesus wanted the sting and anguish of death to

715
00:45:54,680 --> 00:45:57,800
Speaker 2: affect their hearts. It is good for us to feel

716
00:45:57,840 --> 00:46:00,319
Speaker 2: the weight of grief so that we might feel the

717
00:46:00,360 --> 00:46:03,680
Speaker 2: weight of comfort. The disciples asked Jesus why he didn't

718
00:46:03,760 --> 00:46:07,360
Speaker 2: leave to go heal Lazarus, and he responded, because this

719
00:46:07,480 --> 00:46:10,200
Speaker 2: illness does not lead to death. It leads to the

720
00:46:10,239 --> 00:46:13,239
Speaker 2: glory of God. We know from past stories that all

721
00:46:13,400 --> 00:46:16,160
Speaker 2: Jesus had to do was say a word and Lazarus

722
00:46:16,200 --> 00:46:19,399
Speaker 2: would be healed from a distance. Jesus didn't even need

723
00:46:19,440 --> 00:46:22,680
Speaker 2: to go to their house. Jesus chose to remain where

724
00:46:22,680 --> 00:46:25,360
Speaker 2: he was for a while, knowing that the glory of

725
00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:29,319
Speaker 2: God was going to be displayed through this event. Sometimes

726
00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:31,920
Speaker 2: our suffering can be prolonged longer than we would like.

727
00:46:32,239 --> 00:46:36,200
Speaker 2: Our struggles and conflicts may be extended past our comfort zones.

728
00:46:36,520 --> 00:46:38,760
Speaker 2: But this too can be for the glory of God.

729
00:46:39,080 --> 00:46:41,800
Speaker 2: There is a refining work in the waiting. If we

730
00:46:41,840 --> 00:46:44,800
Speaker 2: are diligent to seek God. While we wait, our minds

731
00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:48,280
Speaker 2: and hearts become resilient and strong. When we are consumed

732
00:46:48,320 --> 00:46:51,840
Speaker 2: with comfort, we can miss the more profound truths in life.

733
00:46:52,040 --> 00:46:54,400
Speaker 2: The grief that Mary and Martha had to endure for

734
00:46:54,440 --> 00:46:57,239
Speaker 2: a few days opened up their hearts to receive the

735
00:46:57,280 --> 00:46:59,719
Speaker 2: truth of Jesus. In order to go to Lazarus, Jesus

736
00:46:59,760 --> 00:47:02,759
Speaker 2: had returned to Judea, where he was a wanted man.

737
00:47:03,480 --> 00:47:06,440
Speaker 2: Entering the region was most certainly a challenge to the

738
00:47:06,480 --> 00:47:09,120
Speaker 2: people who wanted him dead. This is a very important

739
00:47:09,120 --> 00:47:12,680
Speaker 2: detail in the story. Jesus was walking toward death to

740
00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:15,840
Speaker 2: bring Lazarus to life. In order to bring back Lazarus

741
00:47:15,880 --> 00:47:18,680
Speaker 2: from the grave, Jesus had to enter a grave of

742
00:47:18,680 --> 00:47:21,600
Speaker 2: his own. This is a grand and beautiful picture of

743
00:47:21,640 --> 00:47:25,280
Speaker 2: the gospel. Jesus ran toward death, so we could run

744
00:47:25,360 --> 00:47:28,799
Speaker 2: away from it. I love the reaction Thomas had when

745
00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:33,480
Speaker 2: Jesus began his journey. Thomas grabbed his walking stick, sighed,

746
00:47:34,000 --> 00:47:37,279
Speaker 2: and began walking after Jesus. He turned back to the

747
00:47:37,320 --> 00:47:39,960
Speaker 2: others and said, well, I guess we are going to

748
00:47:40,040 --> 00:47:43,520
Speaker 2: die with him. If we choose to follow Jesus, hardships

749
00:47:43,560 --> 00:47:46,359
Speaker 2: will befall us as well. We are called to pick

750
00:47:46,480 --> 00:47:50,080
Speaker 2: up our cross and follow him. Jesus and his disciples

751
00:47:50,160 --> 00:47:52,919
Speaker 2: reached Mary and Martha a few days after their brother's death.

752
00:47:53,600 --> 00:47:56,720
Speaker 2: Mournings softened their hearts like fresh rain on the earth.

753
00:47:57,320 --> 00:48:00,160
Speaker 2: The soil of their hearts were fertile and ready for

754
00:48:00,239 --> 00:48:04,359
Speaker 2: a miracle to spring forth. Jesus comforted them, I am

755
00:48:04,440 --> 00:48:07,600
Speaker 2: the Resurrection and the life. Whoever bleeds in me, even

756
00:48:07,640 --> 00:48:12,360
Speaker 2: though he may die, will experience life everlasting. What Jesus

757
00:48:12,360 --> 00:48:15,439
Speaker 2: did with Lazarus was a foreshadowing of what he would

758
00:48:15,480 --> 00:48:19,640
Speaker 2: eventually do for anyone who bleeds in him. I loved

759
00:48:19,719 --> 00:48:23,640
Speaker 2: the scene where Jesus approaches the tomb. The clouds were

760
00:48:23,719 --> 00:48:26,960
Speaker 2: dark in the sky, the skies seemed ready to weep.

761
00:48:27,560 --> 00:48:31,120
Speaker 2: Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was cold. As Jesus

762
00:48:31,200 --> 00:48:34,200
Speaker 2: placed his hand on it. The disciple stood at a distance,

763
00:48:34,600 --> 00:48:37,600
Speaker 2: Taking in the silence from Jesus. He thought of his

764
00:48:37,640 --> 00:48:41,520
Speaker 2: friend Lazarus. He was a man of joy, laughter in wisdom.

765
00:48:41,680 --> 00:48:44,520
Speaker 2: As the rain began to fall from the sky, Jesus

766
00:48:44,600 --> 00:48:48,240
Speaker 2: began to weep. He slammed his fist against the dark stone.

767
00:48:48,320 --> 00:48:51,439
Speaker 2: His bellows were drowned out by the sounds of falling rain.

768
00:48:52,160 --> 00:48:54,920
Speaker 2: Jesus looked up to Heaven, connecting with the heart of

769
00:48:54,960 --> 00:48:58,440
Speaker 2: his father. This is not supposed to happen, Jesus whispered.

770
00:48:58,960 --> 00:49:02,560
Speaker 2: God was the create of life, not death. Mankind was

771
00:49:02,560 --> 00:49:06,360
Speaker 2: supposed to experience life, not death. Death was a cancer

772
00:49:06,400 --> 00:49:09,719
Speaker 2: of creation as a result of the fall. Death was

773
00:49:09,800 --> 00:49:13,000
Speaker 2: the true and final enemy. It was the enemy Jesus

774
00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:16,680
Speaker 2: was determined to defeat. Jesus Wept is the shortest verse

775
00:49:16,719 --> 00:49:19,760
Speaker 2: in the Bible, but it is packed with profound truth.

776
00:49:20,360 --> 00:49:23,880
Speaker 2: Jesus wept over death and despair. He is the author

777
00:49:23,920 --> 00:49:28,000
Speaker 2: of life, not death. He grieves sins effect on mankind.

778
00:49:28,520 --> 00:49:33,000
Speaker 2: So with powerful determination and love. Carrying his voice, Jesus

779
00:49:33,000 --> 00:49:36,480
Speaker 2: called out to the grave. The same breath that breathed

780
00:49:36,560 --> 00:49:39,480
Speaker 2: life into mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth

781
00:49:39,920 --> 00:49:44,280
Speaker 2: like a mighty wind into the cave, Lazarus, come out.

782
00:49:44,480 --> 00:49:46,520
Speaker 2: Do you hear that same voice calling out to you.

783
00:49:47,160 --> 00:49:49,640
Speaker 2: Have you been lying in a grave and waiting for life?

784
00:49:49,760 --> 00:49:53,279
Speaker 2: Have you been lost in darkness, depression, and despair? Hear

785
00:49:53,320 --> 00:49:56,359
Speaker 2: the voice of Jesus crying out with thundering love. Come out,

786
00:49:57,040 --> 00:49:59,279
Speaker 2: Come out of your sin and shame. Come out of

787
00:49:59,320 --> 00:50:02,799
Speaker 2: your selfishness. Come out of the darkness and step into

788
00:50:02,840 --> 00:50:06,120
Speaker 2: the light. Come out of the grave and step into life.

789
00:50:06,680 --> 00:50:08,920
Speaker 2: Jesus is calling out to you and me in the

790
00:50:08,960 --> 00:50:11,879
Speaker 2: same way he called Lazarus. My prayer for you as

791
00:50:11,920 --> 00:50:14,360
Speaker 2: we close is that you would step out of the grave.

792
00:50:14,960 --> 00:50:18,040
Speaker 2: What has been holding you back and keeping you in darkness?

793
00:50:18,560 --> 00:50:21,280
Speaker 2: Hear the voice of Jesus, Be filled with his spirit

794
00:50:21,600 --> 00:50:24,839
Speaker 2: and step out into the light. In our next episode,

795
00:50:25,200 --> 00:50:27,800
Speaker 2: Jesus is going to take his first steps toward the grave.

796
00:50:28,320 --> 00:50:31,040
Speaker 2: He did it with joy, because through death you and

797
00:50:31,200 --> 00:50:35,600
Speaker 2: I can experience life. Join us next time for episode fourteen,

798
00:50:36,040 --> 00:50:39,239
Speaker 2: the Beginning of the End. Thanks again for listening. For

799
00:50:39,360 --> 00:50:43,560
Speaker 2: more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime,

800
00:50:43,920 --> 00:50:46,720
Speaker 2: go to pray dot com and to expand your heroes

801
00:50:46,760 --> 00:50:49,760
Speaker 2: in the Bible Journey download the Heroes of the Faith

802
00:50:49,800 --> 00:50:54,919
Speaker 2: devotional at Tonyevans dot org Forward Slash Heroes. Please write

803
00:50:54,960 --> 00:50:57,640
Speaker 2: a review and let us know how Jesus and this

804
00:50:57,719 --> 00:51:00,680
Speaker 2: podcast has impacted your life. God bless