1 00:00:00,620 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: But whoever desires to become great among you shall be 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:11,350 Speaker 1: your servant. Matthew 20.26 Lord Jesus, we thank you for 3 00:00:11,369 --> 00:00:16,409 Speaker 1: your profound example in Matthew 20.26, where you taught us 4 00:00:16,470 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: that whoever wants to become great among you must be 5 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:25,900 Speaker 1: your servant. We are deeply grateful for the ultimate act 6 00:00:25,940 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: of service you showed on the cross. laying down your 7 00:00:29,700 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: life for us. Your love and humility inspire us to 8 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:44,670 Speaker 1: serve others selflessly. Holy Spirit, empower us to follow in Jesus' footsteps, 9 00:00:46,310 --> 00:00:49,890 Speaker 1: giving us hearts that seek to serve rather than be served. 10 00:00:51,930 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: Fill us with compassion, patience, and kindness. so that we 11 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:03,779 Speaker 1: may uplift and care for those around us. Let our 12 00:01:03,980 --> 00:01:10,230 Speaker 1: actions reflect your love, bringing glory to God and drawing 13 00:01:10,290 --> 00:01:15,130 Speaker 1: others closer to you. In your precious name we pray. 14 00:01:17,390 --> 00:01:17,670 Speaker 2: Amen. 15 00:01:22,010 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:25,450 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini-series on the 17 00:01:30,740 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 18 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,780 Speaker 1: we would love it if you left a review. Doing 19 00:01:38,860 --> 00:01:41,330 Speaker 1: so makes a huge impact on our team. 20 00:01:43,709 --> 00:01:49,410 Speaker 2: This is your final warning, Peter and John. Leave here 21 00:01:49,830 --> 00:01:53,270 Speaker 2: and do not mention Jesus of Nazareth again. 22 00:01:53,890 --> 00:01:57,390 Speaker 1: Neither man said a word in response. There was no 23 00:01:57,470 --> 00:02:02,270 Speaker 1: nod of recognition or acknowledgement. They were impassive and allowed 24 00:02:02,310 --> 00:02:06,390 Speaker 1: the guards to throw them outside. Saul slipped out of 25 00:02:06,430 --> 00:02:09,169 Speaker 1: the back of the hall into the courtyard and watched 26 00:02:09,210 --> 00:02:12,630 Speaker 1: the men get thrown into the dirt. He was curious 27 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,180 Speaker 1: to see what these men would do next. Would they 28 00:02:16,300 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: remain there in defeat? Would they curse God and the temple? No, 29 00:02:22,860 --> 00:02:27,770 Speaker 1: they neither wept nor cursed. Saul watched curiously as they 30 00:02:27,810 --> 00:02:31,890 Speaker 1: helped each other up and dusted themselves off. The man 31 00:02:31,970 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 1: called Peter held his ribs as he laughed. 32 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 3: I have been beaten many times in my life, John. 33 00:02:43,340 --> 00:02:47,530 Speaker 3: But this is the first time I am pleased by it. 34 00:02:49,150 --> 00:02:53,049 Speaker 2: We suffer as he suffered. Come, let's go back to 35 00:02:53,070 --> 00:02:55,010 Speaker 2: the courtyards. We have much to do. 36 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: The two men limped away, holding each other up shoulder 37 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:04,829 Speaker 1: to shoulder. Saul was both perplexed and annoyed. How could 38 00:03:04,889 --> 00:03:08,829 Speaker 1: they be so joyful after such a brutal beating? Didn't 39 00:03:08,889 --> 00:03:13,130 Speaker 1: they learn their lesson? By responding to judgment with joy, 40 00:03:13,870 --> 00:03:18,070 Speaker 1: they removed the power of punishment. If beating them didn't 41 00:03:18,110 --> 00:03:23,169 Speaker 1: deter them, then what would? Quiet contempt began to already 42 00:03:23,270 --> 00:03:29,030 Speaker 1: settle in Saul's heart. His predisposition to righteous rage flared. 43 00:03:30,010 --> 00:03:33,670 Speaker 1: He straightened his robes and went back into the hall 44 00:03:33,710 --> 00:03:34,810 Speaker 1: of polished stones. 45 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,839 Speaker 4: Let me ask you a question. What does it mean 46 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 4: to be great in God's kingdom? Are those who occupy 47 00:03:43,060 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 4: the stage and have thousands of followers complimenting them really 48 00:03:46,420 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 4: considered great in God's eyes? Jesus said that those who 49 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,110 Speaker 4: want to be great in God's kingdom are must not 50 00:03:52,150 --> 00:03:55,220 Speaker 4: be rulers, must not have a big stick that they 51 00:03:55,250 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 4: wave around, but they must be servants. Welcome to the 52 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 4: Jesus Podcast. This podcast is centered around finding gospel stories 53 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 4: and reimagining them in different ways with cinematic flair and 54 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:13,190 Speaker 4: dramatic tension. Then we have short but wonderful reflections that 55 00:04:13,230 --> 00:04:16,010 Speaker 4: help apply these stories to our lives. If you've been 56 00:04:16,050 --> 00:04:18,550 Speaker 4: enjoying this podcast so far, make sure to follow it 57 00:04:18,589 --> 00:04:21,350 Speaker 4: so you never have to miss an episode. Today, we 58 00:04:21,430 --> 00:04:24,370 Speaker 4: dive back into the life of Saul of Tarsus. From 59 00:04:24,390 --> 00:04:26,650 Speaker 4: what we know of scripture and history, Saul was chosen 60 00:04:26,730 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 4: by the high priest to persecute the early church. This 61 00:04:29,940 --> 00:04:32,180 Speaker 4: was no doubt because of Saul's skill in debating the 62 00:04:32,220 --> 00:04:35,420 Speaker 4: law of Moses and his charismatic teaching style. But there 63 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:38,260 Speaker 4: was another quality about Saul of Tarsus that made him 64 00:04:38,300 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 4: enticing for the Sanhedrin to choose him. He was a 65 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:46,580 Speaker 4: Roman citizen. Through Roman rites and connections, Saul could get 66 00:04:46,620 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 4: away with a lot more. Let's dive into this dramatized 67 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 4: adaptation of Saul being chosen. In this, he'll meet a 68 00:04:52,820 --> 00:04:54,940 Speaker 4: man who may not be great in the eyes of men, 69 00:04:55,339 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 4: but is certainly great in the kingdom of God. 70 00:05:00,450 --> 00:05:03,790 Speaker 2: Saul of Tarsus, if you were only here a few 71 00:05:03,850 --> 00:05:06,990 Speaker 2: moments ago, you would have seen why we've called you here. 72 00:05:07,010 --> 00:05:12,330 Speaker 2: I saw the whole thing. Where did these men come from? 73 00:05:12,910 --> 00:05:18,010 Speaker 2: Their so-called Messiah was from Nazareth. A dirty region from 74 00:05:18,050 --> 00:05:24,650 Speaker 2: an even dirtier place. You have missed much since being gone, Saul. Come, 75 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:27,610 Speaker 2: I shall inform you of what has taken place. 76 00:05:28,270 --> 00:05:31,550 Speaker 1: Ananias took Saul by the arm and led him out 77 00:05:31,570 --> 00:05:35,570 Speaker 1: of the great hall. Saul glanced at Gamaliel for a moment, 78 00:05:36,190 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: then turned away. Gamaliel's advocacy for men had lost him 79 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:45,430 Speaker 1: the respect of Saul and many others. Ananias walked with 80 00:05:45,490 --> 00:05:49,130 Speaker 1: Saul and told him about Jesus of Nazareth. He told 81 00:05:49,170 --> 00:05:52,790 Speaker 1: him about how Jesus had come from nowhere and gathered 82 00:05:52,830 --> 00:05:57,140 Speaker 1: a large following of people. The high priest recounted Jesus' 83 00:05:57,220 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 1: Sabbath miracles and blasphemous preaching. He told Saul about the 84 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,900 Speaker 1: two times he caused an uproar in the temple courtyards 85 00:06:05,460 --> 00:06:08,729 Speaker 1: and threatened to destroy the temple altogether. 86 00:06:09,010 --> 00:06:12,210 Speaker 2: We had no choice but to rid ourselves of him. 87 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:16,419 Speaker 2: He claimed to be God And people worshipped him as God. 88 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:19,580 Speaker 2: There was no way we could allow him to continue 89 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: corrupting the people's minds. 90 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 3: So, why not kill his followers and be done with it? 91 00:06:27,650 --> 00:06:29,710 Speaker 1: Ananias grinned at the young man's zeal. 92 00:06:30,570 --> 00:06:35,610 Speaker 2: Ah, Saul, your heart burns with the justice of Yahweh. 93 00:06:36,450 --> 00:06:39,210 Speaker 2: That is why we have summoned you here. I need 94 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 2: a man at the front. I need someone to do 95 00:06:41,740 --> 00:06:45,559 Speaker 2: battle for the hearts and minds of our people. Every day, 96 00:06:46,220 --> 00:06:50,979 Speaker 2: hundreds are converting to this new way. They are calling 97 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 2: this dead Nazarene the Messiah. We need a man of 98 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: your debating prowess at the courtyards making a case against them. 99 00:07:01,970 --> 00:07:05,530 Speaker 1: The Sanhedrin were still discussing the people of the way. 100 00:07:06,430 --> 00:07:10,250 Speaker 1: Paul finally made himself known to the high priest and Sanhedrin. 101 00:07:11,090 --> 00:07:15,540 Speaker 1: He walked with intention, keeping his shoulders back and chin up. 102 00:07:16,260 --> 00:07:19,820 Speaker 1: The council Ananias looked over his shoulder and brought Saul 103 00:07:19,900 --> 00:07:20,460 Speaker 1: in close. 104 00:07:20,860 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 2: But we also need your connections as a Roman citizen. 105 00:07:25,060 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 2: We cannot simply remove people from their homes and imprison 106 00:07:28,460 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: them without the approval of Rome. We need your citizenship 107 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 2: to leverage the local centurions. We cannot squash these people 108 00:07:37,540 --> 00:07:42,020 Speaker 2: without you. Where should I begin? These men still pray 109 00:07:42,060 --> 00:07:45,140 Speaker 2: at the temple and attend synagogue as if they still 110 00:07:45,230 --> 00:07:50,670 Speaker 2: worship our Lord. Afterwards, they spread their venomous blasphemies in 111 00:07:50,690 --> 00:07:54,810 Speaker 2: the courtyards. Remain there and contend with them so we 112 00:07:54,850 --> 00:07:58,390 Speaker 2: do not lose any more ground. As soon as everything 113 00:07:58,450 --> 00:08:02,460 Speaker 2: is ready, I will summon you to begin the Inquisition. 114 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,260 Speaker 1: Saul nodded in agreement. and then began to walk out. 115 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 1: As he was leaving, Ananias. 116 00:08:08,780 --> 00:08:14,380 Speaker 2: Warned, Be prudent, Saul of Tarsus. These men, as filthy 117 00:08:14,460 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: and uneducated as they are, hold a similar power as 118 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:22,310 Speaker 2: their master. Even some of our priests have fallen under 119 00:08:22,350 --> 00:08:26,230 Speaker 2: their spell. Do not underestimate them. 120 00:08:26,730 --> 00:08:31,310 Speaker 1: Saul bowed his head again in acknowledgement and departed. Saul 121 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:34,260 Speaker 1: had trained his whole life to take his place in 122 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:38,050 Speaker 1: the Hall of Polished Stones. Now that he had finally arrived, 123 00:08:38,610 --> 00:08:42,410 Speaker 1: there was a looming threat to his power. These followers 124 00:08:42,470 --> 00:08:47,099 Speaker 1: of Jesus needed to be silenced so Paul could ultimately 125 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: rule in peace. Saul rose early in the morning before sunrise. 126 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,930 Speaker 1: The crisp air bit at his cheeks, and the gentle 127 00:08:58,030 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: autumn breeze wafted through the lattices. He wrapped himself up 128 00:09:02,460 --> 00:09:05,420 Speaker 1: and looked out to the city below. He couldn't sleep. 129 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:11,979 Speaker 1: He was anxiously discontent. His heart raged against an unknown foe. 130 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,420 Speaker 1: He had barely witnessed the people of the way, yet 131 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:20,099 Speaker 1: already hated them. The smiles of those two men, after 132 00:09:20,140 --> 00:09:22,580 Speaker 1: they were beaten, kept coming back to his mind. 133 00:09:23,059 --> 00:09:25,179 Speaker 3: Those arrogant blasphemers. 134 00:09:25,740 --> 00:09:28,900 Speaker 1: He dressed himself in the blue-fringed robe of the Pharisees, 135 00:09:29,670 --> 00:09:33,470 Speaker 1: and placed his leather amulet around his white turban. He 136 00:09:33,530 --> 00:09:37,810 Speaker 1: tucked scrolls under his arm and straightened his back. He 137 00:09:37,850 --> 00:09:40,429 Speaker 1: left his home and walked the streets in the quietness 138 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:44,979 Speaker 1: of dawn. The sun's warm touch kissed the earth below, 139 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: and light drifted through the city of Jerusalem like a 140 00:09:49,340 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: trickling stream. Saul was on his way to the synagogue 141 00:09:53,179 --> 00:09:57,980 Speaker 1: of the freedmen, where Hellenistic Jews, such as himself, went 142 00:09:58,020 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: to worship and hear from the law. Saul was a 143 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,860 Speaker 1: local celebrity there, and hundreds of people flocked to listen 144 00:10:05,900 --> 00:10:09,620 Speaker 1: to him teach. Saul knew he needed to build a 145 00:10:09,700 --> 00:10:13,980 Speaker 1: base against the people of the way. If the Sanhedrin 146 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,020 Speaker 1: were going to be successful against them, he needed to 147 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:21,540 Speaker 1: rally more people and stir them up. Saul marched through 148 00:10:21,620 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: the city streets, ignoring the blind and sick beggars calling 149 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: out to him. 150 00:10:28,179 --> 00:10:31,300 Speaker 3: If they or their parents hadn't sinned, they wouldn't be 151 00:10:31,350 --> 00:10:32,270 Speaker 3: in such a predicament. 152 00:10:32,910 --> 00:10:37,070 Speaker 1: Saul often thought to himself. It was a convenient excuse 153 00:10:37,130 --> 00:10:40,810 Speaker 1: for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate, an excuse 154 00:10:40,890 --> 00:10:45,270 Speaker 1: Jesus had refuted only a couple of years before. But 155 00:10:45,340 --> 00:10:48,219 Speaker 1: Saul was not there when Jesus walked those same streets. 156 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 1: Saul wished he had been there to see Jesus himself. 157 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,990 Speaker 1: He fantasized about what he would have said. Saul hadn't 158 00:10:57,030 --> 00:11:00,209 Speaker 1: been there to argue against him. He had not been 159 00:11:00,270 --> 00:11:03,850 Speaker 1: there to question him on his credentials. Nor had Saul 160 00:11:03,890 --> 00:11:07,050 Speaker 1: been there to conspire against him with Caiaphas and the 161 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:11,020 Speaker 1: other members of the council. He wished he had. Perhaps 162 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,420 Speaker 1: the movement of his disciples would not have been as significant. 163 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:19,939 Speaker 1: Saul pondered these things and continued to strut toward the synagogue. 164 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,150 Speaker 1: Lost in thought, he did not notice the man walking 165 00:11:24,250 --> 00:11:27,670 Speaker 1: towards him with a basket of bread and cakes. The 166 00:11:27,710 --> 00:11:30,370 Speaker 1: two of them bumped into each other and stumbled to 167 00:11:30,410 --> 00:11:33,650 Speaker 1: the ground. The basket of bread and cakes fell onto 168 00:11:33,690 --> 00:11:37,110 Speaker 1: the floor. Saul brushed off his robes and huffed. 169 00:11:37,670 --> 00:11:40,319 Speaker 2: What were you going? Sorry about that, Rabbi. 170 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: The young man smiled. He helped Saul to his feet. 171 00:11:44,740 --> 00:11:46,500 Speaker 1: and helped dust off his nice robes. 172 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 5: This basket was so full of fig cakes and bread, 173 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 5: I could barely see where I was going. 174 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: The young man picked up the fallen loaves and placed 175 00:11:55,660 --> 00:11:58,500 Speaker 1: them back in the basket. He looked Saul up and 176 00:11:58,540 --> 00:12:02,930 Speaker 1: down and tilted his head. He observed Saul's blue robe 177 00:12:03,330 --> 00:12:03,950 Speaker 1: and the amulet. 178 00:12:04,809 --> 00:12:08,590 Speaker 5: Ah, you are a Pharisee, a man commissioned by God 179 00:12:08,910 --> 00:12:10,050 Speaker 5: to minister to the people. 180 00:12:10,550 --> 00:12:14,030 Speaker 1: Saul couldn't help but smile at the recognition. He bowed 181 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:14,370 Speaker 1: his head. 182 00:12:14,830 --> 00:12:15,230 Speaker 2: And nodded. 183 00:12:15,850 --> 00:12:18,949 Speaker 1: The young man grinned ear to ear and placed a 184 00:12:18,970 --> 00:12:20,990 Speaker 1: few of the loaves of bread in his arms. 185 00:12:21,770 --> 00:12:22,709 Speaker 2: That's perfect. 186 00:12:23,309 --> 00:12:25,190 Speaker 5: Surely a man of God like you has time to 187 00:12:25,250 --> 00:12:25,590 Speaker 5: help me. 188 00:12:26,470 --> 00:12:28,970 Speaker 2: Excuse me? It will only take a moment. 189 00:12:29,010 --> 00:12:30,569 Speaker 5: Come, come quickly around the corner. 190 00:12:31,429 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 1: Saul, confused and taken back by the arrogance of this 191 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,220 Speaker 1: young man, followed him with loaves of bread in his hands. 192 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:42,820 Speaker 1: Around the corner was a group of beggars, some blind, 193 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,969 Speaker 1: some lame, and some sick. The sun had not yet 194 00:12:47,050 --> 00:12:51,070 Speaker 1: touched the alley, and it was cold and damp. Saul 195 00:12:51,130 --> 00:12:53,589 Speaker 1: stopped and watched the young man bend to the people 196 00:12:54,170 --> 00:12:58,220 Speaker 1: and serve them cakes and loaves. The children flocked to 197 00:12:58,270 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 1: see him, jumped on his back. The elderly tugged at 198 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: his robe and asked him to pray for them, and 199 00:13:05,340 --> 00:13:08,580 Speaker 1: he did. He knelt down to each of them and 200 00:13:08,620 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 1: gave them a blessing before giving them food. Once the 201 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,469 Speaker 1: basket was empty, he walked back to Saul and took 202 00:13:15,510 --> 00:13:17,350 Speaker 1: the bread out of his hands. 203 00:13:17,470 --> 00:13:18,170 Speaker 2: Thank you, Rabbi. 204 00:13:18,830 --> 00:13:20,990 Speaker 5: Would you like to stay and help some more? These 205 00:13:21,050 --> 00:13:23,209 Speaker 5: people would love to hear a blessing from the law. 206 00:13:23,809 --> 00:13:26,690 Speaker 1: Saul looked over the man's shoulder and peered at him. 207 00:13:27,970 --> 00:13:30,490 Speaker 3: They shall be working for their bread like the rest 208 00:13:30,530 --> 00:13:33,290 Speaker 3: of us. If you really want to give to God, 209 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:36,540 Speaker 3: you should offer it to the temple. The Lord declares 210 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 3: in Malachi, Bring your full tithe into the storehouse. that 211 00:13:40,260 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 3: there may be food in my house. Put me to 212 00:13:42,980 --> 00:13:45,380 Speaker 3: the test, if I will not open the windows of 213 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 3: heaven for you and pour down you a blessing. 214 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 5: The Lord has blessed me with plenty. As the law says, 215 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,500 Speaker 5: I gave to the temple, and now it is a 216 00:13:54,590 --> 00:13:58,179 Speaker 5: joy to share even more of my abundance with those 217 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:02,910 Speaker 5: in need. After all, the scriptures tell us, a generous 218 00:14:02,950 --> 00:14:07,590 Speaker 5: person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will he himself 219 00:14:08,030 --> 00:14:08,810 Speaker 5: be refreshed. 220 00:14:09,500 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: The young man's response surprised Saul. He was about the 221 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:18,739 Speaker 1: same age as him and a quick thinker. Sensing Saul's confusion, 222 00:14:19,340 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 1: the man spoke again. 223 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,580 Speaker 5: The Lord also says, whoever wants to become great must 224 00:14:24,620 --> 00:14:25,660 Speaker 5: be a servant of all. 225 00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:29,350 Speaker 1: Saul peered at the smiling stranger and scoffed. 226 00:14:30,990 --> 00:14:33,990 Speaker 3: I am a Pharisee and know all the law and 227 00:14:34,030 --> 00:14:38,230 Speaker 3: the prophets. I do not recall any Moses, David, or 228 00:14:38,270 --> 00:14:40,070 Speaker 3: the prophet saying those words. 229 00:14:40,750 --> 00:14:43,330 Speaker 1: The young man tried to hide his enthusiastic grin. 230 00:14:43,860 --> 00:14:46,300 Speaker 5: You will know soon enough where those words come from. 231 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 5: But for now, I will let you go. I'm sure 232 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,380 Speaker 5: you have a very busy day ahead of you teaching 233 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:52,060 Speaker 5: in the synagogue. 234 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 1: The young man bowed and began walking back with the bread. 235 00:14:56,500 --> 00:14:59,900 Speaker 1: Saul was intrigued by the energy of this man. It 236 00:14:59,960 --> 00:15:04,430 Speaker 1: challenged him. in an uncomfortable way. He looked down at 237 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:07,230 Speaker 1: the bread, then counted the remaining people. 238 00:15:09,460 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 3: You will not have enough for all of them. There 239 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:15,020 Speaker 3: are only a few loaves of bread left, and dozens 240 00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 3: of people here. 241 00:15:16,620 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: The man paused and gave an even larger smile. He 242 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: chuckled and nodded his head. 243 00:15:22,300 --> 00:15:23,180 Speaker 2: I think we'll have enough. 244 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:26,880 Speaker 1: Before turning back, he slapped his palm on his head. 245 00:15:27,260 --> 00:15:27,940 Speaker 2: How rude of me. 246 00:15:28,700 --> 00:15:30,230 Speaker 5: Rabbi did not even ask your name. 247 00:15:30,950 --> 00:15:36,180 Speaker 2: Saul of Tarsus. Shalom, Saul. I am Stephen. God be 248 00:15:36,220 --> 00:15:37,740 Speaker 2: with you as you go to teach. 249 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,060 Speaker 1: Stephen went back and continued to pass out food to 250 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: the people. Saul rolled his eyes and began walking back. However, 251 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:50,730 Speaker 1: something caught the corner of his eye before leaving. He 252 00:15:50,770 --> 00:15:55,070 Speaker 1: turned around and took another look. Stephen had fed all 253 00:15:55,150 --> 00:15:58,070 Speaker 1: the people and was going back to give them seconds. 254 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:03,290 Speaker 1: Somehow there was enough food for all of them. Saul 255 00:16:03,330 --> 00:16:07,930 Speaker 1: was confused, but too prideful to ask questions. He shook 256 00:16:07,970 --> 00:16:11,810 Speaker 1: his head and continued on his way to the synagogue. 257 00:16:14,090 --> 00:16:14,790 Speaker 1: All right, all right. 258 00:16:14,890 --> 00:16:16,750 Speaker 4: So we know what you might be thinking. That was 259 00:16:16,790 --> 00:16:19,850 Speaker 4: a lot of creative license taken in this episode. You see, 260 00:16:19,890 --> 00:16:22,130 Speaker 4: these interactions that Saul has with the high priest and 261 00:16:22,150 --> 00:16:25,220 Speaker 4: with Stephen were definitely made up by us. But there 262 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,980 Speaker 4: were some key biblical themes explored in this episode that 263 00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:31,060 Speaker 4: we can focus on. First, we want to revisit what 264 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 4: it means to be great. We've talked about this in 265 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 4: previous episodes, especially when Jesus is washing the feet of 266 00:16:36,500 --> 00:16:40,090 Speaker 4: his disciples or helping the downcast and the lonely. We 267 00:16:40,170 --> 00:16:44,050 Speaker 4: know that Jesus defines greatness differently. You see, for so long, 268 00:16:44,130 --> 00:16:46,850 Speaker 4: Saul wanted to be great. We know from church history 269 00:16:46,890 --> 00:16:49,270 Speaker 4: that Saul was vying for a position on the Sanhedrin, 270 00:16:49,510 --> 00:16:52,290 Speaker 4: the greats of the greats of the Jewish religion. If 271 00:16:52,330 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 4: Pharisees were lawyers and judges, then the Sanhedrin was the 272 00:16:55,820 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 4: Supreme Court. Saul finally had his chance to be recognized, 273 00:17:00,460 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 4: and on his way, he stumbled upon a man named Stephen. 274 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:06,900 Speaker 4: We've met Stephen already. We know that his primary role 275 00:17:06,940 --> 00:17:08,859 Speaker 4: in the church was to serve food to the needy. 276 00:17:09,420 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 4: The contrast between Saul and Stephen is supposed to draw 277 00:17:12,540 --> 00:17:15,020 Speaker 4: something out of us and beg the question, what does 278 00:17:15,060 --> 00:17:19,020 Speaker 4: it mean to be great? Jesus said this in Matthew 20, 25-28. 279 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,719 Speaker 4: Jesus called his disciples together and said, You know that 280 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,290 Speaker 4: the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them. and their 281 00:17:26,330 --> 00:17:30,370 Speaker 4: high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, 282 00:17:30,650 --> 00:17:33,310 Speaker 4: whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 283 00:17:33,650 --> 00:17:36,010 Speaker 4: and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, 284 00:17:36,550 --> 00:17:38,129 Speaker 4: just as the Son of Man did not come to 285 00:17:38,170 --> 00:17:41,129 Speaker 4: be served, but to serve, and to give his life 286 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:45,970 Speaker 4: as a ransom for many. Jesus defined greatness by one's sacrifice. 287 00:17:46,510 --> 00:17:48,909 Speaker 4: While the world seeks to define greatness by what one 288 00:17:48,970 --> 00:17:53,060 Speaker 4: can get, Jesus flips the concept and declares greatness is 289 00:17:53,130 --> 00:17:56,230 Speaker 4: gained in what we give. Saul is going to wrestle 290 00:17:56,250 --> 00:17:58,649 Speaker 4: with this concept in the next few episodes, but not 291 00:17:58,690 --> 00:18:02,550 Speaker 4: before Stephen makes the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel. Join 292 00:18:02,590 --> 00:18:05,590 Speaker 4: us for our next episode, where Stephen meets the bitter end, 293 00:18:05,790 --> 00:18:08,810 Speaker 4: all the while Saul stands and watches with twisted glee. 294 00:18:09,350 --> 00:18:11,679 Speaker 4: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for listening 295 00:18:11,700 --> 00:18:14,159 Speaker 4: to this podcast. We put a lot of time and 296 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,220 Speaker 4: effort into these reflections and into these dramatized stories. You 297 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:19,860 Speaker 4: can keep an eye out for a new podcast coming 298 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 4: out with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews called 299 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:22,820 Speaker 4: The Chosen People.