John Tweedie - The Promised Messiah

December 19, 2025 | 28:39

Dr. John Tweedie hosts a biblically prophetic exploration of Israel, past, present and future.

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Israel: The Prophetic Connection | John Tweedie - The Promised Messiah | December 19, 2025
  • Why are the jewish people still longing
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  • For the appearance of their long awaited messiah?
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  • And why did they reject jesus of nazareth
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  • When he claimed to be the promised messiah?
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  • I'll answer these profound questions
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  • In this episode of the prophetic connection
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  • Soft music
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  • By the first century bce,
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  • The jewish people, beginning with the first hebrew abraham,
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  • Had a 2000 year history in their quest
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  • To be light bearers to the nations.
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  • Yet, having received the torah through moses,
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  • They had also struggled against all odds,
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  • To preserve its message and to live by its high standards.
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  • During this time, the land of their
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  • Inheritance experienced a succession of foreign masters.
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  • The empires of the ancient world that valued the land
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  • Strategic location as a bridge to the continent's.
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  • Around 1000 bce, king david
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  • Had established jerusalem as the capital of the nation.
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  • He also wanted to build a temple, a permanent structure
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  • To replace the tabernacle, but was forbidden by god from doing
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  • So because he was a warrior king with blood on his hands.
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  • Instead, the task of building the temple was assigned
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  • To one of david's sons and chosen successor, solomon.
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  • It was also during solomon's reign that the nation
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  • Reached the zenith of her power
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  • And prestige as one nation under god.
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  • A nation whose light illuminated all nations.
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  • Roundabout.
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  • In time, however, solomon's selfish inclinations
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  • And unwise choices led to unholy and idolatrous allegiances.
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  • These placed israel
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  • Beyond the safe, moral and ethical parameters of the torah
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  • And ushered in days of confusion, culminating
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  • In a divided kingdom.
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  • It also brought reversals of fortune for the nation.
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  • In 722 bce.
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  • The northern kingdom of israel came to an end
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  • With the invasion of the ruthless a syrian army.
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  • Then, in 586 bce, the babylonians attacked
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  • The southern kingdom of judah,
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  • Sacked jerusalem, and destroyed the temple.
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  • Thus began what is known historically
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  • As the babylonian exile,
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  • The first major dispersion of the jews from their
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  • Promised land.
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  • Throughout the centuries,
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  • Empires clash at israel because it is the crossroads
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  • Of the ancient and modern world, where continents meet
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  • And those that control
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  • This crossroads in a sense, conquered the world.
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  • Certainly the trade routes that existed in ancient times.
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  • So israel sat under the assyrians, the egyptians.
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  • Then came the babylonians, followed by the middle
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  • Persian empire and their military alliance.
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  • And they were displaced by the greeks.
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  • And finally the greeks were displaced by the romans.
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  • But that's all in the autumn ottoman period, and all down
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  • Through the centuries since then, since the time of christ.
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  • The fight to survive continues as before.
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  • And how do we explain israel's resilience,
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  • Her ability to dust yourself off
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  • And get back up again?
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  • That can be only one good explanation.
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  • And that is, hope was maintained through what the hebrew
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  • Prophets had said, both verbally and in written form.
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  • Those prophecies remain as part of the history of israel
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  • In written form and what we call the old testament period.
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  • Jewish people call it the tanakh.
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  • Their history, written down on paper
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  • Through the oral and written traditions.
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  • Hope kept israel going.
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  • The promises of their prophets, the prophecies they uttered
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  • Of better days ahead, and a glorious future
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  • That would come eventually if, after centuries of suffering.
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  • Perhaps the greatest promise of all is the one that was
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  • Other than the lips of isaiah, the prophet that's found in
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  • Isaiah chapter nine, beginning in verse six.
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  • For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
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  • And the government will be upon his shoulder,
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  • And his name will be called wonderful counselor,
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  • Mighty god, everlasting father, prince of peace.
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  • Of the increase of his government and peace.
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  • There will be no end
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  • Upon the throne of david and over his kingdom to order it
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  • And establish it with judgment and justice.
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  • From that time forward, even forever,
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  • The zeal of the lord of hosts will perform this.
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  • This is one of numerous messianic prophecies
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  • Of a messiah figure, a savior who would come,
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  • Who would emerge from within israel
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  • But would be israel's savior commander,
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  • The one who would lead her against her enemies
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  • And eventually bring peace on the earth.
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  • Israel, the nation
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  • Is still waiting for that messiah to appear,
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  • And the struggle continue
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  • As before.
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  • Our media today is filled with
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  • Traveling reports and disturbing news everywhere you look.
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  • It seems that the world is falling apart.
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  • This could not be more true for the people of israel,
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  • Facing threats of destruction from the neighboring countries,
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  • And calls for sanctions against or around the world.
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  • Israel must deal with the challenges
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  • Few other countries will ever face,
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  • Making it even more difficult to provide for her
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  • Most vulnerable citizens. yet
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  • See, for i and their partners are making a difference.
  • 00:06:56.547 --> 00:06:59.150
  • When you give to see farai,
  • 00:06:59.150 --> 00:07:00.618
  • You are donating to charities within israel that provide food,
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  • Clothing and so much more for those in need in the holy land.
  • 00:07:03.621 --> 00:07:06.924
  • When you become a partner for the first time
  • 00:07:06.924 --> 00:07:08.659
  • With a monthly donation of $25 or more, and as a thank you,
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  • You will receive
  • 00:07:12.096 --> 00:07:13.164
  • The dvd set prophetic dreams and visions in daniel.
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  • And you will also receive
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  • The bi monthly newspaper call now
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  • With your monthly donation of $25 or more.
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  • 1-888-206-1986 or visit
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  • C4i america.com and make a difference in israel today.
  • 00:07:26.377 --> 00:07:37.522
  • We. love.
  • 00:07:37.822 --> 00:07:54.605
  • At the end of the first century
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  • Bce, israel was certainly not free.
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  • The jewish people were now subject to roman dominance,
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  • While the ungodly influences
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  • Of other nations pressed in on every side.
  • 00:08:04.815 --> 00:08:08.019
  • These were dark days, for is rare times
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  • When their cherished
  • 00:08:10.688 --> 00:08:11.789
  • Monotheistic beliefs were threatened as never before.
  • 00:08:11.789 --> 00:08:15.092
  • The closer to the time of jesus, the.
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  • With the occupation of the near east
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  • By first of all greece and then by rome.
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  • We get a pattern of settlement
  • 00:08:25.937 --> 00:08:29.240
  • By greek and roman, citizens coming in.
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  • And it meant, therefore, that an alien culture
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  • Was not very far off,
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  • Not far across the mediterranean,
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  • Over there in greece or over there in italy.
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  • It was right on your doorstep.
  • 00:08:42.186 --> 00:08:44.155
  • Most villages within the near east were no more than 10
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  • Or 15 miles from a town
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  • Which represented alien values and an alien theology.
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  • And these were very important settlements.
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  • They spoke greek.
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  • They had greek and roman laws.
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  • They had greek and roman temples to all of the deities
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  • Of the roman world.
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  • They expected
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  • Citizens to pay taxes to foreigners
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  • And to observe their laws and to observe their practices.
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  • These were people who had no concept, for example,
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  • Of keeping shabbat or of keeping the festivals like passover.
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  • And so cote infiltrated by foreign cultures
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  • And subjected to oppressive rule.
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  • The jewish people of the first century
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  • Struggled to remain true to god's laws
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  • And to belief in the covenant
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  • Promises god had made with their father, abraham.
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  • Now, more than ever before, they eagerly anticipated
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  • The coming of their messiah.
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  • Reminding themselves of what the prophets of the hebrew bible
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  • Had foretold.
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  • That a descendant of david would one day rule from jerusalem.
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  • He would bring about god's righteous kingdom in israel.
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  • The messiah is a very interesting concept,
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  • And i think this is also
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  • One of the gifts of the jewish people to the world.
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  • The messiah basically is a king smeared with oil.
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  • He's anointed.
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  • So in a messiah is an anointed leader.
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  • Doesn't even have to be jewish.
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  • Oddly enough, the prophet isaiah talks about cyrus
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  • The great as a messiah.
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  • Cyrus the great, a persian ruler,
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  • Is coming to liberate
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  • The jewish people from the babylonian captivity.
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  • And that's one use of the word messiah.
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  • And the messiah was expected to be an agent of god
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  • By the time of the dead sea
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  • Scroll community in the time of jesus,
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  • The messiah was expected to be a, a human being
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  • Who would assist god in bringing about world transformation.
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  • The prophets foretold the coming of a righteous king.
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  • The prophets foretold that the stump
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  • Of jesse, that is, the davidic tree that has been
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  • Cut down well out of the stump that's left
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  • A new sprout will grow, and a new king will come.
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  • And so that's what fired these hopes.
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  • And then, of course, other people along, in
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  • The centuries would come and make promises
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  • And even in jesus's own lifetime, there were people
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  • Who thought that they were special, anointed of god.
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  • Maybe they were the messiah.
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  • And sometimes that
  • 00:11:16.841 --> 00:11:17.942
  • Led to conflict and violence and people were killed.
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  • So there was a hope that the scriptures would be fulfilled.
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  • And there were those
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  • Who interpreted the scriptures, such as the people at.
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  • They interpret the scriptures, isaiah, and other scriptures,
  • 00:11:31.489 --> 00:11:35.126
  • Thinking that they could predict when that messiah would come.
  • 00:11:35.126 --> 00:11:38.863
  • So there was a bit of a messianic fever in the air
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  • In some places.
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  • Anyway, in israel, during the time
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  • Of jesus's life and ministry.
  • 00:11:47.204 --> 00:11:50.508
  • The hebrew prophets frequently spoke
  • 00:11:50.508 --> 00:11:52.576
  • Of a descendant of david who would reign from jerusalem.
  • 00:11:52.576 --> 00:11:55.646
  • This concept of a messianic successor
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  • To david was also echoed in the psalms.
  • 00:11:58.549 --> 00:12:01.552
  • My covenant, i will not break nor
  • 00:12:01.552 --> 00:12:04.155
  • Alter the word that has gone out from my lips. once
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  • I have sworn by my holiness, i will not lie to david.
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  • His seed shall endure forever,
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  • And his throne as the sun before me.
  • 00:12:13.697 --> 00:12:17.468
  • But when and from where would messiah come?
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  • Well, many of the jewish people
  • 00:12:21.438 --> 00:12:22.873
  • In the first century longed for a restoration
  • 00:12:22.873 --> 00:12:26.076
  • Of the dynasty of david, their famous king, king david,
  • 00:12:26.076 --> 00:12:29.380
  • Whose son was also famous. solomon.
  • 00:12:29.380 --> 00:12:32.249
  • And that dynasty had ended when the babylonians destroyed
  • 00:12:32.249 --> 00:12:35.719
  • Israel and took away in captivity many of its people.
  • 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:39.523
  • And so, for centuries, the jewish people longed for a
  • 00:12:39.523 --> 00:12:42.259
  • Return of a righteous king empowered by the spirit of god.
  • 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:46.664
  • Somebody with the prowess militarily of a david,
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  • And the wisdom and insight of someone like solomon
  • 00:12:50.367 --> 00:12:54.305
  • And others wanted somebody like that,
  • 00:12:54.305 --> 00:12:56.740
  • But maybe a little bit more, sort of a plus.
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  • Somebody who was especially close to god
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  • And could bring about renewal and restoration for israel
  • 00:13:02.546 --> 00:13:06.417
  • And israel would be exalted among the nations.
  • 00:13:06.417 --> 00:13:09.453
  • That's what many people hope for in the time of jesus.
  • 00:13:09.453 --> 00:13:13.724
  • This longing for a new king,
  • 00:13:14.325 --> 00:13:16.227
  • A messiah, was prevalent in jewish aspirations
  • 00:13:16.227 --> 00:13:19.530
  • At the beginning of the first century bce.
  • 00:13:19.530 --> 00:13:22.233
  • And it was during these desperate times
  • 00:13:22.233 --> 00:13:24.568
  • That one jewish figure emerged who seemed to be a perfect
  • 00:13:24.568 --> 00:13:28.172
  • Candidate for this prince of peace.
  • 00:13:28.172 --> 00:13:30.307
  • Ironically, if not providentially,
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  • He too was born in bethlehem.
  • 00:13:33.010 --> 00:13:35.279
  • Like david before him.
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  • One of the reasons i believe in god,
  • 00:13:48.626 --> 00:13:51.228
  • And i believe in god's truth, is found in the holy scriptures
  • 00:13:51.228 --> 00:13:54.698
  • Is the accuracy of prophecy.
  • 00:13:54.698 --> 00:13:57.902
  • Most people don't realize that
  • 00:13:57.902 --> 00:13:59.837
  • One third of this holy bible is prophecy.
  • 00:13:59.837 --> 00:14:03.607
  • It foretells what is to come.
  • 00:14:03.607 --> 00:14:06.343
  • And we can see in the history of israel in their journey
  • 00:14:06.343 --> 00:14:09.113
  • How so many prophecies
  • 00:14:09.113 --> 00:14:10.581
  • Have been fulfilled down through the centuries.
  • 00:14:10.581 --> 00:14:14.285
  • And of course, there are hundreds of prophecies
  • 00:14:14.285 --> 00:14:16.654
  • Concerning the coming of the messiah.
  • 00:14:16.654 --> 00:14:19.590
  • So we saw earlier,
  • 00:14:19.590 --> 00:14:20.824
  • The jewish people are still waiting for their savior
  • 00:14:20.824 --> 00:14:23.394
  • Messiah to appear.
  • 00:14:23.394 --> 00:14:25.162
  • But for christians like me, he has come in
  • 00:14:25.162 --> 00:14:28.365
  • The person of jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:14:28.365 --> 00:14:31.368
  • And it's an amazing thing that jesus, in his coming,
  • 00:14:31.368 --> 00:14:35.039
  • In his birth,
  • 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.173
  • And in many other ways, fulfilled
  • 00:14:36.173 --> 00:14:38.175
  • So many of the old testament prophecies about him.
  • 00:14:38.175 --> 00:14:42.413
  • But imagine this one that's
  • 00:14:42.413 --> 00:14:43.681
  • Found in the book of micah in chapter five, in verse two,
  • 00:14:43.681 --> 00:14:47.618
  • Which in fact tells where the messiah will be born.
  • 00:14:47.618 --> 00:14:51.221
  • But you, bethlehem ephrathah,
  • 00:14:51.855 --> 00:14:55.059
  • Though you are little among the thousands of judah, meaning
  • 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:57.928
  • Of all the villages and towns in the region of judah,
  • 00:14:57.928 --> 00:15:01.565
  • Yet out of you shall come forth to me, to god
  • 00:15:01.565 --> 00:15:05.235
  • The one to be ruler in israel, whose goings forth are from old,
  • 00:15:05.235 --> 00:15:10.674
  • From everlasting. in other words,
  • 00:15:10.674 --> 00:15:13.310
  • The prophets have said, the messiah will come.
  • 00:15:13.310 --> 00:15:16.880
  • And if we wonder where the messiah will be born,
  • 00:15:16.880 --> 00:15:19.283
  • We have it pinpointed on the lips of the prophet micah
  • 00:15:19.283 --> 00:15:23.654
  • In chapter five and verse two, in the land of ephrata,
  • 00:15:23.654 --> 00:15:28.325
  • In a place called beit larkham, which really means
  • 00:15:28.325 --> 00:15:32.196
  • House of bread.
  • 00:15:32.196 --> 00:15:33.897
  • And that brings to mind the image of the shepherds
  • 00:15:33.897 --> 00:15:36.000
  • Watching over their flock by night
  • 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.901
  • In those fields around bethlehem.
  • 00:15:37.901 --> 00:15:41.538
  • In the christmas story, it is the wise men who come from
  • 00:15:41.538 --> 00:15:44.842
  • The east in search of the newborn king.
  • 00:15:44.842 --> 00:15:48.679
  • But they come first to jerusalem and to king herod.
  • 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:52.416
  • And obviously there were men
  • 00:15:52.416 --> 00:15:53.717
  • Of importance that they could have an audience with the king.
  • 00:15:53.717 --> 00:15:56.520
  • And he was a paranoid king.
  • 00:15:56.520 --> 00:15:57.921
  • So not everyone who even nobles who wished to meet him
  • 00:15:57.921 --> 00:16:01.492
  • Would have the opportunity.
  • 00:16:01.492 --> 00:16:03.260
  • But they seem to be men of influence, perhaps even kings.
  • 00:16:03.260 --> 00:16:07.164
  • And certainly the gifts they carried were very valuable
  • 00:16:07.164 --> 00:16:11.235
  • Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
  • 00:16:11.235 --> 00:16:14.838
  • And they came to jerusalem asking that question.
  • 00:16:14.838 --> 00:16:17.975
  • Where is he that is born king of the jews?
  • 00:16:17.975 --> 00:16:23.080
  • And then they went from jerusalem
  • 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:25.315
  • And found the place where the young child was.
  • 00:16:25.315 --> 00:16:29.119
  • And they presented to him their gifts,
  • 00:16:29.119 --> 00:16:31.722
  • Honoring who he was, who who would be in life.
  • 00:16:31.722 --> 00:16:35.259
  • And in death.
  • 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.560
  • Gold, frankincense
  • 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:39.596
  • And myrrh, symbolizing his death.
  • 00:16:39.596 --> 00:16:43.100
  • But he would die as a savior.
  • 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.968
  • As the savior of the whole world,
  • 00:16:44.968 --> 00:16:48.505
  • And he would still be israel's long awaited son.
  • 00:16:48.505 --> 00:17:06.690
  • Jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:17:07.124 --> 00:17:09.126
  • It was approximately four bce when this most famous of jews
  • 00:17:09.126 --> 00:17:12.930
  • Entered upon the world stage.
  • 00:17:12.930 --> 00:17:14.865
  • Although he did so in the most unusual of ways.
  • 00:17:14.865 --> 00:17:18.435
  • This was at a time when all israel was anxiously awaiting
  • 00:17:18.435 --> 00:17:21.839
  • The messiah,
  • 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.073
  • The one who would deliver them from roman occupation.
  • 00:17:23.073 --> 00:17:26.276
  • But who was jesus the jew?
  • 00:17:26.276 --> 00:17:28.412
  • And what was his response to israel's troubled times?
  • 00:17:28.412 --> 00:17:31.782
  • Was he the long awaited messiah?
  • 00:17:32.416 --> 00:17:35.619
  • Jesus's youth is shrouded for the most part and mystery.
  • 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:39.123
  • We know almost nothing about it.
  • 00:17:39.123 --> 00:17:41.658
  • Matthew and luke, two gospels, two out of four, tell us
  • 00:17:41.658 --> 00:17:46.363
  • A remarkable account of his, birth, which was scandalous.
  • 00:17:46.363 --> 00:17:52.436
  • Obviously people later did not believe it,
  • 00:17:52.436 --> 00:17:56.306
  • That, the conception was immaculate.
  • 00:17:56.306 --> 00:17:59.243
  • It simply wasn't believed.
  • 00:17:59.243 --> 00:18:01.145
  • And there are allusions to jesus being raised in sin.
  • 00:18:01.145 --> 00:18:04.848
  • That's in john's gospel.
  • 00:18:04.848 --> 00:18:07.017
  • He's sometimes referred to as the son of mary,
  • 00:18:07.017 --> 00:18:10.120
  • Which culturally, for that time is very strange.
  • 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:13.757
  • And so, for jesus, his beginnings were ambiguous.
  • 00:18:13.757 --> 00:18:18.996
  • He might have been classified as a member, that is,
  • 00:18:18.996 --> 00:18:22.799
  • A jewish person of unclear, uncertain, questionable birth.
  • 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:27.571
  • He would have grown up with a cloud over his head.
  • 00:18:27.571 --> 00:18:30.140
  • It was born in bethlehem.
  • 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:32.976
  • His family had gone down there
  • 00:18:32.976 --> 00:18:34.778
  • For a census according to the gospel of luke.
  • 00:18:34.778 --> 00:18:37.881
  • And then they moved back to nazareth.
  • 00:18:37.881 --> 00:18:39.950
  • The gospel of matthew mentions that they
  • 00:18:39.950 --> 00:18:42.986
  • Might have gone into egypt and then returned.
  • 00:18:42.986 --> 00:18:45.956
  • But the two gospels, matthew and luke, don't quite agree
  • 00:18:45.956 --> 00:18:49.493
  • On what happens immediately after jesus birth.
  • 00:18:49.493 --> 00:18:52.696
  • Jesus grew up in the rural hills of northern israel,
  • 00:18:52.696 --> 00:18:56.099
  • Far from jerusalem,
  • 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.467
  • In a village called nazareth, not far from the sea of galilee.
  • 00:18:57.467 --> 00:19:01.672
  • The gospel writers tell us that jesus inherited the occupation
  • 00:19:01.672 --> 00:19:05.242
  • Of his father, joseph,
  • 00:19:05.242 --> 00:19:06.977
  • And became a carpenter builder who worked with his hands.
  • 00:19:06.977 --> 00:19:10.547
  • Well, everything that we read about,
  • 00:19:10.547 --> 00:19:12.916
  • In the gospels tells us that jesus was either a carpenter
  • 00:19:12.916 --> 00:19:15.986
  • Or probably more accurately, a builder.
  • 00:19:15.986 --> 00:19:19.356
  • And, we were used to carpenter for joseph and for jesus.
  • 00:19:19.356 --> 00:19:23.961
  • But the word
  • 00:19:23.961 --> 00:19:25.062
  • That's translated carpenter probably means builder.
  • 00:19:25.062 --> 00:19:27.898
  • So he worked not just with wood, but he worked
  • 00:19:27.898 --> 00:19:30.601
  • Also with stone and archeological evidence.
  • 00:19:30.601 --> 00:19:33.837
  • Now that's been uncovered at nazareth and nearby show
  • 00:19:33.837 --> 00:19:37.608
  • That indeed, there were rock quarries where stone was,
  • 00:19:37.608 --> 00:19:42.012
  • Cut out of, out of the bedrock and used for building purposes.
  • 00:19:42.012 --> 00:19:46.650
  • And that very likely reflected jesus's occupation,
  • 00:19:46.650 --> 00:19:50.487
  • As a young man in nazareth.
  • 00:19:50.487 --> 00:19:53.957
  • But jesus
  • 00:19:54.258 --> 00:19:55.192
  • Was much more than a carpenter or builder,
  • 00:19:55.192 --> 00:19:58.095
  • Born a jew into an orthodox jewish family who kept torah.
  • 00:19:58.095 --> 00:20:02.165
  • Jesus was raised to respect and observe torah as a child.
  • 00:20:02.165 --> 00:20:06.603
  • He clearly learned the laws of god,
  • 00:20:06.603 --> 00:20:08.839
  • Something he would later
  • 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.906
  • Quote from memory and teach as an adult.
  • 00:20:09.906 --> 00:20:13.577
  • We know he was from a torah observant
  • 00:20:13.577 --> 00:20:15.946
  • Family that his family observed the jewish law.
  • 00:20:15.946 --> 00:20:19.149
  • He was circumcised on the eighth day, as required by the torah.
  • 00:20:19.149 --> 00:20:22.986
  • His mother underwent purification again
  • 00:20:22.986 --> 00:20:25.355
  • As required by torah.
  • 00:20:25.355 --> 00:20:27.124
  • They went annually up
  • 00:20:27.124 --> 00:20:28.191
  • To jerusalem to observe the festival of passover,
  • 00:20:28.191 --> 00:20:32.429
  • And they presumably observe this is the sabbath,
  • 00:20:32.429 --> 00:20:35.866
  • And they kept the dietary laws.
  • 00:20:35.866 --> 00:20:38.101
  • And when he prayed, he would have wear worn a tallit.
  • 00:20:38.101 --> 00:20:41.838
  • Just as jews today wear a prayer show.
  • 00:20:41.838 --> 00:20:45.108
  • So he came from a an observant family.
  • 00:20:45.909 --> 00:20:49.012
  • But the only actual story that's credible that we know about is
  • 00:20:49.012 --> 00:20:52.382
  • When he's 12 and he visits jerusalem.
  • 00:20:52.382 --> 00:20:56.119
  • His family was a pious jewish family,
  • 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:59.056
  • Very likely visited jerusalem from time to time,
  • 00:20:59.056 --> 00:21:02.626
  • Probably at passover, but maybe at other holidays also.
  • 00:21:02.626 --> 00:21:06.296
  • And what we're told
  • 00:21:06.763 --> 00:21:07.864
  • Is that jewish, jesus impressed the jewish teachers
  • 00:21:07.864 --> 00:21:11.535
  • As being, pretty astute and understanding
  • 00:21:11.535 --> 00:21:15.205
  • The scriptures and asking very good questions.
  • 00:21:15.205 --> 00:21:18.442
  • So from what little we know, we suspect
  • 00:21:18.442 --> 00:21:21.945
  • That jesus was thoroughly jewish in his upbringing
  • 00:21:21.945 --> 00:21:25.782
  • And was aware of the scriptures and probably could read.
  • 00:21:25.782 --> 00:21:30.921
  • And that was very important going into his makeup
  • 00:21:30.921 --> 00:21:34.424
  • And preparation, which we later see unfold.
  • 00:21:34.424 --> 00:21:37.694
  • But he's an adult.
  • 00:21:37.694 --> 00:21:40.630
  • Jesus knowledge and passion
  • 00:21:40.630 --> 00:21:42.165
  • For scripture was evident in his adult life.
  • 00:21:42.165 --> 00:21:45.736
  • In fact, he taught the principles
  • 00:21:45.736 --> 00:21:47.637
  • Of torah with passion and authority.
  • 00:21:47.637 --> 00:21:50.640
  • He also instructed his followers to live not only according
  • 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:53.944
  • To the letter of the law, but also by the spirit of the law.
  • 00:21:53.944 --> 00:22:13.997
  • It's amazing to consider that jesus,
  • 00:22:14.765 --> 00:22:17.401
  • This one individual jew,
  • 00:22:17.401 --> 00:22:20.537
  • Did so much to transform the world,
  • 00:22:20.537 --> 00:22:23.573
  • And his influence is felt in the world today.
  • 00:22:23.573 --> 00:22:27.878
  • The things that he did, the profound things that he said,
  • 00:22:27.878 --> 00:22:32.716
  • And that day that a huge gathering assembled to hear him
  • 00:22:32.716 --> 00:22:37.487
  • And imagine
  • 00:22:37.821 --> 00:22:38.989
  • Thousands of people arrayed on the ground in front of him.
  • 00:22:38.989 --> 00:22:43.026
  • And he gave what we call in our christian tradition,
  • 00:22:43.026 --> 00:22:46.396
  • The sermon on the mount.
  • 00:22:46.396 --> 00:22:48.765
  • And matthew five begins this way in verse one.
  • 00:22:48.765 --> 00:22:52.669
  • And seeing the multitudes, he jesus, went up on a mountain.
  • 00:22:52.669 --> 00:22:56.773
  • And when he was seated, his disciples came to him.
  • 00:22:56.773 --> 00:22:59.810
  • Then he opened his mouth and taught them.
  • 00:22:59.810 --> 00:23:02.779
  • And i can see the people hanging on every word that he spoke,
  • 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:07.784
  • Because he spoke as the son of god
  • 00:23:07.784 --> 00:23:10.887
  • And taught them, saying,
  • 00:23:11.421 --> 00:23:13.223
  • Imagine, see yourself in these words
  • 00:23:13.223 --> 00:23:16.660
  • And the various circumstances of your experience, the highs
  • 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:20.831
  • And the lows, the times of joy, the times of sorrow.
  • 00:23:20.831 --> 00:23:25.035
  • Because we're all in his words, in these words
  • 00:23:25.035 --> 00:23:28.605
  • That he spoke that day.
  • 00:23:28.605 --> 00:23:30.807
  • And often when i'm writing to people who've suffered a loss,
  • 00:23:30.807 --> 00:23:33.977
  • I will remind them of what
  • 00:23:33.977 --> 00:23:35.245
  • Jesus said and what we call the beatitudes.
  • 00:23:35.245 --> 00:23:39.249
  • How to be in all circumstances.
  • 00:23:39.249 --> 00:23:42.886
  • Blessed are the poor in spirit,
  • 00:23:42.886 --> 00:23:44.988
  • For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • 00:23:44.988 --> 00:23:48.058
  • Blessed are those who mourn,
  • 00:23:48.058 --> 00:23:50.560
  • For they shall be comforted.
  • 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:52.629
  • That's a promise from god through jesus.
  • 00:23:52.629 --> 00:23:55.799
  • Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
  • 00:23:55.799 --> 00:24:00.337
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
  • 00:24:00.337 --> 00:24:03.406
  • For they shall be filled.
  • 00:24:03.974 --> 00:24:06.109
  • Blessed
  • 00:24:06.343 --> 00:24:07.377
  • Are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
  • 00:24:07.377 --> 00:24:10.780
  • Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see god.
  • 00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:14.551
  • Blessed are the peacemakers,
  • 00:24:15.151 --> 00:24:17.687
  • For they shall be called sons of god.
  • 00:24:17.687 --> 00:24:21.024
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness
  • 00:24:21.024 --> 00:24:24.661
  • Sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • 00:24:24.661 --> 00:24:29.366
  • And he continued and said many more things that day.
  • 00:24:29.366 --> 00:24:34.104
  • But everyone who is listening, especially
  • 00:24:34.104 --> 00:24:36.406
  • Those old enough to have experienced life.
  • 00:24:36.406 --> 00:24:39.576
  • It's bright side.
  • 00:24:39.576 --> 00:24:40.577
  • It's dark side
  • 00:24:40.577 --> 00:24:41.912
  • Could find themselves in the words that he spoke.
  • 00:24:41.912 --> 00:24:45.549
  • No wonder he changed the world.
  • 00:24:46.182 --> 00:24:49.286
  • In a short three and a half years.
  • 00:24:49.286 --> 00:25:04.768
  • But if we look at what
  • 00:25:05.235 --> 00:25:06.403
  • Jesus taught within the sermon on the mount, for example,
  • 00:25:06.403 --> 00:25:09.406
  • There we find jesus teaching the higher righteousness.
  • 00:25:09.406 --> 00:25:14.177
  • He's teaching that not one aspect of the law, not one iota,
  • 00:25:14.177 --> 00:25:18.114
  • Not one even little, small part of a letter of the law
  • 00:25:18.114 --> 00:25:21.284
  • Will be removed
  • 00:25:21.651 --> 00:25:22.586
  • Until all is fulfilled,
  • 00:25:22.586 --> 00:25:23.887
  • Until the kingdom comes in its fullness.
  • 00:25:23.887 --> 00:25:26.656
  • So he seems to have taught not only torah observant, but
  • 00:25:26.656 --> 00:25:30.427
  • Even stricter torah observance than did the pharisees.
  • 00:25:30.427 --> 00:25:33.563
  • And he goes on to say in the sermon on the mount,
  • 00:25:33.563 --> 00:25:36.199
  • Unless your righteousness exceeds those of the pharisees
  • 00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:40.170
  • And the scribes, he won't enter the kingdom of god.
  • 00:25:40.170 --> 00:25:43.873
  • Then he goes on to make the torah even more difficult,
  • 00:25:43.873 --> 00:25:46.276
  • As if it wasn't difficult enough.
  • 00:25:46.276 --> 00:25:48.345
  • Do not murder, for example.
  • 00:25:48.945 --> 00:25:50.814
  • He says, well, do not murder.
  • 00:25:50.814 --> 00:25:52.148
  • Doesn't mean just don't kill anybody.
  • 00:25:52.148 --> 00:25:54.017
  • It means don't even be angry.
  • 00:25:54.017 --> 00:25:55.518
  • Don't even have that kind of attitude.
  • 00:25:55.518 --> 00:25:57.554
  • He was empowering.
  • 00:25:57.554 --> 00:25:59.389
  • He was validating the jewish faith from long ago.
  • 00:25:59.389 --> 00:26:04.661
  • And so, if anything, he was lionizing,
  • 00:26:04.661 --> 00:26:08.098
  • The jewish self-understanding
  • 00:26:08.098 --> 00:26:10.166
  • Making it more important than ever.
  • 00:26:10.166 --> 00:26:12.402
  • So he was speaking to that hope that the not only would
  • 00:26:12.402 --> 00:26:15.405
  • The jewish people escape gentile oppression,
  • 00:26:15.405 --> 00:26:19.476
  • But that the jewish people themselves would become
  • 00:26:19.476 --> 00:26:21.745
  • A spiritual lighthouse to the whole world.
  • 00:26:21.745 --> 00:26:24.314
  • The prophecy of isaiah, for example, that nations
  • 00:26:24.314 --> 00:26:28.585
  • From around the world would come to
  • 00:26:28.585 --> 00:26:29.986
  • Jerusalem and seek god and would be welcome.
  • 00:26:29.986 --> 00:26:33.223
  • And jesus is challenging the ruling priests of his day
  • 00:26:33.223 --> 00:26:36.459
  • To live up to that prophecy and that great vision.
  • 00:26:36.459 --> 00:26:41.064
  • The new testament records
  • 00:26:41.631 --> 00:26:43.400
  • That the common people of israel heard jesus gladly.
  • 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:46.736
  • His teachings
  • 00:26:47.103 --> 00:26:48.304
  • Were like a refreshing wind sweeping across the landscape,
  • 00:26:48.304 --> 00:26:51.041
  • And as he spoke,
  • 00:26:51.441 --> 00:26:52.676
  • It was as if god was
  • 00:26:52.676 --> 00:26:53.943
  • Speaking to individual hearts and at a deep spiritual level,
  • 00:26:53.943 --> 00:26:57.781
  • Which seemed to satisfy the inner longings of the soul
  • 00:26:57.781 --> 00:27:00.884
  • Wherever jesus walked.
  • 00:27:01.351 --> 00:27:03.053
  • He was never without an audience, for no one in israel's
  • 00:27:03.053 --> 00:27:06.289
  • Long history ever spoke quite like he did.
  • 00:27:06.289 --> 00:27:09.993
  • The question is, was jesus merely
  • 00:27:10.727 --> 00:27:13.430
  • A good teacher of torah, or was he much more than that?
  • 00:27:13.430 --> 00:27:13.430