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.
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- When you give to see farai,
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- 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.
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- When you become a partner for the first time
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- With a monthly donation of $25 or more, and as a thank you,
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- You will receive
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- The dvd set prophetic dreams and visions in daniel.
- 00:07:13.164 --> 00:07:16.367
- 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.
- 00:07:19.504 --> 00:07:21.906
- 1-888-206-1986 or visit
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- C4i america.com and make a difference in israel today.
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- We. love.
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- 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.
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- These were dark days, for is rare times
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- When their cherished
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- Monotheistic beliefs were threatened as never before.
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- 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
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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,
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- Thinking that they could predict when that messiah would come.
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- 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.
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- The hebrew prophets frequently spoke
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- Of a descendant of david who would reign from jerusalem.
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- This concept of a messianic successor
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- To david was also echoed in the psalms.
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- My covenant, i will not break nor
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- 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
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- Of the dynasty of david, their famous king, king david,
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- 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.
- 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:59.310
- 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,
- 00:13:30.307 --> 00:13:33.010
- 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,
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- 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