Ep 226 | Jesus Bore the Sins of Many

Jesus Bore the Sins of Many
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 226 | Jesus Bore the Sins of Many
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Ep 226 | Jesus Bore the Sins of Many

Coming up is a harrowing story to hear but important. We will learn that Jesus bore the sins of many and was the only one who could do this!

Scripture

Luke 23 NLT

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

1Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”

3So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

4Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”

5Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”

6“Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

8Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12(Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)

13Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”23:16 Some manuscripts add verse 17, Now it was necessary for him to release one prisoner to them during the Passover celebration. Compare Matt 27:15; Mark 15:6; John 18:39.

18Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19(Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

23But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

The Crucifixion

26As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,23:26 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa. happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’23:30 Hos 10:8. 31For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?23:31 Or If these things are done to me, the living tree, what will happen to you, the dry tree?

32Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33When they came to a place called The Skull,23:33 Sometimes rendered Calvary, which comes from the Latin word for “skull.” they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”23:34a This sentence is not included in many ancient manuscripts. And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.23:34b Greek by casting lots. See Ps 22:18.

35The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

44By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”23:46 Ps 31:5. And with those words he breathed his last.

47When the Roman officer23:47a Greek the centurion. overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.23:47b Or righteous.” 48And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.23:48 Greek went home beating their breasts. 49But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

The Burial of Jesus

50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation,23:54 Greek It was the day of preparation. as the Sabbath was about to begin.

55As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Questions

  1. When did you first decide to follow Jesus? What/ who helped you make that decision?
  2. What makes you proud about your relationship with God? 
  3. If we are created to steward or care for the world and everything in it well, how could you (or all of us) do that better?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 225 | Jesus Took Our Place

Jesus Took Our Place
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 225 | Jesus Took Our Place
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Ep 225 | Jesus Took Our Place

This Episode was released on March 22, 2021.

Jesus took our Place. It’s not really a secret way out from the penalty of the wrong things we say or do. The question is, will you accept it?

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 224 | The Triumphant Entry

Triumphant Entry
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 224 | The Triumphant Entry
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Ep 224 | The Triumphant Entry

An Episode from our archives. We look at an unplanned parade celebrating Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. The people wanted a messiah!

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 223 | The Lost Son

The Lost Son
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 223 | The Lost Son
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Ep 223 | The Lost Son

A good relationship with God is the reward. Will you choose the father, or will you choose what you hope to get from the father?

Scripture

Luke 15:11-31 NLT

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”‘

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'”

Questions

  1. Describe what you hope to gain or avoid from rebellion or obedience.
  2. What things pull your heart away from God?
  3. What things pull your heart toward God?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 222 | A Solid Foundation | Sermon on the Mount Part 4 of 4

Solid Foundation
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 222 | A Solid Foundation | Sermon on the Mount Part 4 of 4
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Ep 222 | A Solid Foundation | Sermon on the Mount Part 4 of 4

Build your life on a solid foundation by following Christ’s teaching. You won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. God’s grace will be there.

https://youtu.be/m8OaVa-o8sY

Scripture

Matthew 7:24-27 NLT

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Questions

  1. When did you first decide to follow Jesus? What/ who helped you make that decision?
  2. What makes you proud about your relationship with God? 
  3. If we are created to steward or care for the world and everything in it well, how could you (or all of us) do that better?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 221 | Loving Your Enemies | Sermon on the Mount Part 3 of 4

Love Your Enemies
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 221 | Loving Your Enemies | Sermon on the Mount Part 3 of 4
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Ep 221 | Loving Your Enemies | Sermon on the Mount Part 3 of 4

Ask yourself, did the sun rise on them today? The sunrise shows God’s love for them. Join God loving your everyone, even your enemies!

Scripture

Matthew 5:43-48 NLT

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Questions

  1. How could love for the hatters and enemies in your life bring good to them, others and you?
  2. Is it possible to love and still protect ourselves from harm?
  3. Think of the hatters and enemies in your life. How could you be praying for them?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 220 | Salt and Light | The Sermon on the Mount Part 2 of 4

Salt and Light
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 220 | Salt and Light | The Sermon on the Mount Part 2 of 4
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Ep 220 | Salt and Light | The Sermon on the Mount Part 2 of 4

I know it can be scary to salt and light and point others to Jesus. Dive deep into God’s love. This is what Jesus calls us to do!

https://youtu.be/Ll54G7R5xyM

Scripture

Matthew 5:13-16 NLT

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Questions

  1. Who around you needs a taste or glimpse of the goodness of God?
  2. What are some ways that Christians sometimes hide their faith, and how can we avoid doing the same?
  3. List three ways you can shine your light.
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 219 | The Beatitudes | The Sermon on the Mount Part 1 of 4

The Beatitudes
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 219 | The Beatitudes | The Sermon on the Mount Part 1 of 4
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Ep 219 | The Beatitudes | The Sermon on the Mount Part 1 of 4

Being aligned with the Kingdom of God and not the world allows us to experience blessings we would otherwise miss!

Scripture

Matthew 5:3-12

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Questions

  1. Read through the beatitudes and select one that is difficult for you. Describe to your friends why you chose that particular beatitude.
  2. Select another beatitude. How is it contrary to how the world acts or thinks?
  3. Read Matthew 5:11-12. How do you feel about following Jesus in light of this teaching?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 218 | Jesus’ Early Ministry and Miracles!

Ep 218 | Discover the Wonders of Jesus' Early Ministry and Miracles!
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 218 | Jesus' Early Ministry and Miracles!
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Ep 218 | Jesus’ Early Ministry and Miracles!

Jesus’ hope for you is no different than his hope for people in this story. Listen along and learn about Jesus’ early ministry and miracles.

Scripture

Luke 4:14-44 NLT

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

14Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.  ”

20He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

28When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Jesus Casts Out a Demon

31Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 32There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

33Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, 34“Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

36Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” 37The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Jesus Heals Many People

38After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

40As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

Jesus Continues to Preach

42Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 44So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

Questions

  1. Most people are comfortable with the idea that Jesus taught, but they become more uncomfortable with his healing and even more uncomfortable with him casting out evil spirits. Why do you think this is?
  2. If Jesus were physically with you right now. Who would you bring to him for healing?
  3. Jesus loved teaching people. What are some ways you can learn about Jesus’ teachings?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 217 | What we can learn from Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

What we can learn from Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 217 | What we can learn from Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
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Ep 217 | What we can learn from Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

Today, we look at Jesus’ baptism and temptation. Jesus was the Son of God, fully human and gives an example for us to resist temptation.

Scripture

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Questions

  1. What does Jesus’ baptism teach us about his identity and mission?
  2. What is significant about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness?
  3. How can we resist temptation and follow Jesus’ example?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.