What Happens In This Episode:

This Jesus Stories episode breaks down the reaction to Jesus’ teaching in various places in Galilee. Who listened to Him? Did they believe Him? If they believed, how did they act? If they didn’t believe, how did they act? What does this mean for you and me? Do we believe Jesus? If so, what do we do about it? Join me as explore these questions and understand the implications of the answers that we find.

Scriptures Referenced In This Episode:

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What Happens In This Episode:

In this Jesus Stories, we meet several people who have different reactions to Jesus and his teaching. The residents of Sychar believe Jesus. So does a government official from Capernaum. But, the Jews in Jesus home synagogue and some other Jews decided that they didn’t believe. Some fishermen believed after seeing an awesome catch. And evil spirits knew who Jesus was but not his purpose. The question I ask at the beginning is this: Whom do you believe? (We’ll talk more about that question in the next episode.)

The demonstration of Jesus teaching from the boat can be found on this YouTube link.

Scriptures Referenced In This Episode:

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

In This Episode

This episode delves deeper into the passion of John the Baptist for becoming less as Jesus becomes more. That humility translates into example from the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. Jesus shares with her the concept of worship that Jehovah God seeks – worship in spirit and in truth. How do John the Baptist and Jesus himself exemplify this principle? What does that mean for you and me? Listen as I tie these concepts together for a greater understanding of both.

Scriptures Used in this Episode

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What Happens In This Episode

As we open this week’s Jesus Stories, the Jesus’ disciples think that they are in competition with John the Baptist. However, Jesus sets them straight on this point. Even John informs us of his non-competitive position; he will become less while Jesus becomes greater.

Jesus and his disciples leave Judea and head to Galilee. They take the short route through the region of Samaria. Jesus stops to rest and we drop in on another interesting conversation between Jesus and a woman from Samaria – a person whom Jesus shouldn’t have been talking with – if he listened to the culture. Jesus spoke with her, identified himself to her, and gave her water that would be life for her and her village.

Scriptures Used In This Episode

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE?

We elaborate on two events from the last episode. Jesus comes to a wedding and performs a miracle there. What does that mean for you and me? Then, Jesus goes to the Temple in Jerusalem and purges it of the merchants within. What does that mean? How do these events show the same side of Jesus?

SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS EPISODE:

SCRIPTURES NOT USED IN THIS EPISODE (BUT IMPORTANT FOR UNDERSTANDING)!

In my explanation of the image of wine and blood in the story of the miracle of water being turned into wine, I mentioned that wine and blood were images used throughout the New Testament. Here are scriptures which illustrate that connection:

JESUS STORIES MERCH:

Who doesn’t like a nice mug for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. This is our first merch item. Check it out here.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE?

Jesus begins collecting followers in this Jesus Stories episode. We meet his first followers and see an early miracle. Jesus also travels to the first Passover and has his first confrontation in the Temple with the religious leaders of Israel.

SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS EPISODE:

JESUS STORIES SWAG:

Who doesn’t like a nice mug for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. This is our first swag item. Check it out here.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE:

This episode of Jesus Stories concludes the interview we started with Dennis about a month ago (Episode #3-16 Encounter with Evil). Dennis shares how with the help of his newfound Savior, Jesus, he begins to overcome the evil which has been tormenting him. Because of the length of the interview, this episode is a bit longer than what I usually post. But, it is important to hear the whole story and understand the victory he is enjoying.

Two notes about Dennis:

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE:

This Jesus Stories episode tells the whole Christmas Story. Did you know that the story begins with Creation? “In the beginning….” From there it proceeds until the baby is born in Bethlehem that is destined to change the world. After he is killed, Jehovah God raises him from the dead giving new life, reconciliation, salvation, and love to all mankind.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

MUSIC HEARD ON THIS PODCAST:

This episode contains a lot of music for a Jesus Stories podcast. Here is a list of the selections.

  • Joy to the World, by Isaac Watts. Performed by Quincas Moreira Music
  • O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), attributed to John Francis Wade. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
  • I Come to the Garden Alone, by C. Austin Miles. Performed by Praise and Harmony TV. https://youtu.be/FxPXJmUqkaA
  • O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel), M. Neale. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
  • Away in a Manger, attributed by Martin Luther. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem, by Phillips Brooks. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
  • Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
  • Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?, by J.G. Dailey. Performed by Margie Mitchell, from the Worship Ministry of the New York City Church of Christ.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What Happens in this Episode?

This week’s Jesus Stories, “In the Desert”, cements the author’s validation of the identity of Jesus. John the Baptist points at Jesus calling him the Messiah. While Matthew and Luke show Jesus confrontation with Satan in which Satan loses and Jesus wins. To them, anyone who can stand against Satan, could only be the Messiah.

Scriptures We Refer to In This Story:

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What Happens in this Episode?

This week’s Jesus Stories introduces us to the first people who met or wanted to meet Jesus. Two of them met Jesus in the Temple and praised and prophesied about him. A third person – an evil ruler – sought to kill him; while magi came from afar to worship him and bring him gifts. Then we meet Jesus as a twelve year old giving his parents the scare of their life-time.

Scriptures We Refer to In This Story:

We’re On Social Media!

Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.