Grafted Branches

Oh, that voice within us that says, "Eat! Those calories only count during a leap year on the third Thursday in February." Or even this, "God wants me to be happy." Whose voices are these, and why do we listen to them?In this podcast, we go back to the beginning, when there was just one thing God told humanity not to do, and we did it anyway. Who did Adam and Eve listen to? Join us as we revisit this story we thought we knew so well. With fresh eyes, discover insights and answers to the challenges our culture faces today.

If you could, face to face, ask Jesus  a question what that question be?  In this podcast we talk about the encounter between a  man who gets to do that very thing.  And you know what his question was,  "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"  This exchange and Jesus' answer are so important all three of the synoptic Gospel writers included it in their narratives of His life. What is really interesting is Jesus doesn't answer the man's question and instead teaches all of those listening about the Kingdom of Heaven and its treasures.

Everything we do, from the smallest to the greatest, has consequences. Sometimes we get blessed, but all too often, the payback can be somewhat uncomfortable, if not unbearable. Culturally it's called "what goes around comes around," the ancient sages called it "measure for measure." What does the Bible say about this? Join us and find out.

From the east, the sun began warming the morning air's coolness in the holiest location in Israel, the Temple. Following the morning light, Jesus entered the Temple and began teaching His listeners God's instructions. Shortly afterward, some scribes and Pharisees drug a woman into the Temple Court and put her right in the middle of the people He was teaching. Referring to the Torah and the death penalty for her sinful act, they demanded Jesus to answer their question, "what do you say?" What did Jesus do? He ignored them and their demanding question. Join us as we examine and see what was going on between Jesus and these men. Were they asking Him to judge this woman, or was something else on their minds?

In this podcast, we look at one of the best-known accounts from the Exodus, where Moses tells Pharoah, "let my people go."  Did the staff of Moses turn into a snake,  did God harden Pharoah's heart, and why do we even need to know this?  Join us as we explore the details of culture and language that shed some light on this strange encounter, answering  the question of "why" we should study to know our Bibles.

Right after Jesus tells His most famous parable, the “Prodigal Son,” he teaches His listeners about a man who swindles his boss and is called shrewd for doing so. What's even more confusing is Jesus says this man is “more shrewd” than the “sons of light.”From the most famous to the most confusing and misinterpreted parable, Jesus teaches his followers how to live in a corrupt and unrighteous culture, especially when dealing with its wealth. Join us as we make sense of this strange story and find out who these “sons of light” really are.

In the story of creation it says mankind is made in the image of God, or in Hebrew "tzelem Elochim."  The creation story tells us  both humans and animals are made from the same stuff, however only mankind is made in God's image. So what does that mean, does God have an image and do humans actually look like Him? Join us in this podcast as we explore those questions and more.

In the last recorded healing done by Jesus on the Sabbath it seems the man who was healed is invisible to those who were present. Did those present object to healing on the Sabbath and why is the one healed seemingly invisible to them? The tradition of inviting travelers to a meal, known as "Hachnassat Orchim," is an important part of Hebrew life. However, like all things, did the people in this story forget what it was really about and do all of us actually do the very same thing?Join us as we begin to see "the invisible man."

Jesus encounters a woman who was suffering with a crippling disability for over 18 years and heals her on the Sabbath. When a complaint arises He uses the opportunity to teach the listeners about the Kingdom of God and how "Tza'ar Ba'alei Chayim," preventing the suffering of living things, is never limited by the day of the week and it isn't just about animals.

In this episode we talk about the question, "Is it lawful to do good or harm, to save a life or destroy it on the Sabbath." Jesus fame as a teacher and healer had grown to the point where he has been followed by Scribes and Pharisees to a Synagogue where he is teaching.  Instead of finding fault, what they see and hear from Him is a practical example about "how to save a life," also known as Pikuach Nephesh. Can we do the same today?

“...He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”So what was so unlawful about picking and eating grain on the Sabbath and why does Jesus answer with a seemingly obscure story from the days of King David? Maybe knowing a bit more about Hillel and Shammai will help us to understand why "some" Pharisees thought such a simple act of eating was so unlawful.

Scholars who have compared Jesus teachings to His contemporaries are seeing that rather than being entirely antagonistic to their ideology, Jesus’ teaching brilliantly builds upon the thinking and debates of His time and brings it to a new level. Join us as we begin to explore the two main schools of the Pharisees -Hillel and Shammai.

Over the past 50 years there has been a new interest among Christians studying Jesus’ world of first-century Judaism. Scholars looking at Jewish literature from that time period are beginning to say we’ve really missed it regarding the Pharisees. Join us as we begin to explore this group of men in the framework of first-century Israel.

Who are the good and bad guys in Jesus day? In this podcast we talk about the Sadducees, their ideals, theology, and beliefs. Who knows, maybe we all have a little "Sadducee" in each of us.

When Jesus taught to “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness,” His disciples and followers understood these two common first-century phrases. Join us as we explore the Hebrew concept of “righteousness” and how it is applicable today.

When Jesus taught, "Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness..." what did those first-century listeners understand and why is this important for us nearly two thousand years later? In our latest conversation we explore the "now" or present need and importance of living in God's Kingdom.

If Jesus Christ is God's Son, does that mean "Christ" is God's last name? Names are important! In this podcast conversation we explore what it means to be Messiah or Christ.

Join us, Drew and Deborah, as we continue to explore the Hebraic roots of Jesus.In this podcast we explore a method of teaching used by Jesus known as a remez. So, what is a remez, how was it used and did His listeners "get it?"

When a first-century teacher used the phrase "to abolish or fulfill," what did they mean by that? Was it a prophetic or messianic statement, or maybe something else? Join us as we explore this well-known statement and first-century idiom.

Do you have a good eye or a bad eye, and we are not talking about going to the Optometrist? In first-century Israel, when a teacher used this idiom, the people listening got it and understood what the subject was. Two thousand years later, can we say the same thing?Join us and see how understanding cultural idioms can help us know the message and possibly change how we see things.

About two thousand years ago a man named Jesus changed the world. Much of what we know about him comes from both tradition and the popular media. However, somehow it has been lost that he was and is a first-century Hebraic Rabbi, who taught and lived according to the traditions and methods of his day. Listen in as we consider, examine and talk about the teachings and methods Jesus used and how understanding them might just change how we live them out.