Podcasts about golgotha

Patrick and Jonah continue their Facing Evil series by reflecting on Rudolf Steiner's picture of Christ's activity in our time and the work of the angels in human life.They explore the idea of a “second Golgotha,” consider the spiritual consequences of modern materialism, and touch on Steiner's image of a kind of spiritual “smog” surrounding the earth. As Christmas approaches, the conversation turns toward the angels as messengers and guides, and toward Christ as a presence encountered through inner awakening rather than outward spectacle.Support the showThe Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."

Delivered by Angeline from the Church of Saint Catherine in the Archdiocese of Seattle, USA. Acts of the Apostle 6: 8-10; 7: 54-59; Rs psalm 31: 3cd-4.6.8ab.16bc.17; Matthew 10: 17-22.WAY OF THE CROSSAFTER CHRISTMAS The title for ourmeditation today is: Way of the Cross After Christmas. Today we celebrate thefeast of St. Stephen, a distinguished disciple of Jesus and the first martyr ofthe Church. He was one of the deacons chosen to serve the corporeal affairs ofthe Early Church community, while the apostles focused on the service of theword and prayer, as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. With this feast ofmartyrdom on the second day of Christmas, the inspiration that is appropriateto us is the life in the Holy Spirit. The mystery of incarnation that wereflect upon, then understand and believe in, it's because of the help of theHoly Spirit. Jesus Christ who was lying as a baby in a manger knew clearly Hisdestiny that eventually brought him to the top of Golgotha. The calm, peacefuland joyful Bethlehem is closely connected with the ​​hill of Golgotha, and thisconnection is actually the path to be walked on by Jesus, the Savior. So the connectionbetween these two places in the Palestinian land actually reveals the mainreason why the Son of God, the eternal Word, became human in order to redeemhumanity from the bondage of sin and death. The outcome of this is a new lifegiven to all followers of Jesus Christ who are sons and daughters of theFather. From the beginning of his life Jesus taught the lesson of theScriptures, and he confirmed it through his way of life, that the way to theFather is the way of the cross. He shows us the example of his own path ofpassion and death. Saint Stephen is thefirst person in the Church who was in Jerusalem at that time facing and bearingthe cross. If we all choose to share in the glory of Jesus Christ, then we mustcarry our crosses daily and follow Christ through the path that He had walkedon. To give encouragement and strength, Jesus frankly tells the apostles,disciples and all of His followers about the risks of following Him. Thisbecomes possible only if we submit ourselves under the guidance of the HolySpirit. The Christmas messageactually contains risks to be faced by the followers of Christ. Jesus from thebeginning of His birth had those risks. Every baptized person is made clearabout this, that the risks and ultimate goal of taking part in Jesus Christ willonly be achieved through the cross. Glory and happiness in Christ must be paidfirst with a very high price, which is self-sacrifice and death, including theway experienced by Saint Stephen. Jesus' message to usis that He had given us sufficient grace so that everyone of us is able to takeup the cross and can endure sacrifices in life for the sake of glory andhappiness being with Him. So there will be no bad, cruel or empty cross,sacrifice, and suffering in Christ.Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us always with Your grace so that we canaccept and carry our crosses with joy and hope. Glory to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on December 24, 2025. The readings are from Isaiah 9:1-6, Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13, Titus 2:11-14 & Luke 2:1-14. — Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytcnEsuKXBI-xN8mv9mkfw

Send us a textA baby in a manger isn't a soft story—it's the opening move of God's rescue that confronts every heart. We trace a bold arc from Isaiah 65 through John 3 and Luke 2 to show why the birth of Jesus leads directly to the Cross, why grace both comforts and judges, and how the hope of Revelation reframes Christmas as a call to trust, not a season of sentiment. Along the way, we tackle works righteousness head-on, revisit Jacob and Esau to clarify election and mercy, and lean into Romans 9's image of the potter and the clay to place confidence where it belongs: in the God who saves.We also zoom out historically to the “Angel of the Lord,” exploring how early readers wrestled with divine presence in the Old Testament and how those moments foreshadow Christ. That thread helps us see Scripture's unity—one plan, one Messiah, one finished work that grants living bread and living water to those who believe. The challenge is bracing but hopeful: celebrating Christ's birth while ignoring his death empties the holiday of its power. Real joy comes from seeing the manger as the road to Golgotha and the empty tomb.You'll hear heartfelt exhortations for bold witness at family tables, honest warnings about cultural Christianity, and a live rendition of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel that centers our longing on the One who ransoms captives and ends exile. If you're ready to trade vague cheer for deep assurance—and to let Scripture shape your celebration—this conversation will steady your heart and sharpen your voice. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs courage this week, and leave a review to help more listeners find gospel clarity during the holidays.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

It's Christmas Eve. A holiday celebrated by 2.4 billion people around the world, which centers on a 2,000-year-old story about a Jewish man born in Bethlehem who became a rabbi, who the Romans would later execute in Jerusalem.  But what most people don't know is that the first people who believed in Jesus did not think they were starting a new religion. They were a small group of Jews who thought of themselves as history's last generation, with Jesus as their Messiah. Of course, as we all know now, they were not history's last generation. Instead, they became history's first Christians. How did that happen? When did Christ's followers begin to see themselves as distinct and separate from Judaism? Why did some Jews refuse to accept Christ as the Messiah? And how was that refusal, and the anti-Judaism of the early Christians, directly connected to the antisemitism burning across the globe today? These first few centuries are essential for understanding not just Christianity and Judaism, but the way ideas spread, and why many of the ideas of this period—good ones, and also some very bad ones—still persist in our world today. My guest today, Paula Fredriksen, has spent her career studying this period of history. She is one of the world's leading scholars of early Christianity and the author of many books including: When Christians Were Jews: The First Generation, Paul: The Pagans' Apostle, and Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years.  Paula was born in Rhode Island and now lives in Jerusalem, just 20 minutes from Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified.   This conversation is a Christmas special you won't want to miss. The Free Press earns a commission from any purchases made through all  book links in this article. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. A Savior Was Born2. A Message of Good News3. A Treasured MomentMay this message finds you blessed and filled with the joy of Christmas. Let us take a moment to reflect on the powerful truths we explored together on Christmas Eve.Today's sermon explored the true meaning of Christmas in a world that Charles Dickens aptly described as "the best of times and the worst of times." While we live in an age of technological advancement and convenience, we also face increasing challenges—crime, fraud, and a culture consumed by busyness. Yet Christmas remains the greatest holiday in human history, not because of lights, decorations, or gifts from stores, but because of one Person: Jesus Christ. We cannot have Christmas without Christ. He is the reason for the season, the source of true peace, hope, and joy. Through examining Luke 2, we discovered that 2,000 years ago, a Savior was born—not just a baby, but Immanuel, God with us—who came to deliver humanity from sin and separation from God.Takeaways:- A Savior Was Born for All People: Jesus wasn't just another baby born in Bethlehem. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy—the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace wrapped in human flesh. The infinite, eternal God entered our world through natural birth to look at us with human eyes, touch us with human hands, and fully understand our pain.- Good News of Great Joy: The angels proclaimed a message that still echoes today—there is hope for ruined humanity. We cannot save ourselves through good works or personal effort. Jesus came as the only Savior, the Deliverer who is God, offering forgiveness and freedom from everything that weighs us down. True peace comes not from what we buy or achieve, but from glorifying God and receiving His gift.- Treasure This Moment: Like Mary, who pondered and treasured these things in her heart, we must not lose sight of the real Christmas. The manger and the cross are inseparable—Jesus was born to die for us. His birth at Bethlehem points directly to His sacrifice at Golgotha. This Christmas, let us embrace God's greatest gift and make room in our busy lives for Jesus.As we celebrate this season, may we rediscover that Christmas truly means "a little bit more" than what comes from a store. The Creator became a baby in a stable so that thirty years later He could hang on a cross for you and me. That is the greatest gift ever given.Merry Christmas and may God's peace fill your heart!

1. A Savior Was Born2. A Message of Good News3. A Treasured MomentMay this message finds you blessed and filled with the joy of Christmas. Let us take a moment to reflect on the powerful truths we explored together on Christmas Eve.Today's sermon explored the true meaning of Christmas in a world that Charles Dickens aptly described as "the best of times and the worst of times." While we live in an age of technological advancement and convenience, we also face increasing challenges—crime, fraud, and a culture consumed by busyness. Yet Christmas remains the greatest holiday in human history, not because of lights, decorations, or gifts from stores, but because of one Person: Jesus Christ. We cannot have Christmas without Christ. He is the reason for the season, the source of true peace, hope, and joy. Through examining Luke 2, we discovered that 2,000 years ago, a Savior was born—not just a baby, but Immanuel, God with us—who came to deliver humanity from sin and separation from God.Takeaways:- A Savior Was Born for All People: Jesus wasn't just another baby born in Bethlehem. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy—the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace wrapped in human flesh. The infinite, eternal God entered our world through natural birth to look at us with human eyes, touch us with human hands, and fully understand our pain.- Good News of Great Joy: The angels proclaimed a message that still echoes today—there is hope for ruined humanity. We cannot save ourselves through good works or personal effort. Jesus came as the only Savior, the Deliverer who is God, offering forgiveness and freedom from everything that weighs us down. True peace comes not from what we buy or achieve, but from glorifying God and receiving His gift.- Treasure This Moment: Like Mary, who pondered and treasured these things in her heart, we must not lose sight of the real Christmas. The manger and the cross are inseparable—Jesus was born to die for us. His birth at Bethlehem points directly to His sacrifice at Golgotha. This Christmas, let us embrace God's greatest gift and make room in our busy lives for Jesus.As we celebrate this season, may we rediscover that Christmas truly means "a little bit more" than what comes from a store. The Creator became a baby in a stable so that thirty years later He could hang on a cross for you and me. That is the greatest gift ever given.Merry Christmas and may God's peace fill your heart!

Patrick and Jonah continue their “Facing Evil” series by reflecting on the tension between automatic spirituality and a purely material, technical way of thinking. Drawing on Rudolf Steiner's images of Lucifer and Ahriman, they ask what it means to remain free, responsible, and awake in a world shaped by instant answers and constant stimulation.The conversation touches on silence, screens, artificial intelligence as a source of guidance, and the challenge of making space for discernment. Along the way, they introduce the striking idea of a “second Mystery of Golgotha” and what it might mean for human consciousness today.Support the showThe Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."

Let's turn together in our Bibles to the book of Genesis, chapter 3, and focus our attention on verse 15. This is one of those pivotal verses in Scripture that has rightly been called the protoevangelium—the first announcement of the good news of salvation. In the King James Version, which we'll use throughout our study today, it reads: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Imagine the scene in the Garden of Eden just moments after the fall. Adam and Eve have disobeyed God, eaten the forbidden fruit, and now they stand before Him in shame and fear. The harmony of creation is shattered. Sin has entered the world, bringing with it death, curse, and separation from God. It seems as though Satan, working through the serpent, has scored a complete victory. Yet right here, in the midst of pronouncing judgment, God speaks a word of incredible grace—a promise that shines like a beacon in the darkness. This verse is the seed from which the entire message of redemption grows. It's the foundation for everything that follows in the Bible, pointing us ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I want us to unpack this promise carefully, phrase by phrase, and trace how it unfolds through Scripture. We'll see God's sovereign grace at work, the conflict between the two seeds, the suffering and triumph of the Savior, and what it all means for us personally. My prayer is that as we study this together, we'll gain a deeper appreciation for the gospel and a stronger confidence in God's unbreakable plan. 1. The Divine Initiative: "And I Will Put Enmity" Notice first who takes the initiative here. God says, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman." The "thee" refers to the serpent, and as Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 make clear, this is none other than Satan himself: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." God doesn't command Adam or Eve to start fighting the devil. No, He declares sovereignly, "I will put enmity." This is pure grace from beginning to end. Fallen humanity, left to ourselves, has no natural hostility toward Satan. In fact, we're at peace with him and at enmity with God. As Ephesians 2:1-3 reminds us: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." And Colossians 1:21: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." By nature, we love the darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20). But when God plants this enmity in a heart, everything changes. The one who once listened eagerly to the serpent's lies now becomes his enemy. This is the beginning of regenerating grace—the Holy Spirit turning a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Think about it: Eve had just been deceived by the serpent, yet God promises to create hostility between them. From that moment, humanity is divided into two spiritual lines: those who remain friends with the serpent and those in whom God has worked to make them hate sin and love holiness. This isn't something we muster up on our own; it's God's doing. What encouragement this is! If you're a believer today, that enmity toward sin in your heart is evidence of God's grace at work in you from the very foundation of the gospel promise. 2. The Two Seeds: "Between Thy Seed and Her Seed" Next, God speaks of the ongoing conflict: "and between thy seed and her seed." Throughout Scripture, this theme of two seeds runs like a thread, dividing all humanity spiritually. The serpent's seed are those who belong to him by nature and choice. Jesus said it plainly in John 8:44: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." We see this line early on with Cain, who murdered his brother Abel. It continues through history: Pharaoh oppressing Israel, Haman plotting against the Jews, Herod slaughtering the innocents, Judas betraying Christ, and every unregenerate person who opposes God and His people. But there's another seed—the seed of the woman. This is unusual language. Everywhere else in Genesis, offspring is described as the seed of the man: Abraham's seed, Isaac's seed, Jacob's seed, David's seed. Why here "her seed"? Because this points to the virgin birth. The promised Redeemer would have no human father. He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a woman alone. Paul understood this clearly in Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." And Isaiah prophesied it in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This singular wording in Genesis 3:15 is God's early hint at the miraculous incarnation. The Champion who would defeat Satan would be fully human—born of a woman—yet fully God, without a sinful human father to pass on Adam's guilt. As we trace this promise, we see it narrowing. From the seed of the woman, to Seth's line, to Noah, to Shem, to Abraham (whose seed would bless all nations—Galatians 3:16 points this to Christ), to Judah (Genesis 49:10: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be"), to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16, the everlasting throne), to the virgin's Son in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting"). Every type and shadow in the Old Testament points forward to this Seed: Abel's acceptable lamb, the ark preserving Noah through judgment, the ram provided for Isaac, the Passover lamb, the bronze serpent lifted up (John 3:14), the scapegoat bearing away sins, the daily offerings—all crying out, "The Seed is coming!" 3. The Conflict and Victory: "It Shall Bruise Thy Head, and Thou Shalt Bruise His Heel" Now we come to the heart of the promise: "it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Note the pronouns carefully. In the Hebrew, it's singular and masculine: "He shall bruise thy head." This isn't a general conflict between groups; it's personal. One individual—the Seed of the woman—will deliver the decisive blow. The bruising of the heel speaks of real suffering. The serpent will strike, causing pain, humiliation, even apparent defeat. But a bruised heel is not fatal; it heals. A crushed head, however, is final—total destruction of the enemy's power. This is a preview of the cross and the resurrection. At Calvary, Satan bruised Christ's heel. From the manger onward, the enemy opposed Him: Herod's massacre, the temptations in the wilderness, the opposition of religious leaders, the demons' fury, and finally the horrors of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Philippians 2:6-8 describes the depth of this humiliation: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." The eternal Son veiled His glory, entered a virgin's womb, lived as a servant, and died a criminal's death. On the cross, darkness covered the earth, and He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, quoting Psalm 22:1). Satan seemed triumphant—the Seed was dead and buried. But the promise was only a bruised heel, not a crushed head. On the third day, Christ rose victorious! As Psalm 16:10 prophesied: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Hebrews 2:14 declares the result: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." And Colossians 2:15: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." At the cross, Jesus disarmed the demonic forces. Death's sting is gone for believers (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Satan's head received a mortal wound, though he still thrashes about. The full crushing awaits Christ's return. Then, as Revelation 20:10 promises: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." The King will return in glory (Revelation 19:11-16), and the ancient Eden promise will be completely fulfilled. 4. The Incarnation: God Manifest in the Flesh To accomplish this victory, the Seed had to become one of us. Galatians 4:4-5 again: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." 1 Timothy 3:16 captures the wonder: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The infinite God became finite, the eternal entered time, the Creator became a creature—yet without ceasing to be God. He who upheld the universe lay in a manger. This is the heart of the gospel: Immanuel, God with us. Personal Application: Living in the Victory What does all this mean for us today? Genesis 3:15 isn't just history; it's our story. By nature, we were all seed of the serpent—children of wrath. But if God has saved you, He has planted enmity in your heart toward sin and Satan. You've begun to hate what you once loved and love what you once hated. At the cross, Christ's heel was bruised for you, and Satan's head was crushed on your behalf. By faith in Him, you've passed from death to life, from darkness to light. Now we live out this victory daily. When you resist temptation, bear suffering for Christ, or share the gospel boldly, you're participating in the ongoing conflict—and the outcome is certain. Satan may bruise your heel through trials, slander, or temptation, but he cannot touch your Head, who sits at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool"). So stand firm. The battle is the Lord's. The victory is already secured. And soon, the Seed of the woman will return to make all things new. May this first gospel promise encourage your heart today. The God who spoke grace in Eden is the same God who speaks it to us now through His Son. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Look for His coming.

What if the trees throughout Scripture could speak to us about God's redemptive story? This powerful message traces an extraordinary thread from Genesis to Revelation, showing how trees have witnessed every pivotal moment in God's plan for humanity. We begin in Eden, where the tree of life and the tree of knowledge stood as symbols of our relationship with God—a relationship shattered when humanity chose independence over dependence on Him. That tragic moment, witnessed by the garden's trees, separated us from God's presence and began a journey of longing for restoration. But the story doesn't end in exile. Fast forward through redemptive history to another tree—a dogwood cross on Golgotha—where the Creator Himself hung to undo what was broken in the garden. This tree bore not a criminal, but God in flesh, paying the price for our rebellion so we could return home. The beauty of this narrative is that it culminates in Revelation's vision of the tree of life standing beside the river of God's throne, its leaves healing the nations. We're invited to see Christmas not just as a celebration of Jesus' birth, but as part of this magnificent arc—God's relentless pursuit to bring us back into His presence. The question we must answer is whether we've received the gift that makes us ready for that eternal tree, or if we're still standing at a distance from the One who made it all possible.

Patrick and Jonah continue their “Facing Evil” series, returning to Steiner's Work of the Angels in Man's Astral Body. They explore what happens when we sleep through the spiritual impulses meant to awaken us, and how Ahrimanic materialism and Luciferic automatic spirituality can distort those impulses. The conversation touches on the New Testament image of Christ coming “as a thief in the night,” the danger of losing moral discernment, and Steiner's striking idea of a renewed Mystery of Golgotha in the etheric world.Support the showThe Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."

The Gospel of John Week 24 Scripture: John 18:38 - 19:24. As we begin our story today, Pilate is telling the crowd he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus. So he offered to free a prisoner asking if they wanted Barabbas or Jesus released.  The crowd wants Barabbas release and then Pilate has Jesus flogged. Pastor talks in graphic detail what a flogging was like, the equipment used and what Jesus experienced: excruciating pain, horrendous suffering, brutal torture, and cruel ridicule.  Again Pilate goes out to the crowds telling them he can find no basis for a charge. Pilate brings Jesus out in front of the crowd and the crowd shouts to crucify Him. The Jewish leaders insisted that Jesus had to die because he claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate says to Jesus, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" And Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From that time on Pilate tried to set Jesus free. But the Jewish leaders kept shouting, that if Pilate let Jesus go that he would be opposing Caesar.  So then Pilate brought Jesus out and Pilate sat down on the judge's seat and on this day, The Day of Preparation of the Passover, at noon, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus. Carrying His own cross, Jesus was brought to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha) and Jesus was crucified with two others —one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pastor shares in graphic detail about the brutality and reality of crucifixion. And how this is what Jesus endured for us. Jesus goes to the cross willingly, a clear testimony that God loved this world so much that He was willing to endure this and that, in a way beyond our ability to fully comprehend, is the love of the Living God in such a way that He took on human flesh, and He endured this for us. It is a clear indication of just how much He cares for us and when we read this it drives us to our knees realizing, "Oh Lord, have mercy on me a sinner." The the Son of God came to save us, because we could not save ourselves. Pastor goes on to talk about archeological discoveries and the possible locations of Golgotha and Jesus' tomb along with sharing many personal photos including a picture of the "Jerusalem Cross." We pick back up with the story with Pilate having a sign posted on Jesus' cross that said in three languages, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The religious leaders protested because they told Pilate it was what Jesus only "claimed." Pastor then shares a personal discovery that came to him as he was preparing for this study. It's a fascinating piece about the name of the Living God, written by Pilate and placed over the head of the crucified Jesus. (No I won't share any more than that!!  You will have to take a listen to Pastor sharing what he discovered!) In verse 23 of chapter 19 we read that the soldiers took Jesus clothes, dividing them into 4 pieces and then took his undergarment and cast lots for it. This is a fulfillment of the prophetic words from Psalm 22:18. Pastor takes the time to explore more of Psalm 22 that has several verses fulfilled in the death and crucifixion of Jesus. We see that this is not a miscarriage of justice by evil human beings. Rather, this is a profound fulfillment of God's prophetic word that was uttered by King David a thousand years before it took place. And this is not just simply a story. This is history.  This is His - story. This is my Savior's story. Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

Carl Gallups is the senior pastor for Hickory Hammock Church down in Florida. He has authored 14 books, including his most recent ‘Golgotha’s Groaning.’ Carl Gallups online: http://carlgallups.com/ Golgotha’s Groaning: http://www.carlgallups.com/golgotha/ www.worldviewmatters.tv © FreedomProject 2025

Midweek Move: Jesus Mocked & Crucified (Mark 15:16-32) Join Dallas and Carlos Renfroe as they continue their line-by-line, verse-by-verse study of Mark 15. This week, we examine the brutal mockery and torture Jesus endured at the hands of the soldiers and the profound, prophetic details of His crucifixion. We also tackle tough questions on biblical contradictions, the powerful story of Simon of Cyrene, and the deeper meaning of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. In This Episode: * The Mockery: The brutal flogging, the painful purple cloak, and the crown of thorns used by the Roman soldiers to humiliate Jesus (Mark 15:16-20). * Spiritual Authority: Profound advice for believers on standing for Christ even when spiritual leaders fail and submit to the world. * Simon of Cyrene: The compelling story of the man forced to carry the cross and the impact on his sons, Alexander and Rufus. * Parenting Faith: A discussion on how a parent's faith and encounters with Christ can impact the lives of their children. * Discrepancy Explained: Clearing up perceived biblical "contradictions" regarding the site of the crucifixion (Golgotha vs. Calvary) and the timing (Third Hour vs. Sixth Hour). * The Refusal: Why Jesus refused the pain-dulling wine mixed with myrrh. * Prophetic Fulfillment: How the soldiers casting lots for His garments fulfilled ancient prophecy (Psalm 22). * The Sacrifice: Understanding that Christ's death was done on our behalf before we had the chance to ask for forgiveness, highlighting the true nature of God's love. ---

Les démons de possession travaillent toujours avec l'esprit de mort précoce. Après la victoire du Christ sur les œuvres du diable 2000 après sur La Croix de Golgotha, le diable dans sa ruse  cherche toujours à reconquérir le règne de l'Homme sur la terre en tuant l'Homme précocement. Découvrons dans cette leçon comment vaincre l'influence des démons de possession. TEXTES BIBLIQUES  :  2 CORINTHIENS 2 :10-11, JEAN 10 :10, GENÈSE 3 :9-10, ROMAINS 8 :11. 

As Jesus was crucified, the Bible says that a supernatural darkness came for three hours. What can we learn from Jesus, in the dark?

Series: N/AService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Terry SlackJesus’ journey to the cross has been long and difficult, but when Pilate issues his verdict Jesus will take the final steps of His earthly journey as He is taken from the judgment seat to a hill outside the city. Though Luke’s account occupies just a few verses, it tells of three interactions that transpire on the road to Golgotha.

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, Guy R. Powell continues his discussion with Massimo Paris, researcher of medicine, archaeology, languages, and ancient Jerusalem. Paris offers a compelling walkthrough of the geography surrounding Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus Christ, using detailed reconstructions and archaeological evidence to illuminate the historical landscape.Drawing from Josephus, the Gospels, and modern excavations, Paris explains how an ancient quarry became the location of Calvary on its eastern rise and the tomb on its western edge. He describes the Garden Gate, the first and second city walls, and how these features match biblical accounts stating Jesus suffered outside the gate.Paris also examines the structure of first-century tombs. Citing studies of more than 900 burial caves, he notes that nearly all used square blocking stones, not round ones—clarifying a widespread misconception. He explains how the tomb's single burial chamber and stone bench align precisely with early pilgrim reports and with Scripture describing the linen cloths and the encounter with angels.The conversation also explores how sunlight could enter the tomb's east-facing doorway, allowing the disciples to see inside. These insights provide a richer understanding of the setting of the Resurrection and support themes from The Only Witness.This episode deepens the connection between archaeology, history, and faith and offers a clearer view of the world in which the Shroud of Turin emerged.

The way someone dies does not usually prove who they are. But in Jesus' case, His crucifixion fulfills the very scriptures that foretold the Messiah's suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' crucifixion is not a story of defeat. It is the ultimate proof that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Sermon Notes Mark 15:22 – 27 Jesus crucified on a hill called Golgotha. He refused the offer of dulling His pain. His garments were divided and 2 others were also crucified Mark 15:29 – 32 Many were insulting Him and said he saved others but could not save Himself What if He had come down? Mark 15:33 – 37 Crucifixion started at 9:00 am, at noon darkness fell and at 3 He breathed His last Mark 15:40 & 41 Results of His death – the veil in the Temple was torn top to bottom and the Centurion said “Truly this was the Son of God” Women ministered to Him during His life were looking from afar This sermon walks step-by-step through the events of the crucifixion: • Jesus' physical suffering and the prophetic reasons behind it • Why He refused the pain-numbing wine • The meaning of being crucified at Golgotha, the place of the skull • How Roman soldiers unknowingly fulfilled Old Testament prophecy • The darkness that covered the land and Jesus' cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” • The powerful significance of Psalm 22 and Isaiah's prophecies • The tearing of the temple veil and what it means for our access to God • The centurion's confession, “Truly this man was the Son of God” • The women who faithfully stayed near the cross • What Jesus' death tells us about the love, timing, sovereignty, and faithfulness of God

Brad and David close out the week Golf talk with Brad and David ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

This episode explores the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian theology. It delves into the concept of atonement, explaining how Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provides redemption for humanity's sins. The narrative draws parallels between Jesus' crucifixion and Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, highlighting God's ultimate provision. The episode vividly describes Jesus' journey to Golgotha, his physical and spiritual suffering, and the significance of his death. Key themes include sacrificial love, obedience to God, and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The crucifixion is presented as the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, emphasizing its role in reconciling humanity with God. This episode offers a profound look at the theological implications of Christ's death, making it essential listening for those seeking to understand the core tenets of Christian faith and the concept of divine atonement.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Isiah saw Christ brusued for our iniquities, as they prepared Him for the Cross, Hopfully He was spared the vision of the horror of Golgotha.  Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 14-15 & James 2

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews long-time researcher and lecturer Massimo Paris, who has spent more than 30 years studying the archeology of ancient Jerusalem and its direct connection to the Passion of Jesus Christ.Massimo explains how the remains of a massive stone quarry excavated by Father Virgilio Corbo and his team between 1970 and 1980 reveal the real geographical setting behind Calvary and the Tomb. The eastern edge of this quarry contains the rocky outcrop of Golgotha, while its western edge holds a first-century arcosolium tomb that aligns perfectly with the Gospel description of Jesus Christ's burial and Resurrection.He breaks down the three types of first-century tombs, showing why only a niche tomb with a carved stone bench matches the Biblical account and the description of the two angels seen by Mary Magdalene. Massimo also explains how the quarry floor became a cultivated garden, why the city walls matter, and how these findings support the narrative found in The Only Witness and the historical context of the Shroud of Turin.This episode blends archeology, theology, and history to reveal a compelling case for the authentic locations tied to the crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Doug and Brad A great day at SWAT meetings Epstein files Confessing your sins to AI AI in the Christian's life Dallas Jenkins quote ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

Doug and Brad on a Tuesday Blue Bomber is gone Discipling kids with special needs Baptism for 2 of Doug's daughters The culture is a changing Boys vs. Girls ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

Doug and Craig today Almost finished with Mark Epstein Files Character does count ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

Theme: The War for Souls — Understanding the Battle Between God and Satan Pastor Matthew preached from Isaiah 53, Ephesians 6, and Romans 8, unfolding the reality of the spiritual war between God and Satan that began in heaven and now continues on earth for the souls of men. The sermon traced the war's origin, its impact on humanity, and the believer's call to stand and fight through Christ's victory. The Origin of the War Pastor began by explaining from Hebrew tradition that Lucifer's rebellion may have occurred after Adam was created, not before. When God gave Adam dominion over the earth, Lucifer resented being subject to a being made in God's image and likeness. “Lucifer didn't like that he had to come under Adam's authority if he came to earth. That's why he rebelled.” The war began in heaven and extended to humanity when Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. Humanity retained God's image but lost His likeness — becoming earthly instead of heavenly. The goal of the Christian life, Pastor said, is to regain the likeness of God through Christ. “Your goal isn't to be the best preacher, singer, or worker — your goal is to be like Him.” Jesus: The Warrior Who Fought for Us (Isaiah 53) Reading from Isaiah 53, Pastor described the suffering of Christ as the battle for our redemption. “He went to war — and He was wounded, bruised, and pierced for us.” Every wound Jesus took was a war wound, proof of victory through sacrifice. “By His stripes we are healed” means that the war Jesus fought reconciled us to God — our peace (shalom) restored. Pastor explained shalom as “the cessation of againstness” — the end of hostility between God and man. “When I say ‘Shalom,' I'm saying everything's right between me and you, and between me and God.” The war Jesus fought was not symbolic — it was a real, violent confrontation for our souls. “He went to war for us, and He won. Now He's enlisted us in that same war.” The Nature of Our Battle (Ephesians 6:10–18) Pastor reminded the congregation that we are still in the middle of the war — a spiritual one. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness. Satan's primary weapon is deception — “He caused me to forget” (the Hebrew meaning of beguiled). “Temptation works when we forget — just for a moment — the consequences, our love for God, and who we are.” The solution: Put on the full armor of God — truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word. Pastor emphasized the danger of modern distractions: “We've got a league for everything, a device for everything, but few remember the war we're in. Don't get lulled to sleep.” Key call: “You belong to God before you belong to anybody. Drop what you're doing when He calls. You owe Him that.” The Mind — The Battlefield (2 Corinthians 10:3–5) The war begins in the mind. “That's where Satan got Eve — he distorted her thinking before she took the fruit.” The enemy still works through arguments, imaginations, and lies that exalt themselves against God's truth. Pastor warned that many people are angry at God because Satan deceived them into believing God failed or took something from them. “The devil's best work is making people mad at God — blaming Him for what sin caused.” Believers must bring every thought into captivity to Christ and refuse carnal conflicts with others. “The war isn't in here (the church) — it's out there. Don't fight one another. Prefer one another.” The Call to Spiritual Endurance (2 Timothy 2:3–4) “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Pastor explained that soldiers suffer wounds, hunger, frostbite, and exhaustion — yet stay committed to the mission. Likewise, Christians must endure hardship without getting entangled in worldly distractions. “If you've got too much going on to spend time with God, you've got too much going on.” Our goal is not comfort, but to please Him who enlisted us. Victory Assured (Romans 8:18–39) The war may be fierce, but the outcome is already settled. Jesus' death and resurrection guarantee victory for those who remain faithful. “The game's fixed. If we die, we go straight to be with the Lord.” Creation itself is groaning for redemption, waiting for the full restoration of God's sons. The Holy Spirit helps us in battle — interceding when we don't know how to pray. “When you pray ‘Thy will be done,' you're asking God to realign lives, rescue souls, and tear down sin. That's warfare prayer.” Nothing can separate believers from God's love: Not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, or death. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” The War's End — The Crushing of the Serpent Pastor closed with the prophetic image of David placing Goliath's head on Golgotha, “the place of the skull.” “David was declaring to the world that another is coming to this hill — One who will crush the serpent's head and set you free.” The victory Jesus won at the cross fulfilled that prophecy: “He went to war for us, and now we fight under His banner until the final victory.” Core Message The war began in heaven but now rages on earth for the souls of men. Jesus fought and won at Calvary — His wounds are our peace. We are enlisted soldiers called to fight with faith, prayer, and perseverance. Nothing can separate us from the love of God — the victory is already ours.

John 19:1-6a; 16-19; 28-30: "Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." After this, Jesus, knowing all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thrust." A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on the hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

This week's episode looks back at key moments in rock history and highlights new releases making noise right now. We mark Rockstar Deathdays for greats like Eddie Van Halen, Jan Kuehnemunde, Glen Buxton, Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Shannon Hoon, Paul Di'Anno, Ricky Parent, Mark (Marcie) Free, and Ace Frehley. Album Anniversaries span five decades of milestones — from W.A.S.P.'s Golgotha and Tony Iommi's star-studded solo debut to Ozzy's Ozzmosis, the Pumpkins' Mellon Collie, and Motörhead's Ace of Spades. We also revisit early thrash landmarks from Anthrax and Overkill, and classics from The Who, Angel, and Led Zeppelin. In New Music, fresh releases from Michael Schenker Group, Udo Dirkschneider, Testament, Bangalore Choir, Doro, Big Wreck, and Mammoth help keep the spirit of rock alive. We hope you enjoy Decibel Geek Times and SHARE with a friend! Contact Us! Rate, Review, and Subscribe in iTunes Join the Facebook Fan Page Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram E-mail Us Subscribe to our Youtube channel! Support Us! Buy a T-Shirt! Donate to the show! Stream Us! Stitcher Radio Spreaker TuneIn Become a VIP Subscriber! Click HERE for more info! Comment Below Direct Download  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode looks back at key moments in rock history and highlights new releases making noise right now. We mark Rockstar Deathdays for greats like Eddie Van Halen, Jan Kuehnemunde, Glen Buxton, Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Shannon Hoon, Paul Di'Anno, Ricky Parent, Mark (Marcie) Free, and Ace Frehley. Album Anniversaries span five decades of milestones — from W.A.S.P.'s Golgotha and Tony Iommi's star-studded solo debut to Ozzy's Ozzmosis, the Pumpkins' Mellon Collie, and Motörhead's Ace of Spades. We also revisit early thrash landmarks from Anthrax and Overkill, and classics from The Who, Angel, and Led Zeppelin. In New Music, fresh releases from Michael Schenker Group, Udo Dirkschneider, Testament, Bangalore Choir, Doro, Big Wreck, and Mammoth help keep the spirit of rock alive. We hope you enjoy Decibel Geek Times and SHARE with a friend! Contact Us! Rate, Review, and Subscribe in iTunes Join the Facebook Fan Page Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram E-mail Us Subscribe to our Youtube channel! Support Us! Buy a T-Shirt! Donate to the show! Stream Us! Stitcher Radio Spreaker TuneIn Become a VIP Subscriber! Click HERE for more info! Comment Below Direct Download  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textTwo words can flip your story from despair to hope: but now. After Paul spends pages laying out the gravity of guilt, the silence of the law, and the certainty of judgment, Romans 3 opens a door most of us never knew existed: righteousness from God, revealed apart from the law and received by faith in Jesus Christ. We walk through that door together, not with swagger but with empty hands, learning why justification by faith alone is the cornerstone of the gospel and the difference between trying harder and finally being made right.We trace the promise of grace across Scripture. Abraham and Isaac climb Moriah with wood and fire, and a ram appears in a thicket—then a prophecy rings out: the Lord will provide. Centuries later, on that same ridge now called Golgotha, the promise becomes flesh as the Lamb of God bears sin once for all. David's poetry in Psalm 22 reads like a report from the foot of the cross—pierced hands and feet, a heart like wax, lots cast for clothing—reminding us the gospel is not an afterthought; it is the plan from the beginning. Along the way, we confront common assumptions: why “being pretty good” cannot justify anyone, how the law rightly condemns but cannot rescue, and why faith is not a work but the way to receive what Christ has already accomplished.This conversation is more than doctrine; it's an invitation. We hear an unforgettable picture of grace in a mother who chases her daughter through a dangerous city, leaving photos with a simple promise on the back: wherever you are, whatever you've done, I will forgive you. That is the heart of sola fide: not what we provide to God, but what God has provided for us in Christ. If you carry shame, if you're tired of measuring yourself against a scale you can't balance, or if you're simply curious about what makes Christianity good news, this is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review telling us what “but now” means in your life.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Send us a textTwo words can flip your story from despair to hope: but now. After Paul spends pages laying out the gravity of guilt, the silence of the law, and the certainty of judgment, Romans 3 opens a door most of us never knew existed: righteousness from God, revealed apart from the law and received by faith in Jesus Christ. We walk through that door together, not with swagger but with empty hands, learning why justification by faith alone is the cornerstone of the gospel and the difference between trying harder and finally being made right.We trace the promise of grace across Scripture. Abraham and Isaac climb Moriah with wood and fire, and a ram appears in a thicket—then a prophecy rings out: the Lord will provide. Centuries later, on that same ridge now called Golgotha, the promise becomes flesh as the Lamb of God bears sin once for all. David's poetry in Psalm 22 reads like a report from the foot of the cross—pierced hands and feet, a heart like wax, lots cast for clothing—reminding us the gospel is not an afterthought; it is the plan from the beginning. Along the way, we confront common assumptions: why “being pretty good” cannot justify anyone, how the law rightly condemns but cannot rescue, and why faith is not a work but the way to receive what Christ has already accomplished.This conversation is more than doctrine; it's an invitation. We hear an unforgettable picture of grace in a mother who chases her daughter through a dangerous city, leaving photos with a simple promise on the back: wherever you are, whatever you've done, I will forgive you. That is the heart of sola fide: not what we provide to God, but what God has provided for us in Christ. If you carry shame, if you're tired of measuring yourself against a scale you can't balance, or if you're simply curious about what makes Christianity good news, this is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review telling us what “but now” means in your life.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

John 11:1-7,Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”With John 10 behind us, we enter now into a new phase of Jesus' ministry. Phase one opened with John the Baptist baptizing in the wilderness east of the Jordan. That was back in chapter one. Nine chapters later — following a variety of Jesus' miracles and Jesus' teachings, crowds coming and crowds going, Pharisees questioning and Pharisees condemning — we ended up back in the very same place it all began. John 10:40,“Jesus went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first.” So, phase one has come full circle. Jesus' public ministry has all about concluded. And at this point, life actually looks pretty good for Jesus. John 10:41 says of Jesus, having returned to this region of the Jordan,“And many came to him [so, he's got the crowds]. And many said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true [he's got public testimony]. And many believed in him there [he's got ministry success].”Sounds pretty good, right? Jesus is at last away from the tension and death-threats he'd been experiencing in Jerusalem. He's not having to walk mile-after-mile from town-to-town like he did in Galilee. He's east of the Jordan. He's got his disciples all round him. He's got the crowds coming to him and believing him. Life, right now, looks pretty good for Jesus. Then, like a fly in the ointment, John 11 begins,“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”Hmm, now what might that mean for Jesus? What might that news of one, relatively unimportant person's illness, mean for Jesus — especially in light of crowd-sized, relatively comfortable success? In this morning's text, we're going to see Jesus' response to this one, relatively unimportant person's illness. It's a response that's going to give us a window into three truths about the heart and character of Jesus:Jesus personally loves his people.Jesus prizes his Father's glory.Jesus pursues our very best.Let's pray …. 1. Jesus Personally Loves His PeopleJesus personally loves his people. Let's begin at John 11:1.“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [and then there's little this parenthesis…] It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.”Now, this is foreshadowing. We've not read about this event just yet, but we will see it in chapter 12. For now, John's just flagging it — saying, “Hey, keep your eye on this family; make note of the connection here: Lazarus, Mary, Martha — they're siblings. Siblings who are going to have some significant interaction with Jesus in the next few days.”So, imagine it with me, Mary and Martha are in their home. Their brother Lazarus gets sick. And sickness is a dangerous thing in the ancient world. Not many options for medicine or doctors. Then, the sickness worsens. Things are beginning to look bad. The sisters think: Let's send for Jesus. Verse 3:“So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.'” Again, remember where Jesus was at this time. This message concerning Lazarus gets delivered to Jesus at a time when he's living in relative security. In it comes — the message that Lazarus of Bethany is ill. And, you just gotta think, I mean — “Lazarus, I'm sorry, but the timing's just not great right now. Your location, a bit too close for comfort to Jerusalem. And you're just one person compared to the many who are coming my way.”And, look, let's get real, I mean: how many people had Jesus' interacted with throughout his three years of public ministry? We know he fed the 4,000. We know he fed the 5,000. We know, at times, he had crowds so large he had to get into a boat so as to not be trampled by them. Even now, he's got waves of people coming toward him. You think he even remembers Lazarus? You think he really has capacity — with all the other things he's doing and all the other people he's caring for — to show concern for this one single, relatively unimportant individual?Well, the sisters sure seem to think so. Just look how they describe their brother to Jesus. The message is not, “Lord, he whom you appreciate; he whom you might remember; nor is it even he who loves you. The message from the sisters is, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”Now, why is it that these sisters believe Jesus loves their brother? Well, I imagine Jesus told them he did. And Jesus showed them he did. That his previous posture toward Lazarus had not been one of cold, detached indifference. Like, when Jesus had been around Lazarus, he had not been checking his watch, or rolling his eyes, or day-dreaming about all the other places he'd rather be. No, no, no, Jesus loved Lazarus and it showed. The sisters knew, Jesus loves our brother. And this, is stunning. Earlier in John — 3:16 — we read that God loves the world. It's an amazing truth, yes? It's also a broad truth — gloriously broad, but broad nonetheless. After all, you've gotta zoom out quite a bit to see the whole world, right? And when you zoom out, what happens to you? What happens to the individual? They fade into the crowd. That is, when humans who are merely humans look at the world. But see, here is where God is different. Here is where Jesus, the Son of God, is different. Jesus has capacity, boundless capacity, to love the world and love individuals within the world. It is not an either/or for Jesus. “Either, I'm a big, distant God. Or, I'm a small, personally involved God.” No, no, no — God loves the world, and God loves his people — collectively, and individually. Calls them by name, counts the number of hairs upon their heads, knows the exact number of days he's given them. Jesus did not love Lazarus generally. Jesus knew Lazarus: Knew what he looked like, knew what he sounded like, knew — even as we'll see in a moment — the details concerning Lazarus' sickness and where it was headed. Jesus knew Lazarus — and his sisters by the way (see that in verse 5) — he knew them personally, and loved them personally. How would you, this morning, describe Jesus' love for you? Do you believe Jesus knows what you look like? What you sound like? What difficulties and sorrows have befallen you? Do you believe that if you, like Lazarus, were to get sick. Get hurt. Need help, and send for Jesus — Do you think Jesus would need a reminder of who you were? Need to jog his memory: “now how exactly is it again that I know this person?” Do you think he'd not be the first to pause the messenger: “wait, wait, wait — I don't need you to describe who she is. I don't need you to tell me who he is. I love that man. I love that woman. And I have since before the foundation of the world.” Look, Jesus' just got done telling us:John 10:14,“I am the good shepherd. I know my own.”John 10:27,“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.” Jesus, my brothers and sisters, personally loves his people. That's the first truth about Jesus: Jesus personally loves his people. 2. Jesus Prizes His Father's GloryVerse 4:“But when Jesus heard it [that is, heard that Lazarus was sick] he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'”Now, we've got to ask: what, exactly, is Jesus getting at here. He says, “This illness does not lead to death.” But, I mean, doesn't it? Lazarus does, in fact, end up dying, right? I mean, he'll be four days in the tomb by the time Jesus finally arrives in Bethany. Four days without a heart beating. Four days without lungs breathing. Four days without any activity in the brain. He dies. And so, when Jesus says, “This illness does not lead to death.” What's he mean? I think there's layers of meaning here, but at the top, is purpose. That is, the purpose of the illness is not death. Yes, his illness will lead to his death, but its purpose is “for the glory of God.”And now, we've seen something like this before in John already. Just two chapters earlier, John 9, the disciples ask Jesus concerning the blind man, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered in terms of purpose: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”There's purpose to the suffering. Purpose to the plight. That blind man was not blind for nothing. Lazarus is not sick for nothing. The purpose of God is to display the glory of God through the blindness and the illness. So, that's shared ground between John 9 and John 11. Now, what's relatively new here, not only in John 11 but the book of John as a whole, is the complementary dynamic between the Father's glory and the Son's. And, you gotta see this with me. This is an amazing claim being made here by Jesus in verse 4. So, look there with me. Verse 4: Jesus does not just say: “It is for the glory of God.” But, “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” The Son is clearly after the Father's glory, yes? And, the way that glory is revealed to the world is through him, through the Son. They are respective, in other words, function in tandem. Jesus magnifies the Father through his obedience to him. The Father magnifies Jesus through his honoring of him. Jesus goes to the cross, it glorifies the Father. The Father raises him from the grave to restore honor to the Son. The Father and the Son's relationship is one of mutual glorification.Now, remember, all of this is under the banner of “Jesus prizes his Father's glory.” Point one: Jesus personally loves his people. Point two: Jesus prizes his Father's Glory. And the fact that the second point follows the first is so important, so helpful, especially in our particular cultural moment. For we live in an age where it is common not just for the world, but for churches, ministries, writers of worship lyrics, to tout a view of Jesus that suggests we are supreme in his mind. We rank highest in his sight. We (and I want to say this as graciously as I can) are almost like God to him. The message is that he needs us, he's incomplete without us, he is unhappy unless we're with him — it's like we're god to Jesus.Now, look, church, Jesus loves us. Point one — he loves you personally. But he does not worship you or me. Jesus loves us, but he does not need us. Jesus loves us, and he's for us, but he's not only for us, as if we are the only thing in all of life that matters to Jesus. Listen, Jesus prizes his Father's glory, and does so supremely. His highest allegiance is not to us, but to his Father. And that is really, really good news, because if that were not true of Jesus, then he'd be a sinner in need of a Savior just like you and me. Jesus prizes his Father's glory, and, he loves us personally.So, Jesus personally loves his people. And Jesus prizes his Father's glory. Finally: Jesus pursues our very best.3. Jesus Pursues Our Very BestVerse 5:“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”Read that again. When he heard that Lazarus was ill — he'd become aware of the need, aware of Lazarus' suffering, aware of the sisters' anxiety concerning their brother, and then, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.It's a contradiction, isn't it? Seems it should either read, “Since Jesus hadn't yet heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer.” Or, “When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he decided not to stay two days longer, but to race on over to Bethany instead.” But, as it is, the text reads: So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” What do we make of this? What's Jesus after? Well, that's precisely the point. What Jesus is after is our very best. See it with me. Watch how this thing unfolds. Verse 7:Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again. The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?Simple question, right? Jesus, you mean to go right back to where there's a mob seeking to kill you? It's a simple question. But watch Jesus' answer. Verse 9:“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.” Who's the subject of that answer? Jesus had been the subject of the disciples' question, right? “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Who's the subject of Jesus' answer? Who is it that's walking in the day, seeing the light of the world (not being, but seeing the light of the world), and thereby not stumbling? It's not Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. Who is it that's seeing the light of the world? It's the disciples. Jesus' answer is about them. Jesus is after what's best for them. And he knows they're frightened by the mob in Judea. Frightened by the danger awaiting them there. And so, he's telling them, “So long as you follow me there, keep me, the light of the world, in front of you, you're not going to stumble.” He's saying, “stay with me. You've got nothing to fear so long as you stay with me.” And now here's the warning. Verse 10:“But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”This is the alternative for the disciples. Rather than love the light, and follow Jesus into Judea, they could love the world instead. They could remain in the comfort and safety offered them east of the Jordan. But since Jesus would then be gone, so too would the light. And there, cloaked in darkness, that's when their stumbling would occur. Those are the two options on the table: Light with Jesus as they head into danger. Or comfort without Jesus as they stumble in the dark. And Thomas is the first to get it. Verse 16, skip down there with me for a moment. Verse 16:“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.'”Thomas gets it. He gets it. “Brothers, it is better, better to go with Jesus to our deaths than live here in the dark. Let us go with him, lest we stumble.”Jesus is after our best, brothers and sisters. Not our convenience, not our safety, but our best. And he's willing to delay the miracle, willing to allow Lazarus to die, willing to have sorrow fill the hearts of Mary and Martha. He's willing to bring his disciples away from comfort east of the Jordan. He's willing to lead them right on into the danger of Judea.He's willing to do all this because he does not simply want what's good for Mary, Martha, and his disciples. But he wants what's very best. And what's very best is awaiting them in Judea — waiting for them at the tomb of Lazarus. Verse 14: “Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” Jesus could have gone to Lazarus sooner. Had he, he would have kept Lazarus from dying. Would've healed him. Would've restored him back to full health. And, oh, how glad that would have made the disciples. How relieved that would have made Lazarus' sisters. But it would have been a gladness and relief with a cost. Their reception of that good gift from Jesus would've meant their missing out on the greatest gift. And Jesus would not have that. Jesus aims to give us what's not merely good, but best — the gift of faith in him. “…for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” What if suffering was a necessary ingredient for you to maintain your faith in Jesus? Discomfort? Loss and pain? What if, in order to keep you, Jesus needed to delay his help, let the bad news come, allow the tears to fall, and the sorrow to descend, and even stay for days?Could you trust in such a moment:“Jesus is after my best?”“Jesus is giving me what I most need?”“Jesus is taking care of me?”How do we hold onto our trust in Jesus when he's yet to stop the sorrow?We follow him.We follow him from the Jordan, to Bethany, to Judea, to Jerusalem, and up the hill of Golgotha to see him there hanging suffering there for you and for me. Can we trust the man upon the cross? Can we trust the man with scars in his hands? Can we trust the shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus died to give us his very best. The TableNow, what leads us to the table this morning, is that death which Jesus willingly went toward, that he might purchase for you and for me a seat at his table. Forgiven by him, washed pure by his blood, restored to fellowship — this table is a foretaste of our future — sitting down at the table of fellowship with Jesus forever.

A Sermon for All Saints' Day St. Matthew 5:1-12 by William Klock What does it mean to be “blessed”?  In today's Gospel we hear St. Matthew's telling of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—or the beginning of it, at any rate.  Blessed is this person and blessed is that person.  But what does it mean to be blessed?  And what's Jesus really getting at with this list: being poor in spirit, mournful, meek, merciful, and so on?  And who is the promise of blessing for?  This past Monday I found myself listening to a sermon by one of these woke, “exvangelical” guys whose ministry is about walking people through the deconstruction of their faith.  If you haven't come across it yet, “deconstruction” is a trendy euphemism for apostasy.  You throw away all the bits of Christianity that you can't harmonise with the secular world, leaving behind a gospelless gospel—like the security blanket I had as a toddler.  I wouldn't get rid of it, so my mom slowly cut it down, a little bit at a time until all I had was a little bit of fabric I could hold.  It wasn't a blanket anymore, but for some silly reason I still found security in it.  These folks do that with the gospel.  This preacher was preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and he started out by holding up Mohandas Gandhi as the one man who followed Jesus better than anyone else in the Twentieth Century.  Gandhi heard these words of Jesus and faithfully followed him.  Never mind that he was also a devout Hindu.  This preacher reduced the Sermon on the Mount to a bracing ethic.  It's Jesus teaching us how to be good and, through that, how to make the world a better place.  It doesn't really matter, he said, if you're Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist.  Jesus just wanted people to live this way and in doing so, we'll know the blessings of a better world.  He took the gospel and turned it into law.  And not even a good law.  The Old Testament law—the torah—has a lot more gospel to it than I think we often realise.  At its heart was that first and greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The God who reveals himself in the scriptures.  Not Zeus or Jupiter.  Not the gods of Gandhi's Hindu pantheon.  Not Mohammed's corruption of the biblical God.  Only the God who has made himself known through the law and the prophets, the evangelists and apostles, and most of all through his son, Jesus the Messiah.  Without love for him, no amount of loving your neighbour as yourself will truly heal the hurts of the world.  There is no blessing apart from him—and, more specifically, apart from loving him with all our being. Why?  Because it was our rejection of him that brought sin and death into the world in the first place.  Idolatry—whether it's the worship of false gods or the worship of ourselves—idolatry is the first sin from which all the others and all the world's misery cascade.  This is why God's gracious plan to set his creation to rights began as he reestablished our relationship with him. If we look to the scriptures we see that blessing comes through being in relationship with the God of Israel.  Specifically—because “relationship” is such a squishy modern idea—specifically blessing comes through being in covenant with him.  Think of Abraham.  The Lord established a covenant with him.  The Lord promised Abraham a family and a land and great name.  In a word: blessing.  In return Abraham was to trust him—to live by faith and to give the Lord his allegiance.  And, centuries later, when the Lord delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, consider what he did.  He revealed his glory by defeating Pharoah, his army, and his gods.  He revealed his glory in signs and wonders the likes of which no one had ever seen.  And then he met his people at Mt. Sinai.  He made them a promise: to make them great, to give them a land, and most important of all, to live in their midst.  Their end of the covenant—their promise to God—was embodied in the law.  Like Abraham, they were to live by faith and obedience and to give him their full allegiance—to love him with all their being and to love their neighbours as themselves.  And not just for their own benefit.  The Lord had a greater purpose.  He wanted the nations not only to see his glory, but for them to see the blessing that comes through living in fellowship with him. And so, before he died, as Israel was encamped in Moab and ready to cross the Jordan River to conquer Canaan, Moses assembled the people and reiterated the covenant.  “If you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, if you carefully do all his commandments, the Lord will set you high above the other nations…Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb…and blessed shall be your basket and kneading bowl.  Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.”  And Moses reminded them that this was no mere “duty”.  This was no mere exchange of works in return for a declaration of righteousness.  This was grace.  Through Moses, the Lord reminded the people of all he'd done for them.  He'd rescued them from Egypt.  He'd defeated Pharaoh.  He'd done signs and wonders.  Their clothes had not worn out.  He'd provided every last morsel of food that they'd eaten for forty years.  All so that they would know that “I am the Lord your God”.  In other words, to reveal his love, his grace, his glory, and above all else his faithfulness—to enter into relationship with them and to give them every reason to have faith in him and to give him their allegiance.  To keep the law was to live by faith in the character and promises of God—to love him in return for his love. And this theme rings through Israel's history and Israel's scriptures.  This is what blessing means in the biblical economy.  Think of David's words in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, not stood in the way of sinners, and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.  And he will be like a tree planted by the waterside, that will bring forth his fruit in due season.”  The prophets use this same language of blessing when they rebuke Israel for having strayed from the Lord.  Blessing isn't just some nebulous idea of things being good—as a lot of people use it today.  Blessing is about creation—and humanity—being set to rights.  If you want to picture “blessing” in your mind's eye, picture Adam and Eve, in the garden, all their needs provided, as they faithfully steward God's creation and live in his immediate presence.  Brothers and Sisters, that's blessing.  David wasn't posting #blessed on Instagram with a picture of his pumpkin spice latte next to the fireplace.  For David it was #blessed with a picture of the tabernacle radiating the visible presence of the Lord in the midst of a people serving and loving and taking care of each other. This is what we've got to have in mind as we listen to Jesus begin to preach his great sermon in Matthew 5.  And we have to remember that it wasn't the reality that Israel knew.  This is why the people were so desperate for the Messiah.  The world is not as it should be.  Israel was most definitely not as it was supposed to be.  They wanted to know God's blessing—not just in the sense of material prosperity—above all, they longed for his presence.  And so, Matthew writes, “Seeing the crowd, Jesus went up the hillside and sat down.  His disciples came to him.  And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Do you want to see God's kingdom, to know him as Father, to know creation set to rights, your sins forgiven, and your tears wiped away?  This is the way.  And it's not a set of ethical guidelines.  Too often we think of it that way.  It's character.  It's a mindset.  It's the character and the mindset of men and women who know desperately that the world is not as it should be.  But not just that.  Gandhi knew well enough that the world is not as it should be.  This is, first and foremost, the mindset of people who know the world as it should be is centred on the living God who created and sustains all things and us living joyfully, lovingly, and faithfully in his presence.  This is the mindset of people who have that image of Adam and Eve in the garden walking with the Lord in the cool of the day in their mind's eye and the longing of their hearts.  It's the mindset of people who have that image of tabernacle full of God's presence in the middle of a people who love him with all their being and their neighbours as themselves. And so it's the mindset of men and women who are not only outraged over sin and evil and longing for God's justice to fall on the people who have done them wrong.  It's the mindset of men and women who know that they've done wrong themselves—who know their own poverty of spirit.  Of men and women who mourn not only the sinful state of the world around them, but who also mourn their own sinfulness and the contributions they've made to the world's sick and sorry state.  It's the mindset of men and women who are meek, because they know that pride and selfishness do nothing more than deepen the world's darkness—who know that pride and selfishness are rooted in the very idolatry that drives God to the margins.  It is the mindset of men and women who, knowing the injustice and the unrighteousness of this broken world, hunger and thirst for God's justice and righteousness.  They long for his return as king to bring an end to evil and to rule with justice, because they know that we can never fix the world on our own and in our own power.  It is the mindset of those who are have known God's mercy and are therefore merciful themselves.  Of those who understand the ugliness of sin and idolatry and run from it, who are pure in heart.  It's the mindset of men and women who know the story and know of God's grace and how he loves sinners and desires above all else to be reconciled with them, and so they themselves become peacemakers and reconcilers. I don't think Jesus' list here is by any means exhaustive.  He preached this sermon more than once.  I expect he preached some version of it just about everywhere he went and it was a little different every time, which is what we see in the parallel passage in Luke's Gospel, where the list of beatitudes is shorter and a little different.  Jesus is describing a mindset using characteristics that resonated with his fellow Jews in that specific time and place.  These were the attitudes needed to counter the problems that infected First Century Israel.  Notably, these are all characteristics deeply rooted in Israel's prophetic tradition.  And I can't help but wonder if he learned this mindset, this character from his mother.  She sang her song, the one we call Magnificat and sing at Evening Prayer, when Elizabeth blessed her on hearing the news she was pregnant with the Messiah.  I wonder if Mary sang that song to Jesus when he was a boy, because we can hear echoes of it in his beatitudes: “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden.  For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call be blessed.  For he that is mighty hath magnified me and holy is his name.  And his mercy is on them that fear him through all generations.  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hath put down the mighty from their set and hath exalted the humble and meek.  He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.”  Can you hear the echoes? But that's not the end of Jesus' beatitudes.  There are two more and I think they give us the key to how this works.  In verses 10-12 he continues: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of justice [or righteousness—the Greek word means both and there's no easily drawn line between justice and righteousness], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people slander you and persecute you and say all kinds of wicked things about you falsely because of me.  Celebrate and rejoice!  There's a great reward for you in heaven.  For that's how they persecuted the prophets who went before you.” And as we read that we should start to realise that while Jesus is talking about “them”, what he's also doing is outlining his own vocation and ministry.  Jesus would stand weeping over Jerusalem, mourning the unfaithfulness of his people and the judgement that was hurtling towards them like a freight train.  He would let himself be arrested and then stand, unresisting and refusing to retaliate or even to defend himself as he was mocked and spit on and beaten to within an inch of his life.  He would, beaten and bloodied, carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem and out to Golgotha.  His clothes would be stripped from him by the soldiers.  And as he breathed his last and died, one of those very soldiers would declare, “Surely this man was the son of God.” We think that when God comes to set the world to rights he'll send in the cavalry.  Most of the Jews in Jesus' day thought the same thing.  The Messiah would come like David, riding at the head of a great army to crush the heads of the Gentiles.  But instead the Messiah went humbly to Calvary.  He let sin and death rise up to their full height and strike him down so that when he rose from the grave three days later, he crushed the serpent's head and overturned the victory of sin and death. Brothers and Sisters, this is how God takes his throne and sets the world to rights.  This is how Jesus becomes Lord.  This is how blessing comes.  In poverty and meekness, bringing mercy and making peace.  And giving his life for the sake of his enemies.  Because any other way would simply perpetuate the very things you and I have done to get the world into the mess it's in. And now that Jesus has done it, our calling as his people is to keep doing it.  As St. Paul says, we're to have the mind of the Messiah.  This mindset has always been the mindset of the faithful people of God and it will be until the mission is one day done.  I suppose if he wanted to, God could simply save his people from their bondage, set the world to rights, and set them free to live in it, but that's not how he does things.  From the beginning he created Adam and Eve to bear his image—that means to be his stewards, to act as the priests of his temple.  And so when he delivered Israel from Egypt, he showed the people his glory and gave them reason to love and trust and obey him.  He established a covenant with them.  He took up his dwelling in their midst so that they would be his light in the midst of a dark world—so that the nations would see and come to give him glory.  He made them stewards of his glory and his grace.  And, Brothers and Sisters, in Jesus he has done the same for us. I started slowly reading through Ephesians this week—which might give you a hint of things to come—and the first thing I was struck by in the very first chapter was how, over and over, Paul proclaims the glory of God that has been revealed in Jesus and the Spirit—and that is also revealed in us.  I couldn't help but think how Jesus goes on after the Beatitudes: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.  A city can't be hidden if it's on top of a hill…That's how you must shine your light in front of people!  Then they will see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  This is what we see at the end of Revelation: the nations seeing the glory of God revealed in Jesus and his church and streaming to the New Jerusalem to worship him.  Brothers and Sisters, God's glory revealed in us, because he's made us new, and God's glory revealed by us, as we go to live and to proclaim his new creation. It is no easy task, but it is the only way to know and to make known God's blessing.  We go out, knowing our own poverty of spirit, but also the riches of God's grace.  We go out meek and mourning, but also knowing the joy of being coheirs with the King.  We go out hungering and thirsting for justice, but we do so having experienced mercy ourselves.  We go out to battle, paradoxically, with the intent to reconcile.  And as we do this, we also transpose this Messiah-like character into the key necessary to meet our own culture.  In a world of ugliness where truth is now defined as whatever we want it to be and politicians try to win our loyalty with lies and appeals to our greed, we go out knowing that blessed are those who hunger and thirst for truth, beauty, and goodness.  In a culture obsessed with consumption and debt, we go out knowing that blessed are those who are satisfied with the riches of God.  However we do it, Brothers and Sisters, our calling is to go out into the world as light in the darkness, knowing and confident on the one hand that Jesus is Lord and has won the battle, but also going out with the same humility of spirit that took him to the cross.  Knowing that when God rides out to war to set the world to rights, it's not with the cavalry, but to the humility of Calvary.  So, too, must it be with us. Let us pray: O almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Part 1 of 2. Before we look at the theological impact of the cross, let's look at the historical and chronological events of the cross. What really happened to Jesus at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull?

Jesus, The King of Kings | Matthew 27:32-66

John 19 tells of Jesus' crucifixion. The crucifixion followed the Lord's brutal treatment at the hands of Pilate's soldiers including the thrusting of a crown of thorns upon his head and the putting of a purple robe on him to mock our Master. How apt is it that in his dying he would remove the curse brought by Adam upon the earth; and his crucifying would be like the ram caught by his horns in Genesis 22. When Pilate hears the Jewish leaders' claim that Jesus is the Son of God Pilate's fear intensifies and he seeks for Jesus' release. Jesus makes it crystal clear to Pilate that Pilate is without power against Jesus and the greater sin lay with the Jewish rulers. These envious men clamour even more that Pilate must cooperate with their designs. If not Caesar would hear of it. Pilate caves in under pressure and allows Jesus to be led away for crucifixion. "We have no king but Caesar", they cry and forty years later their 'king' - Caesar - came and destroyed Jerusalem because of their blood guiltiness. The crucifixion occurs in the place of the skull - Golgotha (the location where David buried Goliath's skull, as we are told in 1 Samuel 17). Our Lord is crucified between two thieves - most likely these were Barabbas' men. In the three languages operating in Judea at the time - Aramaic, Greek and Latin - is inscribed over his cross i.e. stake "Jesus ofNazareth, king of the Jews". The Jews protest Pilate's writing: but Pilate, no doubt, glories in this small victory over the Jews and his inscription remains. The soldiers divide his clothes between them and they cast lots for his vesture in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18. The beloved women in his life eventually come near to the stake to see his death. And at this time Jesus commits his mother into the care of his beloved Apostle, John. Our Master dies with his final words being a citation from Psalm 31:5 - the quotation possibly being completed when Jesus emerges from his tomb three days later. Jesus' side is pierced by a Roman spear and out comes blood and water indicating that he has died from a broken heart. Unlike the thieves crucified with Christ not a bone of him is broken - he is the Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 and the subject of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20-22. And the Scripture in Revelation 1:7 will seem to be true when Jesus comes into his kingdom. Jesus' body is secured from Pilate by Joseph of Arimathea. Our Lord's body is placed by Joseph and Nicodemus in a new and unused garden tomb owned by the rich man, Joseph in fulfilment of Isiah 53:9.

Guest speaker Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek invites us to reflect on one of Jesus' most striking questions: “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6). Through the story of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda, Corbin reminds us that true healing doesn't come from miracles, rituals, or moral effort—but from encountering Jesus Himself. We often cling to our pain, pride, or habits rather than surrendering them, yet Christ meets us right where we are and calls us to wholeness. The real “House of Mercy” isn't the pool at Bethesda—it's the cross at Golgotha, where by His wounds, we are healed.

A man named Jack accidentally fell off the edge of a steep cliff. On the way down he was able to grab ahold of a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror discovered that there were hundreds of feet between him and the bottom of the canyon. He couldnt hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him. HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? HELP! He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice. Jack, Jack. Can you hear me? Yes, yes! I can hear you. Im down here! I can see you, Jack. Are you all right? Yes, but who are you, and where are you? I am the Lord, Jack. Im everywhere. The Lord? You mean, GOD? Thats Me. God, please help me! I promise if, youll get me down from here, Ill stop sinning. Ill be a really good person. Ill serve You for the rest of my life. Easy on the promises, Jack. Lets get you off from there, then we can talk. Now, heres what I want you to do. Listen carefully. Ill do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do. Okay. Let go of the branch. What? I said, let go of the branch. Just trust Me. Let go. There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled, HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE? What is faith? Here is the way the Bible defines it: Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1; BSB). Abraham became known for that kind of faith, but it took a lifetime for him to get to the place of utter dependance upon God. I am not sure what Abrahams hopes and dreams were before he met God, but his home was in the City of Ur where Nanna, the Mesopotamian Moon god, was worshiped and his wife and family lived. Although childless, Abraham was prosperous, settled, and old. What he may or may not have known was that he was a descendant of Noah ten generations removed. When Abraham first heard God's calling, he was seventy-five years old, and his wife Sarah was sixty-five (see Gen. 12:4; 17:17). Despite their advanced age and the fact that they had no children, God gave Abraham a remarkable promise: I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). This was a profound and hopeful message, especially considering that Abrahams birth name was Abram, meaning Exalted Fathera title that must have felt ironic for a man with no children at seventy-five, and a wife (Sarai) ten years his junior. The name Abram brings to mind other individuals who have been given ironic or unfortunate names, such as the character mentioned in the following well-known song lyric: Well, my daddy left home when I was threeDidn't leave very much to my mom and meExcept this old guitar and an empty bottle of boozeNow I don't blame him 'cause he run and hidBut the meanest thing that my daddy ever didWas before he left, he went and named me Sue[1] God made three foundational promises to Abraham: first, He pledged to give him a land of his own; second, He vowed that Abraham would become the father of a vast multitude of descendants; and third, He assured that all nations would be blessed through him, signifying Gods plan of redemption. Trusting in these promises, Abraham left his home in Ur and journeyed to the land that God would reveal to him. The Promise (Gen. 17:1-9) Before we get to Genesis 17, I need to help you appreciate what Abraham (still Abram) was feeling and experiencing. When we come to Genesis 15, Abraham and Sarah are still childless about 10 years after they were promised a child! Abraham followed God out of obedience and brought his wife with him on the basis of a promise made by God that included many descendants, land, and a legacy that would bless multitudes in the future! At 85ish years old, God reassured Abraham (Abram), but what Gods reassurance was is up for debate based on the different ways Genesis 15:1 can be translated. Consider the ways NASB and the NKJV translated this verse: Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great. (NASB2020) Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. (NKJV) So what is it? Based on Gods promise in Genesis 13:1-3 and how He will reiterate the promise later in Genesis 15, I think it is both. Here is one way you could paraphrase this verse: Because I am your reward, your reward will be great. Abraham was about ready to give up on believing the promise include a biological son, but then God swore on behalf of His own name that He would honor the promise He made to Abram and Sarah. God then entered into what is called a unilateral covenant of which He was obligated to honor that was not conditioned on anything that Abram did or did not do. God swore to Abraham (Abram), One who will come from your own body will be your heir (15:4b). What was Abrahams response? We are told in Genesis 15: Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness. Then about a year later, Sarah (still Sarai) developed a plan for her husband to get her maid, Hagar, pregnant; to have the heir God promised through her. After all, God said the promised heir would come from Abraham a year ago but did not seem to mention Sarai! So again, the forces of darkness were at work to prevent the Descendent promised to Adam and Eve, who would crush the head of the serpent from ever being born.[2] Hagar did get pregnant with Abrahams child, but all that did was bring more dysfunction into Abrahams home, among other problems. Abraham (still Abram) was 86 and Sarah (still Sarai) 76, with no child to show for the promise God made long ago. Now we come to the promise made yet again in Genesis 17, but this time it is 24 years since the couple left Ur and 13 years since the whole mess they create with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. Before I go any further, let that settle in your heart and mind for a moment. For 24 years Abraham and Sarah waited, longed, hoped for the son that Almighty God promised them. Then 13 years later while Ishmael had reached the age of maturity and Abram resigned that there would be no heir by Ishmael, God appeared to Abraham (still Abram) and spoke yet again: I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly (17:1-2). It is in this moment that God gave Abram the name Abraham which means father of a multitude. The blessing would not come through Ishmael, but through another son. So that there would be no room for confusion, God said to Abraham: As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her (17:1516). Abrahams response is understandable: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth to a child? (v. 17). Nearly one year later, when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old, she gave birth to Isaac, the son of promise (Gen. 21:1-8). The promise made to Adam and Eve, to Noah, and to Abraham would now come through Isaac. A promise that included land, descendants (a great multitude), and the blessing of the nations. Abraham received the promise when he was 75 and his wife past menopause which means to have a child together would have been a miracle at their respective ages, but for 90-year-old Sarah to carry the child of her 100-year-old husband was impossible! And that is the point, isnt it? There was nothing that Abraham or Sarah could do to make Gods promise possible, they could not make it happen sooner, they could not adjust Gods timing, all that they could do is trust and wait for God to do only what He could in His own timing. Their part in Gods promise was to trust, obey, and wait. The Promise of a Better Son (Gen. 22) We are not told how many years it was after Isaacs birth, but when we come to Genesis 22 we are told that God spoke to Abraham and said some of the most horrific words Abraham would ever hear: Then He said, Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you (Gen. 22:2). Things were different this time; Abraham was different this time, for he had known God for many years since he was first called out of his homeland. The Bible tells us that that Abraham, ...got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place of which God had told him (v. 3). There were no arguments, no debate, no protest Abraham simply obeyed because He believed if he followed through with the sacrifice of his own son; God was big enough to raise him up from death to life. This is why when Abraham took Isaac up the mountain, he told the young men he brought with him: Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). Although the exact number of years between Isaacs birth and Gods command for Abraham to sacrifice his son is not specified in the text, we can make a reasonable estimate based on several clues about Isaacs age. First, Isaac was old enough to walk alongside his father for the entire three-day journey while Abraham, advanced in years, rode a donkey. Second, Isaac had the strength to carry the wood for the burnt offering up the rugged slope of Mount Moriah after days of travel. Third, Isaac was old enough to make a critical observation: Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. And he said, Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? (v. 7). These details suggest that Isaac was not a small child; my guess is that he was at least 13 years old. There is something else you should be aware of about Abraham and Isaacs journey and what was said to the young men just before Abraham and Isaac made their way up Mt. Moriah: The journey would take 3 days to get to the place of Isaacs sacrifice. Most scholars believe that Mt. Moriah was the site where Jerusalem would eventually be built. On the third day, Abraham said to the young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). In other words, Abraham believed that there would be a resurrection after he slaughtered his son... ON THE THIRD DAY! So what happened? Did Abraham follow through with what God commanded? Abraham had seen too much to doubt Gods ability and character to do what He had promised. God promised a child through whom would come a great multitude and the nations would be blessed. Here is what happened: Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. And Abraham reached out with his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. He said, Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham would have followed through with killing his one and only son had God not stopped him because no longer did he put God in a box He was too big for any boxes because now He knew His God. What was Gods response? He simply reiterated His covenant promise: By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice (Gen. 22:16-18). Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice his son, and why did He refer to the child as, your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac (v. 2)? The significance lies in the foreshadowing of a greater Son who would come from Isaacs lineageJesus Christ, Gods own Son. In other words, Isaacs story points forward to a future sacrifice on another mount known as Golgotha, God the Father would do what He prevented Abraham from doing: He would slaughter His only unique Son, whom He loved, for the sins of the multitudes to redeem a people for himself by the blood of the greater and more perfect Isaac! While the "lesser Isaac" was confused and unsure of the purpose for the wood he carried, the "greater Isaac," Jesus Christ, carried a wooden cross fully aware of why He was doing it and with unwavering commitment to die in our place as the Lamb of God. Where God provided a ram to spare Isaac, Jesus willingly became our substitute, submitting to the Father's will and taking on the penalty for our sins. Isaac had to be bound before being placed on the altar, but Jesus embraced the cross freely, allowing sinful men to bound Him to the cross on our behalf. Oh dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the true and better Isaac of whom the Scriptures testify: God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). [1] Johnny Cash,A Boy Named Sue,performed by Johnny Cash, written by Shel Silverstein, recorded at San Quentin State Prison, 24 Feb. 1969, released onAt San Quentin,Columbia Records, 1969. [2] Now Sarai, Abrams wife, had not borne him a child, but she had an Egyptian slave woman whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (Gen. 16:12)

A man named Jack accidentally fell off the edge of a steep cliff. On the way down he was able to grab ahold of a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror discovered that there were hundreds of feet between him and the bottom of the canyon. He couldnt hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him. HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? HELP! He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice. Jack, Jack. Can you hear me? Yes, yes! I can hear you. Im down here! I can see you, Jack. Are you all right? Yes, but who are you, and where are you? I am the Lord, Jack. Im everywhere. The Lord? You mean, GOD? Thats Me. God, please help me! I promise if, youll get me down from here, Ill stop sinning. Ill be a really good person. Ill serve You for the rest of my life. Easy on the promises, Jack. Lets get you off from there, then we can talk. Now, heres what I want you to do. Listen carefully. Ill do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do. Okay. Let go of the branch. What? I said, let go of the branch. Just trust Me. Let go. There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled, HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE? What is faith? Here is the way the Bible defines it: Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1; BSB). Abraham became known for that kind of faith, but it took a lifetime for him to get to the place of utter dependance upon God. I am not sure what Abrahams hopes and dreams were before he met God, but his home was in the City of Ur where Nanna, the Mesopotamian Moon god, was worshiped and his wife and family lived. Although childless, Abraham was prosperous, settled, and old. What he may or may not have known was that he was a descendant of Noah ten generations removed. When Abraham first heard God's calling, he was seventy-five years old, and his wife Sarah was sixty-five (see Gen. 12:4; 17:17). Despite their advanced age and the fact that they had no children, God gave Abraham a remarkable promise: I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). This was a profound and hopeful message, especially considering that Abrahams birth name was Abram, meaning Exalted Fathera title that must have felt ironic for a man with no children at seventy-five, and a wife (Sarai) ten years his junior. The name Abram brings to mind other individuals who have been given ironic or unfortunate names, such as the character mentioned in the following well-known song lyric: Well, my daddy left home when I was threeDidn't leave very much to my mom and meExcept this old guitar and an empty bottle of boozeNow I don't blame him 'cause he run and hidBut the meanest thing that my daddy ever didWas before he left, he went and named me Sue[1] God made three foundational promises to Abraham: first, He pledged to give him a land of his own; second, He vowed that Abraham would become the father of a vast multitude of descendants; and third, He assured that all nations would be blessed through him, signifying Gods plan of redemption. Trusting in these promises, Abraham left his home in Ur and journeyed to the land that God would reveal to him. The Promise (Gen. 17:1-9) Before we get to Genesis 17, I need to help you appreciate what Abraham (still Abram) was feeling and experiencing. When we come to Genesis 15, Abraham and Sarah are still childless about 10 years after they were promised a child! Abraham followed God out of obedience and brought his wife with him on the basis of a promise made by God that included many descendants, land, and a legacy that would bless multitudes in the future! At 85ish years old, God reassured Abraham (Abram), but what Gods reassurance was is up for debate based on the different ways Genesis 15:1 can be translated. Consider the ways NASB and the NKJV translated this verse: Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great. (NASB2020) Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. (NKJV) So what is it? Based on Gods promise in Genesis 13:1-3 and how He will reiterate the promise later in Genesis 15, I think it is both. Here is one way you could paraphrase this verse: Because I am your reward, your reward will be great. Abraham was about ready to give up on believing the promise include a biological son, but then God swore on behalf of His own name that He would honor the promise He made to Abram and Sarah. God then entered into what is called a unilateral covenant of which He was obligated to honor that was not conditioned on anything that Abram did or did not do. God swore to Abraham (Abram), One who will come from your own body will be your heir (15:4b). What was Abrahams response? We are told in Genesis 15: Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness. Then about a year later, Sarah (still Sarai) developed a plan for her husband to get her maid, Hagar, pregnant; to have the heir God promised through her. After all, God said the promised heir would come from Abraham a year ago but did not seem to mention Sarai! So again, the forces of darkness were at work to prevent the Descendent promised to Adam and Eve, who would crush the head of the serpent from ever being born.[2] Hagar did get pregnant with Abrahams child, but all that did was bring more dysfunction into Abrahams home, among other problems. Abraham (still Abram) was 86 and Sarah (still Sarai) 76, with no child to show for the promise God made long ago. Now we come to the promise made yet again in Genesis 17, but this time it is 24 years since the couple left Ur and 13 years since the whole mess they create with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. Before I go any further, let that settle in your heart and mind for a moment. For 24 years Abraham and Sarah waited, longed, hoped for the son that Almighty God promised them. Then 13 years later while Ishmael had reached the age of maturity and Abram resigned that there would be no heir by Ishmael, God appeared to Abraham (still Abram) and spoke yet again: I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly (17:1-2). It is in this moment that God gave Abram the name Abraham which means father of a multitude. The blessing would not come through Ishmael, but through another son. So that there would be no room for confusion, God said to Abraham: As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her (17:1516). Abrahams response is understandable: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth to a child? (v. 17). Nearly one year later, when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old, she gave birth to Isaac, the son of promise (Gen. 21:1-8). The promise made to Adam and Eve, to Noah, and to Abraham would now come through Isaac. A promise that included land, descendants (a great multitude), and the blessing of the nations. Abraham received the promise when he was 75 and his wife past menopause which means to have a child together would have been a miracle at their respective ages, but for 90-year-old Sarah to carry the child of her 100-year-old husband was impossible! And that is the point, isnt it? There was nothing that Abraham or Sarah could do to make Gods promise possible, they could not make it happen sooner, they could not adjust Gods timing, all that they could do is trust and wait for God to do only what He could in His own timing. Their part in Gods promise was to trust, obey, and wait. The Promise of a Better Son (Gen. 22) We are not told how many years it was after Isaacs birth, but when we come to Genesis 22 we are told that God spoke to Abraham and said some of the most horrific words Abraham would ever hear: Then He said, Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you (Gen. 22:2). Things were different this time; Abraham was different this time, for he had known God for many years since he was first called out of his homeland. The Bible tells us that that Abraham, ...got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place of which God had told him (v. 3). There were no arguments, no debate, no protest Abraham simply obeyed because He believed if he followed through with the sacrifice of his own son; God was big enough to raise him up from death to life. This is why when Abraham took Isaac up the mountain, he told the young men he brought with him: Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). Although the exact number of years between Isaacs birth and Gods command for Abraham to sacrifice his son is not specified in the text, we can make a reasonable estimate based on several clues about Isaacs age. First, Isaac was old enough to walk alongside his father for the entire three-day journey while Abraham, advanced in years, rode a donkey. Second, Isaac had the strength to carry the wood for the burnt offering up the rugged slope of Mount Moriah after days of travel. Third, Isaac was old enough to make a critical observation: Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. And he said, Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? (v. 7). These details suggest that Isaac was not a small child; my guess is that he was at least 13 years old. There is something else you should be aware of about Abraham and Isaacs journey and what was said to the young men just before Abraham and Isaac made their way up Mt. Moriah: The journey would take 3 days to get to the place of Isaacs sacrifice. Most scholars believe that Mt. Moriah was the site where Jerusalem would eventually be built. On the third day, Abraham said to the young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). In other words, Abraham believed that there would be a resurrection after he slaughtered his son... ON THE THIRD DAY! So what happened? Did Abraham follow through with what God commanded? Abraham had seen too much to doubt Gods ability and character to do what He had promised. God promised a child through whom would come a great multitude and the nations would be blessed. Here is what happened: Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. And Abraham reached out with his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. He said, Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham would have followed through with killing his one and only son had God not stopped him because no longer did he put God in a box He was too big for any boxes because now He knew His God. What was Gods response? He simply reiterated His covenant promise: By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice (Gen. 22:16-18). Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice his son, and why did He refer to the child as, your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac (v. 2)? The significance lies in the foreshadowing of a greater Son who would come from Isaacs lineageJesus Christ, Gods own Son. In other words, Isaacs story points forward to a future sacrifice on another mount known as Golgotha, God the Father would do what He prevented Abraham from doing: He would slaughter His only unique Son, whom He loved, for the sins of the multitudes to redeem a people for himself by the blood of the greater and more perfect Isaac! While the "lesser Isaac" was confused and unsure of the purpose for the wood he carried, the "greater Isaac," Jesus Christ, carried a wooden cross fully aware of why He was doing it and with unwavering commitment to die in our place as the Lamb of God. Where God provided a ram to spare Isaac, Jesus willingly became our substitute, submitting to the Father's will and taking on the penalty for our sins. Isaac had to be bound before being placed on the altar, but Jesus embraced the cross freely, allowing sinful men to bound Him to the cross on our behalf. Oh dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the true and better Isaac of whom the Scriptures testify: God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). [1] Johnny Cash,A Boy Named Sue,performed by Johnny Cash, written by Shel Silverstein, recorded at San Quentin State Prison, 24 Feb. 1969, released onAt San Quentin,Columbia Records, 1969. [2] Now Sarai, Abrams wife, had not borne him a child, but she had an Egyptian slave woman whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (Gen. 16:12)

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For a definition of the love of God, if you have not a bible to read about it, close your eyes and envision the Hill of the Skull, "Golgotha," and see God in human flesh hanging there in your place. Gpys. Bible in a Year: Isaiah 14-16 & Ephesians 5:1-16 

The Gospel Without Varnish The Desert Fathers present the Gospel in its rawest form. Their words strike the heart not because they soften Christ's commands but because they echo them without compromise: do not resist the one who is evil, forgive seventy times seven, love your enemies, bless those who curse you. To modern ears, this sounds offensive—even impossible. How can one not seek justice, especially when faced with cruelty, violence, or grave injustice? Yet the Fathers insist: freedom in Christ means clinging to nothing but His love as the one thing necessary. When we are wronged, our sorrow should not be for what has been taken from us, but for the soul of the one who has inflicted harm. Their sin is their true wound. Our calling is not to avenge but to forgive, not to condemn but to pray. Hypothesis XXXVII presses this home with piercing clarity. A struggler carrying a corpse is told: “Bear the living instead.” To shoulder the weakness of our neighbor, to endure his sins and insults, is the harder burden—but also the one that unites us to Christ. The examples unfold like a mirror before us. The elder who restrains himself when boys blaspheme outside his cell reminds his heart: If I cannot bear this small vexation, how will I endure a greater trial? Another, who endures the disobedience of his companion without protest, embraces a hidden martyrdom. Still another teaches: To put up with your neighbor in a difficult moment is equal to the martyrdom of the Three Youths in the furnace. The lesson is relentless: daily forbearance is our Golgotha. To return angry words, to demand repayment, to run to courts for vindication—these reveal hearts still bound to the world. But to endure injustice with patience, to forgive without condition, to pray for those who wrong us—this is to share in Christ's meekness on the Cross. Abba Isaiah pierces deeper: how can we beg God's mercy for our sins while refusing mercy to our neighbor? To repay evil for evil is to declare, in effect, that God does not judge rightly. The Fathers show us how far we fall short: Christ bore poverty, betrayal, insult, and death without retaliation—yet we cannot endure even a word of offense without bitterness. Modern sensibilities stumble here. We demand rights, recompense, recognition. But the Fathers summon us to something purer and more terrifyingly beautiful: to love as Christ loves, even when it crucifies us. When wronged, our grief must be for our brother's soul, not our own loss. His sin wounds him unto death; our response must be prayer for his healing. This is no easy path. It is a crucifixion of the will, a death to self. It cannot be done without grace. Yet in enduring wrong with gentleness, in forgiving when wounded, in praying for those who hurt us, we enter the very marrow of the Gospel. The Desert Fathers offer no compromise. The way of Christ is the way of the Cross. To bear wrongs patiently is to drink His chalice. To forgive without measure is to wear His likeness. And to weep not for what we have lost but for the one who has harmed us—this is the freedom of those who live only in His love. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:15:19 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 284 number five: forbearing those who offend us and not taking vengeance 00:15:29 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 284, 5 00:21:21 Rick Visser: Has this any bearing on social media? A million small vexations......which we very often feel compelled to tell them off? 00:49:55 Catherine Opie: What does one say to someone who justifies anger by pointing to the righteous anger of Jesus driving people out of the temple? This is a common thing that I hear from people who wish to justify their own anger, including myself here. 00:55:34 Anthony: Jesus had already proved Himself to be Lord of the Sabbath, correct?  He demonstrated authority.  Plus they Knew Him from the prophecy of His birth and the disputation in the Temple at age 12/13 01:01:59 Rick Visser: What is the best book on the life of each of the saints? 01:03:24 Adam Paige: Replying to "What is the best boo…" The Golden Legend, the Roman Martyrology 01:04:19 Rick Visser: Replying to "What is the best boo..."

FOLLOW RICHARD Website: https://www.strangeplanet.ca YouTube: @strangeplanetradio Instagram: @richardsyrettstrangeplanet TikTok: @therealstrangeplanet EP. #1259 Golgotha's Forbidden Code: Why Bible Experts Blindly Miss the Crucifixion Screaming from Every Hebrew Letter Journey into biblical shadows on Strange Planet as pastor Carl Gallups unveils Golgotha's Groaning—his explosive claim that three crosses lurk encrypted in Hebrew Scripture, from Genesis' dawn to Revelation's roar. Why do scholars like Dennis Prager dissect the Torah for decades yet ignore its blatant Messiah blueprint? Probe Psalm 22's crucifixion blueprint, Isaiah 53's synagogue blackout, and creation's labor pains echoing Calvary's cry. Jesus as lamb, scapegoat, priest—fulfilling rituals in cosmic eruption. Satan blindsided, Judas ensnared: aftershocks rumble today. Timed for end times, this decoding ignites faith amid prophetic chaos. GUEST: Carl Gallups is a dynamic pastor, bestselling author, and prophetic teacher with over 30 years in global ministry. A frequent guest on major TV and radio platforms, he has preached worldwide, igniting audiences with bold biblical insights. Author of 14 acclaimed books—including The Yeshua Protocol, Gods of Ground Zero, and the groundbreaking Golgotha's Groaning—Gallups deciphers ancient codes and end-times prophecies, challenging conventional scholarship while affirming Scripture's divine precision. WEBSITE: http://carlgallups.com BOOK: Golgotha's Groaning: Stunningly Unique Biblical Disclosures from Genesis to Revelation That Are Shaking the End Times World SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! ⁠FABRIC BY GERBER LIFE⁠ Life insurance that's designed to be fast and affordable. You could get instant coverage with no medical exam for qualified applicants.   Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family.  Apply today in just minutes at ⁠meet fabric dot com slash STRANGE⁠ ⁠TESBROS⁠ We're a small business built by Tesla owners, for Tesla owners. Everything we do is about helping our customers customize, protect, and maintain their ride — whether it's through our products or YouTube how-tos and reviews.  Go to⁠ tesbros.com⁠ and use code POD15 for 15% off your first order. ⁠⁠BUTCHERBOX⁠⁠ ButcherBox delivers better meat and seafood straight to your door – including 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood. Right now, ButcherBox is offering our listeners $20 off their first box and free protein for a year. Go to ⁠⁠ButcherBox.com/strange⁠⁠ to get this limited time offer and free shipping always. Don't forget to use our link so they know we sent you. HIMS - Making Healthy and Happy Easy to Achieve Sexual Health, Hair Loss, Mental Health, Weight Management START YOUR FREE ONLINE VISIT TODAY - ⁠HIMS dot com slash STRANGE⁠ ⁠https://www.HIMS.com/strange⁠ ⁠QUINCE BEDDING⁠ Cool, Relaxed Bedding. Woven from 100% European flax linen. Visit ⁠QUINCE BEDDING⁠ to get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.   ⁠BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER!!!⁠  ⁠https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm⁠  Three monthly subscriptions to choose from.  Commercial Free Listening, Bonus Episodes and a Subscription to my monthly newsletter, InnerSanctum.  Visit ⁠https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm⁠ Use the discount code "Planet" to receive $5 OFF  off any subscription.  We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm/

Has anyone told you that you're gorgeous? It's true, as obvious as when we're rolling a turd, suffering a pincer attack, wishing there were anime in an anime moment, yanking off nipples, adapting dragon technology, vowing to stop a cretin, stumbling into a fairy garden, chafing at a wicked manner, laying off the goblin workforce, shopping at Home Depot, peeling back Chris' Secret Garden meta layer, searching for the new Golgotha, accepting Phacia's sacrifice, and engaging in what is surely going to be the final battle. I think his lust for power has enslaved his soul 00:00:00 Salamander 00:02:35 Intro 00:04:32 Outside the Grindery  00:13:07 Grindery Part I 00:19:05 Grindery Part II 00:22:51 My Secret Garden 00:37:00 Grindery Part III 00:41:47 Phacia 00:48:44 Inner Sanctum 00:53:10 Real Net 00:57:08 Outro Patreon: patreon.com/retroam Bluesky: @retrogradeamnesia.bsky.social YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RetrogradeAmnesia E-Mail: podcast@retrogradeamnesia.com Website: www.retrogradeamnesia.com  

"Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the Cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifed on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (See Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Later, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place." (Great Horologion) A fast is kept today, whatever the day of the week.

"Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the Cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifed on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (See Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Later, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place." (Great Horologion) A fast is kept today, whatever the day of the week.

Jesus was arrested and subjected to unjust trials before the Jewish leaders and Roman governor Pilate. Though found innocent, He was sentenced to death to appease the crowd. Jesus was scourged, mocked, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha. There, He was crucified between two criminals, ultimately dying to pay the penalty for our sin. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us it all began with betrayal ... by one of His own disciples. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus was arrested and subjected to unjust trials before the Jewish leaders and Roman governor Pilate. Though found innocent, He was sentenced to death to appease the crowd. Jesus was scourged, mocked, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha. There, He was crucified between two criminals, ultimately dying to pay the penalty for our sin. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us it all began with betrayal ... by one of His own disciples. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Mark 15:21–25 - And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. [22] And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). [23] And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. [24] And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. [25] And it was the third hour when they crucified him. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.