Podcasts about Pharisees

For 21 March 2026, Saturday of the 4th week of Lent, based on John 7:40-52 (Image: Christ arguing with the Pharisees by van Dyck)

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him, andthe one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him, andthe one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him, andthe one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him, andthe one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260318dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. John 9:13-16 A Rulebreaker The Third Commandment could not be clearer: “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.” But to avoid all confusion, God went on to explain, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10). So, Jesus is a rulebreaker, right? He worked on the Sabbath! He made mud, put it on a blind man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, all of which led to this man seeing for the first time in his life. Some of the Pharisees could not help but conclude, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” This wasn’t the first time Jesus had generated a heated debate by healing someone on the Sabbath. From the earliest days of his earthly ministry, Jesus was causing his opponents to have serious bouts of consternation as they tried to square Jesus’ claims of being the Son of God and the promised Messiah with his apparent refusal to obey God’s holy law. But was it a refusal? Hardly. It was a fulfillment! Jesus once explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). His point was simple: of course, God wants us to honor him by resting from our labor at some point every week to hear and ponder his saving Word. But he also calls us to put his Word into practice by regularly demonstrating love for our neighbors in need. The Christian life is not an either/or proposition. It’s an everyday both/and way of life! Our Savior never overturns God’s Word. Instead, he fulfills it. Perfectly. Prayer: Jesus, empower me to be like you more and more every day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What does Jesus teach us through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector? What can we learn from the tax collector's posture in prayer?

Yasmin and Max sit down to dive deeper into Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. They explore the freedom found in receiving God's love rather than trying to earn it.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260318dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. John 9:13-16 A Rulebreaker The Third Commandment could not be clearer: “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.” But to avoid all confusion, God went on to explain, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10). So, Jesus is a rulebreaker, right? He worked on the Sabbath! He made mud, put it on a blind man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, all of which led to this man seeing for the first time in his life. Some of the Pharisees could not help but conclude, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” This wasn’t the first time Jesus had generated a heated debate by healing someone on the Sabbath. From the earliest days of his earthly ministry, Jesus was causing his opponents to have serious bouts of consternation as they tried to square Jesus’ claims of being the Son of God and the promised Messiah with his apparent refusal to obey God’s holy law. But was it a refusal? Hardly. It was a fulfillment! Jesus once explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). His point was simple: of course, God wants us to honor him by resting from our labor at some point every week to hear and ponder his saving Word. But he also calls us to put his Word into practice by regularly demonstrating love for our neighbors in need. The Christian life is not an either/or proposition. It’s an everyday both/and way of life! Our Savior never overturns God’s Word. Instead, he fulfills it. Perfectly. Prayer: Jesus, empower me to be like you more and more every day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Kelly Goshorn is an old-fashioned girl at heart who loves Jesus, her family, and all things historical. A native Virginian, she developed a deep love for history, exploring battlefields and museums, which eventually led her to write inspirational historical romance. After earning degrees in social studies, education, and history, Kelly spent nearly two decades as a licensed childcare provider before returning to writing – a passion sparked by her youngest son. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, was published by Pelican Book Group in 2018, and her nonfiction piece, “Beautiful Words,” appeared in the Spoken Moments anthology. She lives in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband of 30+ years, Mike. They enjoy BBC period dramas, board games, and spoiling her Corgi, Levi. You've described yourself as, “An old-fashioned girl trapped in the 21st century. How has that shaped your passion for historical fiction? Kelly: As long as I can remember, I’ve loved history. I had a wonderful grandfather who would tell us stories about his life growing up and stories about our ancestors. The random things I'd find – my dad's World War II Navy picture or my mom's ration book from World War II – I always found them fascinating. But I suspect Little House on the Prairie probably had something to do with it. That was my favorite show growing up. If I did anything to get in trouble, all my mom had to do was threaten to take that away. Because back then, we didn't have unlimited access to shows. If you missed it when it was on, you didn't get to see it again until summer re-runs. Then when Laura called Almanzo “Manly” and I discovered historical romance, I think that just sealed the deal. KyLee: Honestly, that sounds similar to my experience. I had grandpas who were in World War II in the Korean War, and we got to hear all their stories. And I watched a lot of old black-and-white shows, lots of westerns. I love that, as adult women, God's allowed a way for us to look back on those good memories and the values we developed, and now we're creating with them. Can you share how your youngest son inspired you to start writing? Kelly: When the time came to move on from my career as a childcare provider, I wasn't sure what the next step was, but I sensed from the Holy Spirit that it was not going back to teaching. So my husband and I , and our small group, started praying about it. Now my youngest son Noah always love to write. He might be watching SpongeBob, but he had a notebook he always carried with him, and he'd be writing some kind of story. I remember watching Noah one day and thinking how I always loved writing research papers in college and grad school. I thought of myself as hopelessly un-creative, but I loved to play with the sentences, move them around, tweak them. And that day I thought, “I should give fiction a try.” So I started writing, just for myself, no secret desire to be published. And after a few nights of me sitting in front of the TV with my laptop, my husband asked what I was doing. And when I told him, he wanted to read it, so I let him. And he said, “This is good, but you should write our story.” Shortly after that, I switched to writing our story, but set in the 1870s, and it became something I couldn't wait to do each day. I started study the writing craft, and in that process of writing and learning, I realized that was the answer to my prayer. And our story became my debut, A Love Restored. Darcy: I love how you say discovering your new path was a process. You had your family and church family praying, but the Lord didn't drop you a note in your lap to “write novels now.” You were curious, and you tried it, and in that, He show you this was what He wanted you to do. Sometimes we really want the writing on the wall, but God's like, “No. You'll find out. Just trust Me on this.” I think that's cool. KyLee: I was just about to tell you, Kelly, that you should go on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast with Heather Tabers. She and I chat quite a bit, and she just started her podcast for Christian romance lovers who believe in both storybook love and the hope that God provides in real life. So I was double-checking her podcast name on Instagram, and I see Kelly Goshorn has already been on the Hope-Filled Romantic Podcast! Authors get to share about their books, but also their real-life love stories, if they’re comfortable doing so. Just a quick shout-out for Heather – our listeners should definitely check out Kelly’s episode on her podcast. Kelly: And secondary shout-out, I had the privilege of reading and endorsing Heather's book that just released, Their Burden to Bear. If people like the World War I era, I highly recommend it. A fantastic novel. Do you have a favorite battlefield or museum or site that you visited that inspired a story scene? Kelly: I'm really inspired by the area where I live in Northern Virginia. Loudoun County has a lot of Revolutionary War and especially Civil War history. We're in a border county in a border state – the next county over became West Virginia. In the western part of our county, we had Quakers who were pro-union, and we have people who were pro-slavery and voted for Virginia to secede from the union. If I could set all of my stories here, I would. I have two, A Love Restored and The Christmas Carving set in Loudoun County. Is there anything especially interesting you could share with us, or something God has laid on your heart that you'd like to share with your readers? Kelly: I like to write about flawed characters that overcome their obstacles with faith and fortitude. Recurring themes in my books are about self-acceptance, and forgiveness, and second chances. The world can be so unforgiving, and we can be so hard on ourselves. I like to write those kind of stories where you kind of dig inside yourself and your faith, and you come out on the other side. And hopefully readers also find a swoon-worthy romance 'cause I'm a romance girl. Darcy: I love that. I was actually reading in Luke this morning, the stories of the prodigal son and the scriptures around there where the Pharisees condemn Jesus for hanging out with sinful and unrighteous people. And I was thinking how we know the story of the lost sheep where Jesus said, “I leave the ninety-nine, and go after the lost one.” Yet, even as we're trying to follow Jesus, we build this sense of self-righteousness. And then we start comparing: “I'm not as holy as that person. I'm not as far along as this person.” So I love that you write about flawed characters who learn to accept that. Because God uses flawed people. He says that over and over in His Word. Book Two in the Enduring Hope series, six stand-alone novels by six different authors, examining manmade catastrophes and how the characters overcome. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be found. Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers. Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department's wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. When an unnamed source reveals Etta's secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she's ever loved. What inspired your heroine, Etta Maxwell – a wealthy heiress living a double life as an undercover reporter? Kelly: I am not a plotter. I never know how the story will go; the Lord kind of brings it all together for me. But one thing I did know is I didn't want my characters to be employees of the factory because I thought that might take the reader too close to the grittiness of the disaster. I knew I wanted to make Leo a fireman, and I needed to keep Etta active in the story, so I decided on making her a reporter. Now there were some female investigative reporters, like Ida Tarbell or Nellie Bly, but most female journalists were relegated to domestic or social columns. So I decided Etta would have to masquerade as a man to pull it off. She also writes for The Gilded Gown, a social magazine in Boston. And her parents let her move back to Brockton and work with their charitable foundation, unaware she is secretly the top-notch reporter Henry Mason. How did you go about researching this real-life disaster, this shoe factory explosion? Kelly: I started with a list on Wikipedia of manmade disasters in America, and I'm not exactly sure why I clicked on the Grover Shoe factory. I can only say it was the Holy Spirit. And I immediately saw two images: one of this giant factory, four floors that covered three-quarters of a city block, and an after-picture in which literally nothing is left but the smokestack. And I instantly thought, “Nobody could have survived this. What happened?” I found myself reading more out of my own curiosity. And I just felt like I needed to tell these people's stories. I found a document called, The History of the Brockton Relief Fund, which was compiled a couple years after the disaster. And that became my bible, so to speak because it was written so close to the time. Sometimes even newspapers from the time contradicted one another, so this document became my ultimate primary source. I also found a lot of great information on the Brockton Fire Department through a document online. They have a fire museum there. And I found YouTube documentaries on early 20th-century firefighting and fire investigation techniques. Many of their techniques have now been proven to not be the best way to get to the bottom of an arson, but it's what they used then. Oh, and I found great information on the fire dogs and how they were used, why they were Dalmations. It was fun to incorporate so many details into the book. How do you balance the historical material with the romance? Kelly: It was kind of tricky to build a romance in the midst of such a disaster. It was the beginning of the workday when the fire started, so the building was full – nearly 400 people. And between the broken gas lines and floors treated with linseed oil, they had to call off the rescue within twelve minutes. Fifty-eight people perished. You almost expect it to be the reverse, that only 58 people survived, because it was just a perfect storm of things contributing to the fire. So trying to figure out how to put a romance in that, when you don't want to lighten the gravity of the situation, was tricky. It was another reason to keep my characters outside the factory, and not related to the factory owner or anyone bearing such a heavy weight that they can't think of romance. I started the story with fictitious arsonists she's investigating, and they team up for that. So when the disaster occurred, she already had sources inside the fire department and she's following leads, which enabled them to have that close proximity needed for a romance. Darcy: In some ways, the fact that their romance grows out of something so deep and tragic lets us know that these people are not involved in some light infatuation. They can't hide behind the typical early-romance stage, but have to get to know each other for real. What's next for your writing? Kelly: I don't have any contracts at the moment, but last week I turned in a proposal for a novella collection, along with Carolyn Miller, Angela Couch and Jacinta Meredith. If it's picked up, it will be four marriages of convenience at Christmas. (You might be able to tell that marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. I will always pick that up to read – it fascinates me.) And this weekend, I'm working on a proposal for a book about a mail-order groom that's got some serious You've Got Mail vibes. Where can listeners connect with you? Kelly: I would love to have readers visit my website and sign up for my newsletter. I publish monthly, and I include updates on my writing, but I also cover a new historical romance release each month. I do giveaways. And I like to talk about historical tidbits that history-nerd girls like us enjoy. If you're on Facebook and Instagram, you can find me there, probably talking way too much about my Corgis. I love my Corgi dogs. Levi, who we mentioned at the beginning, has sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. So now we have another Corgi puppy named Biscuit. I also have pages on my website dedicated to extras and historical details for the book. Things that don't always make it into the story, which I hope readers will enjoy. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White THE BOOK As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste. Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been? Bookworm Review “Oh my giddy gumdrops, this confection of a tale is a sheer delight from beginning to end! Winsome and whimsical, “Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor” by Roseanna M. White captures all the splendor of the holiday season, from the effervescent joy of childhood to the awe-inspiring wonder of Christ’s birth. Nods to The Nutcracker will evoke smiles from fans of the classic story as they explore the luxury of an Edwardian Manor and the enchantment of a winter wood, glittering with snow. If you fancy a Nutcracker suite romance, spend your Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor!” Read more about Roseanna at her website. (www.RoseannaMWhite.com)  (www.jaimewrightbooks.com)~ Angela Bell, author of A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure Thank you, fellow bookworm, for joining us once again! We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Kelly and are excited to check out her book! If you enjoyed this episode, we hope you'll subscribe for more on your favorite listening platform, and join our newsletter (see the sidebar). Don't forget to share it with a fellow historical fiction reader! Until next time, may you find hope even in challenges! –KyLee & Darcy

March 15, 2026. Fr. Tyler's homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.    Gospel John 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,  that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned;  it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him,  “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,  “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don't know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again,  “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the Jews did not believe  that he had been blind and gained his sight  until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said,  “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed  that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind  and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said,  “You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses,  but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing,  that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners,  but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said,  “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment,  so that those who do not see might see,  and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this  and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin;  but now you are saying, ‘We see,' so your sin remains.

Where does sin originate? Is it reason to push people away or draw near to them? Jesus and the Pharisees had very different perspectives.

Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike here. Today I focus on the journey of the Apostle Paul, who went from persecuting the church as a Pharisee to being dramatically converted by God on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3–6). Paul later taught that apart from Christ people are spiritually dead and under the influence of the evil one—“following the ruler of the power of the air” and “by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1–3)—but through Jesus Christ God rescues us and brings us into new life.

Pastor Matt explores John chapters 7-12, which chronicle the dramatic final six months of Jesus' public ministry leading up to the crucifixion. During this period, Jesus travels between Galilee, Jerusalem, and other regions, making increasingly bold declarations about his identity. At the Feast of Booths, Jesus openly proclaims "I am the light of the world" and declares that spiritual thirst can only be satisfied in him, even claiming "before Abraham was, I am"—using God's sacred name and asserting his divinity. Jesus backs up these claims with unprecedented miracles that demonstrate his authority. He heals a man born blind, creating a powerful contrast between physical and spiritual sight as the Pharisees who could see physically became spiritually blind due to their pride and rejection of Jesus. Even more dramatically, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after four days—proving his authority over death itself. Yet these same miraculous events produce completely opposite responses in people. Pastor Matt identifies three groups that emerge: the curious crowd who are intrigued but undecided, convinced followers like the healed blind man who declare "I was blind, now I see," and combative religious leaders whose hostility progresses from skepticism to plotting murder. The sermon concludes that Jesus' clear Revelation of his identity forces everyone to make a decision, and neutrality is impossible when confronted with who Jesus claims to be.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in aChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOLent, Week 4Theme: LIGHTSaint: St. John Gabriel Perboyre, C.M.GOSPEL: JOHN 9: 1-38As he passed by Jesus saw a man blind from birth. he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go wash[c] in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” 16 So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” [But] others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

OUTLINE:Come Consistently (18:1-8)Come Confessionally (18:9-14)Come Childlike (18:15-17)QUESTIONS:(Luke 18:1,7-8) Where in your life have you been tempted to stop praying and lose heart? Jesus already knows how easy it is for us to grow weary when answers seem delayed. As you reflect, consider where disappointment, delay, pain, confusion, or silence has made you less eager to come before God. Ask yourself where you have quietly concluded, “What's the point?” and let that reveal the places where Jesus is calling you back to steady dependence. (Luke 18:2-8) What does persistent prayer reveal about what you actually believe concerning God's character?   The widow keeps coming because she believes someone must hear her case, but Jesus contrasts the unjust judge with our righteous God. The point is not that God is reluctant and must be worn down, but that if even an unrighteous judge eventually responds, how much more will a good and just Father respond to His people. As you answer, think about whether your prayer life reflects confidence that God is good, attentive, just, and faithful, or whether it reveals fear that He is distant, indifferent, or slow to care. (Luke 18:9-12) In what ways are you tempted to approach God like the Pharisee rather than the tax collector?  The Pharisee's prayer is full of comparison, self-congratulation, and a spiritual résumé. He is technically praying, but he is really admiring himself in God's presence. As you reflect, consider how often you measure yourself against others, lean on your good behavior, or subtly believe God should be more pleased with you because of your discipline, morality, service, or knowledge. Ask God to expose the ways self-righteousness can hide inside spiritual language. (Luke 18:13-14) What would honest confession look like for you right now? The tax collector stands at a distance, will not even lift his eyes to heaven, and cries, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” His confession is simple, honest, and unguarded. He is not managing appearances. He is acknowledging his need. As you answer, name what needs to be brought into the light before God without excuse, spin, or self-protection. Consider what it would look like to stop defending yourself and simply ask for mercy. (Luke 18:15-17) How is Jesus inviting you to trust Him more like a child this week, with dependence rather than control? Jesus welcomes little children and says the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. Children come empty-handed, trusting, dependent, and aware that they need help. As you reflect, think about where you are trying to manage outcomes, maintain control, or prove your strength instead of receiving from God with simple trust. This week, where is Jesus inviting you to surrender control, lean on Him, and come with open hands rather than clenched fists? SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:Luke 18:1-17NEXT WEEK:Luke 18:18-30 

John 9:1-41   As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,' your sin remains.”

Today we continue our series in the Gospel of Luke, one of four eyewitness accounts of Jesus' words and works. In them we learn of his life, death, and resurrection to rescue his people from among the neighborhoods of Seattle and the nations of the world. Today, we reach another parable that is only found in Luke. Here Jesus calls us to humbly trust in His mercy to secure our standing before God. Audio | Notes | Luke 18:9-14

Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe Romans 7:7–12 Romans 7:7–12 | Is the Law Sin? from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. THE LAW REVEALS SIN SIN EXPLOITS THE LAW THE LAW IS HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND GOOD Romans 5:13 (ESV) for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Colossians 3:5 (ESV) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Romans 5:13 (ESV) for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Romans 6:2 (ESV) By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 5:20 (ESV) Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, John Calvin You are not indeed to understand, that no difference whatever can be known between right and wrong without the law; but that without the law we are either too dull of apprehension to discern our depravity, or that we are made wholly insensible through self-flattery Philippians 3:4–7 (ESV) If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Matthew Week 129     Matthew 23:9-12 ESV   9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.       1 Timothy 2:5-7 NASB   5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed as a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.       1 Corinthians 4:14-15 NASB   14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.       Ephesians 3:7-8 ESV   7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,       Matthew 23:13 ESV   13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.     Matthew 11:16-19a ESV   16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,   17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;   we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'   18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'       Matthew 12:23-24 ESV   23 And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."       Romans 3:10-11; 19-20; 23 NASB   10 as it is written:   "There is no righteous person, not even one;   11 There is no one who understands,   There is no one who seeks out God;       19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.       23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,       Matthew 23:15 ESV   15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.       Romans 10:1-4 NASB 95  

The very first crime committed in the history of mankind was a murder. The classic Old Testament story of Cain and Abel powerfully illustrates what Jesus said in the Sermon On The Mount about how murder is fueled by anger and jealousy. It is not surprising that Jesus began with what the Law says about murder to explain what the kind of righteousness that surpasses the scribes and Pharisees looks like. The self-righteous scribes and Pharisees taught and modeled a superficial, hypocritical, legalistic system of righteousness that merely focused on external actions. Based on their knowledge of the Old Testament, they should have known that God cares more about what is going on in a person's mind and heart. For the sake of His followers, Jesus wanted to correct what they had been told by these Jewish religious leaders and restore the true intent and full force of God's commands by not only confronting the outer sinful actions but also the inner sinful thoughts, attitudes, motives, and desires that lead to our actions. He focused on the attitude behind the act or the sin beneath the sin or the root that produces the fruit. In vv. 21-26, there are TWO SAFETY MEASURES we must take to avoid murdering someone with our mitts or our mouths or in our minds.

Mark - The Suffering Servant for a suffering people

John 9:1-41As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,' your sin remains.” I'm not proud of it, but I binge-watched two-and-a-half seasons of the Netflix reality show “Love is Blind” over the course of two or three days, following my emergency gall bladder surgery in September. Again, I'm not proud. I confess. I repent. And I blame the pain meds.The premise of this waste of time is that men and women go on literal blind dates, where they spend a period of time dating one another behind walls and closed doors, in private rooms. They sit in pods and have all manner of discussion about all manner of things and decide without ever seeing each other, that they are in love, or not. During all of this, the men live in one shared space and the women in another. So, there's competition and gossip and lies and drama. Eventually, there are marriage proposals and then face-to-face meetings those who get engaged. Then the lucky, newly-engaged couples travel together for a group romantic getaway where there is lots of sunshine, beaches, swimsuits, hot tubs, and the like. And more competition, in-fighting, gossip, lies, and drama, of course.All of this is build-up to each couple's potential wedding day, the outcome of which is never known by anyone, for certain, until they reach the altar, dressed in tuxedos, wedding gowns and before very real pastors, priests, rabbis, and justices of the peace – according to their faith tradition, or lack thereof. Neither the viewer, nor the potential brides or the prospective grooms or their families, know for sure … until the very last moment … if the betrothed are going to say “I do.” Of course, the drama really comes when one of the two says “No” or “I Can't” or “I Don't” to their partner's hopeful expression of love and commitment.It's terrible – once the meds wore off, the pain was gone, and I was on the mend, I didn't even bother to finish that third season. It's one of the many signs of the decline of western civilization, I'm sure. It's one of many reasons, I suspect, that, if there is intelligent life on other planets, they've decidedly NOT bothered to make contact. All of this is mostly confession and repentance, but I'll come back to it – however briefly – in a minute.But first, this miracle story, which is a doozy … and a well-known one at that … the spit, the dirt, the mud pie – and this guy who'd been blind his whole life – who gets his eyesight back. And there are so many others … miracle stories, I mean, in Scripture: the little girl who gets up from a death-bed nap; Simon Peter's mother-in-law, whose fever breaks; the demons who leave from that guy in the synagogue; the woman who had been hemorrhaging for years, the leper who's made clean, and so on.And you can't help but wonder about all those people – in Jesus' day and in our own – whose healing never comes: the demon that never leaves; the fever that never breaks; the blindness that never goes away, the cancer, the diabetes, the dying that seem to win the day.And because of all that – because so many of us go without the miracles we long for – I can't help but believe Jesus' willingness and ability to heal doesn't have as much to do with ridding people or the world of sickness as much as we'd like to believe or pretend. Just like the Pharisees, we get caught up in the “who, what, how, when, and where” of what Jesus did for this blind guy and we ignore or don't care so much about what Jesus tells us – right at the beginning of it all – about the WHY of what he had done that day.This guy had been born blind, remember. And to his parents, to his neighbors, to the Pharisees, certainly, and even to the blind guy himself, that meant he was sinful in some way. As we know, medical science back in the day wasn't what it is for us now – so many generations later. When someone was sick or even just different somehow – whether it was leprosy, leukemia or whatever it is that makes a lame person unable to walk – their difference was understood to be proof that they were being judged by God and punished, then, for some kind of sin.You can hear it in the disciples' question to Jesus, before the healing occurs: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” (Apparently, on top of all the rest, your physical diseases and differences could also be the result of another person's sins, as well as your own.) But Jesus doesn't break out the medical books, give the man an eye exam, make a diagnosis, or chart a treatment plan. He says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.” (Not only does this imply that there's nothing wrong with being blind, but it lets us know God was up to something more than just a magic trick.)So, Jesus gets to the business of doing “God's works,” by way of a little mud and some spit. And if “miracle” means supernatural, irrational, unexpected, unexplainable – or something like that – here is where the real miracle of this morning's Gospel occurs. The miracle of what God accomplishes through Jesus, not just for the blind man on the roadside that day so many years ago, but for every one of us – and our neighbors out there in the world, too – isn't so much that God cures blindness; it's that the eyes of those who can already see are opened to a God who loves without measure and promises eternal life, on this side of Heaven.What the disciples, the Pharisees, the blind man and his family, friends and neighbors were meant to witness that day wasn't just a physical healing. The real joy for this man who once was blind but now could see, wasn't that he could throw away his walking stick or go get a driver's license. The real miracle and true joy for the blind man who received his sight was that God transformed what had been called Sin, into forgiveness; God turned judgment into freedom; God made what was supposedly broken, whole; God made one who was unworthy, worthy – and loved and liberated and allowed to experience the fullness of the Kingdom, just like the rest of his friends, family, neighbors.And that's supposed to be our miracle, too. The miracle of Jesus Christ is that God's grace is big enough for all people – and especially for the sick, sinful, broken, needy, or just plain DIFFERENT by the standards of the world. That's miraculously good news for the gay or trans kids too many pretend are sinful or broken for being born a certain way. This is good news for Jewish people in our day and age, being targeted and terrorized – still and yet again – by a world that can't appreciate their status as God's children. This is the Gospel for anyone who faces bigotry, discrimination, exclusion, or injustice because they don't measure up, fit the mold, or walk, talk, live, move, or breathe like the masses – or to the liking of the powers that be.What the world calls unworthy, God claims and cherishes. What the world can't overlook, God forgives. What the world considers unlovable, God loves. What the world nails to a cross, God raises from the dead.The most amazing miracle is that God's love is most decidedly NOT blind. God sees all of us from the inside out – the broken and the beautiful; the sinful and the sacred; the holy and the horrible – and God loves us, still … and always … and commands us to do the same for one another, in the name of Jesus. And it's no small miracle when we get it right.Amen

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Gospel Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Reflection I know you probably have people in your life like I do that seem to always be pointing out the negative, mostly in someone else. And there's something about a disposition of self-righteousness that does tend to be critical of everyone who isn't doing what they think they should be doing. It's usually a sign that they're really not content with what they are, or who they are. So bless us with an understanding of the human nature that we all share. So we will not focus so much on judgment, but understanding and forgiveness. Closing Prayer Father, free is from the spirit of criticism and condemnation. It sneaks into our vocabulary. We find ourselves often picking at other people, picking at situations, always pointing out what is wrong. Bless us with the release of that and let us look always toward that which is positive. Honoring those who do well, complimenting those who do well. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Friends of the Rosary,In today's reading (Luke 18:9-14), we see two types of prayer: the self-centered prayer of the Pharisee and the God-centered prayer of the tax collector.A prayer to ourselves — as yoga and mindfulness suggest today — is wrong as it simply confirms our ego-driven attitude, with God being relegated to be an idol.Christ the Lord invites us to meditate upon the prayer of the publican, the tax collector, who is humble enough to ask for mercy: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."Jesus concludes,“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠March 14, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031426.cfmFather Anthony Gramlich, MIC, teaches that the Lenten journey begins with prayer, the foundation for all spiritual growth. Prayer is conversation with God, opening the heart to the Lord. Even five seconds to make the Sign of the Cross and offer thanks is sufficient. Time is the greatest gift God gives, and there is no excuse for neglecting prayer.Father Anthony distinguishes between quantity and quality of prayer. One prayer from the heart surpasses many from the lips. The Holy Spirit guides authentic prayer, praying through and with believers. Before praying, invoke the Holy Spirit to overcome distraction and focus the mind.Jesus presents two examples of prayer in the Gospel. The Pharisee represents how NOT TO pray. Though knowledgeable of the 613 commandments and scrupulous in observance, his prayer centered on himself. He thanked God he was not like others — greedy, dishonest, adulterers. His fasting, almsgiving, and prayer led to pride and judgment of others. Success in Lenten practices can breed arrogance if the heart remains unexamined.The tax collector exemplifies how TO pray. Ostracized by society for collaborating with Rome and enriching himself, he stood at a distance, eyes downcast, beating his breast. His prayer was simple: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Directed toward God rather than himself, it embodied humility. He acknowledged his creature-hood, confessed his sinfulness, and pleaded for mercy.Father Anthony notes this prayer appears at Mass's beginning and before Holy Communion. We call on the Lamb of God, acknowledging unworthiness. God makes us worthy, not ourselves. Two groups fail to pray properly: those claiming no sin, blinded by pride, and those fearing God's justice without trusting His mercy.The tax collector recognized his sin yet trusted God's unlimited mercy. Jesus declared him justified. The moral proverb applies: everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Lent's purpose is humility. Whether succeeding or failing in Lenten practices, all roads lead to the cross.Salvation comes through Jesus on the cross, not human effort. Only at the foot of the cross, humbled like Mary and the disciples, do we find salvation. The resurrection follows the cross. The seed must die in the ground to rise. Lent takes believers through darkness and cold to the tomb with Christ, so they may rise with Him on the third day. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode we explore the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector and what it teaches about humility versus self-righteousness. In this episode, we unpack the cultural context, Jesus' message on humility, and practical takeaways for daily faith. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we reflect on grace, humility, and living a life before God.

1 And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.Jesus autem perrexit in montem Oliveti : 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.et diluculo iterum venit in templum, et omnis populus venit ad eum, et sedens docebat eos. 3 And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,Adducunt autem scribae et pharisaei mulierem in adulterio deprehensam : et statuerunt eam in medio, 4 And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.et dixerunt ei : Magister, haec mulier modo deprehensa est in adulterio. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?In lege autem Moyses mandavit nobis hujusmodi lapidare. Tu ergo quid dicis? 6 And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.Hoc autem dicebant tentantes eum, ut possent accusare eum. Jesus autem inclinans se deorsum, digito scribebat in terra. 7 When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.Cum ergo perseverarent interrogantes eum, erexit se, et dixit eis : Qui sine peccato est vestrum, primus in illam lapidem mittat. 8 And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.Et iterum se inclinans, scribebat in terra. 9 But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.Audientes autem unus post unum exibant, incipientes a senioribus : et remansit solus Jesus, et mulier in medio stans. 10 Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?Erigens autem se Jesus, dixit ei : Mulier, ubi sunt qui te accusabant? nemo te condemnavit? 11 Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.Quae dixit : Nemo, Domine. Dixit autem Jesus : Nec ego te condemnabo : vade, et jam amplius noli peccare.The guilty woman. Clemency of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read OnlineJesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector…” Luke 18:9–10Humility is a beautiful virtue. Even the most public sinner, like a tax collector, shines brightly with God's grace when his heart is purified by humility. On the other hand, pride is an ugly vice. When pride is present in someone's life, the soul is incapable of reflecting God's pure and beautiful light.Today's parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, who both go to the temple to pray, teaches us that true holiness comes from within. The interior virtues of the soul allow God's radiance to shine outwardly. When humility and repentance fill a person's heart, the soul reflects God's grace.We may all encounter people who seem to radiate God's grace, peace, and joy. Conversely, we may meet others who radiate judgment, self-righteousness, and condemnation. While we must avoid judging others, we cannot help but be inspired by the genuine humility of those whose lives are marked by grace. For example, even if we forget the exact words of Saint Mother Teresa's many speeches, her radiant charity, fueled by humility, is unforgettable.The Pharisees were known for their meticulous observance of the external requirements of the Law of Moses. However, their scrupulous adherence to these laws often blinded them to the deeper virtues that God desires. They became focused on appearances, missing the heart of the matter: humility and love of God.Praying in the temple is a good and pious act. Both the Pharisee and the tax collector did this. However, prayer that is distorted by self-righteousness, pride, and arrogance cannot rise to God as true prayer. Only when prayer is guided by humility and an awareness of our need for God's mercy does it become a channel of grace.The tax collector was humble because he recognized his sinfulness and his need for God's mercy. He prayed, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The Pharisee, blinded by pride, could not see his own need for God's forgiveness and instead praised himself for his external observances. The tax collector's humility opened him to divine wisdom, while the Pharisee's pride left him in spiritual blindness. Humility is wise; pride is foolish.Reflect today on how you approach prayer. Are you wise in your prayer? Do you, like the tax collector, acknowledge your need for God's mercy? Pray the tax collector's prayer with sincerity and depth: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” If you find yourself thinking, “I'm not that bad of a sinner,” then your prayer is more like that of the Pharisee. Don't shy away from the truth. Humbly confess your weaknesses and sins before God. He is merciful. Acknowledge your complete dependence on His grace. Only then, like the tax collector, will you go home justified before God.Most merciful God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I need You. I need Your forgiveness. By Your grace, help me to see my sins clearly, confess them, and experience the joy of redemption. Fill me with humility, dear Lord, so that I may know the truth of myself and, through Your wisdom, be set free. Jesus, I trust in You.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Friends of the Rosary,Good Friday is three weeks away. As the third Week of Lent draws to an end, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders intensifies.The answer given by Lord — love of God and love of neighbor — shows that the conflict with the Pharisees grows sharper.In today's Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), Jesus is asked by one of the scribes which is the first of all the commandments."The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.""The second is this:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these."These two commandments are tightly linked because Christ is the God-man, the one in whose person divinity and humanity meet. It is impossible to love him as God without loving the humanity that he has embraced.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠March 13, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In this episode of Faith & Family Bible Study, Steve Wood challenges parents and teachers to examine how Christian children are being formed. Drawing from Gospel of Matthew 3, he contrasts outward religiosity without repentance—exemplified by the Pharisees—with authentic, Spirit-filled faith. Steve explains why much modern catechesis emphasizes religious facts and behavior while failing to touch the heart, contributing to the widespread falling away of youth. The key to true spiritual formation, he argues, is a lived experience of adoption as sons and daughters of God through baptism, as taught in Epistle to the Galatians. The episode calls parents to pray for a full awakening of their children's baptismal inheritance and to surround them with believers alive in the Holy Spirit. For more resources, visit us online at www.BibleforCatholics.com.

Jesus' words and works prove His messiahship, but opposition is growing among the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus called the Pharisees "hypocrites," "blind guides," "generation of vipers," and compared them to "whitewashed tombs". E181. Books about Pharisees at https://amzn.to/4hdP2la Books about Sadducees available at https://amzn.to/3XGDfVk How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson at https://amzn.to/3DyFfbA From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White at https://amzn.to/4008FpD Other books by L. Michael White available at https://amzn.to/400ofSm ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Sources: From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White (‎ St. Martin's Griffin, 2009); How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson (HarperOne, 2005). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read OnlineAnd when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:34Among the scribes and Pharisees, the scribe in today's Gospel stands out. He got it right, and Jesus praised him for his openness and understanding. The scribe began by asking Jesus a question: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” At that time, the scribes and Pharisees often debated the question of which commandments were most important. From the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, they derived 613 commandments. Among them were the Ten Commandments and numerous ceremonial and civil laws by which they were to abide. Some religious leaders taught that all 613 of the commandments were equally important. In addition to these commandments, rabbinic traditions also offered detailed commentary on how they were to be fulfilled.Jesus enters this debate and answers by quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and Leviticus 19:18: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two commandments were clear articulations of the most central duties to which we are called—love of God and love of neighbor. Furthermore, they were a twofold summary of the Ten Commandments, the most important of the Old Testament Laws.While many scribes and Pharisees were scrupulous about keeping the external law in a detailed and ritualistic manner, they often failed to perceive and live its central meaning. Jesus clarifies this meaning in His concise answer. He does not dismiss the importance of God's many commandments but highlights their central purpose. The ritualistic laws and moral commandments, while essential, are ultimately means to an end; they direct us to love. Jesus shows that love of God and neighbor is the true fulfillment of the Law, uniting both aspects into one comprehensive commandment that sums up everything God asks of us.Jesus was not rejecting the necessity of the commandments themselves but was emphasizing that their observance must flow from the heart. God's Law is not just about external compliance but about cultivating a heart transformed by love. The laws and rituals of faith, such as fasting in Lent, attending Sunday Mass, and going to Confession, have their rightful place in our spiritual lives. They shape us and help keep us close to God. However, we must always remember their deeper purpose: They are meant to foster a greater charity for God and others. Without that charity, even the most rigorous external observances can become empty.Reflect today on how obedient you are to God's Law. Most importantly, ponder the depth of charity you have. True charity toward God and neighbor will enable us to fulfill all external observance of God's Law, but it will not stop there. There is no limit to love. We can always increase it. We must increase it. Charity, while requiring our active cooperation, ultimately flows from God's grace working within us. Without His grace, our efforts to love are incomplete. If we understand this and seek to love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then, like this scribe, Jesus will say to us, “You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.”My loving Lord, You call us to love You with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. You fulfilled this commandment perfectly, and You promise us the grace to do the same. Help me to obey every detail of Your divine will and grant me the Gift of Understanding so that I will understand and live Your Law in the way You intend. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus by James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

It's one thing to thank God before a meal. It's another thing entirely to thank Him before sending off a tax payment. For many Christians, taxes are rarely associated with gratitude. They often feel like a burden—an interruption to our financial plans or resources we'd rather use elsewhere. But Scripture invites us to view taxes through a very different lens. Instead of seeing them merely as a loss, believers can see them as a reminder of God's provision and His sovereignty, and as an opportunity to live with integrity. Why Taxes Stir Frustration Few topics unite people quite like a shared dislike of paying taxes. It's easy to think, if I could just keep that money, I could do something better with it. And when government policies conflict with our convictions—or headlines highlight waste or corruption—resentment can grow even stronger. Yet Scripture calls us to approach the issue differently. Instead of responding with frustration alone, the Bible encourages gratitude, humility, and trust in God's sovereign rule. In Matthew 22:17, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a political question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus responded by asking for a coin and pointing to the image stamped on it. His reply has echoed through history: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Matthew 22:21) This answer was remarkable. Taxes under Rome were deeply unpopular. Rome was an occupying force, and tax revenue helped sustain a system that oppressed God's people. Yet Jesus did not call for revolt or avoidance. Instead, He acknowledged that paying taxes fits within God's ordering of society while making it clear that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Coins may bear Caesar's image, but our lives bear God's image—and they belong fully to Him. Trusting God's Sovereignty The apostle Paul reinforced this principle in Romans 13:6–7, writing during the reign of Nero—hardly a model of righteous leadership: “Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God… Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Notice what Paul does not say. He doesn't ground obedience in the goodness of government. Instead, he points to the sovereignty of God. Paying taxes, then, is not primarily an expression of confidence in a human system. It is a recognition that God ultimately rules over nations, leaders, and history itself. Taxes Reveal God's Provision There is another perspective on taxes that believers often overlook. Before you pay a single dollar in taxes, something has already happened: God has provided. A mentor of mine, Ron Blue, often says around tax time, “Taxes represent God's provision.” If God had not provided income, there would be no taxes to pay. Think about it. Taxes imply that: Work was available. Income was earned. Needs were met. Daily bread was provided. In other words, taxes—uncomfortable as they may feel—are evidence that God has supplied what we need. Gratitude allows us to see provision before we see loss. Instead of asking only, How much am I paying? We can ask, What does this reveal about God's faithfulness? Integrity in a Culture of Loopholes This perspective also shapes how Christians respond during tax season. In a world full of shortcuts, loopholes, and justifications, believers are called to something different: integrity. Honesty in financial matters—especially the ones no one else sees—forms Christlike character. Filing accurately, reporting honestly, and paying what is owed becomes an act of discipleship. It's a quiet but powerful testimony of a life shaped by trust in God rather than self-protection. Turning Taxes into a Spiritual Discipline Finally, paying taxes can even become a spiritual discipline. Each time you write that check or submit that payment, let it prompt you to pray. Pray that God would guide leaders with wisdom, justice, and humility. Pray for policies that protect the vulnerable and promote the common good. Pray for leaders who recognize their need for God's guidance. You may disagree with those leaders. You may even oppose their policies. But Scripture reminds us they are still people made in God's image—people who need God's help just like the rest of us. In a culture eager to complain, believers have the opportunity to respond differently. When tax season arrives: Remember the Owner: God owns everything, including the income from which taxes are paid (Psalm 24:1). Recognize the Provider: Taxes remind us that God has provided resources in the first place. Respond with Integrity: Honesty reflects a heart that seeks to honor Christ. Reframe with Gratitude: Thank God for His provision rather than focusing only on what is owed. Respond with Prayer: Let taxes prompt intercession for leaders and systems of government. When viewed through the lens of Scripture, even something as mundane—and often frustrating—as taxes can remind us of deeper truths: God provides, God rules, and God calls His people to live with gratitude and integrity. Go Deeper: Our Ultimate Treasure If you'd like to explore these themes of stewardship, gratitude, and God's ownership more deeply, consider reading Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Devotional to Faithful Stewardship. This devotional walks through the biblical foundations of money and stewardship, helping readers see that financial decisions are ultimately spiritual decisions. Over 21 days, you'll discover how Scripture reshapes the way we think about earning, spending, saving, giving—and even paying taxes. You can learn more or order your copy at FaithFi.com/Shop. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I've inherited about $100,000 and don't know how to invest it. I'm 75, retired, debt-free, and living on a pension and Social Security. What are some safe options—like CDs or high-yield savings—that still give me access to the money if needed? My husband and I are separated. He's retired and receiving Social Security and a pension, while I'm still working. Can I claim spousal Social Security benefits on his record while we're separated, and would that reduce his benefit? I'm 56 and have about $310,000 in an old 401(k) and $268,000 in my current one. With market volatility, I'm considering moving the old account into a 10-year fixed annuity for safety. Is that a wise move? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Community Credit Union | AdelFi Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Luke 18:9-149 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

[Due to technical difficulties, this class was not recorded. Sorry about that! —MRW] Luke 6 Luke 6:1-11 The Pharisees kept trying to catch…

This week we allow Jesus to confront our judgmentalism and the desire we have to throw stones at the sins of others while ignoring the sin in ourselves. In John 8 this woman is caught in the act of adultery and is surrounded by stones of judgment. Instead of casting this woman off Jesus bends down low, not to accuse her, but to forgive her. His confrontation with the Pharisees reveals that grace disarms condemnation. When we recognize our own need for mercy, we drop the stones in our hands and begin to love others as we've been loved. 

This week we watch Jesus confront the Pharisee that is so fixated on the minor details of others and misses the heart of God in the process. Jesus warns against straining gnats and swallowing camels. This is a Rabbinic way of teaching where Jesus is using the smallest/largest creature to highlight a deep spiritual truth. Don't care so much about precision while neglecting compassion for others. Jesus is calling us to refocus on justice, mercy and faithfulness and to see that true clarity comes when we see through the lens of love rather than legalism

This week Pastor Jon taught from John 10:11-21, where Jesus declares "I am the good shepherd" and asked a question that cuts straight to the heart of modern life: who is actually forming you? From global trust collapsing in institutions to Jesus exposing the Pharisees in John 9, the cycle of bad shepherding is always the same, they scatter when the cost gets real. Jesus differentiates Himself from these poor leaders, and proves to be the ultimate Good Shepherd. He is the shepherd who laid His life down by choice His sheep. Pastor Jon encouraged us to choose wisely who shepherds us, and invited us to Christ's abundant path.

In this session, we delve into the parables of Jesus, exploring their profound meanings and their impact on our understanding of our spiritual condition. We focus on the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Weeds, the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and Jesus's encounter with the Rich Ruler. These narratives challenge us to self-reflect: What type of spiritual soil are we? Are we sons of the kingdom or sons of Satan? Are we self-righteous Pharisees or humble tax collectors? Through these parables, Jesus illuminates the true standard of perfection and the need for God's mercy.Bible ReadingsMatthew 13:1-53Matthew 13:10-17Support 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: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 Long before Scripture speaks about budgets, investments, or generosity, it asks a deeper question: What do we truly value? Jesus' words in Matthew 6:21 aren't merely financial advice. They reveal a profound spiritual reality. Our treasures—what we prioritize, pursue, and protect—reveal the direction of our hearts. Understanding this truth reshapes the way we think about money, wealth, and ultimately, life itself. Everyone Is Chasing a Treasure Step into any office, business, or marketplace, and you'll see it quickly: everyone is pursuing something. For some, the pursuit is wealth. For others, it's freedom, comfort, reputation, or security. When you peel it back, treasure shows up in the things we sacrifice for, dream about, and worry over. Money often sits at the center of this pursuit because it seems to promise everything we desire. If we have enough, we imagine we'll finally feel secure, prepared, and in control. But there's a paradox. The more we accumulate, the more we fear losing it. The more we protect it, the more anxious we become. What once promised freedom slowly begins to feel like slavery. The problem isn't that money is bad. Scripture never teaches that. Money is simply a tool. The problem is that our hearts quietly ask money to do what only God can do: save us, secure us, and satisfy us. That's why Jesus spoke about treasure so often. Not because He opposed wealth, but because wealth competes for what belongs to God alone—our trust. Generosity Reveals the Heart Many people assume the solution to the love of money is simply to give more. And generosity is certainly celebrated throughout Scripture. Giving frees us to participate in God's work and bless others. But Jesus never treated giving like a formula. Instead, He treated it like a diagnosis. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus watched as wealthy donors placed large gifts into the temple treasury. It must have looked impressive to everyone watching. But His attention turned to a poor widow who quietly dropped in two small coins. To most observers, her gift seemed insignificant. But Jesus saw something different. The wealthy gave from their surplus. The widow gave from trust. Her offering wasn't about optics or recognition. It was worship. She treasured God more than financial security. When Giving Isn't Enough Jesus reinforced this idea when He rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23. They carefully tithed even their smallest herbs—mint, dill, and cumin—yet neglected “the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” Their giving was meticulous. But their hearts were misplaced. If the act of giving alone could break the love of money, the Pharisees would have been the freest people in Israel. But they weren't. True freedom doesn't come from giving more. It comes from loving Christ most. The Treasure Worth Everything Jesus tells another story in Matthew 13:44 about a man who discovers a treasure hidden in a field. When he realizes what he has found, he joyfully sells everything he owns to buy the field. Notice what's remarkable about this story: the man isn't grieving his loss. He's thrilled. Why? Because he finally sees clearly what is truly valuable. He isn't losing—he's gaining. That's what happens when Christ becomes our treasure. Everything else falls into its proper place. Wealth becomes a tool instead of a master. Enjoyment becomes gratitude rather than entitlement. Generosity flows from joy instead of guilt. Stewardship becomes participation in God's work instead of anxiety about our own future. The Treasure That Came Looking for Us But the story of treasure doesn't end there. While humanity was searching for treasure, the greatest treasure came searching for us. Jesus didn't simply teach about treasure—He became the treasure who gave everything to redeem us. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Christ endured the cross “for the joy that was set before him.” That joy was redeeming us. The gospel isn't ultimately a call to give up treasure. It's an invitation to receive a greater one. The Question That Matters Most The real question isn't whether you treasure something. You do. The question is who. Earthly treasures always demand protection. Christ alone protects us. And when Christ becomes our treasure, we gain something the world can never provide: a confidence no market can shake and a wealth no thief can steal. So today, pause and ask yourself the question Jesus raised long ago: Where is your treasure? Because wherever it is, that's where your heart will be also. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I started a construction business about a year and a half ago, and it's growing. How can I pursue growth faithfully without crossing the line from building wealth to pursuing greed? I'm overwhelmed by high-interest loans and paying $1,200–$1,500 every two weeks. Trinity Debt Management may be able to help, but the lenders won't negotiate. What's the best way to get out from under these loans? My husband normally manages our finances, but after his recent injury, I realized how unprepared I'd be to handle things on my own. With everything online—bills, investments, and passwords—how can I start getting organized and up to speed? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer Set Your House in Order (Compass Financial Ministry Study) Cross International Christian Credit Counselors Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is God bringing revival to Iran? And what does honoring the Sabbath actually look like for Christians today?   In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, and Paul Cunningham tackle two powerful topics shaping faith and culture right now. First, they unpack Luke 6 and the biblical meaning of the Sabbath—why God built rhythms of work and rest into creation, how the Pharisees turned the Sabbath into legalistic religion, and why Jesus declaring Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath” changes how believers understand rest today. The conversation explores how Sabbath is not just about stopping work, but about restoring the body, renewing the soul, and remembering that our identity is rooted in Christ—not productivity.   Then the episode shifts to an eye-opening conversation with Iranian-born pastor David Nasser about what's really happening in Iran. Nasser shares his incredible story of escaping the Iranian Revolution, how his family encountered the gospel in America, and why many believe the underground church in Iran is one of the fastest-growing movements of Christianity in the world. The team discusses reports of Muslims encountering Jesus in dreams, the spiritual implications of current geopolitical events, and how the gospel continues advancing even in some of the most restricted places on earth.   From honoring the Sabbath to the rise of the Iranian church, this episode explores how God is still moving powerfully across the world—and how believers today can join His mission.   In this episode, you'll learn: • What the Bible actually teaches about the Sabbath • Why Jesus called Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath” • The difference between legalistic religion and true spiritual rest • Why the church often grows fastest under persecution • What's really happening with the underground church in Iran • How Christians can pray and participate in God's global mission  

Notes John 9: 1-41 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Ephesians 5:8-14 Summary This episode explores the profound themes of sight, blindness, and community in John 9, alongside insights from 1 Samuel 16 and Ephesians 5. Join us as we unpack the spiritual and social implications of these passages, emphasizing justice, love, and God's call to see beyond appearances. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast 01:52 Survey Results and Community Engagement 04:28 Exploring John 9: The Healing of the Blind Man 09:05 Understanding the Johannine Community's Struggles 12:00 The Significance of Jesus' Healing 17:47 Reframing Disability and Divine Works 22:03 The Blindness of the Pharisees 25:53 Community and the Fear of Expulsion 29:50 Judgment and Illness in Modern Contexts 32:10 The Blind Beggar: A Community's Responsibility 34:07 God's Mighty Works: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion 37:05 Anointing: Seeing Beyond Appearance 40:45 The Power of Anointing in Worship 42:51 Chosen for Responsibility: The Weight of Anointing 45:47 Grief and Moving Forward: A Call to Action 49:54 Living as Children of Light: Justice and Truth 54:12 The Call to Speak Truth: Justice vs. Judgment Takeaways God's mighty works can be displayed through our differences and disabilities. Community responses to healing reveal deeper issues of justice and acceptance. Seeing with the heart is more important than physical sight in biblical faith. The story of David's anointing teaches us about God's choice beyond appearances. Living as children of light involves actively producing goodness, justice, and truth.  

We explore Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount and its context within Jewish law and culture at the time. Jesus challenged the prevailing interpretations of the Law of Moses by the Pharisees, emphasizing the moral principles behind the laws and elevating them to a higher standard. Jesus' teachings were met with contrasting responses, with those of faith reacting positively and the self-righteous negatively. Jesus also demonstrates adherence to the Law, demonstrating his commitment to fulfill the Law.Bible ReadingsMatthew 5:1-48Matthew 6:1-34Matthew 7:1-29Support 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: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...