Podcasts about Herod

Gospel Mark 6:14-29 King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias,  the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”  He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Reflection Herodias gets a lot of attention in this reading, and that's the way it should be. But I'd like to look for a minute at Herod. Because Herod was an interesting character who had John the Baptist imprisoned, and then almost as if he said, I want him here so I can go and listen to him, because I don't know exactly what he's saying, but I really like listening to him. It's a beautiful image of Herod as a man who is really attracted, perhaps to the truth. And when confronted with who is Jesus, he proclaims he thinks that he's really John the Baptist reincarnated. Closing Prayer Father, you have place something inside of us that somehow knows when something is true. It's your spirit living in us. The Holy Spirit is truth, is life, is light. And when we see that in someone else, we're drawn to it naturally. Help us always to be aware of those that carry the truth, and let us surrender to what it is they're seeking to tell us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read OnlineKing Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Mark 6:14–16When a person sins seriously and refuses to repent, the damaging effects of that sin deepen over time, creating spiritual blindness and unrest. In contrast, repentance not only brings forgiveness, it allows God to transform the wounds of sin into instruments of grace, using even our failures for His glory.Herod is a prime example of how obstinacy magnifies the damage caused by sin. The first paragraph of today's Gospel takes place some time after Herod executed John. The rest of the Gospel recounts how Herod was manipulated into beheading John by Herodias, his illegitimate wife, and her daughter. While much could be said about John's execution and the good fruit borne by his ultimate testimony to the Truth, it is also helpful to reflect on Herod's pitiful state to learn from his failure in order to avoid a similar response to sin.As soon as Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, John's ministry began to decrease, as he himself acknowledged: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). John's mission was one of preparation for the Messiah, calling people to repentance and pointing to the One who would bring salvation. Once Jesus began His public ministry, John's work was complete, and God permitted his arrest by Herod so that his martyrdom could become his greatest witness to Christ.Jesus' ministry was markedly different from John's. While John preached repentance and fearlessly rebuked Herod for his sinful relationship, Jesus' public ministry was marked not only by authoritative teaching but also by miraculous signs, including healings and even raising the dead. His fame spread quickly, reaching even Herod.When Herod heard about Jesus, he irrationally concluded that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This reaction reveals Herod's inner turmoil. His erroneous belief was not borne of faith but of the torment of a guilty conscience. Herod had killed a holy man. His unresolved guilt blinded him to this truth and distorted his perception of Jesus, preventing him from recognizing the Messiah.Herod's tragic story reveals the universal danger of unrepentant sin, offering us a lesson about the destructive power of guilt and the healing grace of repentance. Unrepentant sin not only leads to further sin but also causes irrational thinking, fear, and paranoia. His guilt interfered with his ability to think clearly and rationally—not only about Jesus but likely about many other aspects of his life.Similarly, when we fall into serious sin, we are faced with two paths: repentance or obstinacy. Repentance opens the door to God's mercy, healing, and transformation. Through His grace, this path not only sets us free but also forms virtue within us and opens us to the spiritual gift of wisdom. Obstinacy, on the other hand, leaves us in spiritual unrest, deepening the wounds of sin. That path leads to self-destructive irrationality, confusion, and blindness. Reflect today on the importance of sincere and total repentance for past sins. Though difficult, an honest assessment of our sins and sincere repentance is the path to immediate freedom and eternal glory. We must understand and believe in the power of repentance. When we fall into sin, we must have the courage to face it, own it, and seek God's mercy. Learn from Herod by rejecting his example, and allow God's mercy to flood your life, eliminating the effects of a guilty conscience and leading you to peace and freedom. Most merciful Lord, I come before You as a sinner in need of Your infinite mercy. Free me from the spiritual blindness and obstinacy that prevent me from fully opening my heart to You. Grant me the courage to confess my guilt without fear, so that I may receive the forgiveness only You can give. By Your grace, transform my past sins into opportunities for Your glory, and turn my guilt into virtue through the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Caravaggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: 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.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 39- 40, Psalm 15, Acts chapter 12 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode, recorded on February 5th, 2025, Hunter guides us through day 36 of our year-long journey through the Scriptures. Together, we dive into Exodus chapters 39 and 40, Psalm 15, and Acts chapter 12, exploring themes of freedom, transformation, and the power of prayer. As we witness the completion of the tabernacle and the consecration of the priests, we're reminded of how God's presence dwells among His people. Psalm 15 challenges us to reflect on the character of those who may enter God's sanctuary, while Acts 12 unveils Peter's miraculous deliverance from prison and contrasts it with Herod's downfall. Throughout the episode, Hunter encourages us to recognize that every gift, victory, and measure of freedom in our lives comes from God alone—not our own striving. We'll end with heartfelt prayers for ourselves, our families, and the world, trusting in God's love and letting His joy be our strength. Let's embark on this soul-shaping journey together and open our hearts to where God's Word might lead us today. TODAY'S DEVOTION: It's all a gift. Peter finally comes to his senses. He finally realizes that he was not in chains anymore, that he was free. And he quickly and immediately realizes that it was the Lord who broke those chains and set him free. We are also told that the church was praying for him. And we can't help but draw a line between the people's prayers and Peter's dramatic deliverance. Somehow the church, through prayer, was able to participate with what God was actually doing. And for all this, Peter is quick to give God the praise and acknowledge that it is all from him. It's all a gift. This is so unlike what we hear from Herod. When people begin to praise and treat him and speak of him as if he were a God, he does nothing to correct them. He readily and gladly accepts their worship. As a result, he's struck with worms and he dies an absolutely horrendous, inglorious death. When we take the glory that is due only to God, we are not free. No, we are consumed from the inside out. Living for the glory of yourself won't bring life. It won't bring freedom. It will only bring death. No matter how splendid that life might appear. God is the source of all good in our life. He's the only one who has broken the chains humanity was bound to. He's the only one who has rescued us from the dark dungeons we've been sentenced to. He's the only one that sets us free. It's all a work of God, lest any of us should boast. So let's awaken from the fog like Peter did, standing in the middle of the street, suddenly realizing that God had done this amazing thing. That his chains were broken, the gates were opened, that he was walking out free into a new day. God had done it all. Let's awaken like Peter did, to see that God has done all of these things for us too. Let's make sure that we're like Peter and give God the glory for all the good that he's brought into our life. It's all from Him. Any victories that we might have experienced, any growth that we've known as Christians, any new insight or understanding of God's love, it's all a gift from Him. These are all from God, not of us, but they are all for us. For our joy, for our freedom, but for his glory. So let's live fully aware in the knowledge that God is the source of our freedom in life. He is the one that causes chains to come off. He is the one that walks with us into a new day. May this day be one where we honor him for all that he has done. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Meditación en el viernes de la IV semana del Tiempo Ordinario. El Evangelio nos cuenta la triste historia de como Herodes, alentado por Herodías, que odiaba a Juan por decirle que no podía tenerla como mujer, por ser la mujer de su hermano, manda encarcelar y posteriormente decapitar a Juan. Podemos leer esta escena como una lucha entre el pecado (representado por Herodías y su hija) y la conciencia de Herodes (representado por Juan).

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  the account of Herod calling those who knew the prophecies about the Messiah to come to him and tell him what they said.  Scripture References: Matthew 4:4; Isaiah 26:3 John 16:33; Matthew 2:5; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 1:1-17; Matthew 1:18-2:8; Micah 5:2; Psalm 107:19-22 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comSupport the show

When the ever-virgin Mary's forty days of purification were passed, according to the Law of Moses she took her son Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, to dedicate him to God as her first-born son. At the temple the Lord's parents offered the sacrifice of a pair of doves (Luke 2:22-23), from which we learn that they were poor, since those who were able were required to offer a lamb. At the Temple, the Lord was met by Zacharias, father of St John the Baptist, and by the aged, righteous Symeon, who had awaited the salvation of God for many years. (Sts Symeon and Anna are commemorated tomorrow.) We are told that some Pharisees, seeing the child Jesus recognized as the Messiah of Israel, were enraged, and went to tell King Herod. Realizing that this must be the child of whom he had been warned, Herod immediately sent soldiers to kill Him. But the righteous Joseph, warned in dream, fled with the child and his wife, the most holy Theotokos, into Egypt, and they were preserved.   The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord was observed in Jerusalem at least from the fourth century. Its observance was brought to Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian in 542. In the West it is called the Feast of the Purification of the Mother of God, or Candlemas Day.

Friday, 30 January 2026   When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13   “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi, He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples finally clued in to what Jesus was trying to teach them. His words about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees were speaking of their evil doctrine. Matthew now continues the narrative of their time after arriving on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, saying, “And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi.”   A new word, Kaisareia, Caesarea, is introduced. It is derived from Kaisar, Caesar, a Latin word referring to the title of the Roman Emperor. Caesarea refers to two places in the area of Israel. The first is this location, Caesarea Philippi. Of this location, Albert Barnes says –   “There were two cities in Judea called Caesarea. One was situated on the borders of the Mediterranean (See the notes at Acts 8:40), and the other was the one mentioned here. This city was greatly enlarged and ornamented by Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod, and called Caesarea in honor of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. To distinguish it from the other Caesarea the name of Philip was added to it, and it was called Caesarea Philippi, or Caesarea of Philippi. It was situated in the boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali, at the foot of Mount Hermon.”   Having come to this general area, “He entreated His disciples, saying, ‘Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?'” Translations consider His words in one of two ways. One is “Whom do men say that I am? The Son of Man?”, or “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”   The latter is correct. Jesus has referred to Himself as the Son of Man nine times already, making this the tenth. Peter's answer will also show that He is not asking if people say He is the Son of Man. Rather, He is asking what He, the Son of Man, is called by others. He is preparing them for a great pronouncement by asking this probing question first.   Life application: Jesus came to His own country in Matthew 13:53-58. He was rejected by them. In Matthew 14:1-12, the account of the beheading of John the Baptist was given. That was followed by the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21.   Jesus then walked on the sea, as is recorded in Matthew 14:22-33. From there, they came to the area of Gennesaret, at which time He fully saved all who simply touched Him. In Matthew 15:1-20, it then noted the traditions of the Jews which Jesus condemned, explaining that what comes out of a man is what defiles, not what enters into him.   That was then followed by His journey to the allotments of Tyre and Sidon, where the faith of the Canaanite woman was noted, and her daughter was saved. After that, Jesus went around the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side of it. There, He healed many and eventually fed four thousand. After feeding them, they crossed the Galilee, coming to the region of Magdala.   While there, He was accosted by the Pharisees and Sadducees who looked for a sign from heaven. He told them no sign would be given but the sign of Jonah. Once that was complete, they once again crossed the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side, being instructed on the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Now in the account, they have remained on this eastern side and gone north to the area of Caesarea Philippi.   This crisscrossing of the land and the Sea of Galilee all has a purpose. Jesus' movements are being used as a walking instructional tool in what God is doing in redemptive history. It is good to stop and reconsider where He has gone and where He is at any given time. By considering these things, we can follow what God is doing in reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus.   Each area visited, each topographical marker that is mentioned, and each thing Jesus does is being woven into a marvelous tapestry for us to ponder and learn from. Keep paying attention to the details, both from a micro and macro viewpoint. God is telling us a story of humanity's long trek back to Him, and it is all centered on Jesus.   Lord God, it would make no sense for You to send Your Son into the world unless there was something to be gained from it. His life of trials and burdens, culminating in His cross and resurrection, tells us that there is a great plan that has been put in place to bring Your people to a place we cannot even imagine at this time. We are grateful to be on this journey because of Jesus! Thank You for the sure hope we possess. Amen.

Jesus continues healing and teaching, focusing on fruitful labor for the Lord and the nature of the Sabbath. When Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, the leader of the local synagogue scolds the crowd, but in the end his adversaries are humiliated by the teaching of Jesus. He tells His disciples to enter by the narrow way, because the door to God's household will soon be shut and those outside will be turned away regardless of their proximity to Jesus. Later, Jesus is warned that Herod is trying to kill him, but Jesus explains what the path ahead of him looks like with certainty. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Mary is the best known, least known woman in history. Billions recognize her name, yet the actual Jewish woman behind the icons has been almost completely erased. In this powerful conversation, Dr. James Tabor, Distinguished Fellow at Hebrew University and two-time New York Times bestselling author, reveals what 20 years of research, archaeology, and critical scholarship have uncovered about the real Mary. What emerges is not the passive, silent figure of tradition, but a revolutionary Jewish matriarch who shaped the teachings of Jesus, ran the headquarters of the early movement from Mount Zion, and whose voice we still hear in the Beatitudes.Dr. Tabor takes us into the violent, politically charged world Mary lived through: mass crucifixions in the Galilee, Herod murdering his own family, and the constant threat facing anyone with Davidic lineage. He reveals the urban setting most people miss (Sepphoris, a major city just four miles from Nazareth), makes the case that Luke's genealogy is actually Mary's lineage showing she was "doubly royal" (descended from both King David and the priestly line of Aaron), and addresses the question most scholars avoid: the mysterious name Pantera that appears in early Jewish sources. This is history that will reshape how you understand Christianity's origins.In this episode you will learn:- Why Mary is the "most erased" woman in history and how it happened deliberately- The shocking urban context of Jesus's upbringing (Sepphoris was a major city of 30,000 people just 4 miles from Nazareth)- How Mary likely witnessed the mass crucifixions and burning of Sepphoris when Jesus was an infant- The case for James (not John) being the "beloved disciple" at the cross- Why the brothers and sisters of Jesus are real biological siblings, not stepchildren or cousins- The evidence that Luke's genealogy is actually Mary's lineage, making her "doubly royal"- What early Jewish sources in Sepphoris actually say about "Yeshua ben Pantera" (and why it's not an insult)- How Mary functioned as the matriarch who shaped Jesus's nonviolent, revolutionary teachings- The connection between Isaiah 11, Mary's vision, and Jesus's Beatitudes- Why three of Mary's sons (Jesus, James, and Simon) were murdered because of their lineageGet Dr. Tabor's new book "The Lost Mary: Rediscovering the Mother of Jesus"More from Dr. James Tabor:Blog: https://jamestabor.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesTaborVideosPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/jamesdtaborAlso check out Dr. Tabor's bestsellers:"The Jesus Dynasty""Paul and Jesus: How the Apostle Transformed Christianity"Subscribe to The Dig In Podcast:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejohnnyovaFollow Johnny Ova:https://linktr.ee/johnnyovaGet Johnny's book- The Revelation Reset

This video reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, focusing on the concept of fear.The speaker contrasts two types of fear:Worldly Fear (Herod's Fear): Herod's fear is characterized by a desire to maintain power and control, leading to envy and a destructive impulse when he hears of the new "king of the Jews" (0:22-1:12).Fear of the Lord (Magi's Fear): This is described as a gift of the Holy Spirit, manifesting as awe, reverence, resulting in generosity, and obedience (1:55-3:00). The Magi demonstrate this by paying homage to Jesus, being generous with their gifts, and obeying the dream to avoid returning to Herod (1:38-3:24).The video emphasizes that "fear of the Lord" is not about being scared, but about a deep reverence for God. It encourages listeners to strengthen this gift through:Prayer and Silence: Lifting hearts, minds, and souls to God in prayer, particularly in silence, is crucial for strengthening this gift (3:30-4:28).Obedience and Being a Gift of Self: Obedience means emptying oneself of selfish ways to allow God to fill them, becoming a vessel for His will and being a "gift of self" rather than being selfish (4:30-5:30). Saying "yes" to God's calling, even when it's inconvenient, strengthens this gift (5:38-6:26).The reflection concludes by encouraging viewers to commit to spending time in silence, lifting their hearts to God, and asking for a strengthening of the "fear of the Lord" to foster obedience and generosity (6:33-7:01).

Read OnlineWhen Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee… From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod's political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod's ambitions to consolidate power and status. John's fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.This historical context surrounding John's arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God's providence—how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John's greatness, saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John's greatness shortly after John's arrest, why didn't God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John's mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Once John's mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.Reflect today on John's arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John's arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John's martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples—and all of us—toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John's unwavering faith, seek to embrace God's permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.My provident and loving God, You permit evil to touch the lives of Your faithful followers, knowing that in Your perfect Wisdom, You can bring forth a greater good. Grant me the heart of a martyr, filled with courage and trust, whenever I face injustice in my life. Help me to unite my every trial to Yours, in imitation of Saint John the Baptist and Your own Passion and Death. Jesus, I trust in You.ImageSource: 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.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Exodus 6-8 ; Luke 23 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode, Hunter invites us to settle into God's Word as we journey through Exodus 6-8 and Luke 23. This reading takes us from the miraculous signs and growing tension between Moses and Pharaoh, all the way to the profound day of rest that follows Jesus' crucifixion. As Hunter reflects, even in moments of chaos and suffering—like the horrors that unfolded on Good Friday—God draws us into a deeper rest, completed through Christ's work on the cross. We're reminded that, no matter how busy or distracted life might get, God offers us peace, forgiveness, and the invitation to simply receive His rest. Join Hunter as he prays over you, shares encouragement, and reminds us all that the work has been finished and that, in Christ, we are truly loved. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or coming back for daily nourishment, this episode is an invitation to draw near and be transformed by the presence of God. TODAY'S DEVOTION: All hell was breaking loose. And Luke tells us that the people rested. The horrors of this day, the day of Christ's suffering, are culminating in a moment of rest. The women from Galilee who had witnessed Jesus' body being taken down from the cross went home on that horrific day thinking they still had work to do. We're told in verse 56 that they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished, the Sabbath had begun. So they rested from their work. Even after all of these horrors, they thought that there was still work to be done. What they did not know was that Jesus, on this Good Friday, had completed all the work necessary. So now theirs was to rest. Now the Sabbath had really come. Jesus finished the work so that the girls could rest. He finished the work so that you and I could find rest. On that Friday, Jesus went to work for bystanders and mocking soldiers. He went to work for reluctant Pilate and indulged Herod. He went to work for guilty Barabbas and Simon the Cyrene. Jesus went to work for sign makers, cross builders, common criminals, gamblers, good and righteous men like Joseph of Arimathea, and heartbroken women who are forced to watch at a distance. Jesus was finishing his work on that Friday so that we all could find rest. Jesus was giving his everything. He was working hard. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has done the work—the work of redeeming, rescuing, forgiving the sins of the world. He forgave us because we did not know what we were doing. That's why he came to us. Because we don't know. We're trapped and blinded, unable to save ourselves. We don't know what we're doing. Jesus said so himself on the cross, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." Athanasius says, what then was God to do when he saw humanity spiraling into non-being? What was God to do because they didn't know? He would send his Son. Our Lord Jesus would come to rescue us so that at last our eyes would be opened and we would be awakened to life and rest in him. That rest belongs to you. It belongs to all of humanity. He made it free out of the abundance of his heart of love. He did that work. There's nothing left for me to do other than to step in, to say yes, to receive freely the rest that there is in him. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Matthew's Gospel account says the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. Most Christian apologists believe Jesus, his Mother Mary, and his adoptive father Joseph probably remained in Egypt for several years, until the death of Herod the Great. Ee98. Hearing Jesus podcast available at https://amzn.to/3QLEpee Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3sxXmZS 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 Audio credits: Hearing Jesus podcast with Rachael Groll, episode 380: Understanding the Escape to Egypt: A Deep Dive into Matthew 2:13-23 (Life Audio, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Matthew's Gospel account, the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. Most Christian apologists believe Jesus, his Mother Mary, and his adoptive father Joseph probably remained in Egypt for several years, until the death of Herod the Great. Ee97 Bishop Robert Barron books available at https://amzn.to/44W7nwN The Saint of the Day podcast at https://amzn.to/4cpIyyt Saint of the Day podcast with J. Atherholt at https://ancientfaith.com Saint of the Day podcast with M. Roberts at https://ourcatholicradio.org/programs/saint-day Joseph of Nazareth books available at https://amzn.to/4aVqVpa Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3sxXmZS 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 Audio credits: Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons-Herod and Joseph, 25dec2019 (Word on Fire Catholic Ministries). Saint of the Day podcast: The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family (26dec2023), Greek Orthodox Deacon Jerome Atherholt and Ancient Faith Radio. The Saint of the Day podcast (S1E319 St. Joseph 19mar2023). Saint of the Day with Mike Roberts: Solemnity Of Saint Joseph (episode e324, 19mar2024). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this FIRST episode of Weekend Debrief in 2026, Dave and Wes answer some of the many questions that came in during the holiday break. Send questions/comments to ⁠(971) 301-2414⁠ or ⁠⁠podcast@graceindallas.org⁠⁠. Pastors' Palate Recommendations: Buckaroo Brew Coffee Yeasty Beasty Recommended Links: Article on Herod the Great - https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/1111/downloads/herod_article.pdf Missions Partner Highlight for January (Evergreen Gospel Church - https://graceindallas.org/church-planting Spotify Podcast Link - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/graceindallas Apple Podcast Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-dallas-oregon/id414919476 Podcast Sponsor: Silver Falls Coffee - ⁠https://silverfallscoffee.com Christian Online Bookstore: 10 of Those - https://us.10ofthose.com/

What kind of monarch and man was Herod the Great? During his long reign (40 to 4 or 1 BC) King Herod left his mark, but how shall he be remembered in memory and by history? Ee90. The Christians, Their First Two Thousand Years book at https://amzn.to/3U4hlu3 Dan Snow's History Hit podcast available at https://amzn.to/48HlmtH Books by Seth Schwartz at https://amzn.to/49US5vJ 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 Audio credits: The Christians, Their First Two Thousand Years – The Veil is Torn A.D. 30 to A.D. 70 Pentecost to the Destruction of Jerusalem by Ted Byfield (CHP); Dan Snow's History Hit podcast (Episode 1337: King Herod with Seth Schwartz, professor of Classical Jewish Civilization at New York City’s Columbia University). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He gave orders to kill all the Gedolim when he died, in order to make sure there would be plenty of wailing and crying on the day of his death

Share a commentA messenger bypasses palaces and arrives in a forgotten town. That's where the story turns. We walk through Luke 1 with fresh eyes, meeting Mary not as a stained-glass icon but as a poor teenager who receives a staggering promise and answers with a brave, uncluttered yes. Gabriel's greeting reframes the moment: grace received, not merit earned. From there, eight prophecies cascade—conception, birth, the name above names, divine Sonship, David's throne, Israel's restoration, and a kingdom that doesn't end—and we trace what has been fulfilled and what still stretches ahead in God's timeline.Along the way, we open the meaning of “overshadowing” and why Luke connects Mary's miracle to the Shekinah presence over the tabernacle and the blaze of the transfiguration. We sit with Mary's honest question, then linger on her surrender: “I am the Lord's servant.” That surrender doesn't smooth the road; it introduces complications—whispers in Nazareth, a shaken betrothal, flight from Herod, and years of scarcity—yet it also unveils the faithfulness that meets us in the hard path. God even provides a companion in Elizabeth, whose Spirit-stirred child leaps for joy, confirming that Mary now carries the Son of God.We close by drawing out what this means for us: grace chooses the unlikely, obedience often increases the stakes, and God is not looking for polished resumes so much as ready hearts. If you've ever wondered how to trust when the details are thin and the cost is high, Mary's story offers a clear, courageous pattern—sign the blank page and let God write. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if this conversation speaks to you, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: where is grace inviting you to say yes today?Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentA messenger bypasses palaces and arrives in a forgotten town. That's where the story turns. We walk through Luke 1 with fresh eyes, meeting Mary not as a stained-glass icon but as a poor teenager who receives a staggering promise and answers with a brave, uncluttered yes. Gabriel's greeting reframes the moment: grace received, not merit earned. From there, eight prophecies cascade—conception, birth, the name above names, divine Sonship, David's throne, Israel's restoration, and a kingdom that doesn't end—and we trace what has been fulfilled and what still stretches ahead in God's timeline.Along the way, we open the meaning of “overshadowing” and why Luke connects Mary's miracle to the Shekinah presence over the tabernacle and the blaze of the transfiguration. We sit with Mary's honest question, then linger on her surrender: “I am the Lord's servant.” That surrender doesn't smooth the road; it introduces complications—whispers in Nazareth, a shaken betrothal, flight from Herod, and years of scarcity—yet it also unveils the faithfulness that meets us in the hard path. God even provides a companion in Elizabeth, whose Spirit-stirred child leaps for joy, confirming that Mary now carries the Son of God.We close by drawing out what this means for us: grace chooses the unlikely, obedience often increases the stakes, and God is not looking for polished resumes so much as ready hearts. If you've ever wondered how to trust when the details are thin and the cost is high, Mary's story offers a clear, courageous pattern—sign the blank page and let God write. Listen now, share it with a friend who needs hope, and if this conversation speaks to you, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: where is grace inviting you to say yes today?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

In this episode, Jennifer Barrett explores the “other" Herods—the lesser-known descendants of Herod the Great—tracing how the lives of these rulers intersect directly with the New Testament narrative.

Tuesday, 20 January 2026   and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Matthew 16:3   “And early, ‘This day... inclemency!', for glowering, the heaven, it reddens. Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees that they can tell when the weather is good simply by noticing the red sky at night. He continues, saying, “And early, ‘This day... inclemency!'”   Two new words are seen here. The first is the adverb prói, early. It signifies the time of dawn. The second word is used, cheimón, the rainy season or foul weather. In essence, the person looks out and understands that a stormy day is ahead. As such, the noun inclemency suits perfectly. From the earliest moments of the day, people can walk outside and tell if it will be a stormy day. Jesus gives the reason for this, saying, “for glowering, the heaven, it reddens.”   Another new word, stugnazó, to glower, is seen. The idea is rendering something gloomy. When the sky is red in the morning, it is as if the sky is glowering down on the people, ready to drop rain, hail, etc., rendering their day as gloomy as it appears.   Jesus' words in both verses are pretty much universally understood. The old saying, “Red at night, sailor's delight, red in the morning, sailor's take warning,” has been used in one form or another throughout the people groups of the world.   Each has its own nuances, but it is common for people to speak of the sky in such simple, understandable ways. Because of this, Jesus says, “Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can.”   The point of His words is that the messianic signs He had performed, along with everything else that pointed to Him in prophecy, were as evident as the color of the sky in telling what was going on.   John the Baptist was prophesied to come as the forerunner of the Messiah. The prophetic timeline in Daniel, of which they would have detailed knowledge, pointed to the coming of the Messiah. The star of Bethlehem was a clear herald of the coming of the Messiah, as evidenced by “the chief priests and scribes” being brought before Herod to confirm the location where He would be born.   Everything in the land was swirling with the hope of the Messiah and the surety of His having come because of the confirming signs and wonders He was accomplishing. And yet, despite this, and much more evidence as well, these men had come to Jesus asking for a sign from heaven.   The only possible meaning of this is that they were willfully ignoring these things, as well as their own Scriptures, to challenge Jesus as they were doing.   Life application: The same attitude found in Israel at the time of Jesus is on full display among the religious elite today. How many Christian scholars, teachers, pastors, and priests see the people of Israel back in the land, exactly as Scripture prophesies, and ignore what is going on?   Many deny that it is the same group of people. Others claim that the church has replaced them, and there is no more plan or purpose for them. Some simply call the situation an aberration that will eventually be dealt with by their enemies, removing all trace of this disobedient nation in the process.   And yet, these same people will gleefully acknowledge that Israel received its just punishment under the law when they were exiled and scattered among the nations. But those prophecies don't end with permanent destruction. Rather, they end with restoration.   Even the epistles proclaim restoration for Israel. But somehow, the mental disconnect severs these deniers from accepting that God could possibly be gracious to them once again. The problem is one found in the heart. No wonder so many teach that grace requires works as proof of salvation! No wonder so many teach that salvation can be lost.   If God can withhold His grace from the people He covenanted with at Sinai, then He can do so with those He covenanted with in Jesus as well. One misunderstanding in God's nature will inexorably lead to more. The world is swimming in a pool of bad theology because we cannot understand the simple word “grace.”   Grace cannot be earned. It is unmerited favor. God's grace comes through faith in Christ for salvation. It comes from God's faithfulness to His covenant-keeping for Israel. We can trust God's grace. It is unconditional, and it will never expire.   Lord God, thank You for the grace that is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

What do you do when the results don't match your prayers? We walk through Acts 12 with clear eyes and an open heart, tracing the jarring contrast between James' execution and Peter's surprising escape, then zooming out to ask what genuine faithfulness looks like when outcomes diverge. Along the way, we confront our cultural reflex to equate success with virtue and suffering with failure, and we trade quick fixes for a deeper, steadier trust.Together we unpack Luke's deliberate storytelling: the same church, the same faith, radically different endings—and no blame game. We sit with the discomfort and discover why uneven outcomes aren't proof of an absent God but the very soil where faith is formed. Then we turn to Herod's shimmering moment of glory, the seduction of applause, and the quiet corrosion of character. With help from Josephus' history, we draw a sharp contrast between shiny competence and the inner life that actually lasts, naming common patterns leaders fall into when power becomes identity.By the close, the line that matters most rises to the surface: “The word of God continued to increase and spread.” Not through dominance or control, but through endurance and quiet obedience. We connect that ancient truth to everyday practice—praying when answers stall, showing up without applause, staying present in messy relationships, and choosing long obedience over loud momentum. If you're hungry for a resilient faith that can hold tension, withstand headlines, and keep going when the plan isn't clear, this conversation will steady your steps. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com. For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube New episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly! If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content. This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.

The Massacre of the Innocents is a story recounted in the Nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male infants who are two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Some Christians venerate the Holy Innocents as the first Christian martyrs, but most modern scholarship finds no evidence that it happened outside the passages in Matthew and thus consider it a Myth. Ee88. Paulogia podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tg2Eno Herod the Great books available at https://amzn.to/3T5iKyw 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 Audio credits: Why Christianity Framed Herod as a Baby Killer? (Paulogia podcast with Dr. Jodi Magness). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Register for the Exiles in Babylon conference! April 30-May 2 (Minneapolis, MN). Kathie Lee Gifford is the four-time Emmy award winning former co-host of the fourth hour of “TODAY,” alongside Hoda Kotb. Prior to NBC News, Gifford served as the co-host of “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” for 15 years. In 2015 Gifford was inducted into the Broadcast & Cable Hall of Fame. She was recently awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gifford authored five NY Times bestselling books including, It's Never Too Late…Make The Next Act of Your Life the Best Act of Your Life, The Rock, The Road and the Rabbi, and Herod and Mary: The True Story of the Tyrant King and the Mother of the Risen Savior—the first book of her trilogy. The second book in this trilogy is Nero and Paul, which is set to be released March 10, 2026.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Share a commentStart with the claim many never hear in church: Christianity does not ask you to turn off your brain. We walk through Luke's opening lines to show how a Gentile physician set out to build certainty, not wishful thinking—an orderly account anchored in eyewitness testimony, historical markers, and the patient rigor of a doctor who performs an “autopsy” on the facts of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.From there, we drop into the harsh days of Herod the Great, where politics are brutal and religion is corrupt. In that setting, a country priest named Zechariah receives a once-in-a-lifetime assignment and, at the altar of incense, meets the angel Gabriel. After 400 years of prophetic silence, the message lands with mercy and precision: your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, long past the age of childbearing, will conceive a son—John—whose calling will prepare the way for the Messiah. Personal longing and national hope converge in one promise kept.We talk through doubt and discipline, the difference between asking how in faith and demanding a sign in unbelief, and why Gabriel's answer—I stand in the presence of God—reframes every impossible situation. Along the way, we spotlight Luke's unique voice: the beloved physician who loves details, prizes verification, and uses words like rejoice and praising God more than any other New Testament writer. The takeaway is clear and hard-won: God remains in control when culture sidelines him, God is aware when he seems absent, and God is able when life feels impossible. If this encourages you or challenges your assumptions, share it with a friend, subscribe for future deep dives, and leave a review to help others find the show.Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

Share a commentStart with the claim many never hear in church: Christianity does not ask you to turn off your brain. We walk through Luke's opening lines to show how a Gentile physician set out to build certainty, not wishful thinking—an orderly account anchored in eyewitness testimony, historical markers, and the patient rigor of a doctor who performs an “autopsy” on the facts of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.From there, we drop into the harsh days of Herod the Great, where politics are brutal and religion is corrupt. In that setting, a country priest named Zechariah receives a once-in-a-lifetime assignment and, at the altar of incense, meets the angel Gabriel. After 400 years of prophetic silence, the message lands with mercy and precision: your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, long past the age of childbearing, will conceive a son—John—whose calling will prepare the way for the Messiah. Personal longing and national hope converge in one promise kept.We talk through doubt and discipline, the difference between asking how in faith and demanding a sign in unbelief, and why Gabriel's answer—I stand in the presence of God—reframes every impossible situation. Along the way, we spotlight Luke's unique voice: the beloved physician who loves details, prizes verification, and uses words like rejoice and praising God more than any other New Testament writer. The takeaway is clear and hard-won: God remains in control when culture sidelines him, God is aware when he seems absent, and God is able when life feels impossible. If this encourages you or challenges your assumptions, share it with a friend, subscribe for future deep dives, and leave a review to help others find the show.Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Sometimes the most dramatic changes in our lives happen while we sleep, and we wake up to find everything has shifted. This was Joseph's reality in Egypt, where he had been living as a refugee with Mary and baby Jesus for about a year. They had fled to escape Herod's murderous decree, leaving behind everything familiar to protect the Christ child. But God wasn't finished with their story. Matthew records Herod's death with striking simplicity, showing how even the most powerful oppressors eventually fall while God's purposes continue. When the angel commanded Joseph to return to Israel, he obeyed immediately without hesitation, demonstrating the pattern of complete obedience that marked his life. However, learning that the brutal Archelaus now ruled Judea brought new fears. Rather than being paralyzed by this threat, Joseph sought divine guidance and received direction to settle in Nazareth. God's choice of Nazareth reveals His kingdom's nature - it comes not through power and prestige, but through humility and unexpected places. This insignificant village, so small it's never mentioned in Old Testament writings, became home to the King of Kings. The pattern shows us that oppressors fall but God's purposes endure, opposition continues but so does divine guidance, and God's deliverance often comes from the most unlikely sources. Whatever challenges we face have expiration dates, but God's plan for our lives never expires.

The consequences of Jesus' preaching, John's preaching and Herod's passivity.

Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home Where Christ Is, . . . Today's Homily on the Feast of the Epiphany explores the manifestation of Christ . . . . . . not only to Israel, but to all nations. Through the journey of the Magi, the Homily reveals God's universal plan of salvation and the deeply personal invitation each person receives to seek, meet, and honor Christ. The Magi's response to the star becomes a spiritual model: they step outside the ordinary, look up, and allow themselves to be guided by a light beyond themselves. Seeing the star is not enough . . . they move toward Christ, recognizing that His coming is for them. Their journey reflects the innate human longing for God, a desire placed in every heart that, when followed, leads closer to Christ. . . . There Is Our Home The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize enduring spiritual virtues . . . charity, prayer, and self-denial . . . virtues acquired along the journey rather than possessed at the outset. In contrast, Herod and Jerusalem represent resistance to grace: agitation without movement, power without surrender. Ultimately, the Epiphany is not merely an ancient story but the ongoing rhythm of Christian life. Like the Magi, believers are drawn week after week to Christ's presence, where He not only receives their offerings but gives Himself in return, gathering not just some, but all, into His saving light. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Adoration of the Magi: Flemish Artist and Painter: Peter Paul Rubens: 1609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Rubens' dynamic composition draws all attention toward Christ at the center. Earthly power fades into the background, underscoring the homily's teaching that the true Jerusalem is not a place, but a Person . . . Jesus Christ. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Appointed by the Romans as king of Judaea, King Herod's reign was defined by great architectural projects, canny diplomacy, and tyrannical behavior. Herod even appears as an unlikely and unlikeable character in the Christmas tale; the king who ordered the execution of children in an effort to kill Jesus. But did this really happen? Ee87. Catholic Inspiration podcast available at https://amzn.to/3VxIeaU The Saint of the Day podcast at https://amzn.to/4cpIyyt The God Minute podcast at https://amzn.to/4aqynb0 Saint of the Day podcast with J. Atherholt at https://ancientfaith.com Saint of the Day podcast with M. Roberts at https://ourcatholicradio.org/programs/saint-day 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 Audio credits: Saint of the Day podcast: The Holy Infants Killed for Christ’s Sake in Bethlehem (29dec2023), Greek Orthodox Deacon Jerome Atherholt and Ancient Faith Radio. Saint of the Day podcast with Mike Roberts (episode 243: 28dec2023 Feast Day of the Holy Innocents) Covenant Catholic Radio. The Saint of the Day podcast (28dec2023 S2 E181 Holy Innocents) Good Catholic and The Catholic Company. The God Minute podcast (Feast of Holy Innocents, 28dec2022) A Catholic devotional by the Congregation of the Mission - the Vincentians. Catholic Inspiration by Fr. Andrew Ricci Daily Mass: The Holy Innocents (28dec2023 Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the field, the stage, and the screen are teaching more than they entertain? We follow the breadcrumbs from rainbow pregame shows to franchise rewrites and ask a blunt question: are we financing stories that catechize us against our own first principles? Not every change is propaganda, but when ideology outranks story logic, it's a clue. From there we pivot to the deeper plumb line that keeps convictions straight under pressure.Scripture frames the test. Song of Solomon paints a rich, covenantal vision of love and fidelity that pushes back on a culture of performance and self-rule. Matthew's parable of the net, Nazareth's unbelief, and Herod's fatal oath reveal how judgment, familiarity, and vanity shape destinies. Psalm 18 reminds us that courage is borrowed strength, and Proverbs 4 insists that wisdom is the best defense. Together they ground a standard that doesn't sway with trends.History adds weight. We honor Medal of Honor sailor Charles Bradley, an immigrant who proved loyalty through duty and courage. Then we unpack Theodore Roosevelt's “fair play” letter: no mercy for disloyalty, no discrimination against loyal Americans because of birthplace or parentage. That's the balance we've lost. Loyalty should be measured by lived allegiance to the principles that birthed American liberty—truth above state, conscience protected, law under God. Ideologies that deny those roots, whether fashionable or fierce, cannot sustain freedom.We close with a practical charge: steward your attention, measure your media by coherence and truth, and build homes that carry the fragrance of covenant love. If this conversation sharpened your thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find it. Your attention is powerful—aim it on purpose.Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe Countryside Book Series https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2

Welcome to the Christmas series! Herod, boiling in a jealous rage, commits the same act as Pharaoh did long ago. In a chaotic and fiery frenzy, children are taken from their homes and killed, all because of the pride of one man. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app. To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Can you imagine what it must have been like in Jerusalem when the wise men showed up? Children fetching water. Merchants selling in the market. Scribes dutifully copying the biblical scrolls for synagogues near and far. Priests serving in the Temple. Meanwhile, King Herod, is looking over his shoulder to see what family member he needs to kill next. Like a neurotic groundhog, whenever Herod saw his shadow, someone suspiciously drowned, was strangled, or ended up in a vat of honey. Maybe that day started out like any other…that is until these foreign wise men rolled into town seeking a royal audience, searching for the new king of the Jews. This sent Herod—the current king of the Jews—into a rage, and everybody in Jerusalem felt it (Matthew 2.3)!Upsetting news like this required a general assembly of the religious elites. Herod called for the chief priests and scribes to reveal through their scrolls where this Messiah was to be born (2.4). Steeped in Scripture, they unveiled the answer from Micah the prophet (Micah 5.2). They knew the promise of the Messiah, foretold to David who would reign over God's people forever (2 Samuel 7.14). He would be a Shepherd King (2 Samuel 5.2), born in Bethlehem, the little hamlet of David's own birth.How unnerving it must have been to tell the temperamental Herod the answer to his question! The stark contrast must have been unsettling to share. According to Leslie Allen, “It is within this drab frame of royal misfortune that Micah sets a glorious picture of royal majesty. The figure of failure of verse one stands as a foil to his radiant counterpart here.” The Lord was bringing a true king for His people, a Shepherd King for His sheep in Israel and among all nations (Micah 7.14-15; John 10.16). If you're Herod, or someone benefiting from his governance, this news spells disaster. But, if you are poor, seeking relief, oppressed in search of solace, if you are wise men from the East following a star, this is absolutely good news! The Advent of the Messiah is the promise of a Shepherd who cares, who brings healing with His touch and peace in His reign (Malachi 4.2; Matthew 11.28-30).

Herod The Great was called ‘King of the Jews,’ and ruled Judea during the tail-end of the first century BC. Ee84. Bishop Robert Barron books available at https://amzn.to/44W7nwN 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 Audio credits: Catholicism with Bishop Barron, Episodes: Herod and Joseph & Herod and the Magi (Word on Fire Catholic Ministries). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jennifer Barrett examines Herod the Great, tracing how he rose to power through Roman political maneuvering and revealing the sharp contrast between his achievements and his ruthless cruelty.

Fr. William Rock, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. In Today's Show: How is Isaac considered the only son of Abraham? Why is the suffering of the holy innocents from Herod not emphasized? How should we handle a priest from another denomination being a guest at Mass? How can we differentiate between turning the other cheek and being a pushover? Neo-Scholasticism vs. Nouvelle théologie. At what pace ought liturgical Latin to be spoken? What did St Paul mean when he said, "If you eat the body of our Lord unworthily, you eat judgment unto yourself? Can we support charities that don't support everything Catholicism stands for? Why are there fewer miracles today than in the time of the early church? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Welcome to the Christmas series! The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn’t right. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app. To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Separation... isolation... estrangement. They're all part of the old kingdom! When the new King arrived, we found out quickly that He was not like other kings. Not like the fraudulent puppet Herod, certainly. Not like any monarch the world had ever seen. In the kingdom of Jesus, barriers between men and women, between Jews and Gentiles, and even between clean and unclean, would come down. Here's Jim, back in the Gospel of Mark. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS01132026_0.mp3Scripture References: Mark 1

Sometimes an encounter changes us so deeply that we cannot return the same way we came. When has that been true for you? The story of the Wise Men being warned not to go back to Herod, but to go home by a different way after they encounter the Christ child, is a metaphor for how when we encounter the Divine, we often choose to move forward in a new way.

Acts 22:25-23:35 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncon-demned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. 30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'” 6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with re-spect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the as-sembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” 12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the bar-racks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.” 23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect: 26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And de-siring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.” 31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the gov-ernor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium. 12

Because God has made Jesus known as a light for the nations, we must point all people to his light so that they may come and worship him. Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV): 2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Fear has a way of convincing us that silence and compliance will keep us safe—but what happens when staying quiet means cooperating with harm? This sermon explores how fear gets weaponized to control us, especially in times when oppressive power seems to be winning. Through the story of the Magi, we see what it looks like when an encounter with something true makes compliance intolerable. Shae Washington unpacks four questions that might help us resist letting fear dictate our choices: Where are we focusing our attention? What ways is God trying to guide us that we're missing? And uncomfortably—what patterns of fear-driven harm do we need to dismantle in ourselves? The Magi didn't confront Herod with speeches or swords. They simply chose another way home. If you're exhausted from hypervigilance and looking for permission to rest while still resisting, or if you're searching for what your "alternative route" might look like in 2026, this one's for you.

When writing teacher Peter Turchi sees a map, he looks for the adventure it holds. “To ask for a map,” he says, “is to say, ‘Tell me a story.’ ” I seized on that idea when preparing to teach a Sunday school class during Christmas on the “Faith of the Wise Men.” As I studied maps, I learned the Magi traveled some nine hundred miles—perhaps over several months—to find the Christ child, finally finding not a babe in a manger but a toddler living with His parents in a house. Their reaction after such a long trip? “They bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). Their journey invited my students and me to plan with intention to seek Christ more fully. As Scripture tells us, when the Magi finally arrived in Jerusalem, their urgent question was: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2). Distance didn’t deter their worship. Nor did danger or delays. Herod’s deadly demand was ironic: “Go and search carefully for the child” (v. 8). Nobody had searched more carefully for Jesus than the Magi. We can heed the example of the wise men by seeking Christ carefully, too. Then, as we worship Him, we can expect our heavenly Father to speak to our hearts, leading us from old ways to new paths to journey with Him.

Welcome to Day 2769 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2769– A Baby at Our Age - Get Serious! Luke 1:5-25 Putnam Church Message – 11/30/2025 Luke's Account of the Good News “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” – First Sunday of Advent   Last week, we began a year-long study of Luke's Narrative of the Good News in a message titled: “Only the Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth.” This week is the first Sunday of Advent as we build anticipation of the coming Messiah. Today's passage is the beginning of a story titled: “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” “HOPE IN THE SILENCE — GOD STILL SPEAKS” Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 1:5-25, found on page 1587 of your Pew Bibles. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but...

John the Baptizer was a fascinating character. More attested to historically than Jesus, John was a genuinely big deal! One of the historically attested facts about John was his execution by Herod. Which Herod? You're going to be sorry you asked. But John's death is fascinating- what do the gospels say about it? Do they agree with each other about how/why it happened (what a world that would be!)? And do the gospel accounts line up with other extra-biblical tellings of the story? Then, we're talking pastors. What, exactly, is a pastor? Who gets to be one (only men?)? We're going to dive into the New Testament clergy org-chart, and figure out what the Bible actually says. Pastor, apostle, bishop, deacon... does the Bible tell us what these positions are? Who is supposed to do what? Who qualifies for which position? Who gets to tell who what to do? ---- For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠      Follow us on the various social media places: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bible Says So⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ yet??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feast of the Epiphany 2026 Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled,  and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,  He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,  for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly  and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,  "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,  that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,  until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star,  and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,  they departed for their country by another way.

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child's life are dead.” … And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth …. (Matthew 2:19-20, 23)

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to this reflectionMatthew 2: 1-12The Magi Visit the Messiah2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.'[b]”7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. (Matthew 2:16)