What does Pharaoh, a Crocodile, and Water on a Rock Have in Common?

Oh, that voice within us that says, "Eat! Those calories only count during a leap year on the third Thursday in February." Or even this, "God wants me to be happy." Whose voices are these, and why do we listen to them?

In this podcast, we go back to the beginning, when there was just one thing God told humanity not to do, and we did it anyway. Who did Adam and Eve listen to? Join us as we revisit this story we thought we knew so well. With fresh eyes, discover insights and answers to the challenges our culture faces today.

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

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

From the east, the sun began warming the morning air's coolness in the holiest location in Israel, the Temple. Following the morning light, Jesus entered the Temple and began teaching His listeners God's instructions. Shortly afterward, some scribes and Pharisees drug a woman into the Temple Court and put her right in the middle of the people He was teaching. Referring to the Torah and the death penalty for her sinful act, they demanded Jesus to answer their question, "what do you say?" 

What did Jesus do? He ignored them and their demanding question. 

Join us as we examine and see what was going on between Jesus and these men. Were they asking Him to judge this woman, or was something else on their minds?

In this podcast, we look at one of the best-known accounts from the Exodus, where Moses tells Pharoah, "let my people go."  Did the staff of Moses turn into a snake,  did God harden Pharoah's heart, and why do we even need to know this?  

Join us as we explore the details of culture and language that shed some light on this strange encounter, answering  the question of "why" we should study to know our Bibles.

Right after Jesus tells His most famous parable, the “Prodigal Son,” he teaches His listeners about a man who swindles his boss and is called shrewd for doing so. What’s even more confusing is Jesus says this man is “more shrewd” than the “sons of light.”

From the most famous to the most confusing and misinterpreted parable, Jesus teaches his followers how to live in a corrupt and unrighteous culture, especially when dealing with its wealth. 

Join us as we make sense of this strange story and find out who these “sons of light” really are.

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

In the last recorded healing done by Jesus on the Sabbath it seems the man who was healed is invisible to those who were present. Did those present object to healing on the Sabbath and why is the one healed seemingly invisible to them? 

The tradition of inviting travelers to a meal, known as "Hachnassat Orchim," is an important part of Hebrew life. However, like all things, did the people in this story forget what it was really about and do all of us actually do the very same thing?

Join us as we begin to see "the invisible man."

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

In this episode we talk about the question, "Is it lawful to do good or harm, to save a life or destroy it on the Sabbath."

Jesus fame as a teacher and healer had grown to the point where he has been followed by Scribes and Pharisees to a Synagogue where he is teaching.  Instead of finding fault, what they see and hear from Him is a practical example about "how to save a life," also known as Pikuach Nephesh. Can we do the same today?