As we move into "phase two" of Peter's denial of Jesus, we look not only at the act itself, but the aftermath. What were the consequences for Peter? Did he learn a lesson from it? If so, did he learn?
All the disciples "fell away" once Jesus was arrested, but Peter "disowned" Him. What's the difference? Peter illustrates how our strength can actually be weakness if we rely on ourselves too much.
CSI Jerusalem investigates the cause of death for one Judas Iscariot. What, exactly, was his cause of death? And what, in the final analysis, made him do what he did?
Judas came to the Garden of Gethsemane for one reason, to betray Jesus into the hands of the religious leaders. It was dark and perhaps some of the soldiers with him were not able to distinguish Jesus from His disciples. They needed a signal, one that would assure that they arrested the right man. Judas decided upon a kiss. A betrayer's kiss. Satan can use the best thing in the worst way.
As the Last Supper with the disciples began, Judas was seated very close to Jesus, at the place of honor. Surprising that Judas was so well thought of by the other disciples that night. But sitting so near gave Jesus an opportunity to speak directly to Judas, revealing that Jesus knew what Judas was planning.
There has been a lot of speculation about why Judas betrayed Jesus. Could it be that the "devil made him" do it? Or was it something else?
Someone close to Jesus was going to betray Him, that was certain. It had been prophecied hundreds of years earlier. But why was it Judas?
Why did Judas betray Jesus? Some say it was money. Was it? That is what we will discuss in this episode.
The angel Gabriel made promises to Zechariah about his son, John, who would become John the Baptist. But those promises were also proclamations about Jesus. John's birth guaranteed the soon coming of the Messiah.
When the angel spoke to Joseph about Mary, he said "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife." Why was Joseph afraid? The angel also gave Joseph the geneology of Jesus...not His human geneology, but His divine geneology.
The Wise Men made proclamations about Jesus when they arrived at Bethlehem. Some of them were spoken, and some were unspoken. Even the gifts they brought proclaimed truths about Jesus.
What is the most important miracle in the Bible? It is the virgin birth of Jesus. Without it, everything else loses its power. The cross loses its power. The resurrection loses its power. The Bible loses its main message. Why so? This episode explains it all.
While Annas and Caiaphas were trying to find a way to convict Jesus of breaking Jewish law so they could put Him to death, they themselves were actually breaking the rules and regulations for trials of the Sanhedrin in 18 specific ways. We talk about each of those violations in this episode.
Many people miss the fact that Jesus appeared to Peter personally on the day of resurrection because the Bible is silent as to what was said between them. But we know it did happen. Find out how we know from this episode!
There was so much disbelief on the day of Jesus' resurrection from not only those who did not believe it Him, but from His own followers as well. Why was that?
Two pilgrims were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus talking about everything that had happened that morning at a tomb near the city. Suddenly a stranger joined them on the road who asked what they were talking about. Who was this man? They did not recognize Him as Jesus. Why not?
As Mary reached out to hold Jesus at the empty tomb on resurrection morning, He told her not to do so because he had not yet ascended to His Father in heaven. Why was this necessary? When did Jesus do it?
When Mary Magdalene realized that she was speaking to Jesus at the empty tomb, she called Him "Rabboni!" What does that mean and why would she use that name?
Mary Magdalene stood outside of the empty tomb on resurrection Sunday upset and crying because she could not find Jesus' body. Why was it so important to her to know where His body had been taken? And why could she not believe that Jesus was alive?
Why was Mary Magdalene crying at the empty tomb on resurrection morning? It wasn't because Jesus had been crucified. According to John, there was another reason.
Peter and John both saw the burial cloths and strips of linen in the empty tomb. One of them left convinced, and the other left confused.
If I only had a iPad. My whole life would be so much better. Or would it? Where do we find our fulfillment in life? Is it from the latest tech thing, or from a relationship with a Person?
Did the Wise Men think they were looking at an actual star when they first saw it in the sky at night? What about when it disappeared from their sight? What about when it reappeared to them and starting moving? Eventually, they must have figured out that this "star" was not a typical star at all!
We take a look at the inn of Bethlehem, the place where Mary and Joseph were turned away when they arrived from Nazareth. That inn dates all the way back to the time of David. Jeremiah mentions it. And it has a message to tell!
Jesus' birth fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies, including the one that declared He would be born of a virgin. It is the biggest and most important prophecy, promise and miracle of the Bible!
The apostle John says it was dark when the women headed to Jesus' tomb on resurrection morning. He was intentional in using the specific Greek word for "dark." Why? Because he wanted us to connect the dots to the darkness of the first day of creation from Genesis. How do they connect? Listen and find out!
Peter ran to the tomb, but he walked from it. Even though it was empty, he still struggled with the idea that Jesus risen. He knew something had happened there that would change everything, but he wasn't all-in yet.
It seems hard to believe now that the disciples did not remember that Jesus had told them quite clearly that He would be put to death and on the third day He would rise again. None of the women who went to the tomb early on that first resurrection morning remember either. But as hard as it is to believe, it is true. So, what was their problem? Would you have remembered if it had been you who heard Jesus say it?
The angel at the tomb had an announcement to make to the women that morning, and a reminder. The announcement was one of joy, certainly. But what about the reminder? Did the angel phrase it as a "bless your heart" gentle prompting, or did he raise his voice in a stern rebuke because they had to be reminded of perhaps the most important thing Jesus had ever told them?
When you come to Jesus' tomb expecting to find a dead body, but find an angel instead who proclaims that He is risen, He is alive, it would be only natural to feel overwhelmed by it all. The women at the tomb that day ran back to Jerusalem with an important message, which made them tremble, and which bewildered them.