The Bread of Life

Part 8 picks up with the death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod Antipas, then moves into the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water. From there we settle into John 6 and the Bread of Life discourse.

“I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never hunger.”

The second half of the episode covers the handwashing controversy with the Pharisees, Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, the first prediction of Christ's death, the call to take up one's cross, and more. We end the episode with the theology of the uncreated light of the Transfiguration.

The Parables

In Part 7, we turn to the parables of the Sower, the Wheat and Weeds, the Mustard Seed and Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Net. We also dig into why Jesus taught in parables.

Miracles continue as Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee, heals a woman after twelve years of suffering, and more. The twelve are sent out, and we examine the meaning behind “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This episode also also take detours into what it means to “bear fruit,” Gnosticism, and Mary Magdalene.

The Narrow Gate.

In Part 6, we conclude the Sermon on the Mount, exploring some of its most challenging and theologically rich passages. We wrestle with the meaning of the narrow gate, “I never knew you,” unforgivable sin, and the tension between justification and sanctification across Christian denominations.

Miracles continue as Jesus heals a Roman centurion’s servant, raises a widow’s son from the dead in Nain, and forgives the sins of a paralytic lowered through a roof. We also trace the growing conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees over the Sabbath, fasting, and Jesus’ association with tax collectors and sinners.

Along the way, we cover the calling of Matthew and what it means to be a disciple.

This short intermission episode briefly revisits the concepts of the Kingdom of God and suffering before a message on vocation and abiding.

We close with a meditation on our belovedness.

Salt and Light.

In Part 5, we learn what it means to BE a Christian through the Sermon on the Mount. We explore the Beatitudes as both a paradox and a spiritual ladder, where true joy is found in walking in Christ's footsteps, even unto suffering.

We also examine how ethics in the Old Covenant is perfected and extended in the New Covenant, from murder to anger, from adultery to lust, and from "dos" and "don'ts" to matters of the heart.

Along the way, we encounter the Lord's Prayer, the call to be the salt and light of the earth, and warnings against materialism and false piety. Quotations from Kierkegaard, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and C.S. Lewis each make an appearance in the episode.

For God So Loved the World.

In Part 4, Jesus reveals the gospel in a conversation with Nicodemus. We explore the meaning of the gospel as a love story between God and His creation and Christ as the redeemer in that story.

Old Testament parallels continue to unfold, such as connections between the gospel and Moses’ bronze serpent, and the Samaritan woman at the well fulfilling prophecy in Hosea.

Along the way, we witness Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth, healings, miracles, exorcisms, and explore how the gospels of John and Luke reshape our understanding of the calling of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee.

Christ the Tiger.

In Part 3, we walk through the early parts of Jesus’ ministry. This episode explores Christ’s baptism, the temptation in the wilderness, the early apostles, the wedding in Cana, and the temple cleansing in the book of John.

We wrestle with baptismal theology and Biblical chronology, even finding evidence in the Old Testament for two temple cleansings.

Lastly, we reflect on the intensity of these early moments, revealing both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah. Or, as T.S. Elliott calls Him, Christ the Tiger.

The Nativity.

In Part 2, we turn our attention to Christ's birth. Drawing from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, this episode explores the birth of Jesus Christ in all its humility and glory.

We also examine historical evidence for the Star of Bethlehem, the census, the Slaughter of the Innocents, the flight to Egypt, and the identity of the magi - drawing from sources like Johannes Kepler, the book of Daniel, early church fathers, historians like Flavius Josephus, and more.

This episode also reflects on the quiet faithfulness of Mary and Joseph and concludes with the only recorded glimpse of Jesus’ childhood before His public ministry.

Thank you for listening. I’m grateful you’re here.