Chapter 7: My Burden is Light
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Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in the Bible, Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please share it with your family and friends so they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible.

Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is the greatest story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts of you and me. In this episode, Jesus preaches the most famous sermon ever told.

With powerful passion and compelling prose, Jesus weaves together a beautiful tapestry portraying the kingdom of God. Everyone is captivated by his words, but his sermon is also a challenge to them. Christ did not just come to comfort us, he also came to establish God's will in our hearts.

The Sermon on the Mount stands in opposition against the religious dogma and carnal living that would hold us captive. You will hear him say, you have heard it said, but I say to you. Jesus is about to flip people's traditional ideology on his head and bring them back to the heart of God. This episode also gives us one of the more compelling moments in Scripture.

A pivotal character has a moment of loneliness and despair. His faith is tested and he reaches out to Jesus for answers.

What comes after is an emotional plea to the hearts of mankind to release themselves from bondage and experience freedom. I hope you are gripped by the words and actions of Jesus. It is my fervent prayer that you and I do not leave unchanged by God's truth. May the heart of Christ and the Word of God take hold of our hearts. Here is Episode 7, My Burden is Light. Prelude to Chapter 7

Joseph thumped his head against the stone walls of his prison cell. A small sliver of moonlight made its way through some cracks in the ceiling. He stared at the light endlessly, listening to the rustling of his prison-mates beside him. They were fast asleep, but not Joseph. There was no sleep for him. He continued to thump his head against the back of the wall, frustrated at the world, frustrated at God. He had been the favored son of Jacob.

He was loved and adorned with endless affection from his father. He was a dreamer and had great expectations for his future. His dreams got the better of him, and jealousy caused his brothers to sell him into slavery. Joseph was humbled and sought God in the midst of all his tragedy. He put his head down to the plow and showed himself to be a masterful organizer and diligent servant. He eventually caught the eye of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard.

He put him in charge of his entire household and for a brief moment Joseph truly believed he was a favored son once again. In the midst of his ascension as a slave, he caught the eye of a certain woman, Potiphar's wife.

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Brought to you by State Farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. I could not commit this sin against my master and my god. Joseph retorted. Potiphar's wife grabbed him and pulled him in close. Lie with me, Joseph, she whispered. Her voice was seductive and smooth. She smelled of berries and spice. Joseph was a young man and not without his carnal desires.

Yet there was a deep integrity that had formed within him since he became a slave. Pride and arrogance had made his brothers hate him. He would not succumb to that same arrogance again. Joseph pulled away, ripping the piece of clothing she was holding. Joseph knew if he did not run, he would give in. So he fled as fast as he could. As he sprinted down the halls, he could hear echoes of screaming. It was at that moment he knew what

Joseph was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit, assaulting Potiphar's wife. He rotted in a damp cell because he decided to show integrity. Joseph stood to his feet and yelled. His screams reverberated off the cold stone walls. He fell to his knees and wept. He felt like he was cut off from all he had prayed for. He felt forsaken. He had dreams of being a great inheritor of his father's land, yet he was sold into slavery.

He had dreams of being a great keeper of his master's house, yet here he was, awaiting his inevitable death. All he had dedicated his life to was now hidden from him. The sun rose, or at least Joseph thought it did. The sun only ever appeared dimly through his forsaken self. He felt the same way with God. He only felt his presence dimly. Joseph looked around at the other men imprisoned with him. They hated their existence.

Then Joseph saw the warden. He too seemed to hate his life. As the warden was serving bread, Joseph approached him. As he did this, the warden's face lit up with joy. Joseph took note of this. He took note of every act he did in service to the guards and his fellow prisoners. With every piece of bread served, wound bandaged, and story told, Joseph began to feel once again the favor of God.

In everything Joseph did, God blessed him. His bitterness melted away as he felt the love of God extending through him. He must decrease so God might increase. This was the solution to Joseph's pain, and it would be the solution to rid mankind of its selfishness for all eternity. Chapter 7: My Burden is Light Jesus hiked up a small hill overlooking the plains.

The light breeze took the edge off the harsh sun. It was springtime, and the lilies of the field were in full bloom. Jesus sat down on the vibrant grass, soaking in the sunlight. He scanned the crowd that was waiting below. It was a diverse crowd. There were men, women, families, sick people who had been healed, and sick people who needed healing. There were also enemies, Pharisees, who were determined to strike him down.

He loved every one of them. As the gentle winds swayed the tall grass in several directions, Jesus began to think about Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall need nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside gentle waters. He restores my soul. That is what Jesus desired to do. He desired to lead his sheep to green pastures and still waters.

He desired to restore their weary and anxious souls. He was their shepherd, and he loved his sheep. Jesus looked to the people down below. The crowd was eager to hear what Jesus had to say. He had preached many times from the Word of God. He explained the deep truths of Scripture and fulfilled prophecies. However, this time Jesus chose to speak about the Kingdom of God in the present,

He expounded on the culture of heaven and how it can be seen in people. He raised his voice to them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for God shall comfort them. Blessed are those who have strength, yet keep it under control. They will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of God. They will seek and be satisfied.

Blessed are those who show mercy, and mercy will be shown to them. Blessed are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God move greatly. Blessed are the peacemakers, for people will see them and know that they are children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the good things that they do, for they will inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus turned to his disciples. They were listening intently to him.

He knew the hardships they would endure for his name. Still speaking to the crowd, he looked to them and said, "Blessed are you when others harm or persecute you on my account. Be glad, for you have a glorious reward stored up for you in heaven. They persecuted the prophets of old, and they will do the same to you." Jesus took a handful of dirt in his hand and let it blow in the wind.

He looked at them and said, You, my dear friends, are the salt of the earth. You give it vibrance and flavor. You are meant to add to culture and make it better. Yet if the salt loses its flavor, what good is it other than being trampled underfoot? You are also like the light of the world. You, like a city set firmly on a hill, will be a beacon for those lost and lonely. Do not hide this light.

No one takes a lantern and stuffs it under a basket. No, you put it on a stand for all to see. You must do the same with your light. Let your light so shine before others that they see you and they glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus then looked at the Pharisees, glaring at him from the back. They were waiting for any excuse to rebuke him. He knew what they thought of him.

They saw him as a blasphemer and danger to their way of life. However, Jesus knew that underneath their piety and moral uprightness was a desperate need for power. He looked at them, predicting their objections to him, and said,

Some of you think I may have come to abolish the law and the prophets, but you could not be even further from the truth. Jesus saw the Pharisees stir and look at one another. Hear me, Jesus continued. I have not come to abolish the law of Moses, but to fulfill it. The word of God is as unchangeable as creation itself. As Jesus said these things, the religious leaders began to boil with frustration.

What they could not see is that the entirety of God's story from Adam until now was leading up to this moment. Jesus was the crescendo of human history and the embodiment of God's will.

Jesus lifted his palms up like a weighted scale and said, "The law has told you that you shall not murder." Jesus' right hand raised higher than the left hand. "However, I tell you that whoever harbors deep hatred will also be judged." Jesus then raised his left hand to be equal with the right.

He did the same thing with his hands again, saying, "The law says that you shall not commit adultery. However, I am here to tell you that whoever lusts after a woman and objectifies her in his mind has already been guilty of such things." The men in the crowd began to look around. It was uncomfortable to hear. However, Jesus was showcasing the importance of the heart.

The Pharisees had become masters at controlling their actions. However, the sacrifice God truly desired was a pure and honest heart. Jesus continued speaking of marriage, oaths, and the fickle nature of mankind.

Then Jesus' tone shifted. "An eye for an eye!" he yelled. "How many of you have heard that you are to repay an evil deed with equal force?" The crowd nodded. "Wars begin this way. I tell you, if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, go ahead and turn and give him the other cheek. If anyone desires to sue you for your tunic, go ahead and give him your cloak as well." Jesus then pointed to the Roman guards that were standing nearby.

If a Roman soldier forces you to carry his things a mile, you go ahead and carry them for two. Go the extra mile! Jesus made sure to emphasize the next point. The culture of this age tells you to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. However, I say to you, love your enemies. Love them, pray for them, serve them. For if you only love those who love you, what separates you from those that are corrupt?

Even the most evil among us loves their friends. Your righteousness must go above and beyond. Jesus' words came with a great deal of authority. These were timeless truths that had been forgotten under layers of moral compromise and religious tradition. Jesus did not desire to establish another regime of pious control.

but to break down the barriers that separated people from experiencing a life honoring God. Beware of showcasing your righteousness for all to see, Jesus warned. When some people give to the needy, they sound the trumpets and beat the drums. They do not desire to give to the needy. They desire to be seen giving to the needy. They seek the approval of man and they get it.

However, that is the only reward they shall have. When you give, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing. Serve others with no recognition. The same goes for your prayers. The hypocrites love to stand and pray on the street corners or in the synagogues. But when you pray, do so in secret. The Lord hears you in secret, and he will bless you in secret. One of the disciples raised his hand and asked, Then please, Lord,

Teach us how to pray. When you pray, do not add spectacle or poetry to come off as righteous to others. Some love to stand on the street corners and proclaim their devotion to God. When you pray, do so just between you and the Lord. Pray like this. Our Father,

Holy is your name. May your kingdom come and your will be done here as it is in heaven. Provide our daily needs and forgive us all our sins. And may we also forgive those who have trespassed against us. Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil. The prayer was simple yet profound and it spoke of the relationship man ought to have with God.

Jesus placed his hand on his stomach and smiled. "When the hypocrites fast, they are gloomy and brooding. They make sure all can see their hunger." Jesus then mimicked a Pharisee holding his stomach and drooping his face. The crowd laughed and the Pharisees crossed their arms. "When you fast, wash your face and take care of your body so that no one knows."

Your Father in heaven, he knows, he sees. Take heart in that. The things of this world will pass, Jesus exclaimed. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures that will rust and rot. Pursue eternal things. Lay up for yourselves treasures from heaven. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.

Jesus held up a finger and made sure all would pay attention. "No one can serve two masters," Jesus warned. "You will love the one and hate the other. If you devote yourself to money, you'll end up hating God. You cannot serve the pursuit of riches and the pursuit of God." It was clear that talking about money made the people uncomfortable.

The Romans had taken much from them and money had consumed their thoughts day and night. Jesus had compassion over them. He knew the anxiety they felt. With a fatherly tone, Jesus continued to encourage them, saying, "Do not be anxious about your life. The food you eat or the clothes on your body, life is more than food and your body is more than the clothing that's on it." Jesus looked up at the birds chirping above and pointed.

Look at these birds. They do not labor or toil, yet their heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more precious than they are? No one ever added one moment to their life by worrying. Do not be anxious about tomorrow. It has its own troubles. Live for today and seek God in every moment. The people began to look at one another. Jesus saw husbands looking at their wives and sisters looking at their brothers.

The nature of humans is to look at the flaws in one another instead of inward. Jesus knew this and gave a stiff warning to all who were listening. Be careful not to judge others, for you yourself will be judged. Why would you point out the small piece of sawdust in someone's eye when you have a large wooden plank stuck to your own? There was a chuckle from among the crowd. Jesus smiled.

Be mindful to understand your own flaws before mentioning the flaws of others. You will serve them better if you do so. Jesus desired for everyone listening to truly understand the power they had available to them. If they were to simply seek the face of God, He would move mightily in them. Jesus' tone was earnest and urgent. Seek God and He will answer.

How many of you parents would deny your child bread and instead give them a stone? If you being sinful would not even do this to your own child, even more so God will happily give to those who seek His favor. See God as someone who is for you. Jesus rose to his feet. The wind began to pick up behind him. He took a deep breath, being mindful of every word he was about to say next.

Treat others the way you wish to be treated. This is the true heart behind the law of God. And understand this: The gate to the kingdom of heaven is narrow. There are many other paths that are easy and wide open. However, it is the ease that is deceptive. It is the way of death. The true path of God is hard. It requires sacrifice, struggle, and humility. This is why many will choose to avoid it and ultimately

they will perish. Jesus began to walk down the hill and place his hand on people's shoulders as he passed through the crowd. Every healthy and good tree bears fruit that people can enjoy. Every bad tree produces thorns and poison. The same is with our hearts. A good heart will produce good actions. Likewise, a bad heart will produce corrupt actions. Words are not enough. Not everyone who declares to know God actually knows him personally.

Be mindful that you seek Him in spirit and truth. Jesus was now behind the crowd. He looked down and saw a stone the size of His palm on the ground. He picked it up and held it up in the air for all to see and said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon them is like a wise person who built their house on a firm foundation. When the rain fell and the floods came, their house was sturdy and resilient.

Yet there will be those who do not listen and do not do these things. They are like the people who build their homes on wavering sand. When trouble comes, they will be washed away. Jesus looked at the crowd one final time, smiled, and dropped the stone. He departed with his disciples. The crowd simply stood there, astonished.

Meanwhile, in Capernaum, a Roman centurion sat at the bedside of his servant. He had a high fever and was coughing up blood. The centurion had toured many foreign nations. He had seen many diseases take the body of good soldiers. However, this was unlike any illness he had seen before. The centurion soldier dabbed his servant's head with a wet cloth. He was shivering beyond control and could barely keep his eyes open. I'm so sorry, the centurion whispered.

Although the Centurions were known as brutal men of war, this man adored his servants, every man and woman under his command precious to him. Saddened by the bleak state of his servant, the Centurion mounted his horse to go do rounds around the city. He was barely paying attention, mostly riding to clear his mind. However, he did notice a stirring among the people. Shop owners were closing early and headed for the city entrance.

Women were gathering their children and going that way as well. He found a shop owner who was packing up and stopped him. You there, why are you people leaving early? What is happening? The shop owner was distracted, frantically trying to close. Have you not heard? Jesus of Nazareth is on his way here. He will be here any moment now. He commands demons to flee and heals the sick.

He commands demons to flee. The centurion asked, By what authority? Not even your Jewish priests do that. The shop owner shrugged. Time is a luxury for us, especially if you're a mom. That's why we need a skincare routine that's easy, fast, and gives us results. Plus, one of your products had thousands of five-star reviews. We're natural and affordable. Well, say hello to Dime

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In everything you wear, wear Boston Proper. Sign up for VIP access and enjoy 20% off. Shop at bostonproper.com and wear it like no one else. The Pharisees say his authority comes from the devil himself. However, many people believe it is Elijah returning from heaven. A centurion nodded for the shop owner to leave. He rode back to his estate and gathered some of the Jewish elders. Have you heard of Jesus of Nazareth? He asked.

The elders nodded. Every Jew had heard of him. He had made quite a name for himself for his teaching in the synagogues, then for his miracles. "I am what you call a Gentile. I do not want to insult him by asking him a favor. However, my servant is sick and I believe this Jesus to be my last hope. Would you ask Jesus to use his authority to heal my servant?" The elders did as they were told and found Jesus entering the city.

A crowd had already formed around Jesus as he entered Capernaum. The elders made way for themselves and came in front of him. The elders paid respect to him, bowing at his feet. Jesus of Nazareth, we have come on behalf of a centurion in need of your help. A servant who is very precious to him is dying. He is a man worthy of your help. He loves our nation, although it is not his own. He even built our local synagogue. Jesus waved goodbye to the crowds and went with them.

They weaved through the streets and approached the large estate owned by the centurion. As they approached, one of the soldier's friends came running towards them. The man looked like he was also a part of nobility. He looked out of place, running out of the property into the street. My lord, the man said, I speak on behalf of the centurion. He says...

The messenger bowed and departed back into the estate.

The elders were shocked at what they had just heard. Jesus seemed even more shocked than they did. He marveled at him, astonished by his faith. This Gentile, a Roman soldier, had managed to cause the Son of God to be in awe. Jesus' eyes widened. I have never seen such faith, not even in Israel. And with that, Jesus departed. The centurion watched Jesus leave through the lattice of his window.

He prayed that Jesus would understand. He walked down the halls to where his servant was resting. He opened the door, and to his dismay, the servant was sitting up in his bed, eyes alert and full of life. The centurion laughed and embraced his servant. The entire house rejoiced and glorified the one who had more authority than all the resources of Rome. Jesus departed Capernaum and headed south.

His disciples and a large crowd of people followed him like ducklings. They were eagerly anticipating Jesus' next move. Was he going to storm the temple again? Was he going to cast out a demon in Jerusalem? Was he going to confront the religious elite in a debate? Jesus never ceased to surprise them. So they followed him, anxiously looking around for what was going to come next.

However, most of them were disappointed to see Jesus leading them to the town of Nain. Nain was unremarkable, dull and devoid of any sort of excitement. The disciples lowered their expectations greatly. However, Jesus seemed to be alert. He was looking for something, or perhaps someone. They approached the gate of the town, which was only two thin wood pillars. Short fencing surrounded the city.

Nain's Gate was a monument to its poverty. Most of the people were laborers in nearby cities and could not afford much. Going through the gate, exiting the city, was a large funeral procession. Four men carried a man on a bier as his mother mourned beside him. Behind them was half the town. The man who died was a beloved member of his community, and he had left his mother without a husband or son to provide for her.

This is why Jesus had come. He did not wander into any place without purpose. Every step he took was purposeful. The Spirit of God had led him here. To bless this woman and to showcase his authority over death, Jesus approached the front of the procession. The men stopped and the woman looked up at him. A cracked face was swollen from tears.

Jesus placed his hand on the man lying on the bier and looked at his mother. "Do not weep, little one," he said. The entire procession was completely still. The crowd behind Jesus was silent, holding their breath. Jesus turned his head towards the man and said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." At first there was nothing. The silence was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Then, the once pale and lifeless skin of the man had its color restored. A gasp of air broke the silence as he sat up. The men carrying the beer dropped it out of shock. The man fell to the floor, groaning from the impact. Jesus knelt down, smiled, and lifted him to his feet. The once dead man was in shock, looking around in confusion. Then he saw his mother.

Tears welled up in his face and the two of them embraced. Fear gripped the hearts of everyone in attendance. "There's a great prophet in our midst!" they shouted. "God is with us!" The people cheered and reports spread throughout the whole country. Jesus had raised a man from the dead. It was not a soldier, a governor, or a priest. He did not raise a member of the temple, a rabbi, or one of his disciples.

He raised an unknown man from an unknown place. Jesus, with purpose in his heart, pursued him so he might come back to life. This is the heart of God, to pursue and give life. Word of Jesus raising the man from the dead had reached every corner of the country, even the jail cells of Herod the palace. There, in the cold dungeon underneath the palace, John the Baptist sat.

Echoes of Jesus' mighty deeds had reached his ears often as he rotted away in his cell. He thumped the back of his head against the stone walls and peered up to heaven. A small sliver of light broke through a crack in the prison. He had been arrested for speaking out against Herod. He had been persecuted for proclaiming the truth and now he had to suffer. His own words echoed through his head.

I must decrease so he might increase. This was not what he had in mind. He had dreams of being a witness to Christ's coming salvation. Yet here he was, awaiting his inevitable death. All he had dedicated his life to was now hidden from him. He desired to see the coming kingdom, and now he was forced to only hear whispers from the outside. Bitter thoughts began to enter his mind.

If Jesus was able to raise the dead, then why not release him from prison? If he truly was the Messiah, then how come his most trusted servant was rotting away in a dark dungeon? John stood to his feet and yelled. His screams reverberated off the cold stone walls. He fell to his knees and wept. He felt like he was cut off from all he had prayed for. He felt forsaken.

Still able to send messages, John reached out to Jesus. His question was simple, yet behind it was deep. His message asked, Are you the one, or should we look for another? Jesus winced, hearing John's question. He knew the pain John had endured, yet John's life was but a foreshadowing. His suffering did not come close to what Jesus would soon endure on his behalf.

Jesus knew that John only needed to be reminded of what they had dreamed of for so long. He looked at the messenger and said, Go and tell John all that you have heard me do. Tell him that the blind have been given their sight, the lame walk, and the lepers are cleansed and given purpose. The deaf can hear, and the dead have been raised up again.

The poor have good news given to them, and blessed be anyone who is not offended by my purpose. John's messengers departed. Jesus could hear a mumbling from the crowd. They mocked John under their breath for doubting Jesus. This irked Jesus. What did you expect when you went into the wilderness to listen to John? Did you expect a pampered prince or a prophet of God?

He is the prophet Malachi spoke of when he said, The people were silent. They could sense Jesus' passion rising. He spoke louder for all to hear, saying, The Pharisees shouted,

Jesus turned his head swiftly, his eyes filled with fire. The tax collectors, soldiers, and prostitutes all felt the need to be baptized by John. They knew the value of repentance, yet the Pharisees still could not understand. How shall I compare your generation? Jesus asked the Pharisees.

"You are like children sitting in the marketplace with their music saying we played a happy song and you didn't dance and we played a sad song and you did not cry." The rest of the crowd laughed.

Jesus raised his arms, inviting a response, yet they were silent. He shook his head.

Wisdom is justified by actions. Jesus paced for a moment, looking at the sea of faces. They were confused at the tension between the Pharisees and himself. They had followed the Pharisees for so long and saw them as the authority on how to pursue God. He looked at them, then raised his head to heaven. I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.

that you have hidden deep truths from the pompous but have revealed it to little children. He then turned to the crowd and said, All things have been given to me by the Father. Are you weary? Are you heavy laden? Are you filled with burdens? Come to me, come to me all you who labor and are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.

I am gentle and humble of heart. Come to me and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus offered a peace that was not offered by the religious system of the day. The Pharisees brought nothing but false holiness and added to God's law. The people were not just oppressed by Rome. They were oppressed by men who were supposed to lead them into a good relationship with God.

The people were weary. They needed to be delivered. They needed a shepherd to make them lie down in green pastures. They needed a shepherd to lead them beside still waters. They needed someone to restore their souls. What you and I just witnessed was the greatest sermon ever preached. The Sermon on the Mount is a foundational passage for Christians as it lays out the culture of God's kingdom.

It was Jesus' desire to communicate clearly what citizens of the kingdom of God look like and how they should act.

Some of the things Jesus said don't come as a surprise to us. Truths like, treat others the way you want to be treated, and judge not lest you be judged are common sayings. However, there were a few things Jesus said that can be jarring to listeners. Things like, whoever harbors hatred for his brother will be judged as murderers, or whoever lusts after someone in their hearts is committing adultery are all much harder to hear, and even harder to live out in real life. The Sermon on the Mount was this glorious blend of relief and restraint.

It relieves us from some of the burdens we put on ourselves while also restraining us from letting our hearts wander. It is Christ's goal to remind his disciples and us that sin begins and ends in the heart. We shouldn't merely stop at not killing someone. We should aim to not hate anyone either since that is where it all begins. We shouldn't merely measure our fidelity to our spouses based on whether we commit adultery or not, but we should cleanse our minds of any lustful thoughts toward another.

Many people think Jesus lowered the standards of sin, but that wasn't the case at all. He knew that sin began in the heart. Religions can try to change your actions, but if you are caught up in bitterness and captured by lust, then you are bound to sin sooner or later.

The kingdom of God needs to be established in our hearts before it can be established. Time is a luxury for us, especially if you're a mom. That's why we need a skincare routine that's easy, fast, and gives us results. Plus, one of your products had thousands of five-star reviews. We're natural and affordable. Well, say hello to Dime

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Well, here it is. Oscar Mayer takes 12 hours to smoke some delicious thick-cut bacon. Most other bacon out there is smoked for four to six hours, but Oscar Mayer doubles that time. Let's put that into perspective. You could drive from Detroit to Omaha, and Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon wouldn't be finished smoking. You could spend the morning and all afternoon watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in full. You could even go to bed, get a full night's sleep, wake up, shower,

shower, have breakfast, including some delicious Oscar Mayer bacon, and then drive to work and to think that the bacon would still be smoking. The point is, all of these take at least half a day to complete, and Oscar Mayer takes the best cuts and smokes them over real hardwood chips for a really long time until it tastes really good. So buy some Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon now and enjoy.

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The culture of this age tells you to love your neighbor and hate your enemies. However, I say to you, love your enemies, love them, pray for them, and serve them. And if you only love those who love you, what separates you from those who are corrupt? Even the most evil among us love their friends. Your righteousness must go above and beyond. Our prayers, patience, and partiality should not just be given to our people, but to all people.

Even our enemies are made in the image of God, meaning even they deserve some semblance of dignity and honor. This virtue was acted out in our prelude by Joseph, who suffered greatly because he gave his service to those who caused his suffering. God was gracious to us when we were his enemies, so it stands to reason that those who bear his name should do the same.

This is what I meant when I said some of Jesus' words were challenging. It is important for us to remember that Jesus didn't just come to forgive us of our sins, but he also came to empower us to live a holier and more fulfilling life. Towards the end of Jesus' sermon, he says that whoever listens to his words and does them is like a wise person who built his house on a firm foundation.

But whoever hears his words and refuses to do them is like someone who built their house on sand. This reminds us of a common theme in the teachings of Jesus. Although some of his words are hard to hear, they are ultimately meant to strengthen us and make us better.

The gospel tells us this, you are abundantly and unconditionally loved, and there is more potential that can be drawn out of you. The world will tell you that you are perfect the way you are, but that is not the gospel. You are loved the way you are, and it is Christ's love that compels us to be better every day. The sermon ends, and we immediately meet a new person who needs Jesus.

This person is not a blind beggar, crippled child, or outcast. He is a powerful, influential, and respected centurion. Centurions were enforcers and peacemakers in the city on behalf of Rome. Most were feared and few were loved. This particular centurion was convinced that Jesus was the only one who could help his sick servant. He sent someone to find Jesus and ask for his help. But when Jesus approached, something odd happened.

The centurion showed sensitivity to Jesus' culture while also acknowledging his power. He said,

I know that you are a man of even greater authority than me. Jesus' reaction is only found twice in Scripture. It says that he marveled at the centurion's faith. You can imagine that it would probably take a lot to surprise Jesus or lead him to be astonished in any way. The only other time Jesus marvels is at the unbelief of his kinsmen in Nazareth. The episode reaches a compelling conclusion with John the Baptist in prison.

He leans his head against a prison cell and we're immediately taken back to the prelude with Joseph. Much like Joseph, John suffered for doing the right thing. There's a special type of grief when we suffer after having done what's right. Our relationship with God can come into question because we thought we were owed something for our faithfulness.

John's doubt and grief are understandable and certainly relatable. In some ways, it is comforting to see John wrestle with his belief. If somebody like him struggles with doubt, then we don't feel as bad when we have moments of disbelief. John's question to Jesus was honest and came from a place of suffering. Are you the one or should we look for another, he asked.

Jesus sent John an honest answer. The work John so desperately wanted to see was happening, and blessed are those who aren't stumbling by it. Thank you for listening to today's episode of Heroes in the Bible. Jesus. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. And to expand your Heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at TonyEvans.org forward slash heroes.

Share this podcast with a family member or friend so that they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can have on someone's life. God bless.

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Like a good neighbor? State Farm is there. State Farm, proud sponsor of My Cultura Podcast Network. Hey, who doesn't love bacon? And did you know Oscar Mayer smokes their delicious bacon for 12 hours over real hardwood? That's a really long time to perfect the smoky flavor

and even longer than it takes to go on a long road trip from Chicago to Pittsburgh, stop for food along the way, and still get there while the bacon is smoking. The point is, Oscar Mayer takes the best cuts and smokes them over real hardwood chips. There's no wrong way to enjoy it. So buy some Oscar Mayer thick cut bacon now.