Original Christmas (pt. 2 of 4)Jesus or Caesar Augustus
In Luke's narrative of the birth of Jesus as the Christ - or the King - we find a compelling contrast with the backdrop of the Roman Empire's Imperial Cult. At that time, the reigning emperor was none other than Caesar Augustus.
Join us as we delve into this intriguing intersection of the stories of Jesus and Caesar Augustus. The New Testament writers challenge us to contemplate a profound question: "Who do you call Lord?" This question carries profound significance, as it forces us to examine the competing claims of authority and divinity during this pivotal moment in history. Discover the parallels and distinctions between these two influential figures and gain fresh insights into the dynamics of power and faith in the ancient world. Resources:
Priene Calendar Inscription: An inscription was found in an ancient city called Priene, which is located in modern-day Turkey. The calendar inscription mentions that Caesar Augustus's birth was considered the "good news" for all humanity. You can read the full inscription here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene
Omrit: Omrit is located in Israel and was one of the (3) sites that Herod the Great built a temple to Caesar Augustus - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omrit
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Original Christmas (pt. 1 of 4)Original Christmas in Bethlehem
For over two millennia, the Christmas story has been recounted countless times, but in doing so, certain embellishments and details have woven themselves into the narrative.
Join me as we examine the biblical account to discern what was originally conveyed. You might find yourself astonished by what has been added and altered over the centuries. Prepare to rediscover the timeless tale of Christmas, stripped of the layers of tradition and myth. Together, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the profound significance of this ancient event. Resources
The website www.earlychristianwritings.com is a tremendous resource for documents that existed within the early years of Christianity.
In the video, I specifically mention a document called the Infancy Gospel of James. Here is a direct link: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/infancyjames-roberts.html
Kenneth Bailey: Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes - https://amzn.to/48hjQO
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Parables of Jesus (pt. 7)
Parables are used when trying to communicate something unknown or difficult. The use of a parable allows the listener to enter into the drama themselves and evaluate how they might behave or with whom they identify.
The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is a masterful piece of storytelling as it causes all of us to react in a particular manner. Using this parable, Jesus challenges us all to examine our capacity to judge those around us. The parable's setting is specific to a first-century Jewish audience who could have easily placed themselves into the drama. It is set at the sacrifice (tamid) that occurred daily at 3 PM at the temple in Jerusalem. This sacrifice was significant in the faith of all Jews, whether in Israel or throughout the diaspora. The daily afternoon sacrifice also becomes a key theme throughout Luke's Gospel and the Book of Acts. Join me as we explore the many details of this incredible parable and how it still speaks to the deepest part of our humanity today. ![]()
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Parables of Jesus (pt. 6)
This video is the second in a two-part series covering the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31.
If you haven't seen part one, I recommend watching that first as it lays the foundation for today's lesson. Part one can be found here. In this second video, we look at the Biblical and cultural references that point to the corrupt priesthood that Jesus includes in the story. Join me for the second half of this remarkable parable. ![]()
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Parables of Jesus (pt. 5)
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly conveys a warning to those who find themselves in power but wield that power incorrectly.
The message of those ‘in power’ vs. those ‘out of power’ is particularly focused in Luke’s gospel. More than Matthew, Mark, and John - Luke emphasizes that those in power must take responsibility to act on behalf of the poor and disaffected. Into this motif comes the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The parable is a masterpiece of storytelling. Jesus uses a framework that would be familiar to his listeners in his first-century Israeli culture (see here or here – are the examples cited most by scholars). The familiar folklore surrounds two common themes: 1. The theme of a “role reversal” or a reversal of fortunes – Rich v. Poor. 2. The living receiving a message from beyond the grave as a warning. Jesus then adapts these common themes to his message and imbues it with references from the Old Testament and cultural thinking from first-century Judaism. These combine to create a pointed warning for those in charge - “repent,” or you will lose your inheritance. Join me for this two-part series as we explore this parable. ![]()
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The first century was a volatile time for the nation of Israel. Rome was hated. Religious institutions had been corrupted. The ordinary people suffered injustices of many kinds.
Jesus came on the scene c.a. 30 AD with a message of forgiveness. Jesus' message is that the path forward to peace is through forgiveness, not violence or hatred of one another (think Zealots). Jesus' message was that "a house divided cannot stand" (Matt. 12:25). One must be able to forgive their brother/sister for any upset that has been caused. Even more than forgiving your fellow Israelite, you must also choose to forgive your enemy and those who persecute you. This was a hard message to accept. In fact, they rejected it.
"The Burnt House" museum in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem.
This house was burned by the Roman army in 70 AD.
Over the next forty years, the violence towards and hatred of one another increased in Israel.
In 66 AD. Rome put it's boot down, and a war began. By 70 AD, Jerusalem was under siege. Eventually, under the command of Titus, the Roman army destroyed both God's Temple and the city of Jerusalem. As the Rabbi's reflected back on this period and how God's house could be destroyed a second time, the answer they arrived at was "baseless hatred." "Baseless hatred" - they hated each other for no reason. Join us in this lesson as we compare Jesus' message of forgiveness with the idea of "Baseless Hatred." One can' help but recognize the similarities to the times in which we live today.
To help you with your studies see the lesson plan below:
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Listen on SoundCloudParables of Jesus (pt. 4)"Woe to the pot!"
This video is the second installment in a two-part series that examines the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12).
In this segment, we will explore Psalm 118:22-24, with a particular focus on the phrase "the stone the builders rejected." We will delve into how Jesus identifies Himself as that very "stone." Furthermore, we will consider a Rabbinic saying that sheds light on a statement found in both Matthew (Matt. 21:44) and Luke (Luke 20:18). The Rabbis express: "If a stone falls on a pot, woe to the pot. If a pot falls on a stone, woe to the pot. Either way, woe to the pot!" If indeed Jesus is this stone, then those upon whom it descends face great peril.
Stones from the Temple Mount thrown down by the Romans in 70 AD.
For more photos of the area known as Robinson's Arch at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem - Jerusalem Robinson's Arch
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Reference Material:
Brad Young, Jesus the Jewish Theologian - has an extended discussion of this parable and the connections to Jewish thought.
Parables of Jesus (pt. 3)Are We Restricting the Fruits of God's Kingdom?
The parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12) is a masterful weaving together of Old Testament passages.
Jesus directs this message towards the religious leaders - the priests and the teachers of the law. With Psalm 2 as a backdrop, Jesus integrates Isaiah 5 and Psalm 118 in a way that conveys two things: 1. Jesus' identity as the Messiah (the Christ). 2. the actions of the religious leaders in opposing him. By the reaction of the religious leaders, they knew the parable concerned them.
The confrontation in Mark 12 takes place here at the temple mount in Jerusalem.
A Faith Lesson from this parable is that religious leaders everywhere should be wary of themselves turning into the "tenant farmers" and restricting the fruit of the kingdom through their own actions.
Let us all - especially those in leadership - take this message to heart. ![]()
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Reference Material:
Kenneth E. Bailey - Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels
Brad Young: The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation Brad Young: Jesus the Jewish Theologian McArthur and Johnston - They Also Taught in Parables: Rabbinic Parables from the First Centuries of the Christian Era Parables of JesusUnstoppable Kingdom of God
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the most well-known and widely discussed of Jesus’ parables.
Perhaps its simplicity is what has captured our imagination. The parable itself is only two verses long, and yet, the brilliance of its allusions keeps the discussion alive after nearly two-thousand years. In the final analysis, the parable of the mustard seed – along with the parable of yeast (covered in Introduction to Parables part I) – paint a dynamic picture of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is a dynamic force. It requires only a small amount to get started. And yet, from that small amout, it permeates all areas of life. Once the kingdom of God begins to advance, no man can stop it.
We are called to be "kingdom builders." Our job is to plant the seeds where we can.
Like the mustard seed - our seeds can be small. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, those small seeds grow into a magnificent tree that the kingdom to flourish. Parable of the Mustard Seed Class Handout![]()
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Reference Material:
Kenneth E. Bailey - Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels
Brad Young: The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation Brad Young: Jesus the Jewish Theologian McArthur and Johnston - They Also Taught in Parables: Rabbinic Parables from the First Centuries of the Christian Era Parables of Jesus (pt. 1)Understanding the Function of Parables
We've all come across Jesus' parables. Some of these stories have been revisited time and again throughout our lives.
But haven't we all, at some point, finished reading a parable and wondered, "What exactly did that mean?" In the ancient Near Eastern culture, storytelling techniques like parables and fables were cornerstones of communication. Jewish Rabbis and their audiences eagerly anticipated teachings being shared through captivating stories that sparked their imaginations. By narrating a simple parable, listeners could easily recall the teachings about God as they went about their day. Seamlessly intertwined with Biblical references, these stories highlighted profound truths about God, His kingdom, and our role in it. As these tales are passed down, the embedded truths resonate more deeply over time. ![]()
Reference Material:
Kenneth E. Bailey - Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels
Brad Young: The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation Brad Young: Jesus the Jewish Theologian McArthur and Johnston - They Also Taught in Parables: Rabbinic Parables from the First Centuries of the Christian Era
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The Bible is an ancient Near Eastern document. As such, communication is always preferred in a "concrete" manner. One of the ways of making an abstract idea "concrete" - and therefore easier to communicate - is to speak in metaphor using something that everyone would know from their surroundings.
A favorite is the use of specific plants. It is the characteristics of the particular plant which carries the message. In today's video, we look at a peculiar plant that is used by Jeremiah to communicate about those who do not place their trust in God. Join us as we explore this desert plant of Jeremiah 17.
Lesson Handout:
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Reference Material:
For this lesson I refer to a book by Nogah Hareuveni called Desert and Shepherd in our Biblical Heritage. As a note - Nogah Hareuveni is Jewish - so the "our" in the title of his book "in our Biblical Heritage" refers to Jewish heritage. Many of his quotes are from Jewish writings such as the Mishna or Talmud. Listen on SoundCloudThe fastest growing religious cult in the 1st century surrounded the worship of a god called Mithras. Many link the birthday of this god - December 25 - to the dating of the Christmas celebration as we know it today. Mithras was envisioned as a powerful god who had the ability to control the cosmos. There are no sacred writings from this cult, only the sculptures found within the Mithras worship sites - called Tauroctony. The Tauroctony tells the story of Mithras through the symbols of the zodiac. Due to the discovery of the Procession of the Equinoxes by Hipparchus many in the ancient world were looking for a god that was bigger than the cosmos. By the time of the advent of Jesus the world is primed to be looking for a God that has the power to enter the cosmos and bring shalom. Join us in this faith lesson as we explore the origins of this mystery cult. For further study I recommend the work by David Ulansey. You can find an article on the Cosmic Mysteries of Mithras at David Ulansey's website. A link is provided here: http://www.mysterium.com/mithras.html I also recommend an article that was published in the Journal of Biblical Literature on the cosmic symbolism found within the gospel of Mark. A link provided here: http://www.mysterium.com/veil.html Gethsemane - COVOID-19 Zoom edition!
This latest video is a recording of a class conducted on Easter Sunday during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recording is of a Zoom class which explains the audio. As skill with Zoom increases, so will the overall quality of video production. Jesus and his disciples ate their final meal together. From the upper room, they walked past the Temple, through the Kidron Valley, to a place called Gethsemane. The Gethsemane itself provides insight into the events of that night. Join us as we explore what the Gethsemane is and how we can better understand the events of that fateful night. In today's teaching we look at two separate but related items: the Feast of Tabernacles and Jesus' birthday. The Feast of Tabernacles is the final of the seven festivals. It occurs in the fall - generally the end of September to beginning of October on our western calendar. It is an eight day long festival with the final day being the "greatest" day of the feast - called the Hoshana Rabbah - which translates "the Great Hosanna." Hosanna is the transliteration of two Hebrew words, Hosha and Na. Hosha = Save. Na = Now Holiday Resources:Free: Our Daily Bread, Discovery Series (download PDF): "The Holiday's of God: Spring Feasts"
Free: Our Daily Bread Discovery Series (download PDF): "The Holiday's of God: Fall Feasts" Books: "God's Day Timer" - Mark Blitz "God's Appointed Times" - Rabbi Barney Kasden "The Feasts of the Lord" - Howard & Rosenthal Holiday Review
In today's teaching we look at how Jesus fulfills the holiday Day of Atonement as the scapegoat who takes away the sins of the world.
Additionally, there is an interesting comment in the Jewish writings - the Talmud - about something which took place "forty years before the destruction of the Temple" in Jerusalem - around 30 AD. Holiday Resources:
Free: Our Daily Bread, Discovery Series (download PDF): "The Holiday's of God: Spring Feasts"
Free: Our Daily Bread Discovery Series (download PDF): "The Holiday's of God: Fall Feasts" Books: "The Feasts of the Lord" - Howard & Rosenthal |
Teacher Scott Broberg - I have a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) from Bethel Seminary - San Diego - Biblical Studies with and emphasis on the Old Testament. Categories
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Favorite Websites:
- Ladder of Jacob
- Our Rabbi Jesus - That the World May Know - Early Jewish Writings - Early Christian Writings - Abarim Publications - Hebrew 4 Christians - Holy Land Photos - Biblical Archaeology Society - Ancient Hebrew Research Center - First Fruits of Zion - Jerusalem Perspective - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - Flavius Josephus.org - Bible Archaeology Report - Hebrew Streams - Biblical Resources Archives
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