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Rabbi Schneider is equipping the body of Christ, building the church, and evangelizing the world. From the Old and New Testament, learn the biblical roots of Christianity and Jesus' Jewish heritage.
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0:00 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for help in time of need. Hebrews 40:12 16. Gracious heavenly father, thank you for this incredible invitation to approach you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we0:23 will find grace and mercy in our time of need. Help us to truly understand and appreciate this profound privilege. You have opened the way for0:35 us through the sacrifice of your son. Because of him, we can come to you directly with all our fears, doubts, struggles, and joys.0:48 Teach us to turn to you in every situation, whether in times of joy, pain, or uncertainty. May we continuously seek your face,1:01 assured that you are always ready to listen, to extend mercy, and to grant us the grace we need. In the precious name of Jesus,1:13 we pray. Amen. Thank you for sharing this moment of prayer. Now, immerse yourself in the teachings of today's episode from Stories of the Messiah1:25 with Rabbi Schneider.1:37 The voice of God had remained silent towards his chosen people for 400 years. The sons and daughters of Israel ached for the arrival of their prophesied savior, a messiah promised by the1:48 scriptures to liberate them from their shackles. Despite the silence, their faith persisted, grounded by rituals and traditions that wove the fabric of their unique culture.2:00 Israel had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance, albeit under the crushing weight of Rome's iron rule. Judaism thrived, yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisaical2:12 interpretations, and Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace. Israel cried out for a savior to quell the religious and military turmoil. In the age of King Herod's reign over2:24 Judea, a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth served as pillars of their community. Childless yet devout, they sought solace and purpose in serving God. The2:36 barrenness of their union was a silent wound they carried, yet they found fulfillment in different ways. Zechariah was a priest, and Elizabeth was a nurturing presence in their village.2:47 Your business deploys AI pilots everywhere. But are they going anywhere? Or are they stuck in silos, exhausting resources, unable to scale? Maybe you don't need hundreds of AI pilots. You need a2:59 holistic strategy. IBM has 65000 consultants with gen AI expertise who can help you design, integrate, and optimize AI solutions. So you're not just deploying AI, you're3:11 scaling it across your business. Learn more at I b m dot com slash consulting. IBM. Let's create.3:17 Pro paint days are back at Lowe's. That means it's time to save big on your next job. Right now, get your choice of 5 gallon pails of Valspara signature ceiling paint or HGTV home by Sherwin3:29 Williams flat ceiling paint for just 148 dollars. 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We're taking time from now until Christmas to4:31 explore the rich and powerful story of the nativity. So far, we have taken time to set the stage for Christ's arrival. We immersed ourselves in prophecy and history4:43 to put ourselves in the shoes of ancient Israel. The prophecies have been declared, the Buddha of Rome has pressed down harder, and Israel is ready for a redeemer.4:55 Now, we enter the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. These 2 figures are significant to the overarching narrative of scripture. Zechariah is a priest under the old5:07 covenant of Israel. He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf of God's people. He represents the law of Moses and the relationship between God and Israel.5:19 Elizabeth, much like the matriarchs of the Old Testament, is barren in her old age. She also represents the old covenant people who pine after a child to save them.5:31 Zechariah and Elizabeth are about to be visited by an angel, hearkening to the arrival of a new covenant established by God. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the5:43 transition between the old and new testaments. So let's immerse ourselves in their story in this dramatic retelling of Luke chapter 1. After, we'll take time to unpack5:55 the timeless Christmas themes.5:59 Zechariah rose from his bed with aching bones. The sun rose over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Its light trickled in ever so slightly through his window, illuminating his sleeping wife beside6:11 him. He adorned himself in his ceremonial garb and prepared for the day of atonement, a sacred occasion marked by offerings and sacrifices. His priestly division was assigned to perform the rites that day.6:23 As he ascended the temple steps, the golden tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light. Zechariah greeted his fellow priests as they prepared to cast lots for the day's rolls, a ritual of6:34 divine selection. As the crowd of worshipers swelled outside the temple, lots were cast under the radiant glow of the sunrise. Zechariah looked on as 2 of his companions were chosen to prepare the altar6:46 and perform the morning sacrifice. As the third lot was cast, the honor of offering incense in the Holy of Holies, Zechariah's heart pounded with anticipation. To his6:58 disbelief, his name emerged, bestowing him the rare opportunity to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A resonating gong signaled his steps towards the imposing veil7:10 that partitioned the Holy of Holies. Clutching the incense, he entered the veiled room, an enclave reserved for the yearly ritual. The dimly lit sanctuary, accented by the7:22 soft glow of a solitary lampstand, was filled with the smoky aroma of incense. An unnerving silence pervaded, broken only by Zechariah's heightened heartbeat.7:34 Zechariah looked around, getting the feeling that he was not alone. He knew that entering the inner sanctuary meant he would be in the presence of God. Yet, he felt something else7:46 in the room, something otherworldly was with him. Before he could articulate a prayer, a radiant being appeared beside the altar. Zechariah covered his eyes and fell to his knees.7:58 A messenger from God stood before him, an angel whose visage was partially obscured by the incense smoke. Zechariah pressed his face to the ground, his mind consumed by the notion8:09 of imminent death. Is God going8:12 to strike me down? Thought Zechariah. Fear overcame him. The angel's features were human like, but he was not a mere man. Perched beside the altar, he spoke with calming reassurance,8:25 saying,8:26 Fear not, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard,8:31 He said, a hint of a smile dancing on his divine features. As Zechariah stood up, the angel unfolded a divine prophecy.8:40 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. The joy and gladness of his birth will bless your home, for the Lord has chosen8:52 him for greatness.8:54 A smile curled around the angel's face.8:57 He will turn many of the children of Israel back to their God, and he will go before him with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children,9:09 and their disobedient back to wisdom. He will prepare the way of the Lord.9:15 Zechariah listened with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being stood before him, the concept of his wife conceiving at her age seemed impossible.9:25 But how can this be? Zechariah explained. I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. We couldn't possibly I am Gabriel.9:37 The angel interrupted with righteous light.9:39 I stand in the presence of God himself. I was sent to bring you good news, yet you stand here in doubt of his power. Because you have not believed my words,9:51 you will be silent until the promise of God has been fulfilled.9:56 Zechariah held his mouth and felt the power of his voice leave him. In an instant, Gabriel departed from him. Emerging from the holy of holies, Zechariah was rendered mute, instilling a10:08 sense of trepidation amongst the other priests. He returned home, unable to share what he had seen. He entered his home and greeted his wife. They held each other close, and Zechariah shared a10:20 tender moment with his bride of many years. In the ensuing months, Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of life within her. As she touched her belly, tears of joy streamed down her face. Even10:32 as she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his enforced silence, they felt the divine hand in their lives. However, the full breadth of God's plan was yet to unfurl. Something they would10:44 realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's cousin, Mary.10:51 Our ministry Discovering the Jewish Jesus has been dedicated to finding the synergy between the gospel and the Hebrew Bible. 1 of the most significant links between the 2 is the story11:02 of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist. These figures connect the traditions of the Old Testament to the hope of the New Testament. Zechariah is a priest under the old11:14 covenant of Israel. He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf of God's people. Those sacrifices ultimately pointed toward the atonement of Jesus on the11:26 cross. When he meets Gabriel, he is told that his son would be a herald proclaiming the way of the Lord. John the Baptist would go on to be a forerunner for Jesus,11:38 preparing people's hearts for his arrival. We can't underestimate the powerful imagery used in the account of Luke. Zechariah entered the presence of God with fear, adorned11:50 in ceremonial garments, not sure if he would live or die. Contrast that with the encouragement we were given in Hebrews 4. Having then a great high priest who has passed12:02 through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let's hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but 1 who has12:14 been in all points tempted like we are yet without sin. Let's therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive12:26 mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. The role of a priest like Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God, making12:37 prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense, Jesus is our high priest who connects us to the heart of God. Because of his sacrifice on the12:49 cross, we don't have to approach God with trepidation but rather with boldness and assurance of his love for us. Zechariah's story is the last biblical13:01 account of a temple ritual, hearkening to a new age of Christ who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. There is also profound imagery found in13:13 Elizabeth. She had waited long for the Lord to provide her with a child and a lost hope that she would ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state of Israel13:24 then. Israel had pined after the promised sun foretold by the prophets, but it had been so long that hope was fading. But God was on the move. He visited13:37 Elizabeth in her old age just like he did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah. He opened up her womb and gave her a son, John. All these accounts in the13:48 Bible of barren wombs bearing children illustrate what God does in our hearts. Spiritually speaking, we are unable to produce life for ourselves. We feel empty and14:00 without hope. But God chooses to enliven us with his Spirit and fill us to the brim with new life. The miraculous nature of John's conception also prepares14:12 us for another miraculous conception. In our next episode, we will meet Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, who receives a visit from the angel, Gabriel. God chooses14:24 her to carry a significant burden and the world will never be the same. If you have enjoyed this podcast, consider sharing with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to change14:36 lives. If you're interested in my ministry, you can visit Discovering The Jewish Jesus dot com. For more engaging and transformative biblical stories, download the pray dot14:48 com app.14:49 Be merry, be bright, be love this holiday season with sparkling holiday gifts from Pandora jewelry. Get wrapped up in the season of love with a precious piece of Pandora jewelry. From15:01 festive charms to shimmering rings, earrings, and lab grown diamonds, brighten up the holidays with glittering gifts for everyone on your list, and 1 for you too. 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