Podcast Summary:

A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Episode: S4: Week 49 Day 5 — Applying Zechariah 9:9 & John 12:12-16
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Beth and Alexa

Overview of the Episode

This episode centers on practical application of insights gleaned from Zechariah 9:9 (Old Testament prophecy) and John 12:12-16 (New Testament fulfillment) regarding Jesus as the humble King. The hosts, Beth and Alexa, reflect on how the humility of Christ, as seen in both passages, should shape the daily lives and attitudes of believers today. The aim is to encourage listeners to see Jesus at the center of all Scripture and to cultivate humility and surrender to God’s plans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christ’s Example of Humility

• Beth highlights the profound humility of Christ, observed in his life, teachings, death, and relationships.
  • Quote:

    "Jesus's whole attitude was one of humility. He humbly served, he humbly taught, he humbly lived, and he even had humble relationships."
    — Beth (00:49)

• Beth recognizes her own struggle with pride, seeing humility as essential discipleship.
  • She notes the need to "rely on Christ and His work on my heart" in pursuit of humility.

2. Practical Expression of Humility

• Beth offers tangible ways to practice humility by serving in unnoticed, unglamorous roles—at home, work, and church:
  • At home: Picking up toys, cleaning bathrooms
  • At work: Doing dishes, wiping down countertops
  • At church: Greeting newcomers
• Quote:

  "These are all jobs that people aren't usually rushing to go do. But I can volunteer and do those things as a means of humble service. And through doing that, I can hope that my heart and pride might be softened little by little."
  — Beth (01:19)

3. Trusting God’s Plans Over Our Expectations

• Beth reflects on the tendency to presume she understands God’s plans, paralleling the Israelites’ expectations with her own.
  • She recognizes this as a symptom of pride and advocates for submitting to God even when circumstances defy logic.
• Quote:

  "Rather than try and figure out God and all of his plans, I would like to humbly trust him and submit to his plans even when they don't make sense to me."
  — Beth (01:45)

4. Humility in Difficult Relationships

• The co-host/guest identifies her desire to grow in humility with those who are "frustrating" rather than just those who are easy to love.
  • She aspires to respond like Jesus—loving and serving both the agreeable and challenging.
• Quote:

  "It's easy to be humble with people who are kind and easy to get along with... But Jesus was humble with both people who were easy and hard to deal with, which means I'm called to act the same."
  — Co-host (02:17)

  • Her personal application: Engage in prayer, asking God to humble her heart in challenging encounters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Relational Humility:

  "I really want to pray more when I encounter frustrating people and ask God to humble my heart so that I still choose to love and to serve them."
  — Co-host (02:53)

• Beth’s Candid Confession:

  "If I had to pick which of the seven deadly sins I embody the most, it would probably be pride."
  — Beth (00:57)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:49 — Beth introduces the two main application points: humility and trusting God’s plans.
• 01:19 — Practical examples of humble service in everyday life.
• 01:45 — Importance of humbly submitting to God’s plans.
• 02:17 — Co-host discusses humility in relationships, especially with difficult individuals.
• 03:03 — Guided prayer prompts for listeners:
  • Praise God for our righteous and victorious King (03:03)
  • Pray for a humble heart and opportunities to show humility (03:18)
  • Thank Jesus for His humility and ask for help trusting His plans (03:34)

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a warm, honest, practical, and encouraging tone. Both hosts share their reflections authentically, blending self-awareness with relatable, concrete steps for listeners.

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Key Quote / Takeaway | Timestamp | |-------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Opening Reflection | Humility in Christ | "Jesus's whole attitude was one of humility..." | 00:49 | | Practical Application | Humble service | "I can volunteer and do those things as a means of humble service..." | 01:19 | | Spiritual Surrender | Trusting God’s plans | "Rather than try and figure out God and all of his plans..." | 01:45 | | Relational Challenge | Humility with difficult people | "It's easy to be humble with people who are kind..." | 02:17 | | Prayer Prompts | Guided thanksgiving & petition | Praises, prayers for humility, trust | 03:03–03:51|

Conclusion

In wrapping up their exploration of Zechariah 9:9 and John 12:12-16, Beth and Alexa challenge listeners to let Jesus’s humility shape their actions, relationships, and trust in God’s overarching plans. Their honest self-reflection, grounded application points, and practical prayer prompts offer listeners actionable ways to embody Christlike humility in daily living.