Change Church Podcast: Episode Summary - "He Ate"
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels
Podcast: Change Church Podcast
Introduction
In the episode titled "He Ate", Pastor Dharius Daniels delves deep into the teachings of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew. He emphasizes that Jesus is not only our Redeemer but also our Rabbi, aiming to teach us how to live a full and abundant life. This episode is part of a series leading up to Easter, focusing on establishing Jesus as the greatest of all time.
Jesus as Redeemer and Rabbi
Pastor Daniels begins by highlighting the dual roles of Jesus. He asserts, “Jesus is the greatest of all time and that the greatest of all time not only wants to be your redeemer, he wants to be your rabbi” (00:04). This perspective shifts the traditional view of Jesus solely as a savior to also being a teacher who guides us in maximizing our life's potential.
Understanding "He Ate"
The central theme of the episode revolves around the phrase "He Ate." Pastor Daniels explains that in contemporary urban slang, saying someone "ate" means they performed exceptionally well. He states, “It's a designation that's given to the different... extraordinary at what they did” (00:45).
He challenges listeners to move beyond mere admiration of excellence and instead seek to learn from it. Referencing Jesus, he emphasizes that “he came to teach us how to do it” (02:15), encouraging believers to adopt Jesus' teachings into their lives.
Living an Abundant Life
Drawing from John 10:10, Pastor Daniels contrasts a life of mere existence with one of abundance. He quotes, “He has come that they may have life, and not just a little bit of it, but they may have it to the full” (04:30). He urges listeners to transition from simply living to truly living by embracing the quality of life Jesus offers.
“If Jesus is good enough to give it, we should be grateful enough to receive it” (05:10).
The Book of Matthew
Pastor Daniels explores the Gospel of Matthew, highlighting its structured nature. He notes Matthew's background as a former tax collector, which equipped him with skills such as attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping. This organization is evident in how Matthew presents Jesus' lineage, birth, baptism, and ministry.
“God will redeem skills and traits you use for one thing and show you how to use them for another” (07:50).
He encourages listeners to recognize that their past does not define their future, aligning with Matthew's portrayal of Jesus' bloodline.
Maintaining Identity Before Ministry
Focusing on Jesus' baptism, Pastor Daniels underscores the importance of identity. He references Matthew 3, where God proclaims Jesus as “my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (10:20), even before Jesus begins His public ministry. This affirmation establishes Jesus' identity independent of His works.
“I am who I am before I build this, and I am who I am after I build this” (12:05).
He advises believers to solidify their identity in God to prevent it from being swayed by external circumstances or achievements.
Spiritual Warfare and the Battle of the Mind
Transitioning to Matthew 4, Pastor Daniels discusses the nature of spiritual battles, emphasizing that the most significant fights occur within our minds. He reads Matthew 4:1-3 and explains how Satan targets moments of emptiness to introduce temptation.
“The battle wasn't about the wilderness. The battle was about the mind” (15:30).
Using personal anecdotes, such as learning to change oil in a car with his father, he illustrates the importance of holding onto God's words during times of temptation.
“Hold what you got” (18:45).
The Discipline of Meditation
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the concept of meditation as a spiritual discipline. Pastor Daniels differentiates between cultural, church, and biblical approaches to meditation:
- Cultural Meditation: Rooted in Eastern practices, focusing on emptying the mind for relaxation rather than spiritual renewal.
- Church Meditation: Often conflates memorization with internalization, treating scripture as an intellectual exercise rather than a transformative encounter.
- King's (Biblical) Meditation: Involves filling the mind with God's truth through study, recitation, storage, reflection, and revelation.
He passionately declares, “Biblical meditation is... study the word, speak the word, store the word, and surrender to the word” (25:15), aligning it with Joshua 1:8.
“Prayerfully, Lord, we have heard your word today. Now would you help us apply it...” (30:00).
Biblical Meditation vs. Cultural and Church Practices
Pastor Daniels critiques both cultural and traditional church interpretations of meditation. He points out that while cultural meditation seeks detachment and temporary peace, biblical meditation is about devotion and transformation.
“Biblical meditation... is a spiritual discipline that Jesus practiced that most Christians don't” (28:40).
He emphasizes that true meditation involves:
- Recitation: Speaking and storing God's truth.
- Repetition: Revisiting and rehearsing scripture daily.
- Reflection: Allowing the Word to read us.
- Revelation: Letting the Holy Spirit illuminate the scripture for daily wisdom.
“Meditation will fuel you for your fight” (35:20).
Conclusion and Call to Action
In wrapping up, Pastor Daniels urges listeners to adopt biblical meditation as a means to strengthen their faith, maintain focus, filter out false teachings, and engage in effective spiritual warfare. He reinforces the idea that through disciplined meditation, believers can live abundantly as Jesus intended.
“Proclaim the Word, pursue it, and surrender to it” (45:50).
“May 2025 be the year you live” (50:10).
He closes with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to help listeners apply His word to their current seasons and glorify Him through their lives.
Notable Quotes
- 00:45 – “It's a designation that's given to the different... extraordinary at what they did.”
- 02:15 – “He came to teach us how to do it.”
- 04:30 – “He has come that they may have life, and not just a little bit of it, but they may have it to the full.”
- 05:10 – “If Jesus is good enough to give it, we should be grateful enough to receive it.”
- 07:50 – “God will redeem skills and traits you use for one thing and show you how to use them for another.”
- 10:20 – “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
- 12:05 – “I am who I am before I build this, and I am who I am after I build this.”
- 15:30 – “The battle wasn't about the wilderness. The battle was about the mind.”
- 18:45 – “Hold what you got.”
- 25:15 – “Biblical meditation is... study the word, speak the word, store the word, and surrender to the word.”
- 28:40 – “Biblical meditation is a spiritual discipline that Jesus practiced that most Christians don't.”
- 35:20 – “Meditation will fuel you for your fight.”
- 45:50 – “Proclaim the Word, pursue it, and surrender to it.”
- 50:10 – “May 2025 be the year you live.”
Final Thoughts
Pastor Dharius Daniels' "He Ate" episode challenges believers to transcend mere existence and embrace a life enriched by Jesus' teachings. By adopting biblical meditation, listeners are encouraged to cultivate a resilient faith, sharpen their spiritual focus, and live abundantly as intended by their Savior and Teacher.