Part 15 - God's New People Are Called

Summary

The Big Picture Story Bible

Podcast: The Big Picture Story Bible
Host: Crossway
Episode: Part 15 – God’s New People Are Called
Date: April 28, 2020
Narrator: David Helm

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Episode Overview

In Part 15, "God’s New People Are Called," David Helm retells the pivotal moment when Jesus' public ministry begins. This episode explores how God prepared his people for the coming of Jesus, introduces John the Baptist’s unique role, and shows how Jesus gathered his first disciples—connecting the story to the broader biblical theme of God forming a new people for Himself.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Preparation: Thirty Years of Waiting

• The narrative opens with a sense of expectation and patience.
  • "Thirty years passed, and Jesus grew from a baby into a man. Thirty years passed and the world still had not heard the message the angels had sung to the shepherds." (00:00)
• Despite the angels’ past proclamation, the good news about Jesus had yet to be widely shared or embraced.

2. John the Baptist’s Distinct Role

• God chooses a man, not angels, to begin preparing people:
  • "God didn’t use angels this time. Instead, God used a man. This man was already teaching people about God’s kingdom. This man lived in the desert and his name was John." (00:24)
• John’s unconventional ways don’t prevent people from seeking him:
  • "John did not dress like most of God’s people. John did not eat like most of God’s people. John did not speak like most of God’s people. But that did not keep God’s people from coming out to the desert to listen to John." (00:35)
• John baptizes crowds, urging them to ready their hearts for the coming kingdom.

3. The Question of John’s Identity

• People wonder if John is the promised savior:
  • "Some began to wonder, could John be the prophet sent to rescue us? Could John be the one to give us back God’s place? Could John be the king who will bless all the people of the earth?" (01:11)
• John clarifies his purpose:
  • "John told them, 'No, I am not the promised one, but I am preparing the way for the king.'" (01:23)

4. The Baptism of Jesus: A Revealing Moment

• Jesus comes to John at the river, asking to be baptized.
• After baptizing Jesus, a divine affirmation occurs:
  • "When John baptized Jesus, a dove flew down and rested on Jesus. A loud voice came from heaven. 'You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased.'" (01:38)
    • This moment marks Jesus publicly as God’s chosen King and Son.

5. Jesus Gathers His New People

• John points others to follow Jesus:
  • "John told the people that Jesus was God’s promised king. He told them to follow Jesus because Jesus could take away their sin." (01:56)
• Jesus teaches about God’s kingdom and calls his first disciples:
  • "To some, he said, 'Follow me.' Jesus chose 12 followers to be his special disciples." (02:12)

6. Echoes of God’s Past Promises

• The story draws a parallel with Jacob’s twelve sons, underlining God’s pattern of forming a people:
  • "Do you remember Jacob’s twelve sons? Well, Jesus was beginning to call out a new people for God." (02:19)
• This signals the beginning of a renewed people for God, shaped by Jesus’ call and leadership.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s approach:
  • "God didn’t use angels this time. Instead, God used a man." (00:24)
• On John’s mission:
  • "No, I am not the promised one, but I am preparing the way for the king." (01:23)
• On Jesus’ identity:
  • "You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased." (01:44)
• On the start of the church:
  • "Jesus was beginning to call out a new people for God." (02:19)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 00:24: Introduction; 30 years of waiting after Jesus’ birth
• 00:24 – 00:50: John the Baptist appears and gathers crowds
• 00:51 – 01:23: People question if John is the promised King; John clarifies his role
• 01:24 – 01:56: Jesus’ baptism by John and divine affirmation from heaven
• 01:57 – 02:19: Jesus’ public ministry begins; calling of disciples; the formation of God’s new people

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Episode Tone and Style

The narration is warm and inviting, using simple, child-friendly language while steadily unfolding the deeper themes of God’s redemptive story. The tone remains devotional and reflective, embedding biblical truths and connecting them to God’s larger plan for his people.

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This episode artfully introduces listeners to the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry and the calling of a new community, all while anchoring these events in the grand sweep of the biblical narrative.

Transcript

[A]

Part 15 God's new people are called. Thirty years passed, and Jesus grew from a baby into a man. 30 years passed and the world still had not heard the message the angels had sung to the shepherds. Thirty years passed, and so far no one had become a follower of Jesus. Do you know how God told people they should follow his son? God didn't use angels this time. Instead, God used a man. This man was already teaching people about God's kingdom. This man lived in the desert and his name was John. John did not dress like most of God's people. John did not eat like most of God's people. John did not speak like most of God's people. But that did not keep God's people from coming out to the desert to listen to John. John was baptizing people to get them ready for the coming kingdom of God. People came from the hills and valleys. They came from beauty, big cities and small towns. In fact, so many people came that some began to wonder, could John be the prophet sent to rescue us? Could John be the one to give us back God's place? Could John be the king who will bless all the people of the earth? John told them, no, I am not the promised one, but I am preparing the way for the king. And then one day, when John was baptizing people in the river, Jesus came to him and asked to be baptized. When John baptized Jesus, a dove flew down and rested on Jesus. A loud voice came from heaven. You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased. John told the people that Jesus was God's promised king. He told them to follow Jesus because Jesus could take away their sin. People began to listen to Jesus preach about the kingdom of God. And to some, he said, follow me. Jesus chose 12 followers to be his special disciples. Do you remember Jacob's 12 sons? Well, Jesus was beginning to call out a new people for God.