Episode 5: The Journey To The Cross Part I

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The Life of Jesus – Episode 5: The Journey to the Cross, Part I

Podcast: The Life of Jesus
Host: Fox Audio Network (Ainsley Earhardt / Shannon Bream)
Date: November 30, 2025
Featured Actors: Sean Astin (Matthew), Neal McDonough (Jesus), John Rhys-Davies (Narrator), and others
Episode Focus: Chapters 19-23 of Matthew – Jesus’ teachings, miracles, entry to Jerusalem, and conflicts with religious leaders

---

Overview

In Episode 5, “The Journey to the Cross, Part I,” listeners are immersed in the events leading up to the final days of Jesus’ earthly life. Through dramatized scripture readings and vivid actor portrayals, the episode brings out the emotional and spiritual depth of Jesus’ ministry as He moves from Galilee towards Jerusalem, foretelling His death and challenging both His disciples and adversaries through parables, miracles, and direct teachings.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jesus’ Teachings on Marriage, Divorce, and Commitment

Timestamps: 01:32 – 03:25

• Jesus is tested by Pharisees about divorce. He roots His reply in creation, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage:
  • “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (01:47, Jesus)
• He discusses divorce as a concession due to “hardness of heart,” affirming that marital faithfulness is the ideal.
• This segment highlights Jesus raising the standard on relationships and commitment.

2. Welcoming Children and the Rich Young Man

Timestamps: 03:25 – 04:43

• Children:
  • Jesus rebukes His disciples for turning children away, saying:
    • “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (03:33, Jesus)
• Rich Young Man:
  • Jesus tells a wealthy inquirer to “sell what you possess and give to the poor,” demonstrating the radical demands of discipleship.
  • Memorable quote:
    • “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (04:53, Jesus)
  • He assures the disciples who have forsaken much that they will be rewarded.

3. Parables on the Kingdom: Laborers in the Vineyard

Timestamps: 05:32 – 08:21

• The parable demonstrates God’s generosity and the reversal of worldly expectations:
  • “So the last will be first and the first last.” (08:18, Jesus)

4. Jesus Foretells His Death

Timestamps: 08:21 – 08:48

• Jesus predicts His betrayal, death, and resurrection:
  • “The Son of Man will be delivered...and they will condemn him to death...and he will be raised on the third day.” (08:27, Jesus)
• The sobering prediction sets the emotional tone for the coming passion.

5. The Nature of True Greatness

Timestamps: 08:48 – 10:07

• When the mother of James and John requests honor for her sons:
  • Jesus teaches servant-leadership:
    • “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant...Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (09:35, Jesus)

6. Miraculous Healing and the Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

Timestamps: 10:07 – 12:27

• Blind Men Healed:
  • Jesus heals two blind men who cry out for mercy.
• Triumphal Entry:
  • Fulfills prophecy, greeted with “Hosanna to the Son of David!” as crowds lay garments and branches:
    • “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (12:06, Crowd/Jesus)
  • City is stirred—profound sense of anticipation and controversy.

7. The Temple Cleansing and Fig Tree

Timestamps: 12:27 – 14:18

• Jesus drives out merchants and money changers:
  • “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” (12:38, Jesus)
• He curses the barren fig tree, teaching on faith and the power of prayer.

8. Authority Challenged and More Parables

Timestamps: 14:18 – 18:21

• Religious leaders question Jesus’ authority—He responds with parables to illustrate their hypocrisy and the consequences of rejecting God’s message (parable of the tenants, parable of the two sons).

9. Parable of the Wedding Feast

Timestamps: 18:21 – 20:07

• A king invites guests to a wedding, but most refuse or mistreat his messengers—emphasizing inclusion, responsibility, and the judgment that comes from refusing God’s invitation.

10. Confrontations: Paying Taxes and the Greatest Commandment

Timestamps: 20:07 – 23:02

• Taxes to Caesar:
  • “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (20:45, Jesus)
• Resurrection Challenge:
  • Jesus corrects misunderstandings about resurrection and eternal life.
• The Great Commandment:
  • “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart...and your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” (22:31, Jesus)

11. The Christ Question and Jesus’ Woes

Timestamps: 23:02 – 26:51

• Jesus questions the Pharisees’ understanding of the Messiah—leaving them speechless.
• He warns the crowds against the hypocrisy of religious leaders:
  • “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (24:33, Jesus)
  • “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men.” (24:52, Jesus)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marriage:
  “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (01:47, Jesus)

• On Wealth:
  “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (04:53, Jesus)

• On Service:
  “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant...Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (09:35, Jesus)

• On Faith:
  “Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” (13:41, Jesus)

• On Divine Image:
  “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (20:45, Jesus)

• On the Law:
  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart...and your neighbour as yourself.” (22:31, Jesus)

---

Reflection & Tone

The episode combines solemnity and anticipation, highlighting both the gathering clouds of opposition and the tenderness of Jesus' interactions with children, outsiders, and His disciples. Through vibrant performances and faithful scripture adaptation, the drama captures the tension, compassion, and gravitas of these crucial moments.

Host reflection:
Ainsley Earhardt/Shannon Bream closes with a meditation on the dangers of offense and the radical capacity for forgiveness and kindness at the heart of Jesus’ teaching—themes drawn from the episode’s scriptural focus.

• “Jesus’ message was one of compassion, kindness and love. These are the antithesis of offense.” (27:34, Host)

---

Key Segment Timestamps

• Teachings on Marriage & Divorce: 01:32 – 03:25
• Welcoming Children / Rich Young Man: 03:25 – 04:43
• Parable of the Laborers: 05:32 – 08:21
• Prediction of Death: 08:21 – 08:48
• Greatness as Service: 08:48 – 10:07
• Miracles & Palm Sunday: 10:07 – 12:27
• Temple Cleansing & Fig Tree: 12:27 – 14:18
• Confrontations & Parables: 14:18 – 23:07
• Woes to Pharisees: 23:48 – 26:51

---

Conclusion

Episode 5 is a compelling, immersive retelling of Jesus’ journey toward the cross, emphasizing discipleship, humility, compassion, and the escalating conflict with religious authorities. It masterfully prepares listeners for the coming trials of Passion Week, challenging them to reflect on the call to love, faith, and true greatness, as defined by Jesus Himself.

Transcript

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

The Life of Jesus podcast is sponsored by Riverbend Ranch. Hello everyone, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you so much for joining me for the next episode of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. We begin today's listening experience with chapter 19 of the book written by Matthew. Sean Astin faithfully portrays the time that immediately preceding Jesus final days on this earth. Though he was unaware at the time the teacher he so greatly loved was preparing for the day of his death. The emotional depth and poignant realism that Neil McDonough brings to these final days of Jesus is beautiful in its profoundly unguarded brokenness. Join me in a journey through the unsettling days that led to the cross. You're listening to the Life of Jesus.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Close your eyes, exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today.

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast.

[Narrator / Jesus]

And breathe.

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order.

[Narrator / Jesus]

1-800-Contacts.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Now. When Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan, and large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Pharisees came up to him and tested him.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause? Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two, but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder. Why then did Moses command one to.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Give a certificate of divorce and to put her away?

[Narrator / Jesus]

For your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. But from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity and marries another, commits adultery. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The disciples said to him, if such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Said, let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And he laid his hands on them and went away. And behold, a young man came up to him, saying, teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?

[Narrator / Jesus]

Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments which you shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

All these I have observed.

[Narrator / Jesus]

What do I still lack? If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When the young man heard this, he went away, sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Jesus said to his disciples, truly I.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven again. I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Who then can be saved? With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Then Peter said in reply, lo, we.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have? Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 Thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last and the last first. For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard, and going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace. To them he said, you go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right, I will give you. So they went, going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour he did the same. And about the 11th hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, why do you stand here idle all day? They said to him, because no one has hired us. He said to them, you go into the vineyard too. And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first. And when those hired about the 11th hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now, when the first came, they thought they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it, they grumbled at the householder, saying, these last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. But he replied to one of them, friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first and the first last.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the 12 disciples aside.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and and kneeling before him, she asked him for something.

[Narrator / Jesus]

What do you want?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Command that these two sons of mine.

[Narrator / Jesus]

May sit one at your right hand.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And one at your left in your kingdom.

[Narrator / Jesus]

You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

James and John said to him, we are.

[Narrator / Jesus]

We are able. You will drink my cup. But to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him, you.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many, as they went out.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by cried out, have mercy on us, son of David.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Have mercy. Have mercy on us.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent. But they cried out the more, lord.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Have mercy on us, son of David.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And Jesus stopped and called them, what.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Do you want me to do for you, Lord? Let our eyes be opened.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And Jesus in pity, touched their eyes. And immediately they received their sight and followed him. When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tide and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, the Lord has need of them and he will send them immediately.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your king is coming to you. Humble and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the ass and the colt and put their garments on them. And he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road. And others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, hosanna to.

[Narrator / Jesus]

The Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred. Who is this?

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.

[Narrator / Jesus]

It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did. And the children crying out in the temple, hosanna to the Son of David. They were indignant.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Do you hear what these are saying? Yes. Have you never read? Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, Thou hast brought perfect praise.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, may no.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Fruit ever come from you again.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled.

[Narrator / Jesus]

How did the fig tree wither at once. Truly I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching. By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?

[Narrator / Jesus]

I also will ask you a question. And if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

They argued with one another. If we say from heaven, he will say to us, why then did you not believe him?

[Narrator / Jesus]

But if we say from men, we.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Are afraid of the multitude, for all hold that John was a prophet. We do not know.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. What do you think? A man had two sons, and he went to the first and said, son, go and work in the vineyard today. And he answered, I will not. But afterward he repented and went. He went to the second and said the same. And he answered, I go, sir, but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The first.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Truly I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the harlots believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower and let it out to tenants and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. The tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, they will respect my son. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, this is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance. And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore, the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants. Who will Give him the fruits in their seasons. Have you never read in the Scriptures? The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. But when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. But when they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes because they held him to be a prophet. And again Jesus spoke to them in parables.

[Narrator / Jesus]

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son. And sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast. But they would not come again. He sent other servants saying, tell those who are invited, behold, I have made ready my dinner. My oxen and my fat calves are killed. And everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast. But they made light of it and went off. One to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants treated them shamefully and and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, the wedding is ready. But those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find. And those servants went out into the street, streets and gathered all whom they found both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. There men will weep and gnash their teeth, for many are called, but few are chosen.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully and care for no man. For you do not regard the position of men. Tell us then what you think.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? But Jesus was aware of their malice.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Why, put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And they brought him a coin whose.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Likeness and inscription is this Caesar's. Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When they heard it, they marveled, and they left him and went away. The same day Sadducees came to him who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question. Teacher Moses said, if a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died and having no children, left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all the woman died in the resurrection. Therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her.

[Narrator / Jesus]

You are wrong, because you neither know the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God? I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not God of the dead, but of the living.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

When the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

Now, while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question.

[Narrator / Jesus]

What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

The son of David.

[Narrator / Jesus]

How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him Lord? Saying, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand till I put thy enemies under thy feet. If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his Son?

[Narrator / Disciples and Crowd]

And no one was able to answer him a word. Nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Then Jesus said to the crowds and.

[Narrator / Jesus]

To his disciples, the scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat. So practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts, and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplaces, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren, and call no man your father on earth, for you have one father who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men. For you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Woe to you blind guides who say, if anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing. But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath, you blind fools, for which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, if anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath, you blind men, for which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred. So he who swears by the altar swears by it, and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and and by him who sits upon it.

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

I'm Shannon Bream, host of the Live in the Bream podcast and author of the Love Stories of the Bible Speak. We'll be back with more from the Life of Jesus podcast series after this.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Shopping is hard, right? But I found a better way Stitch Fix Online Personal styling makes it easy. I just give my stylist my size, style and budget preferences. I order boxes when I want and how I want. No subscription required. And he sends just for me pieces plus outfit recommendations and styling tips. I keep what works and send back the rest. It's so easy make style easy. Get started today@stitch fix.com Spotify that's stitchfix.com Spotify.

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

Offense seems to be a persuasive aspect of society at large. Real or imagined wrongs spark reactions ranging from irritation to outrage. Offense leads to arguments, estrangement, legal battles, and war. At the heart of offense lies the implied complaint how dare you do this to me? The operative word here is me. Offense, by its very nature, demands the focus be squarely placed on self, while at the same time requiring that another be cast in the role of the enemy. Jesus message was one of compassion, kindness and love. These are the antithesis of offense. Compassion, kindness and love require that the good of another be paramount. The natural outgrowth of these is forgiveness. Is it any wonder Jesus taught the supreme value of forgiveness? How would a world look in which offense were rare and understanding was sought by all? What changes would be affected in society if kindness and compassion prevailed? Father, please teach me to put others first. A life of self interest is the opposite of the way of life that Jesus taught. Help me to be more like your son thank you for listening to episode five of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. Make sure to spread the word. Listen ad free with a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts. Amazon prime members can listen ad free on the Amazon Music app.

[Narrator / Jesus]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. You know one of the perks about having four kids that you know about is actually getting a direct line to the big man up north. And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile's Unlimited Wireless for $15 a month. Now you don't even need to wrap it. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Podcast Host (Ainsley Earhart / Shannon Bream)]

Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes if network's busy. Taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.