Unashamed with the Robertson Family – Episode 1206

Overview

In this episode of Unashamed, the Robertson family—Al, Jason (Jase), Zach, and occasional contributions from Lisa—share heartfelt stories about family, faith, and memorable encounters, all flowing into an in-depth conversation about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus as recounted in John 19. The episode oscillates between family anecdotes (including a rock-and-roll brush-off from Pat Benatar), warm reflections on Christian community, generational legacy, and a deep, nuanced Bible study. The centerpiece: the true meaning and symbolism behind the crown of thorns placed on Jesus.

Family Updates & Fun Stories

Cold Weather & Idaho Adventures

• [00:06–03:50]
  • Al recounts visiting a longstanding Christian school in rural Idaho (est. 1908), where a fundraiser was held involving auctioning off a duck call and a dinner with Al and Lisa.
  • Jase reminisces about duck hunting on the Snake River with Phil.

Max’s Engagement and Musical Dreams

• [04:01–08:38]
  • Zach shares the story of his oldest son Max’s engagement to Annabelle: a surprise proposal during a house concert by Max’s band (Dasher the Band).
  • The proposal was orchestrated as part of a Kickstarter ‘house show’ reward, culminating in a public, emotional moment that brought tears to family and friends.
  • “Well, when she gets up there, he sings the rest of the song and then he does the proposal.” – Zach [07:53]
  • “Mama was crying. I even teared up myself.” – Zach [08:42]

Family, LSU, and Shirt Sponsors

• [09:09–11:16]
  • Al jokes about favoring Max because he’s a diehard LSU fan, unlike the rest of the mixed-college-loyalty family.
  • Discussion of the origin of Dasher the Band’s name and their musical connections (e.g., being produced with help from Brown Bannister, Amy Grant’s producer).

Celebrity Encounters: The Pat Benatar Snub

• [24:25–28:53]
  • Al recounts a memorable incident at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where Pat Benatar reportedly “was not happy because she’s having to share the bus with the Duck Dynasty people.”
  • “She was not a fan.” – Al [26:58]
  • The family riffs on the mishap with playful banter about Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and classic rock mixes.
  • “Rejected by Pat Benatar.” — Zach [26:59]
  • “I would have played ‘Love Is a Battlefield’ because this is it.” – Jason [27:17]

Priorities: Duck Season Over Everything

• [29:03–30:20]
  • Jase tells of declining an invitation to play golf at Augusta National with Bubba Watson because it conflicted with opening day of duck season.
  • “If you turn this down, I’m never asking you again.” – Al paraphrasing Bubba Watson [29:54]

Faith, Family, and Generational Legacy

Raising Godly Offspring

• [20:23–24:25]
  • Zach reflects on thankfulness that his children are choosing spouses who love and proclaim Jesus.
  • “I am thankful that they're choosing people that love Jesus.” – Zach [21:22]
  • The conversation underscores the difficulty and value of marriage, with references to counseling couples, generational patterns, and working through hardship.
  • “It's better to be together always and work through whatever it is and deal with whatever it is.” – Al [23:07]

Pop Culture and Faith: Love is a Battlefield

• [24:25–25:53]
  • Jase jokes that “Pat Benatar summed it up, love is a battlefield”—a sentiment Al admits he didn’t understand until he was well into marriage himself.
  • They tie the song’s message into the biblical definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13.

Deep Dive: The True Meaning of the Crown of Thorns

Setting the Stage: John 19 and Its Impact

• [30:28–33:19]
  • Al transitions the discussion to scripture, setting up John 19 (“we’ve made it to John 19 finally”), with Jase noting the stark reactions people have to the Gospel story, whether new believers or jaded veterans of church.
  • “The thrill of the simple story of Jesus is gone... But this passage tells the story, connecting all the dots from what was prophesied—the Kingdom, the King, and the forces of evil he came to disarm.” – Jase [32:10]

The Embarrassment of the Cross

• [33:19–36:41]
  • The family discusses how, on first reading, the humiliation of Jesus—creator of the universe—can seem “embarrassing” and even shocking.
  • They read 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 to emphasize that “none of the rulers of this age understood; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

The Humanity and Divinity of Christ

• [38:08–45:16]
  • Conversation on Christ's dual nature: fully God, fully man. They unpack challenging doctrines and misunderstandings—why Jesus had to be human, what it means he faced temptation (Hebrews 4:15), and why he had to die a criminal’s death.
  • “Why tempt him if he could not have sinned? He just chose not to. He fulfilled the law, became the faithful Israelite to redeem Israel and thus the whole world.” – Jase [41:29]
  • “He doesn’t empty himself of his divinity... In his incarnated state, there were limitations on Christ.” – Zach [43:49]

Scripture Focus: The Trial, Crown of Thorns, and Crucifixion

John 19:1–16 – The Crown and the Mocking

• [46:16–50:42]
  • Al reads the passage describing Jesus being flogged, dressed in a purple robe and a crown of thorns, and beheld by Pilate with the words, “Here is the man.”
  • The Jewish leaders insist “he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God,” to which Pilate is visibly troubled.
  • The chief priests proclaim, “We have no king but Caesar,” which the hosts highlight as a moment of profound blasphemy and irony.

Symbolism of the Crown of Thorns

• [50:42–56:08]
  • Jase notes the thorns’ first appearance after Adam’s sin (Genesis), tying the crown on Jesus to the curse and new creation.
  • “Because he wore the thorns, we get to wear his likeness. And trying to wrap your head around that is very exciting.” – Jase [56:10]
  • Jase shares his excitement about the original Greek word for “wear”—found in both John 19 and 1 Corinthians 15:49—revealing a link between bearing the earthly image (in suffering) and someday bearing the heavenly one (in glory).
  • “Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” – (Referencing 1 Cor. 15:49) [55:48]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On generational legacy:
  “Five generations have gone to that [Christian] school. That’s impressive.” – Al [01:41]
• On the proposal:
  “He sang the rest of the song and then he does the proposal.” – Zach [07:53]
• On encountering Pat Benatar:
  “She was not a fan.” – Al [26:58] “Rejected by Pat Benatar.” – Zach [26:59]
• On marriage and love:
  “Love is a battlefield.” – Jase quoting Pat Benatar [24:25]
• On the Cross:
  “If this was the creator of the universe in human form, how embarrassing for what happens to him.” – Jase [33:20]
• On the crown of thorns/new creation:
  “Because he wore the thorns, we get to wear his likeness.” – Jase [56:10]

Key Bible Segments and Timestamps

• Max’s engagement & Dasher the Band backstory: [04:01–08:38], [13:23–14:23]
• Rock & roll snub (Pat Benatar): [24:25–28:53]
• Bible study intro—John 19: [30:28–39:04]
• Christ’s dual nature explained: [38:08–45:16]
• John 19:1–16 read and discussed: [46:16–50:42]
• Deep dive into the symbolism of the crown of thorns: [50:42–56:08]

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is warm, witty, and deeply rooted in biblical reflection. The Robertsons bring classic small-town humor to celebrity encounters but quickly pivot to raw, honest discussions about faith, family, and the meaning of Jesus's suffering. At the heart of the episode is a call to cherish the “simple story” of Christ’s sacrifice, rejecting both cynicism and theological over-complication, and embracing the living hope that flows from the humiliation—and ultimate triumph—of the cross.

Assignments for Listeners:

• Read 1 Corinthians 15 in preparation for next episode’s deep dive.

Memorable Moment to End: “Because he wore the thorns, we get to wear his likeness. And trying to wrap your head around that is very exciting.” – Jase [56:10]