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(Ep 9) The die is cast differently with far-ranging consequence—Certain music is outside the guys’ budget—Brock knows things, and Jeremiah counts to ten—Bible translations are discussed—Religious neurosis is stressful—What is it like to serve a God whose highest desire is mercy? ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read about Jesus, his free and liberal mercy with his disciples, and his confrontation with those who disapprove of such mercy. The conflict comes from religious people who claim to have knowledge but cannot really lay claim to a personal relationship with God. If they could, they would have known what Jesus knew: That God desires mercy over sacrifice, grace over performance. Self-righteous is not unique to any one religion or to religion at all. In fact, self-righteousness creates or becomes it's own religion, exalting the self to the level of arbiter, chooser, law-giver, conscience, and god. Jesus is not intimidated by such false gods; it is grace when he confronts them in us. And if we bend to him, he will not break us. He'll give mercy and salvation. This is a story about God's genuine care for us, and in this is freedom! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Matthew 12:1–21 [1] At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. [2] But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” [3] He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: [4] how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? [5] Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? [6] I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. [7] And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. [8] For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” [9] He went on from there and entered their synagogue. [10] And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. [11] He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? [12] Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” [13] Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. [14] But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. [15] Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all [16] and ordered them not to make him known. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: [18] “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. [19] He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; [20] a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; [21] and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (ESV) ----- Credits: 1. Thanks to Brad Adams for creating, recording, and mastering all of the music for the Freedom Current podcast! The intro, the outro, etc. were done by Brad in his home studio. Thanks so much, Brad! 2. Thanks to Halteman Village Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana for giving us office space for Jeremiah and Brock to film and record this podcast! http://www.hvbchurch.org/ 3. Thanks to Remedy City Church in Muncie, Indiana for teaching us the gospel every week and for providing the resources for us to bring the remedy of Jesus Christ to the needs of our city! http://remedycitychurch.org/ 4. And, thanks and all glory to God for answering our prayers as we've desired to start this podcast!