Lesson Handout:

This lesson delves into the profound meaning behind Luke 22:44, where Jesus' sweat is compared to "great drops of blood." 

A common misunderstanding of this verse suggests that Jesus was literally sweating blood, but a closer look reveals something different. 

The verse vividly compares two bodily fluids—sweat and blood—not to suggest they were the same but to emphasize the intensity of Jesus' suffering and the volume of His sweat. 

But why would Luke include this striking detail in his Gospel when the other Evangelists did not?

Join us as we uncover this passage's more profound theological significance and what Luke intended this detail to mean. 

We'll dive into the first-century theological ideas surrounding the First Adam and the Last Adam and how Jesus, the Last Adam, reversed the curse of the first Adam's disobedience. 

Discover how the term "sweat," used only twice in the entire Bible—in Genesis 3 with Adam and in Luke 22:44 with Jesus—serves as an ancient idiom for anxiety. 

Jesus' triumph, in the fullness of His humanity, over anxiety at the Gethsemane signifies the breaking of humanity's curse, paving the way for redemption.

Don't miss this insightful lesson, which connects the dots between Genesis and the Gospels, shedding light on Christ's redemptive work and His ultimate obedience to God's will. 

Join us in today's lesson as we delve into the rich cultural background of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 17:20, where he declares that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

This well-known saying gains profound significance when we explore its origins in first-century Judaism. 

In this lesson, we discover that several plants in the mustard family grow in Israel, including a variant often regarded as a "weed" with seeds no larger than pepper flakes. 

Remarkably, this plant can thrive in even the most unforgiving environments, sometimes causing stones to crack as its roots take hold.

In Rabbinic writings, the mustard seed symbolized something incredibly small, yet its ability to "move" stones became a powerful metaphor for the unexpected strength found in small things. 

Jesus harnesses this imagery to teach us that even the smallest measure of faith can unlock God's power, making the miraculous possible. 

In today's session, we dive into the intriguing world of Mystical Judaism and explore a unique technique known as Gematria.

Gematria is a profound method for exploring the depths of the Hebrew scripture, revealing hidden connections within God's cosmos.

Join us as we uncover the mystical significance of Gematria, which harnesses the dynamic nature of the Hebrew alphabet, encompassing letters, numbers, and symbolic meaning.

We will focus on the Gospel of John, a profound mystical text where John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God."

Discover the profound connection between Jesus' name in Hebrew and the phrase "Lamb of God."
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Remarkably, these two hold an equal numerical value, showcasing the divine connection between Jesus and His role as the Lamb of God for the entire world.

Hebrew Alphabet Handout: 

​Mark employs a sophisticated literary technique known as Inclusio to unveil the true nature of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Inclusio functions as a literary framework, where the author strategically places a central concept at the beginning and end of their work, indicating that everything contained within serves to reinforce this central idea.

The Gospel of Mark is a piece of apocalyptic literature that illuminates the nature of God's cosmos and Jesus as the Messiah. Mark's inclusio vividly illustrates the revelatory essence of the work, as it tears open the "heavens" for us to glimpse beyond the confines of our earthly existence.

Join us on this journey as we delve into how Mark utilizes this unique literary device to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

Chiastic structures were utilized by Bible authors to effectively communicate their intended messages.

These underlying structures not only shape the scriptures but also aid the audience in visualizing important concepts.

A prime example of this can be found in the Gospel of Mark, where a chiastic structure introduces the Good News of God's impending reign and highlights Jesus as the anointed Messianic figure destined to become king.

​These opening verses not only serve as a powerful introduction but also set the tone for the events that unfold throughout the remainder of Mark's Gospel.

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This lesson explores the ancient literary technique called a chiastic structure or a chiasm.  

The biblical authors use literary devices such as the chiastic structure to add depth to the text.

The chiastic structure focuses the reader's attention and helps communicate the author's point.

We will use the story of the Tower of Babel to help illustrate a chiastic structure.

The Tower of Babel story is a masterpiece of literary work much more profound than most expect.
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The depth comes from the underlying chiastic structure and helps communicate a profound message about the nature of humanity.

Lesson Handout: 

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​The 'Father's House' serves as a poignant cultural metaphor, shedding light on the Scriptural principle of redemption.

In this metaphorical realm, God the Father possesses a household, and each one of us is an integral member of that divine family. But what unfolds when we find ourselves estranged, metaphorically 'outside' of the Father's House?

In a profound act of divine love and grace, the Father commissions His eldest Son—the Redeemer—to embark on a mission to reconcile us back to the familial fold.

This salvific journey by the Redeemer illuminates the depths of God's desire to restore us to a place of belonging and unity within His household.

In the New Testament, a keen eye will notice two distinct Greek words for 'tree.' The word 'dendron' describes living, fruit-bearing trees, while 'xsulon' usually refers to dead wood or an implement of execution—like the tree on which Jesus was crucified.

Intriguingly, John employs both terms in the book of Revelation yet adds an unexpected nuance when discussing the "Tree of Life."

What might surprise you is that John chooses the word 'xsulon' for the Tree of Life. This is no arbitrary choice of words; it's a theological stroke of genius.

The Tree of Life, described as having leaves that never wither and ever-bearing fruit, is dubbed a 'xsulon'—the same term used for the wood of Christ's Cross.

The implication is profound: The Cross itself, often seen as an emblem of suffering and death, becomes a wellspring of life and healing in the spiritual realm.

So, where do we find the essence of life and the path to healing? Look no further than the Cross.
It stands as a paradoxical symbol—conjoining the realms of life and death, tragedy and triumph, in a manner beyond our complete understanding.

​Through the lens of John's carefully chosen language, we discern that the Cross isn't just a historical artifact or a mere symbol; it's a living, life-giving reality.

12th Century Mosaic of the Cross as the Tree of Life in the San Clemente Basilica, Rome. 

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​The Bible never mentions the phrase "the garden of Gethsemane."  

We tend to treat the word Gethsemane as if it is the name of a city or village that happens to have a garden.  But this is not the case! 

​A Gethsemane is not a place - it is a thing!  

So what is a Gethsemane? Join us for this short lesson to find out.

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Jesus heals a blind man with his saliva! What are we supposed to make of this miracle?

Why does Jesus use saliva to heal eyes, and what would that first-century audience have thought about his use of spittle?

And what would be the message for a Jewish audience?

​Join us as we explore the cultural context of the first-century to see what others would have thought about healing eyes with spittle.

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The phrase "Daughters of Jerusalem" is a Hebrew idiom. 

This short video explores this phrase's linguistic and cultural context and what Jesus means when he uses it in Luke 23:28. 

Judgment is descending on Jerusalem. 

In 66 AD, the Zealots pushed Israel into a war with Rome. By 70 AD, Jerusalem was under siege, and the villages outside the city walls were destroyed. 


The words spoken by Jesus as he is on his way to be crucified are prophetic, and concern Jerusalem's coming judgment. 

Understanding the phrase "Daughters of Jerusalem" helps us understand the overall meaning of what Jesus is saying in Luke 23:28-31.   

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Understanding God's Appointed Feasts is critical to understanding Jesus, the New Testament, and God's plan of redemption. 

This is an introductory video to highlight how Jesus is fulfilling God's redemptive plan through action on each of the holidays.

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It's not always easy to understand the messages from the book of Genesis. 

Since Genesis is presented to us in narrative form, we must do some work to find meaning or principles that we can apply to our lives. 

Join us in this short lesson as we discover a message on the power of forgiveness and what it takes for a people group to come together as a nation. 

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Today's video is part of our Fig Tree Five series - five-minute videos to help broaden your understanding of the Bible! 

Join us as we learn about the amazing Hebrew word - Midbar! 

Midbar is the Hebrew word for wilderness or desert but is derived from the Hebrew word DBR which means "to speak" (verb) or "word" (noun). 

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the "wilderness" (Matt. 4:1) in the desert east of Jerusalem (see photo below). 

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