Grafted Branches

“...He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

So what was so unlawful about picking and eating grain on the Sabbath and why does Jesus answer with a seemingly obscure story from the days of King David? Maybe knowing a bit more about Hillel and Shammai will help us to understand why "some" Pharisees thought such a simple act of eating was so unlawful. 

Scholars who have compared Jesus teachings to His contemporaries are seeing that rather than being entirely antagonistic to their ideology, Jesus’ teaching brilliantly builds upon the thinking and debates of His time and brings it to a new level.  Join us as we begin to explore the two main schools of the Pharisees -Hillel and Shammai.

Over the past 50 years there has been a new interest among Christians studying Jesus’ world of first-century Judaism.  Scholars looking at Jewish literature from that time period are beginning to say we’ve really missed it regarding the Pharisees.  Join us as we begin to explore this group of men in the framework of first-century Israel.

Who are the good and bad guys in Jesus day? In this podcast we talk about the Sadducees, their ideals, theology, and beliefs.  Who knows, maybe we all have a little "Sadducee" in each of us.

When Jesus taught to “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness,”  His disciples and followers understood these two common first-century phrases.  Join us as we explore the Hebrew concept of “righteousness” and how it is applicable today.

When Jesus taught, "Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness..." what did those first-century listeners understand and why is this important for us nearly two thousand years later? In our latest conversation we explore the "now" or present need and importance of living in God's Kingdom.

If Jesus Christ is God's Son, does that mean "Christ" is God's last name? Names are important! In this podcast conversation we explore what it means to be Messiah or Christ.

Join us, Drew and Deborah, as we continue to explore the Hebraic roots of Jesus.

In this podcast we explore a method of teaching used by Jesus known as a remez. So, what is a remez, how was it used and did His listeners "get it?"

When a first-century teacher used the phrase "to abolish or fulfill," what did they mean by that? Was it a prophetic or messianic statement, or maybe something else? Join us as we explore this well-known statement and first-century idiom.

Do you have a good eye or a bad eye, and we are not talking about going to the Optometrist? In first-century Israel, when a teacher used this idiom, the people listening got it and understood what the subject was. Two thousand years later, can we say the same thing?

Join us and see how understanding cultural idioms can help us know the message and possibly change how we see things.