cover of episode Nativity: The Road to Bethlehem I

Nativity: The Road to Bethlehem I

2024/2/9
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Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider

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Rabbi Schneider: 本集讲述了马利亚和约瑟从拿撒勒前往伯利恒的旅程,这段旅程充满了挑战和考验,包括路途的艰辛、社会舆论的压力以及对未来不确定性的担忧。但他们的旅程也展现了他们对上帝的信仰和彼此之间坚贞不渝的爱情。旅程中,约瑟展现出作为丈夫和父亲的责任感和担忧,而马利亚则以她对上帝的信心和对未来的希望,给予约瑟支持和鼓励。他们经历了失去所有财物的困境,这考验了他们的婚姻关系,但最终他们依然坚持前行,他们的信仰和爱情在逆境中得到了升华。这个故事也象征着人生的旅程,充满了挑战和考验,但只要我们对上帝有信心,并彼此相爱,就能克服一切困难,最终到达成功的彼岸。 Rabbi Schneider: 本集也探讨了信仰和爱情在面对挑战时的重要性。马利亚和约瑟的旅程充满了不确定性和风险,但他们的信仰和彼此之间的爱,支撑着他们度过难关。约瑟的担忧和马利亚的信心,展现了他们性格的不同侧面,也体现了他们之间互补的关系。他们之间虽然因为失去财物而产生隔阂,但最终他们依然彼此扶持,共同面对挑战。这个故事也告诉我们,在人生的旅程中,信仰和爱情是重要的精神支柱,能够帮助我们克服困难,最终到达成功的彼岸。

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The episode begins with a prayer emphasizing the unbreakable love of Christ, setting the tone for the journey ahead.

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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8.35 Dear Heavenly Father, In the midst of festive lights, shared laughter, and the joy of giving, we remember the unparalleled gift of your Son, Jesus. His birth was the beginning of a promise.

a promise that no circumstance or challenge can ever sever the bond of love he offers. As carols fill the air and we gather with loved ones, let us be reminded of the unbreakable love of Christ, a love that chose a humble manger, a love that endured the cross, and a love that overcomes every obstacle.

May the warmth of the season, the joy of Christ's birth, and the depth of your love remind us that we are never alone and nothing can truly separate us from the embrace of Jesus. Thank you, Father, for the gift of your love made manifest in the birth of our Savior. May our Christmas celebrations be filled with gratitude, joy, and the everlasting hope found in Christ.

In the loving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. Hear ye!

His voice, steely and unemotional, echoed through the streets and alleys.

leaving a chill in the hearts of those who heard it. His soldiers nailed the decree onto the doorpost of every home. Quirinius' voice shouted through the city streets of Nazareth, where Joseph was buying supplies for his workshop. The proclamation threw him into a storm of uncertainty and worry. The house of David, Joseph's lineage, was traced back to Bethlehem.

Hello and welcome to another Christmas episode of Stories of the Messiah. I'm your host, Rabbi Schneider, here to guide you on the road to Bethlehem. Today's episode is a narrative based on Luke 2, verses 1 through 5. Although the Bible doesn't describe the long journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we know that it must have been wrought with challenges that tested their young marriage. Romans 8, verse 38 and 39 says...

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Every episode from now until the end of our series will showcase a new struggle. Mary and Joseph must endure robberies, storms, rejection, and conspiracies. Yet God's love and divine plan will cut through the tragedy and turn it all into triumph.

The journey to Bethlehem is a poignant reminder of God's powerful love, a love willing to journey through hardship, risk, uncertainty, and the darkest valley to obey God's will. We can imagine there are challenges, the physical strain of the journey, societal judgment due to Mary's mysterious pregnancy, and the anxiety of a young couple about to become parents. On top of that, there was the mounting pressure of knowing their child was the promised Messiah.

This episode will feature a new type of challenge for Mary and Joseph. Trials, challenges, and hardships can tear a relationship apart or strengthen it. Will this journey solidify Mary and Joseph's bond or tear them apart? I would like to promise you this episode has a happy ending, but it doesn't. Just like Mary and Joseph, we must endure momentary trials before stepping into triumph. Let's immerse ourselves now in the story of

In the end, we will unpack Christmas themes to strengthen our faith. The streets of Nazareth, usually abuzz with laughter and trade, grew anxious and frantic. Families huddled in corners to discuss the journey ahead. Rumors and tales of treacherous roads rife with robbers grew more terrifying by the day. Amidst the chaos, Joseph waded through the marketplace, gathering the last of their supplies for the journey ahead.

He was no stranger to the dangers of travel. As a stonemason, he often needed to do business outside of Nazareth.

But with Mary in her delicate condition, the journey was a heavy burden on his heart. They'd heard dark tales of bandits lurking in the desert shadows, striking unsuspecting travelers and leaving them with nothing. Joseph felt the weight of his responsibility to protect his wife and the unborn child. Night after night, as they prepared for the journey, Joseph would glance at the horizon as if trying to discern what lay in wait.

Mary, watching him from their doorway, could see the furrows of worry deepen on his brow. She was relieved that her husband was strong and capable. But Mary bore a strength Joseph lacked. She didn't share Joseph's fear. Instead, she had a peace that God would provide. She was not naive to think tragedy wasn't possible.

But she also knew God wouldn't begin this work if he did not intend on completing it. One evening, as twilight painted the horizon with hues of gold and red, Mary approached her husband. He was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the distant roads.

His face was painted with a familiar look of worry. Mary gently touched his shoulder and spoke softly. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, already knowing the answer. "About tomorrow's journey," Joseph replied. "Going through the list in my head to make sure we have everything we need." His face betrayed his words. Joseph was consumed with doubt, not in God, but in his own ability to carry out his duty.

Mary resisted the urge to remind him that he didn't need to worry. Telling somebody who was anxious to stop worrying was about as useful as telling a dog not to eat from the ball while it was eating. Instead, she leaned against his shoulder and looked quietly at the horizon. Joseph leaned his cheek closer to her head and sighed. "I know I shouldn't worry, but... but... it's hard not to. Especially with what's at stake." She smiled, the kind of smile that made Joseph's heart melt.

You have a protector's heart, Joseph. I love that about you. Together we can face anything. I am sure of it. Her words were reassuring at the moment, but Joseph still felt a weight on his shoulders growing heavier. They embarked early the following day. Joseph packed the donkey tightly and hoisted Mary on top.

She smiled down at him and they left. Families, old and young, streamed down the paths out of Nazareth, each one burdened by the edict of Caesar.

They all began in the same direction, but eventually split down many roads to register in the city of their heritage. The town of Nazareth slowly receded into the distance, its familiar sights and sounds replaced by the vastness of the road. As the days wore on and the sun deceased, Mary and Joseph set out camp under the vast canopy of the stars. The heavens seemed to wink down at them, casting a silvery glow over the landscape.

While Mary rested, Joseph remained awake, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.

The weight of potential threats kept him vigilant. He refused to sleep. Instead, he leaned back on a stone with his hands firmly placed on his dagger. He refused to let anything harm Merry or the child. "I can't let them down," Joseph sighed. He peered down at his bride. She shivered from the cold, so Joseph removed his coat and placed it on her. "I love you," he whispered softly, stroking her dark curls.

The days melted into one another, a blur of sunrises and sunsets. The vastness of the desert stretched before them, its ever-changing peaks and valleys seeming both majestic and menacing. With every step, the weight of their journey grew, not in their bags, but in their hearts. By day, the sun bore down on them, its rays unrelenting. Mary's pregnancy sapped her of strength, but not of her hope.

As they walked, she would wax poetry about the Lord's blessing on them. Her relentless hope gave Joseph enough to keep walking beside her and the donkey. By night, the desert came alive with its secrets, the sounds of wolves in the distance and the whispers of the wind.

Joseph, determined and ever watchful, grew wearier with each passing day. The shadows of rumoured bandits played tricks on his mind, making every rustling bush or distant noise a potential threat. On the fourth evening, as the sapphire sky turned deep indigo, Mary took his hand and saw the exhaustion on Joseph's face. You've borne the weight of our journey for so long, she said gently. Rest now.

Let me keep watch. There was a silent battle in Joseph's eye, the protective husband against the weary traveler. But in the end, fatigue won. He nodded, his eyelids heavy, and lay down, wrapping himself in a blanket. Wake me if you sense any danger, he murmured, his voice a tired whisper. Mary nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon, ears attuned to every sound.

She hummed softly a lullaby she'd once heard long ago, letting its gentle cadence soothe Joseph into a deep sleep.

But the road, with its myriad of mysteries, had its own plans. As the night deepened, two shadowy figures approached their campsite. Drawn by the soft glow of the dying campfire, they moved stealthily, their intentions clear. They began to pilfer through Mary and Joseph's belongings in search of money and food. Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned to see them and held back panic.

Mary wasn't foolish enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for Joseph, they would kill him before he could even reach his feet. Mary remained still, pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over. Her heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable situation as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them. That is when Mary finally chose to speak. "Joseph!" she whispered in an intense tone.

I've taken everything. Joseph rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However, just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves, he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped. If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back to camp.

"We've lost everything!" he shouted, his voice trembling with anger and regret. Mary said nothing. Silence stretched between them, heavy and thick. Words unspoken hung in the air as Joseph buried his face in his hands.

He was frustrated and boiling over with regret. Mary, trying to bridge the gap between them, reached out a hand, but Joseph pulled away, consumed by his internal turmoil. "How are we going to survive without any food or money? How are you going to finish the journey without the donkey?" Joseph had sold all his tools to pay for these supplies and the donkey. He had sacrificed so much, and now it was all gone. He seethed in anger and disappointment.

Mary thought of defending herself, but chose to remain silent instead. If Mary was good at anything, it was pondering things in her heart and allowing deep emotions to be fully processed. Joseph was uncharacteristically upset, so she gave him space and returned to her blanket.

Neither of them slept that night. Joseph spent the rest of the night replaying the events in his mind. The following day wore on in oppressive silence. Joseph, grappling with his guilt, turned inward, while Mary, battling her own regret, longed for the comforting embrace of her husband. She wanted to hear him forgive her. She wanted them to talk and embrace the trial as a team. But instead, they walked in silence.

The desert around them seemed to mirror their emotional state. Its vastness was a reflection of the growing cousin between them. Their journey, which had started with hope and faith, now felt heavy with despair and doubt. But as with all knights, this too would pass, giving way to a new dawn and the promise of redemption. During a wedding ceremony, couples vowed to stick by each other through thick and thin.

Before God and witnesses, they stare into each other's eyes and promise to love each other for better or for worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness and health. During the euphoria and bliss of a wedding, it's easy to make these vows. But when hardships arise, the foundation of a marriage is tested. Just as gold is refined by fire, removing impurities, the trials faced in a marriage can purify and strengthen the bond between spouses.

This requires intentional dedication, faith, mutual support, forgiveness, and love. Today's episode brought new struggles for Mary and Joseph. As if the journey wasn't hard enough, they lost everything they had for the rest of their journey. And we get the sense that Joseph blames Mary for it. Yet we hold on to hope that Mary and Joseph's relationship will be strengthened in the coming days.

Our relationship with God can be solidified and deepen in the hardest trials. Our faith is tested when everything seems uncertain, chaotic, or challenging. When we trust in God's promises and love, we find hope that endures and love that strengthens us. Hope in difficult circumstances is a theme that resonates deeply with all of us. Life can be challenging, it can be unpredictable, but amidst the storms, there's a beacon of hope we can cling to.

That hope is Jesus, the Savior born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem after a challenging journey by two faithful servants. In your own life, you may be facing a difficult road right now. Remember that God's promises stand firm. Just as he was with Mary and Joseph, guiding them, he is with you. Cling to him, trust in his promises, and let his enduring hope shine in your circumstances.

Remember that our God is greater than any challenge we may face. The God who guided Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and raised Jesus from the dead is the same God with you today. Let's trust him, rely on his promises, and allow his love to be the anchor of our hope in any circumstance. In our next story, Joseph and Mary will desperately search for supplies. As they venture into a nearby city, Joseph's dedication to Mary will require him to take even more risks.

Join us for our next episode, The Road to Bethlehem, Part 2. Are you interested in further exploring the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament? If so, head over to our website, discoveringthejewishjesus.com. My latest book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed, Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the Hebrew Bible, can offer great and valuable insights to you. You can obtain a copy through my website.

If you enjoyed today's podcast, leave us a review and share it with a friend. We want the story of the Bible and the hope of Jesus to be spread worldwide. To make prayer a priority in your life and to hear more stories of hope that inspire, visit pray.com.