Opening Up the Gospels
A video series on the life of Jesus.
The life of Jesus as revealed by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is a precious treasure and testimony of God's faithfulness. For a large part of my life of faith, Jesus' story as told by the books we call the "Gospels" was not much more than a fairy tale to me. I realized my "relationship" with Jesus was sincere but had little substance to it beyond sentiment towards His work on the cross. I could spend hours telling you about my favorite TV shows, but I couldn't tell you much about the details of the life of the Promised One that humanity has longed for since the fall in Eden's garden.

Beginning in the summer of 2013 and finishing in the summer of 2017, I recorded short videos that chronologically walk through the Gospels to encourage others to "behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29) and to "hear Him" (Matthew 17:5) - to look at the treasure of His life and to listen to His matchless words. I pray this contribution to the body of Messiah would help us to marvel at His "unsearchable riches" (Ephesians 3:8) and to help us "eagerly wait" (Hebrews 9:28) for His return to rule in Jerusalem.

This teaching series is called Opening Up the Gospels. There are 156 episodes, enough to watch one episode per week for three years straight. I hope these are edifying and strengthening to your faith in Jesus.
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Episodes

Biblical Foundations of "Messiah" and "Christ"

In today's culture, "Christ" is often a synonym for "Jesus" or perhaps His last name. "Messiah" is a synonym for "Savior" and often just means "the one who died on the cross for us". While there is some measure of truth to those things, "Christ" and "Messiah" have largely been misunderstood. You may be surprised… Read More »

Episode 21 - The Shepherds, part 1

God could have announced the birth of Jesus to the elite ruling class in Jerusalem, but He chose to tell the outcasts of Jewish society. A lowly band of shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of "Christ the Lord" in Bethlehem. This episode discusses the political and military implications of the weighty… Read More »

Episode 22 - The Shepherds, part 2

Lowly shepherds are given the "good news" that a baby who was "Christ the Lord" had been born in Bethlehem. Before they could even compose themselves, Luke 2 tells us that a multitude of the "heavenly host" appeared to them in the sky in a valley just outside Bethlehem. But are these angels really choirs… Read More »

Episode 23 - The Early Days of Jesus

When Jesus was eight days old, He was circumcised according to the Law. 32 days later, Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice for their purification and present Jesus before a priest. Why did Jesus have to be circumcised and what does it have to do with the covenant God made with… Read More »

Episode 24 - Simeon, Part 1

As Mary and Joseph are in the Temple to offer their sacrifice and present Jesus before a priest, a righteous man named Simeon approaches them and takes up Jesus in his arms. Luke tells us that Simeon was "waiting for the consolation of Israel", and that the Spirit had told him that he would not… Read More »

Episode 25 - Simeon, part 2

Luke 2 tells us about an aged Jew, Simeon, who had been eagerly waiting for the fulfillment of all of God's promises to Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that the child Jesus would be the One who would bring all that the Prophets had promised to pass. But Jesus would be much… Read More »

Episode 26 - Anna

Luke tells us about another person who meets Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the Temple when Jesus was about 40 days old - an aged widow named Anna. She too was righteous and waiting for God to redeem Jerusalem just as the Scriptures had spoken. Anna was a regular attender of the public and private… Read More »

Episode 27 - The Visit of the Magi (part 1)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "wise men" from the East came to visit Jesus and present gifts before Him. Who were the "wise men"? Where were they from, why did they come looking for the king of the Jews, and were there only three of them? The answers from Scripture may surprise you. This… Read More »

Episode 28 - The Visit of the Magi (part 2)

The entourage of Magi from the East meet with Herod in Jerusalem and follow the star they saw to Bethlehem, where they find the Child Jesus and present Him with three gifts. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh each represent something very unique about Jesus. In this episode, we examine the significance of the gifts and… Read More »

Episode 29 - The Flight to Egypt

Joseph wakes Mary and Jesus and they all depart Bethlehem for Egypt by night. It was not too long after their departure that Herod ordered the execution of the male children in Bethlehem in his attempt to kill the newly born Jewish king. In addition to looking at these details from Matthew 2, the last… Read More »

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