Welcome on Gospel Spice! I could not be happier to have you with me today as we dive deep into the parables of Jesus, asking His help to understand His message to us today. Parables have always been a powerful tool used by rabbis to reinforce conventional wisdom. But when Jesus sits down and starts speaking in parables, he adds a sprinkle of mystique that captivates His audience.

Matthew 13:1-3 tells us that Jesus wasted no time once He was openly rejected in Matthew 12 (see previous episode). And these parables reveal what lies ahead as a result of his generation's rejection. But why parables? Three reasons stand out. First, Jesus came to fulfill prophetic teachings (Matthew 5:17). By using parables, He connects the Old Testament prophecies to His message and shows that the Messiah spoke in parables too. Second, parables shift the focus from mass appeal to individual faith. Jesus emphasizes the importance of personal belief, rather than trying to convince the masses. Thirdly, Jesus respects our free will and wants our faith to be genuine. He could have performed undeniable miracles, but He loves nothing more than a heart filled with faith. Faith and sight cannot coexist, and He leaves room for questions, so we can choose to believe.

So, buckle up as we embark on a journey where parables unravel the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. From fulfilling prophecies to focusing on individual faith, these teachings hold the key to understanding Jesus' message. I promise you a feast for the mind and soul as we dissect each parable and discover the layers of meaning within. There's so much more to explore in the New Testament and the Old Testament!

The parables highlight the consequences of the generation's rejection of Jesus. These stories hold deep significance for over 2000 years of gentile-dominant Christendom. Intriguing, right? So, let's savor the spiritual spices and flavors that the parables have to offer. As we feast on the Gospel of Matthew, we'll gain insights, wisdom, and a fresh perspective on Jesus' teachings.

The finish line is just ahead, but the journey of faith continues! Even as we get ready to soon bid farewell to Matthew after almost eight months within the pages of his gospel, our spice journey continues! With just a few episodes left in the Gospel of Matthew, we're reaching a bittersweet finish line. Until then, let's unwrap the rich layers of the parables together today!

Are you looking for a place to take notes, some topics to research on your own, or some questions you could ponder to go deeper during your quiet time with God or with a friend? Remember, we have workbooks available for this episode, and every other episode of our Jesus Rabbi and Lord series. For each episode, they contain a summary, listening guide, key takeaways, quotes, questions and topics to go deeper. Go to gospelspice.com/jesus to purchase these workbooks.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.

So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!

Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!

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4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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