OneLife Nashville: Rare but vital conversations about Jesus

Podcast Episode Description: In this episode, we explore the profound connection between Psalm 22 and Jesus' cry of dereliction on the cross as recorded in Matthew 27:46: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" By quoting the opening verse of this Psalm, Jesus points us to its deeper context and meaning. We begin by examining the historical backdrop of Psalm 22, which likely reflects David’s a...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most poignant and widely misunderstood moments in the Gospel of Matthew—Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Quoting the opening words of Psalm 22, Jesus’ statement has been the source of much theological debate and misinterpretation. Some view it as an expression of despair, believing Jesus felt abandoned...

In this episode, we explore the striking parallels between Jesus’ profound statement in Matthew 26:38, where He reveals that His soul is “exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death,” and the heartfelt cries of Psalm 42, particularly verses 6 and 12. Both passages use the same vivid language to express deep sorrow, providing a unique window into the depth of emotions Jesus could have felt during His da...

In this episode, we explore the striking parallels between the betrayal of David by his trusted advisor Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 15-17 and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot in Matthew 26-27. But our primary focus is on the emotional responses of Jesus and how this connects with David’s emotional response to Ahithophel's betrayal as recorded in Psalm 55:1–15. Psalm 55 offers a glimpse into...

In this episode, we dig into the connections between the Absalom Revolt in 2 Samuel 15-18 and the Passion Narrative in the Gospel of Matthew, particularly the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. While Matthew's Gospel does not explicitly mention David during the Passion Narrative, it subtly portrays Jesus as walking and talking like David, employing language, themes, and narrative parallels that draw us...

In this episode, we dive into the scene in Matthew 22:41-46, where Jesus poses a question to the Pharisees that challenges their understanding of the Messiah. Asking, "Whose son is the Christ?" Jesus draws attention to their incomplete view of the Messiah as merely the Son of David. By referencing Psalm 110:1, where David calls the Messiah "Lord," Jesus reveals a deeper truth a...

In this episode, we explore the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, uncovering different layers of meaning behind this pivotal event. The crowds joyfully proclaim Jesus as the “Son of David,” yet their understanding of this title is immature and undeveloped, as Matthew subtly suggests through his narrative details. We begin by examining the significance of Jesus...

In this episode, we explore the connection between Ezekiel's prophecy about "David" as the servant shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23) and Matthew's presentation of Jesus as the ideal shepherd in his Gospel. We begin by examining Ezekiel 34:1-6, where the prophet critiques Israel's leaders for their self-centeredness, neglect, and abuse of their authority. These shepherds failed to feed, teach, heal, and see...

In this episode, we explore the comparisons and contrasts between two stories in Matthew’s Gospel where blind men call out to Jesus as the "Son of David" and receive sight. Found in Matthew 9:27-31 and Matthew 20:29-34, these stories frame key elements of discipleship and reveal different ways of how we come to recognize Jesus for who he really is. The two accounts show contrasting settings, chara...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating connections between the story of David and the King of Tyre in 2 Samuel 5:9-12 and the story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman from Tyre and Sidon in Matthew 15:21-28. When David receives aid from King Hiram of Tyre to build his palace, we see a powerful image of Gentile support in establishing Israel’s king. Centuries later, in a scene full of rich echoe...

In this episode, we dive deep into the connection between the story of David confronting the evil spirit that tormented King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:15-23 and Jesus’ encounter with a deaf and mute man afflicted by an evil spirit in Matthew 12:14-23. These two scenes, set centuries apart, draw a remarkable parallel between David and Jesus, both empowered by the Spirit of God to exercise authority over...

In this episode, we dive into Matthew 12:1-8, where Jesus and his disciples are accused by the Pharisees of breaking the Sabbath by eating grain from the edges of the field. Jesus responds by identifying himself with David, specifically referencing the story of David eating the sacred shewbread from the Temple when he was fleeing from Saul. This comparison is more than just about Jesus identifying...

In this episode, we explore how Jesus is recognized as the Son of David, not just by his royal lineage, but through the miraculous healings he performed, even though the Scriptures do not directly or explicitly associate healing with the Son of David or the Messiah. Instead of a clear-cut profile, the identity and role of the Messiah are scattered throughout the Old Testament, in isolated passages...

In this episode, we explore the profound moment in 2 Samuel 7:1-17 where David expresses his desire to build a house for God, and instead, God responds by establishing a covenant with David that would shape the trajectory of Israel's history. This covenant, often called the Davidic Covenant, is monumental, as it's the first major covenant since the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai, but now with a specific...

In this episode, we explore the rise of David to kingship, tracing his story from shepherd boy to the anointed king of all Israel in 2 Samuel 5. We compare David’s journey with that of Saul, highlighting the stark contrasts between the two. Saul’s reign began quickly, with a brief time of testing, while David underwent at least 15 years of trials and proving before being recognized as king. Where...

In this episode, we dive into the shocking story of David’s anointing as king in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. When the prophet Samuel visits the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel, all seven of Jesse’s sons are paraded before him. However, God rejects them all, instead choosing the youngest son, David, who wasn’t even considered worthy enough to be present. David's rejection by his own fami...

In this episode, we explore the story of Saul’s disobedience from 1 Samuel 13-15, focusing on chapter 15, where King Saul is given a clear command by God through the prophet Samuel: to utterly destroy the Amalekites and everything they possess. However, Saul partially obeys—he spares the Amalekite king, Agag, and keeps the best livestock to make a sacrifice to the Lord. When confronted, Saul tries...

In this episode, we explore the final stage of Saul’s journey to becoming King in 1 Samuel 12—his coronation. While this should have been a joyous celebration, the tone of the event was anything but festive. Samuel the prophet took the opportunity to remind the people of Israel about their persistent unfaithfulness to God, recounting how they had continually worshiped other gods. Yet, despite thei...

In this episode, we discuss the story of Saul’s battle against the Ammonites in 1 Samuel 11, an important but often overlooked chapter in Israel’s history. This event represents stage two in the process of becoming a king in ancient Israel: the testing or proving of the king in battle. Stage one is the anointing, which we covered in 1 Samuel 9–10, and stage three is the coronation, a celebration o...

In this episode, we discuss the intriguing story of Saul’s selection as the first king of Israel, found in 1 Samuel 9-10. The Israelites, longing to be like the nations around them, demanded a king. But they didn’t just want any king—they wanted one who looked the part, someone who would fit the mold of the powerful rulers of their time, many of whom descended from the Nephilim, the giants of old....

In this episode, we keep exploring the biblical story of Israel's request for a king, as told in 1 Samuel 8. The Israelites, looking to be like the nations around them, prematurely request a king to lead them—a request that reveals their immature desire for power to be centralized in one leader. God, in response, outlines the kind of king they will receive: a ruler who will mirror the self-cen...

In this episode, we discuss one of the most pivotal moments in Israel's history: their request for a king as recorded in 1 Samuel 8:1-9. This moment marks a significant turning point, not just in Israel’s political structure, but in their spiritual journey as a nation, as well. Many have misunderstood this episode as God rejecting the very idea of kingship in Israel. However, as we’ll explore,...

In this episode, we look at a pivotal moments in the history of Israel: the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines and its eventual return to Israel as narrated in 1 Samuel 4:1-7:17. This story sets the stage for Israel's request for a king in 1 Samuel 8, marking a significant turning point in the biblical story of Israel. We explore the reasons behind Israel's devastating d...

In this episode, we delve into the practical ways God speaks to us in our everyday lives. We explore three common ways God can communicate with us: Voice, Vision, and Vibe. Voice doesn’t have to mean an audible sound. Often, it's more like spontaneous thoughts that come to our minds, as Mark Virkler describes in his book 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. Think of it like a song stuck in your...

In this episode, we discuss the pivotal experience of Samuel as he learns to recognize God's voice in 1 Samuel 3:10-21. This moment becomes foundational for Samuel's development as a prophet. We explore the significance of Samuel's first message from God, which was a hard truth to deliver to his father figure, Eli. This initial test of obedience would characterize Samuel's propheti...