Message—The Temptations of Jesus, Part 1
This week we begin a 3-part series on the temptations of Jesus:
The Temptations of Jesus serve as a prelude or an introduction to His ministry. Each of the synoptic gospels (that’s Matt, Mark, and Luke) write about Satan tempting Jesus, and all three place the story in the beginning of their gospel right after the baptism of Jesus. They do this for a reason. Matthew, Mark, and Luke wanted you to see that Jesus was qualified to be the Son of God and the King of Israel by remaining obedient to the Father, even in agony.
AskFOI–What are we to make of the Vaticans recognition of a Palestinian state? (@11:52)
Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi said, “Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists.” While this seems like a noble cause for the Holy See to recognize Palestine as a state, the decision comes at a time when a two-state solution seems, at best, impossible to imagine.
Israel is constantly facing international pressure to create a peaceful two-state solution with the Palestinians. This is also known as “Land for Peace,” which stipulates that the moment the Palestinians receive West Bank land (Judea and Samaria), there will be peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Even President Obama, when speaking about Israel’s new coalition government, said he still believes if Israel gives up the West Bank to create a Palestinian state that peace would follow. What many international leaders, including the Pope, don’t understand is that the West Bank could easily erupt into chaos and terror could spill over into Israel if the Palestinians created a state today.
Featured Resource: Zvi: The Miraculous Story of Triumph Over the Holocaust
Learn more about our ORIGINS tour.
Apples of Gold–”Every Cloud has a Silver Lining” (@19:21)
“I was recently asked to visit a very sick elderly man whose son is my friend. I arrived in the final hours of his life. He told me he had been a drunk all of his life. “Now that I have reached the end of my life,” he said, “I realize I have never known satisfaction—not from things, people, or even my children. And now I will be lost forever.””
Music
The Friends of Israel Today and Apples of Gold theme music was composed and performed by Jeremy Strong.
Also heard on this weeks show:
»Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Timothy Shaw
From the CD, Hymns: Timothy Shaw at the Piano.
»Sun Filled (Ketsa)
»Illway (Blue Dot Sessions)