Latest / Bible in a Year with Jack Graham / Rise of the Emperor

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Rise of the Emperor · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

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  Speaker 1: Have this in mind which was also in Christ Jesus, who,
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  Speaker 1: existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with
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  Speaker 1: God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking
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  Speaker 1: the form of a servant, being made in the likeness
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  Speaker 1: of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself,
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  Speaker 1: becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death
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  Speaker 1: of the cross. Philippians 2, 5-8 Dear Lord, we are
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  Speaker 1: in awe of the gift of you, who left the
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  Speaker 1: splendor of heaven to be born in a humble manger.
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  Speaker 1: May your selfless love and humility inspire us to live
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  Speaker 1: lives of compassion, kindness, and self-sacrifice. As we celebrate your birth,
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  Speaker 1: our Savior, help us to embrace the spirit of giving,
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  Speaker 1: not just in presence, but in presence, offering our time, love,
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  Speaker 1: and empathy to those around us. May the miracle of
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  Speaker 1: Christmas fill our hearts with gratitude and joy, and may
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  Speaker 1: we strive to walk in your footsteps of sharing your
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  Speaker 1: love with the world in need. In your precious name
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  Speaker 1: we pray.
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  Speaker 2: The entire world resided in the shadow of Rome. Julius Caesar,
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  Speaker 2: emperor and genius, reached out his hand and seized power
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  Speaker 2: wherever he could. His authority went unquestioned, and his sword
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  Speaker 2: found the necks of many foes. It was an era
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  Speaker 2: steeped in strife and unrest when men forged their destinies
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  Speaker 2: amidst the anvil of war and the hammer of politics.
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  Speaker 2: As the glory of Rome was about to blossom under
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  Speaker 2: Julius Caesar, a child was born into the world. Little
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  Speaker 2: did anyone know, this child would one day be worshipped
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  Speaker 2: as a god. He would amass followers from nations around
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  Speaker 2: the ancient world, rallying them under his name. This child
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  Speaker 2: was born in the zenith of Roman potential. His name
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  Speaker 2: was Octavian.
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  Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
• 2:37
  Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. But before we begin, I want
• 2:40
  Speaker 3: to let you know about a unique e-book that's yours
• 2:44
  Speaker 3: to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress.
• 2:49
  Speaker 3: And my prayer is that it will help you conquer
• 2:52
  Speaker 3: the daily tasks and pressures and burdens that bring stress
• 2:55
  Speaker 3: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
• 2:59
  Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting jackgraham.org slash stress. That's jackram.org
• 3:06
  Speaker 3: slash stress. We're taking time from now until Christmas to
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  Speaker 3: explore the rich and powerful story of the Nativity. If
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  Speaker 3: the Jesus Podcast has blessed you, consider following and subscribing
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  Speaker 3: to the podcast so you never miss an episode. So far,
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  Speaker 3: we've surveyed some of the prophecies heralding the coming of Jesus.
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  Speaker 3: We saw how the Messiah's coming was foretold from the beginning,
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  Speaker 3: the hope and longing for a Redeemer, endured throughout the generations.
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  Speaker 3: Before we're introduced to our classic Christmas heroes like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary,
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  Speaker 3: and Joseph, we're going back into the annals of history.
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  Speaker 3: Jesus was born into a unique time in history where
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  Speaker 3: the boot of Rome was pressing against the throat of Israel.
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  Speaker 3: The cruel rule of Caesar Augustus spread across the ancient world.
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  Speaker 3: Let's tune in now to this cinematic retelling of Caesar's
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  Speaker 3: rise to power. We will explore why this story is
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  Speaker 3: paramount to the Christmas message.
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  Speaker 2: Octavian was born under the lineage of Caesar. He was
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  Speaker 2: the adored son of the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar, his
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  Speaker 2: illustrious uncle, was considered a titan among mortals. He claimed
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  Speaker 2: swaths of land for the Roman Empire with brutality and force.
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  Speaker 2: But where power and conquest bloom, so do the thorns
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  Speaker 2: of treachery. Julius Caesar fell beneath a blade wielded by
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  Speaker 2: his kin, leaving an empire fractured and trembling on the
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  Speaker 2: brink of chaos. Rome was vulnerable and in disarray. Young
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  Speaker 2: Octavian was ready to rise in his uncle's place, determined
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  Speaker 2: to lift Rome and carry its glory on his shoulders.
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  Speaker 2: As Octavian strode for power, he was flanked by Mark
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  Speaker 2: Anthony and Lepidus, generals in the armies of Caesar. The
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  Speaker 2: three men all claimed Rome as theirs, but only one
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  Speaker 2: could be emperor. Their clash was titanic, splitting the empire
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  Speaker 2: into three realms. Each leader had command over his dominion,
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  Speaker 2: but Octavian would not be denied the throne. Anthony and
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  Speaker 2: Octavian stood as adversaries on the battlefield. Anthony's rage boiled
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  Speaker 2: against Octavian. If the East is to be mine, Anthony declared,
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  Speaker 2: his eyes hard with resolve. Then let it be known
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  Speaker 2: that I will not bow to you, Octavian. Not in
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  Speaker 2: this lifetime. So the dance began, with each ruler amassing
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  Speaker 2: legions of loyal warriors. Their eyes alight with the fire
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  Speaker 2: of the one true king they believed in. The war
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  Speaker 2: was brutal, and the once-united Rome risked consuming.
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  Speaker 1: Itself from within.
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  Speaker 2: Mark Anthony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt amassed an army
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  Speaker 2: they believed to be unrivaled. Blood soaked the sand as
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  Speaker 2: swords and shields clashed. Although their troops were fierce, Octavian
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  Speaker 2: was undeterred by the staggering might of Anthony and Cleopatra.
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  Speaker 2: He masterfully marshaled his men and slaughtered the armies of Anthony.
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  Speaker 2: Lepidus was next, and his troops were subdued and banished
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  Speaker 2: to the far north, on a battlefield now hallowed by
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  Speaker 2: the blood and honor of countless men, Octavian, the victor,
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  Speaker 2: stood surveying the horizon. He was alone, the last man
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  Speaker 2: standing amidst the ruins of a rivalry that had swallowed
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  Speaker 2: all hope. He stood over the battlefield and marched towards
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  Speaker 2: the summit, overlooking the carnage. His rivals had been defeated,
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  Speaker 2: and no one was left to stand in his way.
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  Speaker 2: His breath misted the cool air as he whispered.
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  Speaker 1: I am no longer Octavian. I am Caesar Augustus.
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  Speaker 2: War wounds ravaged the Roman Empire, and its people desperately
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  Speaker 2: sought peace. With the mantle of power secure on his shoulders,
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  Speaker 2: Caesar Augustus set out to heal his empire. I have
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  Speaker 2: dreamed of a Rome reborn, he addressed the masses, his
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  Speaker 2: voice resonating through the crowd's silence. Today we embark on
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  Speaker 2: a journey towards that dream. His rule brought stability, silencing
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  Speaker 2: the discord that had torn at the very fabric of Rome.
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  Speaker 2: Yet the taste of power was addictive, and Augustus sought
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  Speaker 2: to climb to divine heights. He reduced the Roman Senate
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  Speaker 2: to mere whispers in the hallways of power, himself rising
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  Speaker 2: above the mortal coils to be revered as a god.
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  Speaker 2: His soldiers were disciples now, his governors, his apostles, all
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  Speaker 2: bending their knees in supplication to their lord and god.
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  Speaker 2: The shadow of Rome enveloped the nation of Israel. Israelites
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  Speaker 2: watched in quiet dismay, their homeland slowly losing its identity
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  Speaker 2: under Roman dominance. Rome's insidious influence diluted their once proud culture.
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  Speaker 2: It was like being under the boot of Babylon once again.
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  Speaker 2: Amid subjugation and tragedy, they clung to God and cried
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  Speaker 2: out to him for salvation. The pain of their oppression
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  Speaker 2: fueled their longing for a hero, a redeemer. They clung
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  Speaker 2: to the words of the prophecy spoken to David long
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  Speaker 2: ago When your days are over, I will establish the
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  Speaker 2: throne of his kingdom forever. The people yearned for the
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  Speaker 2: promised savior, a beacon in the desolation to restore their
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  Speaker 2: land and their dignity. Isaiah's words echoed in their hearts.
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  Speaker 2: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
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  Speaker 2: They waited, their eyes brimming with hope, their hearts heavy
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  Speaker 2: with expectation. They imagined a ruler that would rival Caesar Augustus.
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  Speaker 2: They envisioned a Messiah who would reclaim the Holy Mount
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  Speaker 2: and thwart the armies of Rome. They imagined conquests like
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  Speaker 2: David and riches like Solomon. Yet, as the wheel of
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  Speaker 2: fate turned, no one could have anticipated the form their
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  Speaker 2: redemption would take. Caesar Augustus, Emperor and God. Families would
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  Speaker 2: disrupt their lives and travel to the homeland of their
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  Speaker 2: kin to be counted. This census, another example of Rome's power,
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  Speaker 2: would make way for the Messiah.
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  Speaker 3: Let's unpack the story of Caesar Augustus together. You may
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  Speaker 3: wonder why we highlighted a part of Caesar's story in
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  Speaker 3: a Christmas podcast. It's because Octavian's rise to power sets
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  Speaker 3: the stage for the Messiah to be born. The tale
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  Speaker 3: of Octavian's ascent to the throne is vital for us
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  Speaker 3: to understand because we wouldn't have the Christmas story without it.
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  Speaker 3: His expansive reach into the Eastern world enveloped Israel. Although
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  Speaker 3: the Pax Romana brought unprecedented peace to the Roman Empire,
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  Speaker 3: God's people were pressed for all they had. Increased taxes
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  Speaker 3: and Roman regulation were the crucibles for religious radicals and self-righteousness.
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  Speaker 3: That oppression began a domino effect of events that led
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  Speaker 3: to Jesus' birth, most notably the census that would take
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  Speaker 3: Mary and Joseph away from Nazareth and to Bethlehem. This
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  Speaker 3: story also contrasts the reigning kingdom of Rome and the
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  Speaker 3: incoming kingdom of Christ. Octavian's rise as the sole ruler
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  Speaker 3: of Rome marked a turning point in history. All of
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  Speaker 3: the ancient world was enveloped under his rule, including Israel.
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  Speaker 3: In the times of Moses, David, and Elijah, the idols
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  Speaker 3: of the age were gods like Baal, Dagon, and Asherah.
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  Speaker 3: They were false Canaanite gods who entrapped the people of
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  Speaker 3: Israel in false worship. Yet, during the time of Jesus, Peter,
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  Speaker 3: and Paul, the false god was Caesar. Through sheer force
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  Speaker 3: and willpower, he made himself to be like a god.
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  Speaker 3: He demanded the worship of his followers, and whoever defied
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  Speaker 3: him faced death. But while Caesar's rule was marked with
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  Speaker 3: brutality and self-glorification— Jesus' rule was marked by grace and self-sacrifice.
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  Speaker 3: Christmas is not only a time to celebrate the birth
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  Speaker 3: of Jesus Christ, but it's also an opportunity to reflect
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  Speaker 3: on the kingdom he brought into this world. This kingdom
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  Speaker 3: stands in sharp contrast to the kingdoms of this world,
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  Speaker 3: represented most vividly by Caesar Augustus. During the festive season,
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  Speaker 3: let's explore these contrasts. In the era when Christ was born,
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  Speaker 3: Caesar Augustus ruled a vast empire. His kingdom was one
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  Speaker 3: of conquest, political intrigue, and earthly power. He sought to
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  Speaker 3: unify people under the banner of Rome, but his methods
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  Speaker 3: were often forceful and self-serving. In stark contrast, Jesus came
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  Speaker 3: to establish a kingdom not of this world. His reign
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  Speaker 3: is one of peace, justice, and righteousness, founded on love
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  Speaker 3: and self-sacrifice. The kingdom of God transcends all borders, and
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  Speaker 3: its king invites all to partake in his blessings. Caesar
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  Speaker 3: Augustus was known for his ambition and pride. He built
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  Speaker 3: monuments to his own glory and inscribed his name on
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  Speaker 3: coins as Son of God. His rule was characterized by
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  Speaker 3: self-aggrandizement and the pursuit of personal power. Jesus, the true
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  Speaker 3: Son of God, stands in total opposition to Caesar's pride
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  Speaker 3: and self-serving nature. Born in the manger, living a life
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  Speaker 3: of humility, and dying a criminal's death, Jesus exemplified self-sacrifice.
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  Speaker 3: He washed his disciples' feet and gave his life for
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  Speaker 3: all humanity. The gospel of Christ does something extraordinary that
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  Speaker 3: no earthly kingdom can achieve. It creates a people-unified community
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  Speaker 3: not by nationality, race, creed, culture, or socioeconomic status, but
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  Speaker 3: by a shared love for Christ. The gospel invites all people,
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  Speaker 3: rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, to
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  Speaker 3: come to Jesus. It tears down the walls that divide us,
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  Speaker 3: offering a common ground in the person and work of Christ.
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  Speaker 3: In Christ, we find a new identity that transcends all
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  Speaker 3: earthly distinctions. We are children of God, citizens of a
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  Speaker 3: heavenly kingdom. Our loyalty to Christ binds us together in
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  Speaker 3: a community that reflects the love and grace of our King.
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  Speaker 3: As we celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on these profound contrasts.
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  Speaker 3: While the kingdom of Caesar Augustus was characterized by power, pride,
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  Speaker 3: and self-service, the kingdom of God stands as a beacon
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  Speaker 3: of love humility, and self-sacrifice. May we, as followers of Christ,
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  Speaker 3: imitate our humble King. Let us serve one another in love,
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  Speaker 3: recognizing that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in
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  Speaker 3: being a servant of all. And finally, as we look
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  Speaker 3: to the manger, may we see the hope of a
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  Speaker 3: better kingdom, a kingdom not of this world, but one
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  Speaker 3: that is coming. May our hearts be filled with joy
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  Speaker 3: this Christmas. as we reflect on the true King and
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  Speaker 3: His kingdom. May our lives be marked by the humility, love,
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  Speaker 3: and unity that characterize the kingdom of God. Thank you
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  Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. Before
• 14:28
  Speaker 3: we go, I want to let you know about a
• 14:30
  Speaker 3: unique e-book that's yours to download absolutely free today. It's
• 14:36
  Speaker 3: called Breaking Free from Stress. And my prayer is that
• 14:39
  Speaker 3: it will help you conquer the daily task and pressures
• 14:42
  Speaker 3: and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download your
• 14:46
  Speaker 3: free copy of Breaking Free from Stress today by visiting
• 14:50
  Speaker 3: jackgram.org slash stress. That's jackgram.org slash stress.