The Mountain E12 If Jesus role as the promised mountaintop intercessor was unclear from the mountain stories in the Gospels, the author of the letter to the Hebrews wants to make it explicit. Drawing together imagery of Moses on Mount Sinai, the levitical priesthood, and the Old Testament sacrificial system, Hebrews declares that Jesus is the eternal high priest who can ascend to the holy mountain for the people through the blood of his own sacrifice. In this episode, Jon and Tim wrap up our ser...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E11 Weve learned that mountains in the Hebrew Bible often become a space where Heaven and Earth overlap and human beings must choose between self-preservation or surrender and trust in God. The story builds our hope and expectation for a faithful intercessor on the mountain who can mediate Gods blessings to the people below. As we turn to the New Testament, gospel writer Matthew is ready to spotlight who that faithful mountaintop intercessor is. In this episode, Jon and Tim walk thr...
Jan 13, 2025•55 min•Ep 451•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E10 The prophet Isaiah depicts Mount Zion as a cosmic mountain where Heaven and Earth overlap and Gods blessings flow down to all of creation. But Isaiah also lived in the real Jerusalem that had Mount Zion at its center, which was filled with corruption, injustice, and idolatry. So in his prophecies, he balances hope in this future new Eden with warnings of judgment on Jerusalems proud and corrupt elites. In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the many iterations of the mountain them...
Jan 06, 2025•54 min•Ep 450•Transcript available on Metacast In our final episode of 2024, Tim, Jon, and BibleProject CEO, Steve Atkinson, reflect on ten years of the project, all the resources we got to make and share this year, and the patrons who made it possible. The guys then give a sneak peek of whats coming up next for BibleProject in 2025. Timestamps Ten Year Anniversary and Our Patron Community (0:00-9:25) Strategic Relationships (9:25-19:49) 2024 Engagement With Our Resources (19:49-30:51) Looking Back at a Year in the Sermon on the Mount (30:51...
Dec 30, 2024•48 min•Ep 449•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E9 The mountain theme shows up again and again in biblical narrative, but its also prominent in the Psalms. Particularly in Psalms 15-24, the biblical authors reflect on the traits of the one who can ascend and dwell on Gods holy mountain. At first, this question focuses on King David and his royal successors as they endure suffering, despair, and ultimately vindication, which leads to blessing for Israel and the nations. But eventually, its not just the Davidic king but a whole com...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 448•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E8 On two different mountains, we witness mountain tests with two very different Elijahs. On Mount Carmel, he partners with God in challenging the false prophets of Baal, leading to the peoples repentance and renewal of trust in God. But then only a chapter later, Elijah is on Mount Sinai accusing the people and loathing his prophetic calling. Why the sudden shift? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the contrasting mountain test stories of 1 Kings 18-19, reflecting on the human te...
Dec 16, 2024•55 min•Ep 447•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E7 After King David's failures, we hope that his son Solomon will fare better on the cosmic mountain of Mount Zion. And initially, he does! In a cosmic mountain moment when God offers to give him anything he wants, he humbly asks only for wisdom to discern good from bad. In response, God gives him wisdom plus material blessing, leading to an era of unparalleled abundance and peace in the cosmic mountain city of Jerusalem. During this time, the king builds a splendorous temple on Mou...
Dec 09, 2024•54 min•Ep 446•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E6 In 2 Samuel, David is crowned king of a unified Israel, and after choosing Jerusalem as his capital city, he brings the ark of the covenant to Mount Zion. It seems like things are going greata priestly king has unified the tribes and all of Israels enemies are subdued! But it doesnt last. After committing adultery and murder, David also foolishly calls for a census of his army (which according to the Law, no Israelite leader was supposed to do). And things just get worse. In this...
Dec 02, 2024•51 min•Ep 445•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E5 Moses has a complicated identity. He's an Israelite, but he was raised in the house of Pharaoh. He was born in Egypt, but he flees to live in the wilderness with the Midianites. And there in the wilderness, he meets God on two separate occasions on Mount Sinai. The first time, God commissions Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery. And the second time, while Moses is up on the mountain with God, the recently freed people down below are already breaking the covenant by worsh...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 444•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E4 After the exile from the first cosmic mountain of Eden, humanity spirals into depravity and violence. God chooses to expedite their inevitable destruction through a catastrophic flood, but he preserves the family of Noah. Coming out of the ark on Mount Ararat, Noah offers the life of a precious animalan act that deeply pleases God. And then Abraham, one of Noahs descendants, offers an even more precious sacrifice on Mount Moriah. In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Noah as the B...
Nov 18, 2024•55 min•Ep 443•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount Q+R 5 (E39) Should we judge abusive behavior in others? Do we need faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be righteous? And how can we discern who is a true or false prophet? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from episodes 30-38 in the Sermon on the Mount series, where we explored Matthew 7:1-27. Plus, we share more of the Lords Prayer song submissions. Thank you to our audience for your thoughtful contributions to this episode! View more resources on our ...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep 442•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E3 The biblical authors portray Eden as a cosmic mountainan overlapping Heaven and Earth space in Gods presence. Humans are placed on the Eden mountain and given a choice: Will they trust Gods voice and wisdom, or will they seize the knowledge of good and bad on their own terms? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the drama that plays out on the first cosmic mountain and how it becomes the pattern for every future mountaintop story in the Bible. View more resources on our website T...
Nov 11, 2024•59 min•Ep 441•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E2 Ancient Israels neighbors believed that the world originated as a mountain rising up out of the chaos waters. The gods ruled from this great cosmic mountain, fighting battles with nature and issuing decrees that kept the world in order. So how did this surrounding culture impact the cosmology of the Bible? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss what the cosmic mountain meant in the Ancient Near Eastern context and how the biblical authors adapted and subverted this symbol in surpri...
Nov 04, 2024•39 min•Ep 440•Transcript available on Metacast The Mountain E1 What comes to mind when you think of mountains? Is it a strenuous climb or a feeling of smallness as you gaze on the majesty of nature? The biblical authors had similar connotations with mountains, presenting them as sublime, in-between spacesthat are also treacherous! This tension between majesty and danger led ancient Israel and their surrounding neighbors to connect real mountains to The Mountain, a cosmic place where Heaven and Earth overlap and the divine and human realms be...
Oct 28, 2024•41 min•Ep 439•Transcript available on Metacast How is Gods generosity meant to change us? In the Bible, Gods gifts are intended to bring about transformation in our lives. This generosity challenges our natural tendencies toward selfishness, calling us to live in a community that freely shares and truly loves one another. In this re-released episode from 2019, Tim and Jon explore the teachings of Jesus and the apostles on generosity and ponder the centrality of generosity to the Gospel itself. View more resources on our website Timestamps Ch...
Oct 21, 2024•56 min•Ep 438•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when humans misuse the gifts God gives them? From Eves attitude toward the births of Cain and Seth, to the Tower of Babel, to Abrahams response to the promised land, the stories in Genesis reveal a tension between Gods abundant generosity and humanitys selfish responses. This tension continues when the people of Israel reside in the promised landa gift they repeatedly misuse. In this re-released episode from 2019, Tim and Jon trace the theme of generosity and scarcity from Genesis t...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 436•Transcript available on Metacast The Bible begins with a portrait of God as an amazing and generous host to humanity, an image that is on full display in the Genesis creation narrative. But the humans ruin the party in Eden by believing the lies that God is stingy and withholding. In this re-released episode from 2019, Jon and Tim start at the beginning of the Bible, where God seeks to be generous and gracious, and where humans respond with suspicion, greed, jealousy, and murder. View more resources on our website Timestamps Ch...
Oct 07, 2024•39 min•Ep 435•Transcript available on Metacast What comes to mind when you think of generosity? Is it sharing your money, resources, or even time with others? For the biblical authors, generosity is much more than an act of kindnessits a reality woven into the universe, starting with the generous Creator. In this re-released of our 2019 series on generosity, Jon and Tim start by exploring Jesus perspective on resources and the Hebrew Bibles portrayal of Gods gracious abundance. View more resources on our website Timestamps Chapter 1: The The...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 434•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E38 When Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount, his first audience responds with astonishment. What will our response be? And where will that response lead us? In this episode, Tim, Jon, Michelle, and members of our audience reflect on their journeys through the sermon. Listen to how meditating on Matthew 5-7 has changed them and how these words of Jesus are guiding them to seek Gods wisdom moving forward. Timestamps Chapter 1: How Jesus' First Listeners Responded to the Ser...
Sep 23, 2024•48 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E37 The final teaching of the Sermon on the Mount addresses the most important aspect of the choice Jesus presents to his listeners. Where does the path that we choose lead us? Jesus describes two buildersa foolish man who builds his house on sand and a wise man who builds his house on rock. When the storm comes, the house on sand is destroyed, while the house on rock remains standing. This seems straightforward, but unpacking the biblical themes of houses, cities, and floodw...
Sep 16, 2024•53 min•Ep 432•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E36 In the second part of the final section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the tension present in the choice between two paths. How do we know if someone is leading us toward the path to life, and whose voice should we listen to? Jesus uses the images of a sheep in wolfs clothing and trees bearing fruit to emphasize the wisdom needed to identify those who truly represent him. In this episode, Tim and Jon wrestle with the challenge of discerning God's words and r...
Sep 09, 2024•44 min•Ep 431•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount Q+R 4 (E35) Can Jesus riddle about the good eye and the bad eye also apply to Genesis 3? Does the Bible offer conflicting views on the topic of testing? What is the connection between asking God for our daily bread and Jesus calling himself the Bread of Heaven? Does God forgive us only after we forgive others? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from episodes 22-28 in the Sermon on the Mount series and share some of the Lords Prayer song submissions. Thank ...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 430•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E34 Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount by presenting his listeners with a choice, illustrated in three parts. He first describes two gates and two paths. The narrow gate is difficult to enter, but it opens up the way to life. The wide gate is easy to navigate, but it leads to ruin. In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the choice we all must make after listening to Jesus words and how the decision to live out our true calling as humans is challenged daily by paths that appea...
Aug 26, 2024•45 min•Ep 429•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E33 The final teaching in the main body of the Sermon on the Mount is commonly known as the Golden Rule: do to others what you would have them do to you. Jesus says that all of the Law and Prophetseverything he has come to fulfillare contained in this one statement. How? In this episode, Tim and Jon unpack what many consider Jesus most famous teaching. Join us as we examine how the Golden Rule fits into the intentional design of the Sermon on the Mount, reinforcing the centra...
Aug 19, 2024•55 min•Ep 428•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E32 In his fourth teaching on relationships and conflict in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his listeners to ask God for what they need. Because the three previous teachings don't directly tell us how to respond in specific situations, Jesus emphasizes that the challenges of relationships require wisdom that comes from a deep dependence on God. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss Jesus invitation for his followers to relate to God as a loving and generous Father wh...
Aug 12, 2024•54 min•Ep 427•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E31 Is it possible to evaluate the behavior of others in a healthy way? Jesus offers two parables that illustrate the wisdom needed to evaluate someone else's behavior. The first parable invites us to examine ourselves before others, and the second parable reminds us the necessary discernment for this happens only in a community of faith. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss Jesus teachings on how and when to speak into the lives of others. Timestamps Chapter 1: To Judge or N...
Aug 05, 2024•52 min•Ep 426•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E30 After the four-part section on our relationship to money, Jesus turns to addressing our relationships with each other. He begins with the command to not judge. But judging can mean condemnationor it can mean evaluation. So when is it acceptable to judge someone? And what does that mean for how we will be judged? In this episode, Tim and Jon unpack a challenging command that calls for a deep understanding of Gods generosity to compel us to respond generously to each other....
Jul 29, 2024•48 min•Ep 425•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E29 In Jesus' fourth and final teaching on money, he offers his listeners an antidote to the worry that accompanies lifes daily troubles. Jesus teaches that the path to a peaceful mindset is found in what we pay attention to or seek. And seeking the Kingdom of the skies leads to trusting in God's abundance. In this episode, Jon, Tim, and Michelle explore how communities who understand God's character can live without worry, knowing that even death does not separate us from Go...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 424•Transcript available on Metacast Sermon on the Mount E29 (Studio Conversation) In Jesus fourth and final teaching on money, he offers his listeners an antidote to the worry that accompanies lifes daily troubles. Jesus teaches that the path to a peaceful mindset is found in what we focus onor seek. Seeking the Kingdom of the skies leads to investing in what is permanent and trusting in God's abundance. In this uncut episode, join an uninterrupted conversation with Jon and Tim about how understanding Gods character can help us li...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 423•Transcript available on Metacast What does an obedient follower of Jesus do with their money? In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Jon and Tim share the story of John Cortinez and Greg Baumer. Ambitious, driven, and financially successful, John and Greg meet in class at Harvard Business School, confident of the plans they have for their lives. But when a class project gives them a vision for how their money could be part of God's Kingdom here on Earth, everything changes. Timestamps Chapter 1: Are You Telling...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 422•Transcript available on Metacast 
