The Rural Think Tank

The King We Did Not Expect

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we explore the theological and practical significance of Palm Sunday. We often approach faith with a list of demands, but the story of the entry into Jerusalem reminds us that Jesus came to fulfill a much greater purpose than immediate comfort or political victory. This message challenges us to reconsider what it means to truly welcome the King. Key Takeaways * The symbolism of the donkey and the deliberate rejection of worldly power. * The reasons why the crowds turned so quickly from praise to silence. * How to align personal expectations with the actual mission of Jesus. * Ways to prepare your heart for the weight and wonder of Holy Week. Scripture ReferenceMatthew 21:1 through 11 Reflection Questions 1. In what ways have I tried to make Jesus fit into my own plans or desires? 2. How can I cultivate a faith that persists even when God does not act the way I expect? 3. What does it look like to lay down my own version of a cloak before the Lord this week?

You can't make this up! - Week 10 - A donkey...

Welcome to another week of “you can’t make this up”. This week we will be talking about talking donkeys and prophets for hire. The context of this passage is where the children of Israel have left Egypt for the promised land, they have been wandering in the wilderness and are about to enter the land they have been promised. They have some encounters and battles with neighboring tribes, one of them being the Midianites, that we talked about a little last week when discussing Gideon and his sons. What we are dealingwith here is one of their first encounters.

You can't make this up! Week 9 - Abimelech

Welcome back to another week of “ You can’t make this up”. This passage from the book of Judges comes directly after The defeat of the Midianites under Gideon Theprevious chapter recounts how after he led the armies of Israel in victory, he just asked for a little of the spoils and went home, despite the people begging for him to be their king. It also tells us that Gideon had 70 sons between all his wives and a female servant. The son from the servant was named Abimelech.

You can't make this up! Week 8 Elijah? ....He gone!

Welcome back to another week of “You can’t make this up”. A few weeks ago, we looked at another passage with Elisha, and this passage precedes the floating axe head. This takes place right after Elijah is taken into heaven, and Elisha is left to be God’s prophet to His people. There were some of the men that were called “sons of the prophets” traveled to the Jordan River beginning in verse 7. As you read on, you find that Elijah instructs them to stop and stay on one side, while he and Elisha would go on across. So Elijah rolls up his cloak and strikes the water, the Jordan parts, and Elija and Elisha crosses over. Elijah asks Elisha what he would like before Elijah goes away. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah points out that it is a difficult ask, but if Elisha sees Elijah as he’s going away Elisha will receive it. Elijahis taken up in a whirlwind with the chariots of fire. Elisha didn’t see him anymore. He cried out, tore his own cloak, and then Elisha receives Elijah’s cloak as it falls from the sky towards the ground. As I mentioned the other week, thispassage is where we get the phrase “taking up the mantle” from. In some older translations, mantle is used as a word substitute for cloak. Elisha takes the cloak, and hits the Jordan again on the way back with the same result, provingthat he did indeed get the double portion that he asked for.

You can't make this up! Week 7 - Demonic Pigs

Welcome back to another week of “ You Can’t make this up”.   This passage takes place right after Jesus and the disciples had sailed across the Sea of Galilee and dealt with a particularly nasty storm that the Jesus was trying tonap through. Instead, the concerned disciples woke Him up, and Jesus calmed the storm. This passage is also detailed in Mark 5 and Matthew 8.