The Easy English Bible Study Podcast

In this reading and in this episode Jesus is comforting and preparing the disciples. He tells them that he is going away to be with the Father. They are likely very upset by this news and Jesus says “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” He tells them that he is “the way, the truth and the life”. He explains that if they have seen him they have seen the Father. He says “I am in the Father and the Father is in me”. Finally he tells them that they will do great things in his name. We talk about these sayings of Jesus in this episode. Thank you for listening to this podcast. God bless you! . You can contact me at: easyenglishbiblestudy@gmail.com David Gray

Here Jesus tells the Pharisees that he is the Good Shepherd. The Shepard symbolizes the religious leaders and sheep are the people that they lead. Jesus is the shepherd promised by God in the Old Testament (see Ezekiel 34). Jesus speaks against, (he is critical of) the false shepherds who are evil and do not care for their people. Through this symbolism he is being critical of the Pharisees (religious leaders).
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you would like to contact me, you can email me at easyenglishbiblestudy@gmail.com
God bless you!
David Gray

Jesus has resurrected and walks with two men along the road to Emmaus. They do not recognize Jesus. They are sad about his death. Jesus explains what the scriptures (Old Testament) say about him. He says that “the Christ had to suffer these things and then enter his glory”. Later they have a meal together and as Jesus breaks the bread they recognize him and then he disappears. The two men to back to Jerusalem and tell the disciples what they experienced.
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David Gray

The resurrected Jesus appears to the group of disciples for the first time. He says “Peace be with you” and allows them to touch his wounds (his hands and his side). Thomas is not there and says he will not believe unless he sees Jesus and touches him. Jesus appears again and Thomas touches his wounds and believes. Jesus says “Blessed out those who have not seen and yet have believed.” You and I can not see or touch Jesus. We do not have physical proof of his resurrection. We are blessed for having faith in him, in his resurrection and in his gospel message.

Happy Easter! This episode is based on the reading John 20:1-18. Here Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Jesus and sees that the tomb is empty. She tells Peter and John and they go running to the tomb and also see that it is empty. John believes that Jesus has resurrected. Mary is still worried about the body of Jesus and wants to know who took his body. Jesus appears to Mary and tells her that he will ascend to the Father. Mary tells the disciples that she has seen Jesus. She is the first person to see the risen Lord and to share the good news! In this episode I also give some background information on Mary Magdalene. Hope you have a great Easter! If you want to contact me or give feedback or suggestions on this podcast, you can email me at easyenglishbiblestudy@gmail.com.
God bless!
David Gray

This episode is about the death of Jesus on the cross; the crucifixion. Here Jesus carries his cross. Pilate writes a notice that reads: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. The soldiers divide Jesus’ clothes among themselves. Jesus has John take care of his mother from now on. Finally, Jesus says “It is finished” and he dies. Jesus has completed the work that the Father has given him to do on earth. He has died as a sacrifice for our sins. This is a sad day as we remember the suffering and death of Jesus.

This episode is about the Last Supper. Jesus has already arranged the place where they would celebrate the Passover meal.
At the meal Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray him. It is Judas.
Jesus also gives the words and actions to what is today called Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. There are many bonus episodes this week.
You can contact me or give feedback at: easyenglishbiblestudy@gmail.com
Take care and God bless!
David Gray

Matthew 27:11-31 is about Jesus before Pilate. Pilate is surprised that Jesus will not answer the charges (accusations) given against him. Pilate tries to find a way to free Jesus. There is a custom to free one prisoner each year at the festival. However, instead of Jesus the crowd yells for Barabbas to be freed. They cry for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is flogged and mocked by the soldiers.
Earlier, Jesus was very upset in the garden of Gethsemane because he knew he would be tortured and then crucified and yet he was able to face this. Pilate is weak here. He knew Jesus is innocent but did not have the courage to free Jesus.
Thank you for listening to this bonus episode! You can give feedback or contact me at: easyenglishbiblestudy@gmail.com
God bless!
David Gray

In this reading, Matthew 26:69-27:10 shows us Peter denying knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Peter weeps bitterly (cries strongly) after he does this.
Judas sees that Jesus is being handed over to Pilate. He has great remorse (regret) for what he did and wants to give back the money to the chief priests. Judas then hangs himself (kills himself).
At times we might do something very serious and feel that it is too great a sin for God to forgive us but God will forgive us if we repent of our sin. Peter did go on to repent of his sin and was forgiven. I felt bad for Jesus in this moment that two of his disciples denied or betrayed him at this time. Jesus put his trust in God the Father and not in men.

We start at the garden of Gethsemane in this reading of Matthew 26:36-68. At first, Jesus prays to the Father asking if there is another way. But Jesus prays for God’s will not his own will. Jesus accepts that he must suffer and die on the cross. Judas betrays Jesus and Jesus is arrested. Jesus is put on trial before the Sanhedrin (the religious leaders). Jesus says that he is the Messiah when he says “you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven”. The high priest charges Jesus with blasphemy and decides he should be killed as punishment.
My take away is that Jesus is able to face his upcoming suffering and death through prayer to the Father. He accepts the Father’s will. He is able to bravely face the situation and declares who he really is.