The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi

Discover the significance of some of the details of the story of Jesus' birth you may have overlooked: Why was Jesus born in a cave? What is the meaning of the manger in which he was placed? What is significant about his swaddling cloths? In what time of year was Jesus born, and why does it matter? Why did the gospel writers choose terms like son of God, Savior, and Lord to describe Jesus?

There are some key factors in Jesus' pre-ministry life that set the stage for his work in the world, which answer some fascinating questions: What was his occupation, really, and how does it relate to his role in creation? What was the significance of a wedding in the Jewish culture, and how did Jesus' first miracle give new meaning to a Jewish ritual? Learn more about these early signs.

Jesus was not a typical rabbi. He taught using parables, he performed miracles on the Sabbath, he associated with sinners. In one of his teachings, he used a number to instruct Peter how many times to forgive. Rabbi Sobel explains the significance of that number, and explores key Hebrew terms in Scripture with that same numeric value that tie together to convey a powerful and unforgettable lesson.

As Jesus' ministry expanded, he repeatedly did things that may not seem controversial to us, but were shocking to the people of his day. Discover why the idea of crossing the Sea of Galilee was terrifying; why visiting the other side of the lake was scandalous; why allowing the tassels of his garment to be touched was shocking; why having women sit at his feet and learn was perplexing, and more.

During the last week of Jesus' life, he did several things that carried a significance for his followers that we in our current culture may miss. Discover why he chose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey; learn what his followers expected him to do when he entered the temple, and why what he did do was so shocking; explore the layers of significance in his actions.

There are nuances in the way Jesus was treated from the moment of his arrest through to his death that escape most modern-day readers. The process of Jesus' arrest, trial, procession to Golgotha, and crucifixion bear striking parallels to the Roman procession known as the triumph. Rabbi Sobel explains why Jesus had to die on a cross and wear a crown of thorns.