Episode 145 - Jesus on Trial: Authority, Fear, and the Pursuit of Truth

Welcome to Focused on Christ! In this powerful episode, hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the dramatic and pivotal story of the trial of Jesus. We explore the events leading up to and during Christ's appearances before Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate.

• The Arrest and Peter's Sword: We begin by examining the moment of Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane, including Peter's impulsive act of cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus rebukes Peter, emphasizing that His purpose is not to accomplish God's will through violence, contrasting this with the desire for worldly power. Jesus asserts that He could call down "more than 12 legions of angels" (around 72,000) but chooses not to, to fulfill the Scriptures.

  
  

• The Disciples' Flight: We discuss the fear that caused the disciples to abandon Jesus, with one young man even fleeing naked after being seized. This event illustrates the nature of humanity's focus on self-preservation in stark contrast to Christ’s selflessness.

  
  

• The Illegal Trial before Caiaphas: Jesus is led to Caiaphas, the high priest, where an illegal night trial takes place before the council (Sanhedrin). Caiaphas was installed by the Romans, but Annas (related to Caiaphas) was the de facto authority and orchestrator of hostility against Jesus. The council sought false testimony to put Jesus to death.

  
  

• Jesus' Confession and Rejection: When asked directly if He is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus answers truthfully, referencing the prophecy of the Son of Man in Daniel. The high priest tears his robes, accusing Jesus of blasphemy, and the council declares He "deserves death". The irony is that the thing they rejected Jesus for was the truth: He is the Messiah, the Son of God.

  
  

• The Question of Truth before Pilate: Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, was present in Jerusalem due to the potential for rebellion during the Passover. Jesus tells Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world," and that He came to "bear witness to the truth". Pilate responds with the famous question, "What is truth?". Though Pilate finds "no guilt" in Jesus, he disregards the truth revealed to him.

  
  

This tragic yet essential moment illustrates God's sovereign plan to steward evil for His ultimate purpose of salvation.

Next week, we will continue the story by looking at the actions and ultimate fate of Peter and Judas during the time of Jesus' trial.

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

• Connect with us online at focusedonchrist.com.

The Agony and Intimacy of Jesus' Last Hours: Last Supper & Gethsemane (Ep 144)

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith on Focused on Christ as they dive into the profound moments leading up to Jesus' crucifixion during Passion Week. This episode explores the Last Supper (Passover) and the deeply significant Prayer in Gethsemane.

We begin by discussing the Passover—the major redemptive event of the Old Testament—where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts caused the destroying angel to "pass over". This event is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice.

• The Betrayer: Jesus reveals that one of the Twelve will betray him during this sacred meal, highlighting the intimacy of their relationship and the tragedy of Judas. The disciples' confusion shows that Judas was a remarkably good deceiver.

  
  

• Institution of Communion: Jesus links the new covenant in his blood directly to the Passover, identifying himself as the fulfillment of millennia of promise. Taking communion is an outward display of recognizing Jesus as "the one," bonding believers to Christ and to one another.

  
  

• Peter's Denial Foretold: As they head toward the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times. This rebuke serves as a kindness, showing Jesus' foreknowledge and his determined plan to forgive and restore Peter, fulfilling the promise that he will lose none of his own.

  
  

The episode concludes in the Garden of Gethsemane, a moment considered one of the "holy of holies of Scripture".

• "Remove This Cup": Jesus prays, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done". This demonstrates Jesus' real volition and obedience to the Father's will, even when the asking is death.

  
  

• Profound Agony: Jesus' distress was so severe his sweat became like great drops of blood. The agony points to a suffering deeper than mere physical pain.

  
  

• Death of the Soul: The suffering involved Jesus laying bare or opening up his soul—the very core, essential, and eternal aspect of his being—to death. His "sole death" on the cross was far worse than the physical death.

  
  

Meditating on these events fuels worship and love for Christ, reminding the church that there is "no higher glory" than reflecting on what Jesus endured to pay our debt of sin.

Next Week: We will eavesdrop on the trial of Jesus before the religious leaders.

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

Connect with us on social media or browse our library at focusedonchrist.com.

MailBag: Trinity, the Law, Demonic Warfare, and Divine

Impassibility | Focused on Christ Ep. 143

Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church!

Join your host, Mike Crump, and Nathan Smith for a special Q&A episode—we're opening the mailbag to tackle some deep theological and practical questions.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Trinity and the Son's Knowledge: We start by expounding on how Jesus, the Son of Man, could say he did not know the time of the end (Matthew 24), reconciling this with the Trinitarian framework and Christ's shared divine omniscience with the Father and Holy Spirit. We discuss the unity of the divine essence and the different roles/operations of the three eternal persons of the Godhead.

  
  

• Divine Impassibility: What is the doctrine of divine impassibility (that God cannot suffer or feel pain)?. We explore how this is true of God in His base, original state, and how He was willing to step down in human flesh through the Son to suffer and feel genuine grief and pain for us.

  
  

• Upholding the Law (Romans 3:31): Logan asks what Paul means when he tells us to "uphold the law". The simple answer is that Christians uphold the law by pointing to Christ as the completion of the Law. We fulfill the law through faith and obedience to Christ.

  
  

• Wrestling with Demonic Influence: Elisa asks why the devil and demons can repeatedly oppress Christians even after being rebuked with the name or blood of Christ. We clarify that the concept of "claiming the blood" is not rooted in Scripture. Instead, Christians must understand that we still wrestle with principalities and authorities in this sinful world. We deal with this ongoing warfare by putting on the armor of God (faith, the Word, and knowledge of who you are in Christ) and confronting lies with truth.

  
  

• Defining Good Works: Cyre asks how a Christian should define good works and know if their life is pleasing to God. Good works are always an outflow of the Gospel and new heart affections to obey the Lord. We discuss how Christian maturity is marked by a growing awareness of our disobedience, which points us back to Christ's mercy, rather than a feeling of "being done" or fully pleasing to God.

  
  

Next Week: We will be visiting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and discussing his prayer to the Father.

Connect with Us!

• Submit your questions for a future MailBag episode at focusedonchrist.com.

• Find more episodes and resources at focusedonchrist.com.

Jesus and the End Times: Separating Fact from Conspiracy | Focused on Christ Ep. 142

What goes through your mind when someone starts talking about the end times? For many, the conversation can quickly devolve into conspiracy theories and "newspaper theology". This episode addresses the nervousness and the fascination surrounding the return of Jesus, particularly after a recent viral "prophecy" led to disappointment for many.

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they turn to the words of Jesus himself in Matthew 24 to understand the end of the age.

• The Danger of False Prophecies: Why even Christ-loving people can get pulled into unbiblical end times excitement. We look at a recent example of a viral prophecy that predicted Jesus' return on a specific date.

  
  

• The Context of Matthew 24: Jesus' conversation with his disciples begins with a strong declaration that the physical Temple, which they admired as a sign of the Kingdom, would be destroyed. Jesus warns them not to confuse the earthly with the heavenly kingdom.

  
  

• Wars, Famines, and Earthquakes: Are we in the end times? Jesus says these are just the "beginning of the birth pains," and the primary purpose of his warnings is pastoral—to shape their hearts and hope.

  
  

• The Abomination of Desolation: We unpack the meaning of this prophecy, rooted in Daniel, and explore the "near fulfillment" (like Antiochus Epiphanes and the destruction of Jerusalem) versus the "eventual fulfillment" that is yet to come.

  
  

• Why the Son Doesn't Know the Hour: Addressing the complex question from Matthew 24:36. We explain how this is a statement about the Father's decreeing authority within the Trinity, not a limitation of Jesus' divine nature.

  
  

• The Final Judgment: Looking ahead to Matthew 25:31-33, when the Son of Man returns in glory to separate the sheep from the goats—the ultimate final judgment.

  
  

• The Church's End Times Mandate: Jesus gives these teachings so we are not deceived by false prophets and so we are not alarmed when the world is chaotic. We have final confidence in gospel victory—Jesus Christ emerges the victor.

  
  

Tune in to anchor your hope in Christ's return, not in fleeting conspiracy theories!

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church, passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church.

Host: Mike Crump Guest: Pastor Nathan Smith

Connect with us:Browse our library at focusedonchrist.com Follow us on social media

Next Week: We open up the mailbag and grill Nathan with listener questions!

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree | Focused on Christ Ep. 141

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastors Mike and Nathan unpack one of the most misunderstood moments in Jesus’ ministry — when He cursed the fig tree. Was Jesus simply angry or hangry, or is there a much deeper message hidden in this symbolic act?

Join us as we:

🌿 Explore the Old Testament roots of the fig tree as a symbol for Israel.

🏛️ Connect the cursing of the fig tree to the cleansing of the temple.

🙏 Discover what Jesus teaches about true faith, prayer, and forgiveness.

🔥 Unpack the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13 and its picture of God’s patience, judgment, and redemption.

This episode reminds us that fruitfulness reveals true life in Christ — and that real faith produces both love for God and forgiveness toward others.

Article on the Synoptic Problem: https://drbarrick.org/?p=103

📖 Scripture References:

Mark 11:12–25

Matthew 21:18–22

Luke 13:6–9

John 15

🎧 Listen and grow as we fix our hearts and minds on Christ, seeing His glory even in the smallest details of Scripture.

🔗 Connect with us:

Website: https://focusedonchrist.com

Podcast: Focused on Christ – available on all major platforms

Church: Heritage Baptist Church

#Jesus #BibleStudy #FocusedOnChrist #FigTree #Faith #Discipleship #Gospel #ChristianPodcast #HeritageBaptistChurch #Mark11

The Triumphal Entrance: Power, Servanthood, and the Scandal of Grace | Ep 140 - Focused on Christ

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they dive into The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a significant event traditionally associated with Passion Week.In this episode, they explore the dramatic context and contrast of this moment by first looking at the request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20. The hosts discuss her self-seeking petition for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in his kingdom, which they likely understood as a political messiahship intended to overthrow Rome and restore the Davidic age.They break down Jesus' challenging response about drinking his cup, which the disciples initially understood as relational fellowship. Pastor Smith notes that this fellowship would later be understood to include sharing in Christ's suffering.The conversation then focuses on Jesus' teaching on true greatness:Serving others: Jesus contrasts the worldly rulers who "lord it over them" with the new standard for his followers—that the greatest must be a servant and the first must be a slave.The gold standard: Jesus sets himself up as the example, having "come not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many".Humility is the path of godliness.The Triumphal Entry: Peace and ProphecyThe hosts then transition to the Triumphal Entry in Matthew 21, discussing the significance of the event and its symbolism.The Donkey: The act of Jesus riding on a donkey (or colt) symbolizes peace, contrasting with a horse, which was an instrument of war.Prophetic Image: Laying down cloaks and branches was a sign of great respect, an act traditionally reserved for a king. The movement of Jesus from the Mount of Olives down through the eastern gate and into the temple is seen as a foreshadowing of the glory of God returning to Jerusalem, as prophesied in Ezekiel.The Proclamation: The crowds shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David," proclaiming him to be the prophesied Messiah (though likely understood as a political figure, not God himself) and the prophet spoken of by Deuteronomy.Finally, they tackle the irony of the crowd's quick turn against Jesus during the crucifixion, noting that many were likely disappointed when he didn't bring the expected political revolution.The episode concludes by reconciling the dual nature of Christ—the glorious God deserving of all praise and the one who came to be a servant and die for sinners. This incredible contrast is termed the "scandal of grace," which should move believers to a joyful desire to serve others.

Ep 139 - Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet | Focused on Christ

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they continue their study on the life of Jesus, focusing specifically on Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive oil in John 12.

In this episode, they explore the significance of this powerful act of worship and the deep theological meaning behind it:

• The Significance of Oil: Discover the consecrating and precious importance of oil throughout the Scriptures, used to set apart something or someone as sacred, like a high priest or a king.

• A Sacrificial Act: Unpack the profound humility and value for Christ demonstrated by Mary, who used her most precious possession—expensive nard ointment and her own hair (an image of a woman's glory)—to anoint the lowest part of his body.

• The Context of Passover: Learn how this event, which happens just six days before Christ's death, ties into the central Jewish celebration of deliverance from death by sacrifice.

• Judas’s Hypocrisy: Examine Judas Iscariot's criticism of the "wasteful" act, which Jesus sternly rebukes, exposing the disciple's own selfish, thieving heart.

• Preparing for Burial: Hear Jesus's main point: Mary's act was a beautiful thing and a symbolic gesture of preparing him for his burial and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

  
  

The hosts also address important secondary questions raised by this passage:

• Should we still use oil for anointing today, as mentioned in James 5?

• Is Jesus’s statement, "You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me," a broad statement about poverty? (Spoiler: The answer is no; it’s a contextual rebuke to Judas) .

• How should this text inform the church's spending and the concept of "extravagance" in worship?

  
  

This is a powerful discussion on true worship and the unmatched value of Jesus Christ.

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

Connect with Us Online: focusedonchrist.com

Next Week: We begin walking through the Passion Week of Jesus.

Charlie Kirk and the Church - Finding Gospel Clarity Amidst Tragedy

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they discuss the significant cultural and spiritual impact of Charlie Kirk's assassination. While acknowledging that they are not a political show , they examine the widespread gospel conversations sparked by the tragic event and the millions who viewed his memorial service.

They reflect on Kirk's life as a believer in Jesus Christ whose faith drove his engagement in the public sphere, much like historical figures such as William Wilberforce. They also share how his boldness in declaring the gospel has challenged and empowered many to be more bold in their own faith.

The hosts dive into an analysis of four key moments and speakers from the memorial:

Tucker Carlson: They scrutinize his comments on the relationship between politics and Christianity, specifically addressing the concept of repentance and clarifying the biblical understanding of "repent and believe" versus a "self-correct and then come" approach.

Marco Rubio: They analyze his presentation of the gospel narrative—creation, corruption, and culmination through Christ —and raise a critical question about the "we" who are promised eternal life. They caution against

universalism or legalism and emphasize that the gospel must be grounded in faith alone, by grace alone.

Erica Kirk (Charlie Kirk's Wife): They discuss the profound, countercultural moment of forgiveness she extended to her husband's killer. They offer a theological breakdown of this act, explaining that Christian forgiveness is not pretending evil didn't happen, but releasing the offense to God's justice.

President Donald Trump: They briefly contrast his commentary with Erica Kirk's act of forgiveness, highlighting that Christian forgiveness is ultimately a demonstration of faith that entrusts justice into the hands of a God who judges justly.

This discussion ultimately serves as a call for the church to be ready with the gospel and to respond to darkness and the martyrdom of Christians worldwide with a light that draws people to Christ.

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