Church at the Well Podcast

The two men Crucified alongside Jesus responded to him very differently: one with close-hearted anger and cynicism, the other with humble, honest openness. What can we learn from their respective responses, and what can we learn from Jesus' responses to them that can help us navigate our own hardships in a broken world?

In this audio meditation, we step into the scene of Jesus's trial to consider Pilate's conundrum, observe how Jesus and Pilate hold power differently, and make ourselves available to where the Lord would meet us and encourage us in the details.

This week, Jordan continues our "Witnesses" series with a look at Jesus through the eyes of Pontius Pilate. Through his eyes, we can trace a progression - from seeing Jesus as an inconvenience to recognizing him as a man who was who he said he was. Pilate's internal struggles mirror some of our own internal conflicts, yet even in Pilate's failures (and our own), God's redemptive plan is still in motion. 

In this audio meditation, we see Jesus approached by Judas and a contingent of Roman soldiers. A dramatic scene unfolds in which Jesus reveals both his power and humility. What was surprising or instructive to the disciples in these moments? What is surprising or instructive to us?

What does Jesus give himself to in moments of crisis? This week, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane through the eyes of Peter, James, and John as they watch Jesus turn to people, place, and prayer in his time of great grief and distress. 

In this audio meditation, we meet Jesus and the disciples on the Mount of Olives and bear witness to the hours leading to his night-time arrest. What was it like for the disciples to watch Jesus pray in anguish, and what was it like for Jesus when his friends could no longer manage to stay awake to pray with him? How might God’s grace meet us in the details of this story with both conviction and encouragement?

What do we do with a mirror that reflects to us the truth of who we really are? Do we destroy the mirror? Avoid it? Or do we behold the mirror and all that it reveals? This week, Jordan focuses our attention on the ways Judas experienced Jesus to be such a mirror, and invites us to consider the ways that we might be tempted to respond to Jesus in the same ways that Judas did. 

In this audio meditation, we approach the table as Jesus and the disciples share their last meal together before his arrest. What might it have been like for the disciples witnessing the Lord prophesy his imminent betrayal, then break bread and share it as a picture of his body about to be broken? What gift of encouragement might this scene hold for you?

At Jesus’s arrest, Peter swings his sword to defend his rabbi, but Jesus rebukes him. What has gone wrong? This week, Abby draws us in to Peter’s story, explores the theme of discernment, and invites us to consider where God’s grace is waiting for us at the intersection of Peter’s story and our own.

In this audio meditation, we consider Jesus's entry to Jerusalem and the behind-the-scenes work of acquiring a donkey. What were these moments like for the disciples? What about for the crowds? What do you notice about Jesus as you slow down with the details and enter the story?