{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrad-thurston.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fthe-beginning-of-the-passion-ZxwWNxWe","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"The Beginning of the Passion","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/928b8180-b57f-49dc-a827-65b6a9112d3b/b8fa7357-62ca-436f-a8d3-528a25d7cf58/0822f3e7-8f82-4f53-a0ae-b7cd21fa0a3b.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/ff9ae190-db81-4e63-a32c-9bc2d3d0d0dc\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"The Beginning of the Passion\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"I always thought it was funny to speak of the passion of the Christ when it is such an awful event.  I wondered if the evil men were passionate about doing Jesus harm? We’re the disciples passionate about restoring the Kingdom of Israel with Jesus as King? Was Jesus passionate about suffering and death?  And this passage sets the central events of history in motion.  In the battle for the souls of all people the triumph of evil appears secure.  Political manipulations, greed, and hate, have been simmering in the background and now show their ugly face. The one who knew no sin, is about to be betrayed and the coming events cannot be stopped or undone.  Caught off guard, the disciples, riding a spiritual high will come crashing down amid great disillusionment. Their passion for Jesus will surely be greatly tested in the coming few days. Why passion? Because of the Ernest Desire of JESUS!  "}