{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Soul Revival Church Podcast","title":"Birth pains until He returns","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1415,"description":"\"Every time I shed a tear, every time I'm cold with fear, when I've got a broken heart, every time I fall apart... it matters. It matters.\"\n\nTim kicks things off with lyrics from 90s Christian ska-punk band The OC Supertones—and summarises his entire sermon in one line: The Father cares for you.\n\nBut then, like a Christopher Nolan film (Tim's favourite metaphor tonight), we work our way back from the ending to understand how we got there.\nJesus is hours away from His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He tells His disciples a riddle: \"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.\" The disciples are confused. We, knowing the end of the story, understand exactly what He's talking about.\nJesus knows the disciples are about to experience weeping, mourning, and grief while the world rejoices. But He also knows their grief will turn to joy when He comes back from the dead. And He uses this powerful metaphor: \"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.\"\n\nIncredible pain and anguish, toil and hardship, overcome by the triumph and joy of the child being born.\nTim pauses here with deep empathy to acknowledge that this isn't always everyone's experience. Sometimes the pain and anguish continues. But all pain, all anguish, all grief is taken up by Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus isn't being flippant, He's identifying with the pain of the world while setting hope before us that joy is to come.\nBut here's what Tim focuses on: You have direct access to God the Father.\n\nJesus says, \"Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.\" The disciples won't need to ask Jesus anymore, they get to talk directly to God. Through that, their joy will be complete.\nTim shares a hilarious illustration about trying to get letters from the Prime Minister and Governor General. You don't just...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VbbeNx8dwFPBwwsJaPIEyucZZMK5J4MD4n5mvpDSfco/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83YjZk/MmMyOGIyMDc1YjMw/NDQyZGZhNTJjMWU0/MmRmZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}