Taking Care of the Orphan and More with Rabbi Alex Yalenga

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rabbi Alex Yelenga a compassionate leader dedicated to sharing and spreading the Gospel from Lusaka, Zambia. Through his incredible ministry, Rabbi Alex cares for nearly 400 orphans, providing food, clothing, education, and sharing God’s Word to each child. In this episode, we dive into his mission and the profound impact it has, discuss the importance of caring for the fatherless, and talk about the significance of supporting Israel in challenging times. Rabbi Alex also shares about his work planting churches in areas deeply influenced by voodoo and other spiritual practices, bringing the Gospel to communities where it has never been shared before. Don’t miss this uplifting episode and Rabbi Alex’s message of hope and resilience.

Election Day and the American Church

Today, we're tackling a subject that often gets overlooked in American churches: the power of voting. Many congregations steer clear of politics, but why is that? Is it because we struggle to find candidates who are godly enough? Or do we believe that God's plan will unfold no matter our choices at the ballot box? If that's the case, should we just stay home while millions of Americans cast their votes?

We believe voting is a vital way to bring God's kingdom to earth. It might sound bold, but we encourage you to listen in—your perspective might just shift. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and civic duty!

Trick or Truth?

As the witching hour approaches and spooky season envelops us in its chilling embrace, we're surrounded by skeletons, witches, and all things eerie. For those of us following Jesus, how do we navigate the Halloween culture that creeps in each year? Is there a way to repurpose this haunting season for good, or has it strayed too far into the shadows of evil? Join us as we delve into this topic, asking the pivotal question: Trick or Truth?

Shemini Atzeret: New Beginnings

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious festival of Shemini Atzeret or the  "Eighth Day," which is the concluding celebration of the Fall Festivals. Scripture offers limited insights about this day shrouding it in mystery and inviting curiosity. Yet, using the rest of Scripture, we can uncover fascinating connections to Jesus and the concept of His new creation. Join Pastor Mark and Justin as they explore the various biblical connections, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and debate the deeper meanings of this overlooked feast and its implications for believers today.

Sukkot and the Birth of Jesus

As Sukkot, or the Festival of Tabernacles, approaches, we are going to jump into a unique tie in between the birth of Jesus and this festival.  In this episode, we uncover the deep significance behind the word 'dwell' in John 1, which can be translated as 'tabernacled.' This concept links Jesus' coming to earth to the festival of Sukkot, suggesting Sukkot may go beyond God simply dwelling with Israel in the OT. As we explore the ancient scrolls, we reveal how the church has shifted celebrating Jesus’ birth in its theological framework to the celebration of Christmas. Join us as we unpack this forgotten theology.

Atonement, Jesus, and Azazel

In this episode, Pastor Mark and Justin explore the significance of the Day of Atonement for believers in Christ. While we often focus on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we rarely consider its deep connections to the Old Testament. Leviticus 16 and Yom Kippur reveal a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' work, including His descent into Hades. Join the discussion as they unpack the symbolism and mystery behind Azazel and the greater story of redemption.

God's Trumpet

Ever wondered if God has a trumpet? Believe it or not, He does! In this episode, we dive into an ancient festival dedicated to blowing the shofar, or ram’s horn, and explore its surprising connection to Jesus as King. Why is a ram’s horn so significant, and what does it mean for us today? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of this unique festival and discover why God designed it as a yearly celebration for His people. Tune in to uncover the deeper meanings behind God's trumpet and its relevance to our lives.

God's Calendar: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2! Did you know that God’s calendar includes eight annual festivals? Why does the modern Christian church often overlook these divine holidays? While we commonly celebrate Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter in the Church today, this wasn’t the case for the Israel or the early church. When it came to the Apostles, you don’t find them marking these days or seeing them outlined in Scripture. Instead, the early believers observed the Jewish feast days, all of which point to and are fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Join us as we delve into God’s calendar, explore the rich meaning behind these festivals, and discover how to celebrate Jesus in a way that aligns with His plans rather than human traditions.

God's Calendar: Part 1

Do you follow a calendar? Ever wondered what it’s based on? Calendars keep us on track with appointments, work weeks, and holidays, but rarely do we consider God’s own calendar outlined in the Old Testament. In this episode, Pastor Mark and Justin dive into God’s calendar and how it contrasts with the Greco-Roman system we use today. Join us as we explore the fascinating details of how God’s calendar could shape our daily lives and our year-round journey with Him.

What Happened to Elijah?

In 2 Kings 2, the Bible tells us that Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and brought into the heavens. This incredible scene is described in only 2 verses. The question we ask is, what actually happened to Elijah, and can we ever truly know? Did he avoid death? Did he go to the same heaven as Jesus or a different place? Will he return (or has he already returned)? Join us as we jump into this intriguing topic!

God’s Pagan Civil Rulers

Nebuchadnezzar was the pagan king of Babylon from approximately 605-562 BC. He was filled with worldly motives that revolved around conquering nations and expanding his own personal rule. In Daniel 2:37, God reveals this about Nebuchadnezzar, “you, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the honor.” This proclamation was expressed after Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Jerusalem and took Judah captive. The question you may ask yourself is, why would God lift up a pagan ruler in such a way knowing he was not God-fearing, nor had he treated Judah with kindness and compassion? Join us as we unpack this mysterious revelation.

Jesus and the Law: Part 2

Ready for part 2 of Jesus and the Law? In this episode we continue to unpack the implications of Jesus and His teaching on “fulfilling” the Law of God. In fact, directly following Matthew 5:17-19, we begin to see Jesus reveal how He fills up the teachings of the Torah (OT) instead of tearing them down. After understanding this revelation, we as believers in Him can bring out the fullness in our own lives and radically contradict the world we live in just as Jesus did during His days on Earth.

Jesus and the Law: Part 1

In Jesus’ (paraphrased) words, “I did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill it.” The question must be asked, what does it mean to “fulfill”? In this episode we discuss the Jewish background of the word for “fulfill” and explain the historical and literary context of this passage. In the end, we conclude Jesus’ words about the Law of God have been misrepresented and misinterpreted for centuries. Our hope is to shed light on the text and dialogue about the words of our Messiah.

Jonah: The Overlooked Death

The story of Jonah is well known story for a reason. It’s short, satirical, and fantastic! When you think of Jonah being swallowed up by the great fish, are you picturing a lonely man camping in the belly of a whale, waiting to be brought to shore? This is the picture usually painted of Jonah’s time in the belly of the great fish. But, we posit a different interpretation of Jonah’s time in the fish’s belly. Jonah 2 gives us a unique perspective that may differ from the traditional telling of the story of Jonah; however, it is a perspective that gives us a direct link to Jesus.

The Illuminator

In John 1:4-5, the Bible speaks of Jesus being the life and light of mankind. Life and light are terms we use often in believing circles. Their common use can lead to a loss of their rich and deep theological meanings. In biblical times, the terms light and darkness had significant connotations that implied forces of power at work. In this episode, we will discuss how John uses this imagery to develop the theology of Jesus’ role and effect over the dark world we live in.

In The Beginning

“In the beginning,” is a pivotal phrase within the Bible. We often think of Genesis and the creation of the world, but Apostle John also uses this phrase in the opening of the Gospel of John. John reveals to us that in the beginning was the Word (Jn 1:1). Why did John choose the opening lines of Scripture to be the opening lines of his Gospel? How does John’s use of Genesis 1:1 giver further revelation about what Moses originally wrote? Pastors Mark and Justin explore why Apostle John decided to do this and the implications it has on our faith for today.

The Bible Jesus Used

When Jesus came to Earth, He came to an ancient world complete with a culture far different than what we know today. Jesus did not have a physical Bible that He could carry around with Him nor did He have accessibility to the Scripture like we do today. Our experience with Scripture is vastly different than in Jesus’ day. In this episode, we will take an in-depth look at the Bible of Jesus’ day.

Prologue

Welcome to the Get Scrolled prologue where we discuss the purpose and foundations of the podcast. We will dive into our sponsor’s Messianic identity and share a bit about the hosts, Pastors Mark McLellan and Justin Gardner. Ultimately, we are Jews and Gentiles united in Jesus, the Messiah, who are thrilled to dive deeper into the scrolls of Scripture!