Learn to Reach Your World - S2 Episode 6

In Season Two, Episode Six of Learning to Reach Your World, Patrick Bicknell and Josh Combs continue their series on developing a biblical worldview, turning their focus specifically to Jesus Christ. After previously addressing creation, God, humanity, and the Fall, this episode centers on the question: Who is Jesus, according to the Bible, and why does that matter?

The episode begins by clearly restating the gospel—that Jesus Christ came into the world because of God’s love, died on the cross for sins, was buried, rose again, and offers salvation to all who place their faith in Him. This message frames the entire discussion and reinforces the podcast’s goal: to equip believers with tools to clearly and confidently share the gospel in everyday conversations.

Josh walks through the biblical account of Jesus’ life, beginning with His miraculous virgin birth to Mary, His upbringing as the son of a carpenter named Joseph, and the limited details of His early life recorded in Scripture. Around the age of thirty, Jesus begins His public ministry after being baptized by John the Baptizer. Over approximately three years, He gathers disciples, teaches extensively, performs miracles, and reveals the nature of God’s kingdom. These miracles—calming storms, healing the blind and lame, raising the dead—force people to confront the question of Jesus’ true identity.

A major theme of the episode is Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ)—the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The hosts explain that many in Jesus’ time struggled to reconcile the idea of a Messiah who was both a conquering king and a suffering servant. Jesus reveals that He alone fulfills both roles. While some accepted Him, others—especially the religious leaders—rejected Him.

A significant portion of the discussion addresses whether Jesus claimed to be God. Josh points to key passages in the Gospel of John, particularly John 8 and John 10, where Jesus uses divine language such as “I AM” and states, “I and the Father are one.” These statements were clearly understood by the Jewish leaders as claims to deity, which is why they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy. The episode explains the historical and religious context behind these reactions, emphasizing that Jesus’ claims were unmistakable.

The hosts explore Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy, abuse of spiritual authority, and rejection of God’s messengers. Jesus’ parables—especially the story of the vineyard owner and his son—are shown to directly indict the religious leaders for rejecting God’s prophets and ultimately killing His Son. Despite this opposition, Jesus continues ministering to the poor, sinners, tax collectors, and the marginalized, demonstrating both divine authority and deep compassion.

The episode then moves to the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is executed by crucifixion after the religious leaders persuade Rome to act. His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection are presented as historical realities witnessed by many. The resurrection is emphasized as the defining event that separates Jesus from every other religious figure in history and confirms both His identity and the Father’s acceptance of His sacrifice.

A key theological focus of the episode is the incarnation—Jesus being fully God and fully man. Drawing from John 1, Philippians 2, Hebrews 1, and Colossians, Josh explains that Jesus was not created, is not an angel, and is not merely a moral teacher. He is eternally God who willingly took on human nature, submitting to the Father’s will while remaining equal with Him. This truth is essential because only someone who is both fully God and fully human can serve as the mediator between God and humanity.

The hosts highlight how Jesus’ humanity allows Him to empathize with human weakness, temptation, suffering, and fear, while His divinity enables Him to defeat sin and death. Moments like the temptation in the wilderness, the transfiguration, the agony in the garden, and the power displayed during His arrest all demonstrate this union of humanity and deity.

The episode also confronts common misunderstandings of Jesus—especially the idea that He was merely a good moral teacher. The hosts argue that Jesus’ own claims leave no room for that category. Either He is who He said He was, or He is not worthy of trust. The testimony of the disciples—who suffered and died for their belief in the resurrection—is presented as powerful evidence that Jesus truly rose from the dead.

Finally, the episode turns toward evangelism. The hosts stress that many people today have only vague or incorrect ideas about Jesus. Christians should not assume others understand the gospel or biblical language. Instead, believers are encouraged to clearly and simply proclaim who Jesus is, what He has done, and how salvation is found through Him alone. The episode closes with a reminder that the gospel itself is the power of God for salvation and that faithfully sharing it has transformed lives for over 2,000 years.