Side Notes // Covered // The Lamb of God
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In this episode of Side Notes, Adam Etrus sits down with senior pastor Josh Rhodes to unpack the deeper themes behind the recent Easter series 'Covered' at The Ridge. The conversation dives into the significance of John the Baptist’s role as the 'Lamb of God,' exploring his mysterious background, possible ties to the Essenes, and his pivotal moment of recognizing Jesus during the baptism. Josh shares personal stories from his early life, including working at a funeral home and delivering his first funeral sermon under emotional strain, which adds a deeply human dimension to his pastoral journey. The discussion also touches on the theological and practical importance of believer’s baptism, emphasizing its symbolic connection to Christ’s death and resurrection, and critiques the modern cultural delay between belief and baptism. A humorous behind-the-scenes moment involving a missing slide for the Dead Sea Scrolls adds levity, while the episode closes with a heartfelt call to action: extending invitations to Good Friday and Easter services, grounded in the belief that people are often waiting to be invited, not offended by the offer.
John the Baptist’s identity as the 'Lamb of God' was rooted in deep scriptural knowledge, likely shaped by his possible connection to the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Baptism is not salvation but a public, symbolic act of identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection—best done soon after belief.
Pastors and churches should intentionally invite others to Easter and Good Friday, as research shows people are often receptive, not offended.
Personal stories from pastors—like Josh’s funeral home days—add authenticity and help bridge the gap between faith and everyday life.
The moment of Jesus’ baptism was both a public affirmation of His identity and a model of obedience for believers.
Welcome & Holy Week Context
Adam Etrus welcomes listeners to Side Notes, introduces Pastor Josh Rhodes, and sets the stage for Holy Week, discussing the emotional and spiritual preparation of the staff and the significance of the 'Covered' series.
Josh's Early Life & Funeral Home Experience
“I said, sir, is there anything you can give me? And he goes, my dad was a faithful Steelers fan. That's all you needed.”
Who Was John the Baptist?
“He was in the wilderness, he was in the wilderness. There was just a lot of reasons why he probably was a part of this group.”
Why Did Jesus Get Baptized?
Josh explains that Jesus was baptized not for sin, but to fulfill righteousness, publicly affirm His identity, and set an example for believers to follow in baptism.
The Significance of Baptism
“It's not an act of salvation. Correct. It's a response after that decision.”
“That's evidence right there. You know what I mean? Literal evidence.”
“I said, sir, is there anything you can give me? And he goes, my dad was a faithful Steelers fan. That's all you needed.”
“It's not an act of salvation. Correct. It's a response after that decision.”
Host
Guest
Josh Rhodes
person
Jesus Christ
person
John the Baptist
person
Adam Etrus
person
The Ridge
organization
Dead Sea Scrolls
other
Essenes
other
Isaiah 53
other
ProPresenter
product
Weirton
place
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