Commuter Bible NT

The next two readings from Matthew 13 are a parable-palooza, so sit tight and hit the pause button every now and again when you need a moment to think about what Jesus is teaching. A large crowd is following Jesus, so he gets into a boat and puts out a little from the shore, giving him natural amplification, as the water would have carried his voice. Much of today’s reading is occupied with the parable of the sower, which Jesus explains at length to his disciples, but conceals their meaning from those who are not his followers. We conclude today’s section with the parable of the wheat and the weeds, wherein Jesus delineates between those who are truly of the kingdom and those who are simply in close proximity to those in Jesus’ kingdom.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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So far in Matthew’s narrative, Jesus has demonstrated that he is Lord over disease, death, demons, and even Lord over Creation and the created order. He also demonstrated that he is Lord over men, offering forgiveness of sins to the repentant. Today Jesus demonstrates that he is Lord of the Sabbath, refusing to compromise his heavenly standard in order to submit to the scribes. Moreover, he freely calls men to serve to him, sits with those who would have been considered unclean without becoming unclean himself, and continues to heal those who are ailing. No like this has ever been seen in Israel before Jesus, setting him apart as more than just a prophet and more than just a priest.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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We learn later in Matthew’s gospel that John the Baptist was imprisoned because he had been telling Herod the tetrarch that it was unlawful to have his brother’s wife. Herod wanted to kill him, but kept him in prison because he was afraid of the crowds. John the Baptist was a faithful prophet and forerunner to Christ, but he was still just a man who didn’t have all of the answers. Today, he asks if Jesus is the one who is to come, or if there is someone else. Christ’s response is to point to the signs and wonders he is performing while validating John’s ministry. By contrast, Jesus condemns his critics as well as those towns that did not repent after he performed miracles within them.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Jesus had many disciples that followed him, but of those disciples there were twelve men with whom Jesus had a special relationship marked by proximity, teaching, and title. In today’s reading, Jesus sets these men apart for the work of ministry and gives them each the title of “apostle.” He sends these men out with the message of Christ’s kingdom on their lips, giving them instructions on how they are to conduct themselves as they go. He warns them that there will be persecution, but even so, they aren’t to fear men, but God, who values them greatly. Christ came, not to bring peace, but a sword, and division between the godly and the ungodly is sure to come. While his disciples might lose family over the name of Jesus, they will be given each other to care for as family.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Thus far in Matthew’s gospel, we haven’t heard complaints from the crowds about any of Christ’s teachings or any unrest from his ministry to sick or suffering people, but in today’s episode Jesus begins crossing boundaries which had been laid through the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. After forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man, the scribes claim that Jesus is blaspheming, but he immediately shows them that he has the power to do even greater things through his authoritative word. Similar encounters follow, but the power and authority that Jesus has over Creation simply cannot be denied.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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In today’s reading, we begin to witness the power and authority of Jesus over creation, including not only the natural, physical realm, but the spiritual realm as well. A man with leprosy professes faith in Jesus to cleanse him, and Christ responds by healing him. A roman centurion professes belief that Christ can heal his servant from afar, and after lauding the man’s faith, Jesus does just that. Later, they visit Peter’s house where his mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Christ heals her, and she begins to serve him. Towards the end of our reading, we see that even the wind and the waves obey Jesus, and if that weren’t enough, even the demons cower and obey the will of Christ.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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We are still reading through Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, and in today’s reading, we begin with what might be one of the most abused quotes in Scripture, which is, “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” Often people think the first part is the most important part, and they use it to tell others not to judge them. Jesus’ point however is to alert his hearers to hypocritical judgment, calling out the small sins of others while you are dealing with massive sin yourself. What’s more, in this same chapter, Jesus tells his hearers to be on guard against false prophets, which would most assuredly require discernment and judgment. The Sermon on the Mount concludes at the end of today’s reading.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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The Sermon on the Mount continues in today’s reading, beginning with teachings on giving and praying. In summary, Jesus says to be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them, which flies in the face of most of mankind’s posture towards good deeds, because if it didn’t happen on social media, why do it, right? He also models how to pray, which falls in line with the posture of humility Jesus continues to preach. Our reading ends with an admonition to trust the Lord with your life and with your possessions, storing up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. No one can serve two masters; you can either love money and dethrone God, or you can love God and dethrone money. And after all, doesn’t the Lord create and care for all things, including you?

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ’s adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ’s divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

In the first two chapters of Matthew, the gospel-writer covered the advent of Jesus and the many ways in which he fulfilled the Scriptures simply by being born. Today, as we cover chapters 3-4, Matthew jumps ahead to Christ’s adulthood and the beginning of his ministry. We meet John the Baptist who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah of “one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’” When John baptizes Jesus, a sign from heaven appears and resounds, testifying to Christ’s divine origin. Before beginning his public ministry of teaching, Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness at which point he is tempted by the devil. Though Israel failed to resist temptation during the 40 years in the wilderness, Christ shows that he is the true son of God by rejecting sin perfectly.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]