Commuter Bible NT

We’re beginning Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church today, and in this letter Paul speaks a good deal about judgment and the afterlife. The church at Thessalonica was in the midst of suffering hardship and persecution, but Paul encourages them by reminding that persevering through such trials only brings further assurance that they have been counted worthy of God’s kingdom. Those who don’t obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus will pay the penalty of eternal destruction. Finally, if the church hears rumors that the day of the Lord has already come, they need not worry, for Paul says that day will not come until the man of lawlessness is revealed. Those who delight in unrighteousness will be fooled by this figure and will be condemned by God.

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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 final chapter of Paul’s first letter the Thessalonians begins with discussion about the end times, and ends with exhortations and blessings upon the church. Paul says that the day of the Lord, a phrase referring to the end-time period of God’s judgment, will come unexpectedly. Like labor pains on a pregnant woman, they will strike without warning and continue until the culmination of God’s final judgment. He encourages the church with figurative terms, telling them to stay alert as children of the day. In other words, be ready for the Lord’s return and don’t slack off in doing good for his name’s sake. As he concludes, Paul admonishes the church to be diligent in pursuing a number of spiritual disciplines and duties.

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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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At the end of our last reading, Paul called the Thessalonian church his joy and his crown of boasting. As we pick up today’s reading, Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica about the history and that he has with the believers in that church. His tone of brotherly affection and longing continues in today’s reading, as he recounts sending Timothy to strengthen and encourage the church while he was stuck in Athens. He continues by encouraging the church to keep away from sexual immorality, to continue faithful work in the bonds of brotherhood, and to not grieve as the rest of the world does when a fellow believer dies, for there is hope beyond death for the one who trust in 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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Today we begin reading Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica. What do we know about this church? Well, we know that on his second missionary journey recorded in Acts, Paul stopped in the port city of Thessalonica, preached in the synagogue, and a church formed in the city thereafter. In just a few short weeks, a riot began, and Paul was forced to leave the fledgling church body. Here in today’s first two chapters, Paul recounts the history that he and the church have with each other and with the gospel.

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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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On our last episode, we read Mark’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ. He died a gruesome death accompanied by miraculous signs, as Mark notes that the sky turned to darkness at midday and temple curtain was torn in two. While we know that this was not the end, we should also remember that the disciples assumed that it was. As you hear the account of the resurrection, imagine the joy and awestruck wonder that the early disciples must have experienced. Finally, our reading includes a passage that most likely is not original to Mark, and is likely to be a summary recorded by someone in later years about happenings included in other gospels and the book of Acts. There’s nothing substantively different here, unless you try to interpret the text outside of other Scripture.

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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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On today’s episode, Jesus is crucified on the cross, fulfilling the Scriptures concerning the suffering servant. Though there isn’t enough time to cover every instance, we can quickly say that Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah 53, for he was “despised and rejected by men” and “a man of suffering.” He is the one who “bore our sicknesses and carried our pains.” He is the one who “was pierced because of our rebellion” and “crushed because of our iniquities.” Furthermore, “he was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.” At the cross, we see, not only a pivotal point in gospel of Mark, but a turning point in God’s redemption of mankind.”

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Christ has just celebrated the Passover with his disciples and now they are in a garden named Gethsemane. Other gospels tell us that this had been their pattern over the last few days, so Judas knew where they would be. When Judas arrives he kisses Jesus to identify the man they are to arrest. The mob comes wielding an assortment of weapons, and a certain young man (probably Matthew himself) is so scared that he ducks out of his clothing in order to escape their grasp. Jesus is taken to the Jewish high counsel known as the Sanhedrin where he is tried for blasphemy. It is there that Peter denies his Lord as Christ had predicted.

:::

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 has a massive following, so much so that when he arrived in Jerusalem people shouted his praise as he entered. The chief priests and the scribes have been rebuked by this new teacher time and again, and are actively looking for a way to murder Jesus to put an end to this growing movement. Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 chosen from among the disciples to be an apostle, decides to betray Jesus to these men. While Judas is plotting evil, Christ celebrates the Passover with the twelve. He breaks the unleavened bread and takes the cup, saying that they are his body and his blood. Finally, Christ predicts that Peter will deny him three times.

:::

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 is in Jerusalem and the Passover is drawing near, after which, we know that Jesus is falsely accused of blasphemy, mocked, beaten, sentenced death, and unjustly executed on the cross. Before that time arrives, Jesus has much to say to his disciples about the end of days and the endurance required to be a disciple. Persecutions will increase, as will false messiahs. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of Jesus will never pass away. Finally, no one knows the day or the hour when the end will come, therefore, his disciples should stay alert.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Today's reading opens with a parable that addresses the Pharisees. In the parable of the vineyard owner, farmhands rebel against the owner of the land they are working on. They reject anyone sent by the owner and refuse to give the owner any of the produce of the field. Time and again they reject and even kill the messengers sent to them and when the son of the vineyard owner comes they plot to kill him so that they might take the vineyard for themselves. Later, those view themselves as authorities in matters of theology pepper Jesus with questions about taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Christ answers every question deftly and the crowds listen to him with delight.

:::

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

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[email protected]