Commuter Bible NT

Today’s reading is full of the teachings of Jesus, and Luke begins with accounts highlighting the manner in which Jesus approached the Sabbath. While the Pharisees viewed it as a means of performance and merit, Jesus views it as an opportunity to please God through restoration, whether that be through rest, replenishment or miraculous healing. We’ll also encounter the Beatitudes in today’s text, followed by some parables, all of which point the hearer to humility of heart and dependence on God to sustain and provide.

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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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As the crowds begin to gather in greater number, Jesus gets in a boat, pushes out a little, and preaches to his followers; this would have helped to amplify his voice and give him a little space from the those who were pushing in on him. As Jesus performs miracles and signs that highlight his divinity and his power over the created order, he gains more followers, for they begin to see that he is more than just a gifted speaker. The Pharisees are upset and confused about the way Jesus acts, and they question what he teaches, being especially incensed that he would declare that a man’s sins would be forgiven.

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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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After being baptized by John, Jesus enters the wilderness where he fasts for 40 days. At the end of the 40 days, Jesus is hungry, as you might expect, and it is then that the devil comes to tempt Jesus. These forty days and these temptations are a parallel to Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. However, where Israel fails, Jesus succeeds, resisting those temptations to rebel against God the Father in order to honor and glorify himself. Later, Jesus returns to his hometown where he begins to teach in the synagogues, and while they are amazed at his teaching, they are infuriated at the suggestion that God might work wonders for foreigners instead of for 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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When we began the gospel of Luke, we learned about the conception of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus who would prepare the way for his coming. John’s prophetic preaching in the wilderness drew a crowd. If you’re familiar with the old testament prophets, you’ll notice that John’s candor and style of speaking reflect that of prophets who have gone before them. Along with the exhortations and commands to repent, John good news to the people, for one more worthy of attention was coming. Jesus visits John to be baptized and as he prays, a miraculous sign occurs.

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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’ll read the passage that so many of us have read and cherished year after year in celebration of Christ’s birth during the Christmas season. During a government-mandated census where the population of the Roman empire is required to present themselves to be counted, Joseph travels with his very pregnant fiancée to Bethlehem. The Christ is born to humble parents in a humble place under humble circumstances. The angels announce his birth to humble shepherds who hurry to see what has happened, and they leave praising God and telling others the remarkable news. All of this is even more remarkable, when we consider that our sovereign God chose these circumstances for his incarnation.

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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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In our last reading the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the conception of his son, whom we know as John the Baptist. Gabriel also appeared to Mary to announce that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit who would be the promised Son of David, Jesus the Christ. In today’s episode, when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth an unexpected interaction takes place, and both women praise God in response. Later, when John is born, Zechariah’s tongue is loosed and he prophesies concerning his son.

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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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Luke, the physician, sets the stage for his gospel account by telling his friend that his goal in writing is to compile an orderly narrative of the accounts he has accumulating concerning Jesus. He begins by retelling what happened to Zechariah and to Mary when each was visited by the angel Gabriel. This messenger from the heavens announces the conception of two different babies: one born to Elizabeth would who would go before the Messiah, and one born to Mary who be that promised Son of David.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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twitter.com/CommuterPod

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[email protected]

For more information visit commuterbible.org or patreon.com/commuterbible 

:::

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]

Friends, we’ve reached the final chapter of the final book of the New Testament, which means we have also reached the end of our reading plan for the year. Today, John sees the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Whereas the first Adam fell into sin and death by eating from a tree, the second Adam from above provides a tree of life which heals the nations. John hears the Lord say that he is coming soon, and that his reward is with him. He declares himself to be the Alpha and the Omega, the root and descendant of David, and the bright morning star.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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While the message of “Immanuel, God with us” is rightly accented at Christmastime, it is neither the beginning nor the end of the idea. In fact, God’s presence with his people is a story arc that begins in Genesis and finds it fruition here in Revelation. In the new heaven and the new earth the Lord will be with his people in the fullest and more final sense. A new Jerusalem appears with massive walls but with 12 open gates named after the 12 apostles of the Lamb. The walls and streets are made of transparent gold, and even the foundations are adorned with jewels. All of this imagery connotes that this city is secure, beautiful, and wanting for nothing. There is no temple in this city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple.

:::

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]