Commuter Bible NT

Our chapter begins in a home in Bethany of Judea just before the Passover celebration takes place in Jerusalem. Jesus is there with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, the latter of which washes the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume and with her hair, a decidedly lavish and humble act. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the chief priests plot to kill Lazarus because he is evidence of Christ’s power and authority. Later, Jesus enters Jerusalem with great fanfare as the crowds greet him with excitement and anticipation. While Jesus prophecies of his coming execution, God the Father speaks to Jesus audibly so that the crowd might hear. Our reading concludes with a summary of Jesus’ mission.

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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 today’s episode, we’ll consider the seventh of seven signs in John’s gospel: the raising of Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus hears the news that his friend is sick, he doesn’t leave immediately, but instead, he waits to days before traveling to Judea to see him. Remember, they recently left Judea because the Jews tried to stone Jesus when he was in Jerusalem. Upon entering Bethany of Judea, Christ is greeted by Martha, and after a brief exchange, Jesus tells her that he is the resurrection and the life, and shortly thereafter, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. This undeniable miracle infuriates the Pharisees who convene and conspire to kill him.

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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 has rebuked the Pharisees for being spiritually blind, though they claim to be the spiritual leaders of God’s people. Jesus is not like these men: he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep, calls them by name, and lays down his life for them. During the Festival of Dedication, which we know as Hanukkah, Jesus is cornered by Jews who demand that he plainly say whether or not he is the Messiah. Jesus responds by saying that his sheep know his voice, and that they don’t believe because they aren’t his sheep. They try to seize him, but escapes their grasp and retreats across the Jordan where John had been baptizing.

:::

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 performs the sixth of seven signs recorded in John’s gospel by healing a man who was born blind. The disciples assumed that his blindness must have been attributed to sinfulness; in other words, someone must have acted sinfully, or else God would not have punished him so. Jesus dispels this assumption, simply saying that he is blind so that God’s works might be displayed in him. Once he is healed, his neighbors notice and are confused about how something so miraculous could have happened. They take him to the Pharisees, and he testifies before them, calling out the foolishness of their conclusions as he does so. As a result they throw him out, but Jesus seeks him out and reassures him.

:::

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 episode, Jesus continues conversing with the self-righteous Pharisees about his identity. He has told that them that he is the light of the world and has claimed that the Father has sent him. Some of those present believe in him, and today, he tells them that if they trust in him the truth will set them free. Confused, they press Jesus for answers, saying that their father is Abraham and they aren’t enslaved. Jesus responds by saying that their father is not Abraham, but the devil. That doesn’t go well, and they accuse him of having a demon. Jesus concludes by making a bold claim of divinity , saying that “…before Abraham was, I AM.”

:::

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 earliest manuscripts do not include the account in verses 1-11 about the adulteress who was forgiven by Jesus, and for several reasons (which you can look up later) it is probably not original to John. It’s likely that a well-meaning scribe added the account at a later time, and while it interrupts the flow of John’s work, it’s not a big deal because it doesn’t really change anything about our understanding of Christ’s person, work, or teaching. The rest of our reading includes Christ’s self-revelation as the light of the world, and a prediction about his departure to go to the one who sent him.

:::

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 travels to Galilee where his brothers encourage him to go to Judea, but Jesus tells them that his time has not yet come. The festivals of shelters is near, which was a celebration where the Jewish people lived in tents as a way of remembering God’s faithfulness to Israel during their time in the wilderness. Jesus shows up unexpectedly and the crowds become even more divided. Some are taken aback by his teaching and his command of the Scriptures, while others doubt him and question his origins, saying that no prophet is arises from Galilee. Through the conversations, Jesus continues to reference the one who sent him, proclaiming in advance through only slightly veiled speech that he was about to return to God the Father.

:::

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 crowds follow Jesus to the other side of the sea, and there, they ask him to perform a sign to prove that he has been sent by God. When they mention manna, Jesus reminds them that the manna came heaven, not from Moses. He thereby makes the case that he, himself is the bread of heaven. Then things get weird, for Jesus tells them that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life and be raised on the last day. Because of this, many of those who were following Jesus turned back and no longer accompanied Jesus and the other disciples.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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John chapter 6 is the third longest chapter in the New Testament, and as such is the case, we’re going to break it down into two episodes. As mentioned in the introduction of our last episode, John includes seven significant signs in his gospel leading up to the Last Supper. The signs show the crowds that he isn’t just a man with interesting things to say, he is, by nature, the Son of God. Today we’ll read John’s accounts of the fourth sign, where Jesus feeds 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and the fifth sign, where Jesus walks on water. After seeing the signs (and receiving a free meal) the crowds hunt for Jesus, who uses the opportunity to point out that they have a greater need than bread alone.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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There are four gospel accounts written by four different writers, and each of these writers has compiled the events of Jesus’ life in ways that emphasize particular aspects of his and ministry. John includes seven significant signs in his gospel leading up to the Last Supper. We’ve covered two of the seven signs already: turning water into wine at a wedding feast and healing the official’s son. We’ll cover the third sign today as Jesus heals the sick. This sign points to his divine power over creation and over the effects of sin, making broken bodies whole and bringing the dead to life.

:::

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]