Commuter Bible NT

We're beginning the book of James, written by James the brother of Jesus. Writing to his Jewish kinsmen who are scattered abroad, this letter is largely focused on the practical outworkings of faith, answering the question: “What does faith look like when it is lived out?” In the opening chapter, James commends the church to rejoice in trials, for it will produce endurance in the faith. Furthermore, when life presents opportunities to act sinfully, no one should say that he is being tempted by God, because God doesn't tempt anyone. He also warns his audience, not simply to hear to word of God but to put the word of God into practice. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Well today is our last episode in the book of Acts, and as this book concludes, we see Paul continue to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. He has presented the good news of Jesus to kings, noblemen, soldiers, Jews, Greeks, and yes, even angry mobs who would like to see him dead. Paul has little regard for his own life or comforts, but instead, seeks to preach Christ no matter the cost. In our episode, Paul and the crew escorting him were shipwrecked, and today we see the Lord's provision for them as they recover and set out once again for Rome. Paul reaches his destination and continues to preach the Gospel to any who would listen. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The action in Acts picks up again as Paul shipped off with other prisoners to Italy, where he hopes to meet with Caesar. Luke is still accompanying Paul on the journey, as indicated by the use first person plural. Paul tells the captain of the guard that the voyage is headed toward disaster, but he pays him no mind. As they travel, the winds pick up and begin to make the seas unnavigable. Tossing out valuable cargo along the way and exhausting themselves with the work of staying afloat, Paul finally tells them that will survive, but the ship will not make the journey. They take his advice and everyone reaches the shore without loss of life.    :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

On today's episode, Paul gives his defense before Porcius Festus, the newly appointed governor, as well as before his two guests: King Agrippa and his wife Bernice. Recall that Paul has been imprisoned under house arrest for over two years, and recently appealed to Caesar, so that he might make his case before him and not return to the Jewish mob in Jerusalem. Part of Paul's testimony includes the vision of Christ he saw on the road to Damascus. At this, Festus mocks Paul, but Paul takes it on the chin and continues to try and persuade King Agrippa to submit to King Jesus. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Paul has spent two years under house arrest by command of Felix, the governor, who has postponed a verdict in his trial. As referenced at the end of our last chapter, Felix has been succeeded by Porcius Festus, but Paul remains in custody. Today, when Festus travels to Jerusalem, the Jews ask for a favor against Paul. Festus, on the other hand, encourages them to come to Caesarea and make their case against him. The Jews don't have a case against Paul, and the charges they bring are false. When asked if he would like to travel to Jerusalem for a trial, Paul instead appeals to Caesar. Our reading ends with Festus presenting Paul to two visiting dignitaries, but we won't hear from Paul until our next episode. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Let's recap the last few chapters that have led up to the trial we'll read about today. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem when a fellow Christian prophesied that he would be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles. He entered Jerusalem nonetheless, and upon meeting with the church there, he discovered that false reports were being spread about him. Paul entered the temple and was promptly attacked by a mob. A Roman commander sent troops to seize Paul and figure out what was happening. Having made his case to the mob in Jerusalem as well as the Jewish council known as the Sanhedrin, he will now make his case to Felix, the governor of the region. Felix is entertained by Paul and keeps him under house arrest for over two years. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our last reading ended with a bit of cliffhanger: Paul has just given his testimony to an angry Jewish mob who became even more enraged when he testified that the Lord had sent him to preach salvation to the Gentiles. A centurion arrested him in order to interrogate him by torture, but Paul reveals he is a Roman citizen. In order to find out more, the centurion instead puts him in front of the Sanhedrin, and our reading picks up as Paul gives them an account. Paul cunningly sees a way out and takes it, and the Sanhedrin begin to fight each other rather than Paul. After this, a group of men make a solemn vow to kill Paul, but Paul's nephew discovers the plot and takes action. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

When we last left Paul, he and his companions had entered the temple in Jerusalem, but when the Jews discovered he was there, they accused him of bringing Gentiles into a space that was not meant for the unclean. Though he was not guilty of their accusations, a riot ensued and they dragged him out of the temple in order to kill him. The Roman authorities intervened and had Paul bound in chains. Today, Paul asks permission to address the Jews. They willingly listen to Paul's testimony, including his visions of Christ, but when he mentions being sent by Christ to witness to the Gentiles, they erupt with rage and incite violence against him. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Luke begins today's passage by including a brief log of their journeys, including a prophecy from Agabus, who foretells that Paul will be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles when he reaches Jerusalem. Undeterred, Paul heads to Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the church. There is a rumor going around that Paul is maligning Jewish customs amongst those Jews who live alongside the Gentiles, when in reality, he's only teaching that those customs have no saving power. When he enters to the temple, Paul is falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple, and a riot ensues. Our reading ends just four verses shy of the entire chapter simply because those verses are better read as a direct prelude to chapter 22. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Once the riot on behalf of the goddess Artemis calms down, Paul leaves Ephesus and heads for Macedonia, then Greece, where he stays three months. Again, the Jews plot against him, so he changes plans and ends up in Troas. Paul gathers with a group of Christians and talks well into the night. A young man named Eutychus not only falls asleep but falls out of an adjacent third story window. Though dead, Paul is able to revive him, and continues teaching until dawn. Returning to Ephesus, he conducts a farewell speech amongst friends as he is certain that he will not see them again. Amongst other charges, Paul encourages them to be on guard against false teachers who are like wolves amongst sheep. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading opens with an account of Paul finding some former disciples of John the Baptist who have been baptized by John but have not yet been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After a brief conversation with Paul they are baptized into the name of Christ and are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul continues teaching, and after being rejected in the synagogue he begins speaking to both Jews and Greeks in the hall of Tyrannus. He stays there to teach for two years. Later, some Jewish exorcists try to use Jesus' name to expel demons, with surprisingly poor results. Finally, when silversmiths begin to lose money, they start a riot, and it turns out that most of the people involved don't even know what the riot is about. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Paul leaves Athens and ventures on to Corinth where he meets Aquila and his wife Priscilla. It's noted that they are tent-makers, which brings up an interesting aspect of Paul's life that we don't often consider. Paul was a tentmaker by trade, and while he often received financial help and contributions, he had a job by which he made a living. Aquila and Priscilla were also tentmakers, so they became fast friends and began working together. After an initial attempt to witness to the Jews in Corinth, Paul turns away from his fellow Hebrews and instead focuses on preaching to the Gentiles. The Corinthian church multiplies under Paul and he stays in the city for a year and a half. At the end of our reading, Paul and his friends venture to Antioch where they meet Apollos. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading opens with Paul preaching to the Jews on the Sabbath over the course of three weeks in the town Thessalonica. After a bit of unrest, the travel to the town of Berea by night. The Bereans are noted as being of more noble character than the Thessalonians, receiving the word with eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. The Thessalonians catch wind of Paul's location and come to town to start trouble again. He moves on to Athens, where he gives his famous sermon at the Areopagus, a place where the Athenian people discussed new teachings and new ideas. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Paul has left Jerusalem after conferring with other apostles and elders about giving instructions for the new Gentiles believers. Having delivered instructions to them in Antioch, Paul and Silas return to Lystra (where Paul was almost stoned to death) to visit the growing church, and while there, they pick up a young man named Timothy who continues on with them. This is the same Timothy to whom Paul later writes the books of 1 & 2 Timothy. They also pick up Luke, our narrator, along the way, which can be noted when he changes from third person plural to first person plural. Later, a slave girl is delivered from demonic possession, which means her owners can no longer profit from her fortune-telling. They rile up the crowd, beat Paul and Silas with rods, and throw them in jail, but the Lord has other plans for them and for their jailer. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

At this point in our reading of Acts, it has become clear that the Gentiles are welcomed by God Himself into this burgeoning body of Christ followers known as the church. The Gentiles did not have Abraham as their father and were not originally part of the Jewish community, which raises the question: should they be required to abide by the customs of God's covenant with Israel? The apostles and elders of the early church discuss two important factors: 1) The Spirit has been freely given to the Gentiles without distinction, 2) it was prophesied that David's fallen tent would be rebuilt so that all humanity may seek the Lord. Their advice includes abstaining from certain freedoms as well as abstaining from the sin of sexual immorality. Later, Paul and Barnabas amiably part ways and continue preaching. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we concluded midway through Paul's sermon at a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Attending the synagogue on the Sabbath, the two men sat down only to be addressed by the leaders, asking if they had any word of encouragement. Today, he continues that sermon and at its conclusion it's clear that his teaching has gained an audience. When he returns to teach on the following Sabbath, the whole town shows up to hear him. The Jews in Antioch are displeased with his popularity and begin to contradict and insult him. When Paul mentions that they are turning to the Gentiles with their message of salvation, the crowd rejoices and the good news continues to spread. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Saul are about to be set apart for the work of spreading the gospel to other lands. If you've ever ventured into the back of your printed Bible you're likely to find a map of Paul's first missionary journey. That journey begins today. Saul is first called Paul in today's chapter, and is referred to by that name from here on. Sent by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabus travel to varying cities proclaiming the gospel in Jewish synagogues. At Paphos, they witness to the proconsul, but a Jewish false-prophet who works for the proconsul tries to dissuade him from believing their message. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebukes him and the man is miraculously blinded. Our episode concludes midway through one of Paul's sermons to fellow Israelites in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading today begins with an event that is not described in detail, but which must have been another disheartening blow to the early church. Having recently endured the Sanhedrin's execution of Stephen, they now find themselves at odds with Herod who has executed James the brother of John. James was not only one of the twelve, but one of three disciples who witnessed the transfiguration of Christ. Seeing that it pleased the Jews, Herod arrests Peter also in order to execute him. Though his power is great, it is no match for the power of God Almighty, who has other plans for Peter. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, Peter received a vision from the Lord in which he was instructed to partake in food that was considered unclean by God's law. He received this vision three times, thus meaning it was sure, holy, and trustworthy. When he came out of the vision, he was instructed by the Spirit to accompany men from Caesarea. In today's text, Peter recounts this vision to men from the circumcision party who are upset that he would eat with men who were considered unclean. The good news of gospel continues to spread to the Greeks, and many believe, turning to the Lord for salvation. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Up until this chapter, the gospel has been preached mainly to the nation of Israel. You may recall, also, that Jesus Himself had taught and healed among God's people, making an exception for the woman who, in response to Christ's prioritization of Israel, said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Today, Peter sees a vision in which the Lord simultaneously declares all foods clean AND extends the good of the gospel to Gentiles as well as Jews. While this may be a small thing on this side of Christian history it was an extraordinary revelation to those disciples of Christ in the early church. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

At the stoning of Stephen and at the beginning of chapter 8, we were introduced to a man named Saul and today we'll return to his storyline in the book of Acts. In short, Saul is a religious terrorist who gets permission from his elders to capture people who profess Christ and throw them into jail. Jesus, however, as other plans for Saul. Stopping Saul in his tracks, Christ blinds Saul and introduces himself, commanding Saul to visit Ananias in Damascus. His dramatic conversion and profession of Christ is so startling that everyone has trouble believing it be true, including the disciples in Jerusalem. Saul the persecutor becomes Paul the persecuted, preaching Christ to Jews and Gentiles alike. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

As Stephen was being stoned to death, a young man named Saul stood watch over the garments of those who killed him. A great persecution against the early church began that day and Saul was at the heart of it. We learn about the work of the Spirit through Philip in two parts, first in Samaria, and later in the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch. After Philip baptizes this man, it seems that Holy Spirit teleports Philip to Azotus where he continues to preach the gospel. The accounts of Philip are broken up by an account of Peter and his interactions with a sorcerer named Simon. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

A deacon by the name of Stephen has been accused of blasphemy and now stands before the court of the Sanhedrin. False witnesses claimed that he had spoken against the law of God. Today, Stephen turns the tables on his accusers and puts them on trial for refusing to acknowledge Christ. Reciting a brief overview of Israel's history, he plainly shows them that it is Israel who is guilty of rebelling against God and resisting the Holy Spirit. In a rage, they rush to kill him, and Stephen becomes the first known Christian martyr, and as Tertullian later said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Today's episode is going to be incredibly short and tomorrow's episode is going to be rather long. Chapter 6 is really just a preface leading into chapter 7, in which Stephen speaks to the Sanhedrin concerning the history of Israel and their resistance against God. Instead of breaking up that speech in smaller pieces, I thought it would be best to keep that sermon in one piece. Having said all that, today's reading includes the introduction of deacons in the life of the church, whose role is to serve the church and to lead in doing so. Because of their faithful service, those who were called to teach are free to fulfill their role. Stephen is among those mentioned as being chosen as a deacon. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The early church was unique and attractive for a number of reasons, not least of which were the signs and wonders performed by the apostles as they preached the gospel with power and authority. Another unique characteristic of the early church was having all things in common, as they freely used what possessions they had in order to support one another as any had need. This generosity and the afore-mentioned signs and wonders meet when a couple tries to lie to the church about a donation they were making. When they do so, Peter says that they've not only lied to the local church, they've lied to the Holy Spirit. What happens next would've struck fear in the hearts of the church and the watching world. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Peter and John have just preached the gospel in Solomon's Colonnade after healing a man who was lame from birth. The priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) were annoyed with their preaching, so they seized Peter and John and jailed them overnight. In today's episode they will stand before the Sanhedrin, a counsel of Jewish religious leaders who held court concerning religious matters. Seeing the healed man, the simply threaten them not to preach in the name Jesus. After they are let go, they only request to preach Christ with greater boldness. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Luke reported in his gospel that the disciples were commissioned by Jesus to preach the coming kingdom, cast out demons, and heal diseases while Jesus was still alive, but today's reading contains the first detailed eye-witness account of the apostles doing so and the first instance reported after Christ's ascension. Their fellow Israelites are amazed, and Peter uses the opportunity to preach the gospel, calling them to repent and trust in Christ. By the time they're finished, they earn the ire of the priests, temple police, and Sadducees, who don't want the name of Jesus to be proclaimed. The number of those converted included 5,000 men, which may represent only half of those converted. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The disciples of Jesus have been praying in the wake of their Lord's ascension and departure, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. In a magnificent display, the Holy Spirit arrives and the disciples begin to clearly speak different languages. Native-born peoples from various lands hear their own tongues being spoken by these Galileans and are simultaneously amazed and confused. Peter stands to address this crowd of Jews, quoting Scripture and explaining what happened to Christ, God's Messiah. He calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and about 3,000 are added to the number of those following Christ. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The book of Acts is an account of the beginnings of God's church written down by Luke; yes, the same Luke who wrote the gospel of Luke. In the first chapter, Jesus promises his disciples that they will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and then he ascends into the heavens where he can no longer be seen. The apostles and other disciples including the women who had followed Jesus spend the following days in prayer. Since Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus and died, they elect a new 12th apostle to fill the vacancy. When they have two finalists to choose between, they pray, then cast lots, asking the Lord show them who should be chosen. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

We have reached the final chapter of the book of Luke, and in our last episode Christ was crucified and buried. In an effort to prepare the body of Jesus for a proper burial, some of the women among Jesus's disciples approach the tomb with spices in hand. Much to their surprise, they meet an angel who announces that he is no longer there. Jesus has risen from the dead just as He had prophesied way back in Galilee. Reappearing to his disciples at different times and in different places, Christ opens their eyes to the many things they had not previously understood, and the kingdom of heaven begins to spread in the hearts and minds of Christ's disciples. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Among the many things that Luke illustrates in his record of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, is that all of it was in fulfillment of Scripture, including a number of references to Psalm 22. That psalm begins with “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” and when Jesus says this, he is knowingly quoting the psalm, pointing us to it as he endures the torture of the cross. Men mock him, scorn him, and beat him. They divide his clothes while he hangs between evildoers. While sinful men sought to snuff out this king and his message about a coming kingdom, we know that, in fact, they are unwittingly helping to usher in the new kingdom by crucifying the Son of God. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, Judas Iscariot agreed to betray his teacher so that he might be handed over to the chief priests and scribes who were afraid of the people. When we last left Jesus and the apostles, they were celebrating the Passover, and it's a historically significant celebration, for Jesus has come to be the greater fulfillment of the Passover. He is the perfect lamb who is slaughtered so that his blood might cover God's people. He is also the firstborn who dies under the wrath of God. Our episode today continues in the upper room, where we left off, but they make their way to the Mount Olives to retire for the night. Jesus spends the night in agony, for he knows what lies ahead. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In his final days of teaching, Jesus takes time to teach his disciples the signs that point to the end of the age. Natural disasters will grow in frequency and the church will face persecution and prosecution. Jesus tells his followers that this will be an occasion to bear witness. The powers of the heavens will be shaken and the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory. He tells them to watch for these signs to know when the kingdom of God is near. This requires a sense of expectation and watchfulness on the part of those who trust in Him. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Jesus is now in Jerusalem, having been welcomed with honor and cries of Hosanna, befitting for the entry of a king. This welcome has not gone unnoticed by the chief priests scribes, and elders who live and work in Jerusalem and in the Scriptures. They are jealous of the attention Jesus gets and doubt that he is the Messiah. In their interactions, Jesus doesn't cut them any slack, but instead, puts their hypocrisy on display and embarrasses those who consider themselves wise. They respond, not with humility and repentance, but with anger. Later, the Sadducees try to troll Jesus concerning the resurrection, but he gives them an authoritative answer that puts them in their place.  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Looking back from our position in history, we have the advantage of considering the kingdom of God through all of the teachings of Jesus and through the lens of Scripture as a whole. During his time of ministry on earth, however, things weren't so clear for His original audience. When the crowds thought about the Son of David, they assumed that he would be a king in the traditional sense. The Jews were excited that this king had finally arrived, and upon entering Jerusalem they erupted with praise & excitement. Little did they know that Christ's kingship would establish eternal authority over the souls of men or that victory would come by way of the cross. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In the parable of the unjust judge, Jesus teaches his disciples to be persistent in prayer, arguing that if an unjust judge will grant justice through one woman's persistence, how much more so will a perfect and infallible judge grant justice to those who ask? He also tells a parable to those who thought they were righteous, concluding the story with what would have been seen as a twist: the sinner who repents is justified, not the self-righteous man who brings his works before God as his justification. Later, Jesus predicts his death a third time as they continue toward Jerusalem. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In the first half of this chapter, the teachings of Jesus in this chapter are numerous and short. Luke transitions from one teaching to another, sometimes without any indication as such. Jesus warns against causing children to stumble, then tells his disciples to be on guard when it comes to the sins of a brother in Christ. Next he teaches about faith, swiftly transitioning to a comparison about what it means to be a servant. In the second half, Jesus heals ten men, but only one man, a Samaritan, returns to offer thanks. Finally, Jesus tells his disciples about the kingdom of God and the days of the Son of Man. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The first parable in today's reading is quite different from the majority of parables that Christ tells, because in it, Jesus points to a sinful man to highlight that which is good, which is confusing on the face of it, but let me explain. In the parable of the dishonest manager, Christ's goal is to show his disciples how to think about wealth and earthly possessions: namely, that we are to use them to win favor with others while we still have them. Later, we'll hear the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where we catch a rare look at the post-mortem experience of one who ignored the law and the prophets during his lifetime. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Today's reading is one of the shorter chapters in Luke's gospel, but it contains some Christ's most well-known parables. When the Pharisees and scribes complain about Jesus welcoming sinners, he tells the parable of the lost sheep, emphasizing the joy in heaven that follows repentance. Similarly, a woman who loses one valuable coin among ten will look for the coin diligently until she finds it. Finally, Jesus tells the parable of the lost son who returns home after squandering his inheritance, to the joy of his father and to the chagrin of his brother who remained faithful. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Among today's teachings, Jesus says that one shouldn't prioritize those who can pay you back. Rather, do good to those in need who cannot pay you back. He goes on to tell a parable about one who gives a banquet and invites others to join him. Those who are on the guest list give excuses for why they are unable to attend, but in the end, they are all distracted by things they deem more necessary or more exciting. The one who holds the banquet then invites those who are needy, and they come to the table to feast. Finally, Jesus warns his disciples to count the cost of following him. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Jesus continues healing and teaching, focusing on fruitful labor for the Lord and the nature of the Sabbath. When Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, the leader of the local synagogue scolds the crowd, but in the end his adversaries are humiliated by the teaching of Jesus. He tells His disciples to enter by the narrow way, because the door to God's household will soon be shut and those outside will be turned away regardless of their proximity to Jesus. Later, Jesus is warned that Herod is trying to kill him, but Jesus explains what the path ahead of him looks like with certainty. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, Jesus encouraged his disciples to forget about storing up treasures in this life, but to store up treasures in heaven instead. With this in mind, he also teaches them to stop worrying about the future, for the future is in God's hands. He is able to provide for all of creation, and if he is able to do that, he is also able to give the kingdom to his people. Later, he encourages his disciples to remain ready for their master's return, faithfully serving the Lord at all times. Those who have been given much will have much required of them, and likewise those who have been entrusted with much, even more will be expected. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today's reading, Jesus accepts an invitation to a dinner party from a Pharisee and while they are having dinner he rebukes the Pharisee and his friends. As he does so, he uses the word “woe” to direct them to a posture of repentance and humility, rather than simply condemning them. Even so, he doesn't pull any punches as he skewers them for neglecting justice and love for God, for loving attention, and for being a source of defilement that goes unnoticed. He extends his rebukes to the experts in the law for burdening people with the law, for honoring prophets once they dead (rather than when they were alive and speaking), and for mishandling the Scriptures, which are the key to knowledge. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

We are almost halfway through the book of Luke, and Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem which also means that Christ is making his way to the cross. On the way he teaches His disciples how to pray to God the Father, encouraging them by way of a parable to be persistent in prayer, trusting that the Lord will give them good gifts. Jesus' power cannot be denied, so if it can't be denied, those who are offended by him must come up with a way to denounce him. So when the crowds demand a sign and accuse him of using demonic power to cast out demons, he explains why Satan driving out Satan is a ridiculous premise. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, Jesus sent 72 disciples ahead of him to the neighboring towns so that they might heal the sick and declare the coming kingdom of God, and today they return. He urges them to be encouraged, not in their power over the spirits, but that their names are written in heaven. On the road to Jerusalem, when asked to define what it means to love your neighbor, Jesus tells a parable that would have shocked his audience, as he makes a Samaritan, whom the Jews despised, the champion of his story. If that weren't enough, he portrays upright, religious Jews in the story as loving their neighbors inadequately. Finally, a busy and distracted Martha wants help from her sister, but receives a soft rebuke instead. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our passage begins with Christ's second prediction of his death as he tells his disciples that he will be killed by the religious authorities but will be raised from the dead on the third day. After the disciples argue about who is the greatest and complain about someone driving out demons in the name of Jesus, the Messiah's journey turns toward Jerusalem where He will face the agony of the cross, but he has much to say and to teach before that hour arrives. Later, Jesus sends 72 disciples ahead of him to the neighboring towns so that they might heal the sick and declare the coming kingdom of God. If you're reading along, don't forget that we're beginning in the second half of verse 43. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org