Commuter Bible NT

Matthew 6

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 Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Matthew 5

As the new and better Moses, Jesus ascends a mountain and delivers the Word of God, only this time instead of being delivered on stone tablets, God’s Word is delivered directly from the mouth of God the Son. This section of Scripture is called “The Sermon on the Mount” and contains highly concentrated dose of Jesus’ teachings. Beginning with a section we call “The Beatitudes” Jesus pronounces unexpected blessing upon unlikely people. Later, he declares that he has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it, and this he does perfectly, surpassing the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. With this in mind, Christ enhances portions of the Ten Commandments to include the sins of the heart. :::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

Matthew 3-4

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 Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Matthew 1-2

Today we begin the gospel of Matthew, which was written with a Jewish audience in mind, pointing frequently to the Old Testament. Matthew looks back upon some 60 Hebrew prophecies throughout his gospel, proving that Christ was God’s promised Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law. Not only is He the long-awaited King, He is also the new Abraham, that is, the head of the new spiritual Israel comprised of all who follow Him. If that weren’t enough, Matthew also shows that Jesus is the new Moses; He is the greater prophet, teacher, and deliverer born among Israel’s brothers who gives perfect instruction from God. Our reading begins with an interesting genealogy, including some names you might not expect in a royal lineage. :::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

2 Peter 3

Those who trust in Christ know that a day is coming when the Lord will return to judge the living and the dead. But from Peter’s up until today and even further into the future as the Lord tarries, there will be scoffers who say, “Where is his coming that he promised?” The Lord has power to do as he pleases and is not confined to the constraints of time as men are, therefore one day is like 1,000 years and 1,000 years is like a day. As we wait for the day of the Lord, we are to be holy in our conduct, serving the Lord faithfully. Finally, of note, Peter clearly references the writings of Paul as divinely inspired as he says that there are some matters that are hard to understand in them which will be twisted by evil men, just like they twist the rest of Scripture. :::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