Commuter Bible NT

In the old covenant, the average Israelite was not allowed to enter into the holy place, and only the high priest was allowed to enter into the most holy place. This earthly tabernacle was a shadow and predecessor of the heavenly pattern, wherein sinful men like us cannot enter into God’s holy presence. Thankfully, we have a high priest in Jesus, for he is able, not only to enter into His Father’s presence, but to cleanse our consciences. He cleanses us, not with the blood of bulls or goats, but with his very own blood. In so doing, Christ is the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Unlike the old covenant which required continual sacrifices by imperfect men, Christ has entered into this heavenly tabernacle, or one “not made with hands” and has made sacrifice once and for all. :::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/[email protected]

The plans for the tabernacle given to Moses are in some ways a finite, earthly replica of the heavens, as they are said to be a copy or a shadow of the heavenly things. This system of worship included finite, earthly priests who served until they died, but Christ is the high priest of the new covenant who always lives to intercede. Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant which was prophesied through Jeremiah, and in today’s episode the writer of Hebrews quotes the prophet Jeremiah at length. He argues that a new covenant would not need to be given if the old covenant was sufficient. The Jews should therefore partake of the new covenant in Christ, for the old covenant is obsolete. :::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/[email protected]

In chapters 5 and 6, the writer of Hebrews briefly mentioned that Jesus was a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. As we read chapter 7 today, he’ll elaborate on what that means. In short, the question is this: since we know that the lineage of Jesus is from Judah and not Levi, how can it be that he qualifies to be a high priest? Even though Jesus had parents who were of the line of David, he himself is not from Adam’s fallen race; as such, he can be compared to Melchizedek, who is without a genealogy. Moreover, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything, as Abraham was the inferior and Melchizedek was superior. Because Jesus is even better than Melchizedek, the author concludes that a better covenant has come, and it comes under a priest who holy, innocent, and undefiled. :::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/[email protected]

In the gospels, Jesus teaches a parable about a sower and seeds. Some of the seeds show signs of growth and life, yet all of them, save one seed, do not survive. The planted seed of the gospel can have a temporary, life-giving effect on some who have not truly repented, but those who endure and bear fruit are those who prove to be Christ’s disciples. Likewise, the writer of Hebrews tells his audience it is impossible to renew to repentance those who merely tasted the heavenly gift of Christ’s church, but who ultimately fall away and despise the Lord. He wants the church to endure in hope until the end, being diligent in their faith, not lazy. Finally, the writer argues that God wants to show his unchangeable purpose through his promises to his people. :::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/[email protected]

As we read from the book of Hebrews today we’ll see that Jesus is a better rest than the Sabbath and a better high priest. While the Sabbath regularly pointed God’s people to their need for rest and to their dependence on the Lord, the author of Hebrews says that a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people, namely Jesus Christ, for all those who are found him are able to rest from works of righteousness while depending on the Lord to provide for them both here and hereafter. Later, we’ll see that Jesus is a superior priest, for like Melchizedek his priesthood is not based on ancestral lineage. This idea will be developed further in later passages. :::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/[email protected]

Hebrews is a book about how Jesus is better than all that has come before him, and in chapter 3 we see that Jesus is better than Moses, and this is in no way takes away from Moses’ faithfulness. Moses was truly faithful as a servant in the household of God, but Jesus is worthy of more honor because Jesus was faithful as a Son over his household. While there are many who will serve in the household of God, there is only Son who inherits all things from the Father. The writer of Hebrews then warns his readers against unbelief, reminding them that those who were brought out of Egypt didn’t get to see the Promised Land because they were disobedient, and instead, they died in the wilderness. :::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/[email protected]

Today we begin the book of Hebrews, a book that emphasizes the superiority of Christ to all that has come before him. While the writer of the book of Hebrews remains unknown, we do know that this writer can quote the Old Testament Scriptures at length and is very polished in his ability to write and to reason. This letter is unique, as it has no greeting and seems to be directed specifically toward Jewish believers. In today’s passage, the writer argues that Jesus is greater than the prophets who came before, as God has spoken to us directly by the Son and appointed him heir of all things. He is greater than angels, for everything has been made subject to him. Moreover, as one who has flesh and blood, he has reached out to help men, but has not done so for angels. :::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/[email protected]

Matthew’s gospel concludes in today’s episode as consider the hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord. The good news of Jesus Christ is that he died for our sins on the cross, drinking the full cup of God’s wrath on our behalf so that we might be forgiven of our sins. Not only this, but he also deposits his perfect righteousness into our account so that his perfect fulfillment of the Law might be attributed to us. If that weren’t enough, he also has risen from the dead, conquering both sin and death so that we might live forever with him. Living forever with him begins in this life, for he has promised that he will be with us always, even to the end of the age. :::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/[email protected]

Today, we’ll cover Matthew’s account of the crucifixion including Christ’s death on the cross, but stopping shy of his burial, saving that section for our next reading. We begin with the account of Judas confessing his guilt in betraying Jesus, and the response from the chief priests and elders is one of indignant apathy. Fraught with grief, Judas hangs himself and dies. Though he has been charged as guilty before the Jews, Jesus now stands trial before the governor, Pontius Pilate. Though he finds no guilt in Jesus, he condemns him in order to keep a riot from starting. After Jesus is mocked and beaten by the Roman military who oversaw his custody, he is led to the cross and crucified between two criminals. :::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/[email protected]

The time has come for Jesus to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Having finished taking the Passover meal together, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives with his disciples to spend the night. This has been their routine while in Jerusalem, and Judas knew where to find them. After Judas indicates which man is Jesus by greeting him with a kiss, an armed mob of men arrest Jesus and lead him away to be tried by the high priest and the Sanhedrin. While witnesses are brought forth to testify against him, none of their accusations stick. Finally, Jesus confirms that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, and they sentence him to death. Peter waits in the wings, unable to muster the courage needed to acknowledge 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/[email protected]