Commuter Bible NT

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 Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

Among today’s teachings, Jesus teaches that we should 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 Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

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 Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

Knowing that the tumultuous events surrounding his crucifixion are near, Jesus encourages his disciples to fear God rather than man, for a man can kill you but he can’t sentence you to eternal punishment, as the Lord does with all who rebel against him. Jesus encourages his disciples to forget about storing up treasures in this life, but to store up treasures in heaven instead. He also teaches them to stop worrying about the future, for the future is in God’s hands. Worrying doesn’t add years to your life, so why not choose a better way: spend your life investing the kingdom, rather than trying to advance your own glory.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

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. Later, he rebukes those who claim He uses demonic powers, chastises the generation who will put him to death, and denounces the self-righteous Pharisees as hypocrites.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

From verse 51 onward, Jesus will be making his way to Jerusalem where He will face the agony of the cross. He has much to say and to teach before that hour arrives. He sends 72 disciples ahead of him to the neighboring towns so that they might heal the sick and declare the coming kingdom of God. 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 Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]

Jesus grants his 12 apostles power and authority over demons and diseases and send them out with the good news of his coming kingdom. When the 12 return, he welcomes the crowds and tells the disciples to give them something to eat. They don’t know what to do, so Jesus feeds five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Later, Jesus tells the disciples that he will be killed by the religious authorities but will be raised from the dead on the third day. Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Christ’s glory as they spend time with him on a nearby mountain, but they are instructed to tell no one at that time.

:::

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]

Today Jesus tells the parable of the sower to a large crowd, but he only reveals its meaning to his disciples. Take note that it isn’t whether or not the seed grows, but whether that seed endures, growing mature enough to produce fruit. Later, Jesus takes a nap during a storm, and only wakes up when the disciples panic and ask him to do something about. He gets up, and stops the wind and the waves with a word. Jesus continues to exhibit signs and wonders, casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead. In all of these things, Jesus clearly shows himself to be God in the flesh.

:::

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]

Jesus continues to exhibit his power over illness, demons, death, and over the created order. Those who witness his power, including the disciples who are with him daily, continue to be awestruck by what they see. Make no mistake: the people in Jesus’ day were not simpletons who would simply believe anything. Like you and I, they knew that what Jesus was doing seemed impossible, and they all had trouble wrapping their minds around it. In addition to these miraculous feats, Jesus seems to prioritize faithful foreigners and repentant sinners above those who felt they were already righteous.

:::

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]

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.

:::

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]