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?

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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 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.

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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 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 Bible

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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.

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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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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.

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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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The entirety of chapter 2 concerns the judgment that will fall upon false teachers. Peter warns the church against those who teach destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them. Such false teaching has not ceased, if anything, it has continued to increase as the gospel has gone forth into the world. Their judgment is sure, for throughout history God has brought judgment upon the wicked while delivering the righteous. Peter compares them to Balaam, the Old Testament pagan who set out to curse Israel but instead was rebuked by a donkey. These people are “springs without water” promising life but delivering nothing of value.

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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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The epistle we call 2 Peter is just a little more mysterious than 1 Peter, in that we don’t know the circumstances regarding the letter nor do we know whom the recipients are intended to be. Peter references this as second letter, which could mean that the recipients are the same as 1 Peter, but it could also be the case that the recipients are unknown and that the first letter was not held as Scripture. By Peter’s own admission, he is near the end of his life, which means he is likely writing from prison in Rome. In this letter, he writes to warn his recipients to beware of false teachers with their dubious doctrines and unrestrained lifestyles.

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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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The book of 1 Peter concludes today with a short chapter including an exhortation to the elders of the churches to whom Peter is writing and a general admonition to resist the devil and remain humble. As he addresses the elders, those who were in charge of overseeing the local congregations of believers, Peter encourages them to shepherd God’s flock out of love and not for lesser reasons. Consider, friends, that when Peter had betrayed Jesus by denying him three times, Christ restored Peter threefold by telling him to feed and shepherd his sheep. The admonition that Christ gave to Peter, he now passes on to others who seek to love the Lord through the service of teaching and leading.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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