Matthew 13’s parable-palooza continues as pick up the second half of the chapter in today’s reading. Following the two agriculturally based parables from the last reading (the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and the weeds) we’ll read the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven, each of which is used to explain how the kingdom will start small, then grow exponentially. After explaining the parable of the wheat and the weeds, more parables follow, including the parable of the hidden treasure, the priceless pearl, the large net, and the storehouse of truth. In each of these parables, Jesus is helping his disciples to understand the nature of the coming kingdom.

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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 next two readings from Matthew 13 are a parable-palooza, so sit tight and hit the pause button every now and again when you need a moment to think about what Jesus is teaching. A large crowd is following Jesus, so he gets into a boat and puts out a little from the shore, giving him natural amplification, as the water would have carried his voice. Much of today’s reading is occupied with the parable of the sower, which Jesus explains at length to his disciples, but conceals their meaning from those who are not his followers. We conclude today’s section with the parable of the wheat and the weeds, wherein Jesus delineates between those who are truly of the kingdom and those who are simply in close proximity to those in Jesus’ kingdom.

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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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So far in Matthew’s narrative, Jesus has demonstrated that he is Lord over disease, death, demons, and even Lord over Creation and the created order. He also demonstrated that he is Lord over men, offering forgiveness of sins to the repentant. Today Jesus demonstrates that he is Lord of the Sabbath, refusing to compromise his heavenly standard in order to submit to the scribes. Moreover, he freely calls men to serve to him, sits with those who would have been considered unclean without becoming unclean himself, and continues to heal those who are ailing. No like this has ever been seen in Israel before Jesus, setting him apart as more than just a prophet and more than just a priest.

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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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We learn later in Matthew’s gospel that John the Baptist was imprisoned because he had been telling Herod the tetrarch that it was unlawful to have his brother’s wife. Herod wanted to kill him, but kept him in prison because he was afraid of the crowds. John the Baptist was a faithful prophet and forerunner to Christ, but he was still just a man who didn’t have all of the answers. Today, he asks if Jesus is the one who is to come, or if there is someone else. Christ’s response is to point to the signs and wonders he is performing while validating John’s ministry. By contrast, Jesus condemns his critics as well as those towns that did not repent after he performed miracles within them.

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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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Jesus had many disciples that followed him, but of those disciples there were twelve men with whom Jesus had a special relationship marked by proximity, teaching, and title. In today’s reading, Jesus sets these men apart for the work of ministry and gives them each the title of “apostle.” He sends these men out with the message of Christ’s kingdom on their lips, giving them instructions on how they are to conduct themselves as they go. He warns them that there will be persecution, but even so, they aren’t to fear men, but God, who values them greatly. Christ came, not to bring peace, but a sword, and division between the godly and the ungodly is sure to come. While his disciples might lose family over the name of Jesus, they will be given each other to care for as family.

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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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Thus far in Matthew’s gospel, we haven’t heard complaints from the crowds about any of Christ’s teachings or any unrest from his ministry to sick or suffering people, but in today’s episode Jesus begins crossing boundaries which had been laid through the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. After forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man, the scribes claim that Jesus is blaspheming, but he immediately shows them that he has the power to do even greater things through his authoritative word. Similar encounters follow, but the power and authority that Jesus has over Creation simply cannot be denied.

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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 today’s reading, we begin to witness the power and authority of Jesus over creation, including not only the natural, physical realm, but the spiritual realm as well. A man with leprosy professes faith in Jesus to cleanse him, and Christ responds by healing him. A roman centurion professes belief that Christ can heal his servant from afar, and after lauding the man’s faith, Jesus does just that. Later, they visit Peter’s house where his mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Christ heals her, and she begins to serve him. Towards the end of our reading, we see that even the wind and the waves obey Jesus, and if that weren’t enough, even the demons cower and obey the will of Christ.

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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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We are still reading through Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, and in today’s reading, we begin with what might be one of the most abused quotes in Scripture, which is, “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” Often people think the first part is the most important part, and they use it to tell others not to judge them. Jesus’ point however is to alert his hearers to hypocritical judgment, calling out the small sins of others while you are dealing with massive sin yourself. What’s more, in this same chapter, Jesus tells his hearers to be on guard against false prophets, which would most assuredly require discernment and judgment. The Sermon on the Mount concludes at the end of today’s reading.

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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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