Commuter Bible

As Jesus walks to the garden where he will spend his final moments with the disciples, he continues to divulge the relationship between the persons of the Trinity. The Spirit comes from the Father and submits to the Son. The Son commands the Spirit but submits to the Father. And the Father has authority over the Son and the Spirit while still honoring both as equal in divinity. Jesus prays for His present disciples as well as those who will believe in the future, asking that they might know the Father’s love and that they might be protected from the evil one. Finally, Jesus is captured and sent to trial before the Jews and before Pilate.John 15:26-27 – 1:11 . John 16 - 1:28 . John 17 - 7:34 . John 18 - 11:47 . Isaiah 41 - 20:11 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Here in John’s gospel, we get a lengthy behind-the-scenes look at the Last Supper. As Jesus eats the Passover meal with his disciples, he knows that the hour of His crucifixion is drawing near. As both Lord and servant, Jesus leads by example and washes the disciples’ feet and commands them to love one another. It’s revealed that Judas will betray Jesus, and he departs from the other disciples to execute his plan. Jesus reveals the nature of the relationships within the triune Godhead, describing how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit relate to one another. Finally, Jesus tells his disciples that they should expect to be persecuted by the world.John 12 – 1:10 . John 13 – 9:25 . John 14 – 15:31 . John 15 – 20:44 . Isaiah 40 – 24:47 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading begins with a miraculous and undeniable sign: Jesus heals a man who was born blind, and the Pharisees can’t believe it. Later, Jesus raises his friend, Lazarus, from the dead in front of large crowd. This is Jesus’s seventh messianic sign given before the crucifixion, and this one points forward to his own resurrection and his power over death. As many in people in Bethany had witnessed the corpse of Lazarus first-hand, the miracle caused quite a stir amongst the people, which caused the Jews to hate Jesus even more. It is after this miraculous sign that they resolve to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, in order to snuff out the growing witness of Jesus’ power.John 9 - 1:11 . John 10 - 8:34 . John 11 - 14:26 . Psalm  146 - 23:56 . Psalm 147 - 25:25 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today’s passage, Jesus feeds 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. Those who received this free meal begin looking for Jesus, not because of the sign itself but because of what they can get out of it. Here, Jesus begins teaching strange things, saying that his disciples must eat his flesh and drink blood, and after hearing this, many abandon Jesus. Later, during the Festival of Shelters, Jesus goes to Judea to preach and teach even though some of the Jews were trying to kill him. The crowd is divided about whether or not he is the Messiah. When Jesus calls God his Father and says “before Abraham was, I am.” they pick up stones to kill him.John 6 - 1:07 . John 7 - 12:12 . John 8 - 19:58 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today’s episode, Jesus passes through Samaria, a town that most Jews considered to be so loathsome that even setting foot inside the city limits would have been frowned upon. Jesus not only does this, but he breaks custom by asking a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, telling her about the living water that leads to eternal life. Along with his disciples, he stays for two days before continuing onward to Galilee. Later, in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a mand on the Sabbath and refers to God as his Father, and this is where he begins to earn the ire of the Pharisees.John 4 - 1:09 . John 5 - 10:16 . Psalm 145 - 17:56 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

As many of you may know, there are four gospel accounts in the New Testament, three of which are called “synoptic” gospels, which means “seeing the same thing.” The gospel of John is the outlier, especially because it dives into some of the deeper aspects of Christ’s life and teachings. John opens with a profound reflection on the Christ of eternity past who existed before creation, calling to mind the opening of the creation account in Genesis. He moves on to cover the ministry of John the Baptist, transitioning gracefully from that ministry to the ministry of Jesus, giving attention to Christ’s surprising authority over the created order itself and to his command of the Scriptures.John 1 - 1:12 . John 2 - 9:56 . John 3 - 13:32 . Psalm 144 - 19:32 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

For modern audiences like us, these concluding chapters may feel more drudgery than delight, but for the original audience, these final depictions would have been the most exciting. Ezekiel once brought a message of condemnation and despair, but now that those prophecies have come true and Israel has spent 25 years in exile, Ezekiel brings a message of hope and restoration. Some of today’s revelation is other-worldly, as Ezekiel sees a river coming from under the temple, recalling the garden of Eden, the tree depicted in Psalm 1, all while pointing us toward the river seen in the book of Revelation.Ezekiel 45 - 1:15 . Ezekiel 46 - 7:57 . Ezekiel 47 - 13:10 . Ezekiel 48 - 18:57 . Psalm 142 - 26:12 . Psalm 143 - 27:18 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

To put today’s passage in context, it’s important to spend a moment considering when this vision occurred and what had happened up to this point. Remember that God had declared through Ezekiel that his glory had left the temple. Jerusalem would be made a desolation, and the people exiled from the land. The temple had become defiled and desecrated by Israel’s idols, so the Lord sent the Chaldeans to demolish it. Twenty-five years later, Ezekiel sees a vision that would have brought renewed hope and joy: a new temple with revived worship practices, and most important of all, the promise of God’s glory and favor returns.Ezekiel 42 - 1:11 . Ezekiel 43 - 4:54 . Ezekiel 44 - 12:12 . Psalm 140 - 19:26 . Psalm 141 - 21:21 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

There are different takes on the exact meaning of the temple Ezekiel sees in today’s passage, some say it is symbolic, others heavenly, while others take note of it’s cross-shaped floor plan. Here’s what we know. First, it was never built. Second, this passage is the longest recording of a revelation in Scripture and it gives very specific dimensions for a temple design with measurements that differ from the original temple. Third, in the original Hebrew, the measurements are in cubits and multiples of 5 and 25 abound; and this vision takes place after 25 years in exile. Fourth, but certainly not finally, other than Moses, Ezekiel is the only person in the Old Testament to receive and transmit specific legislation directly from God.Ezekiel  39 - 1:08 . Ezekiel 40 - 8:30 . Ezekiel 41 - 18:53 . Psalm 139 - 24:23 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

You may have noticed this turn already, but ever since the mention of Jerusalem’s fall in chapter 33, God’s message to His people has become one of promise and hope for a restoration that will take place in the future. In our last episode, God promised to send a shepherd to his people, one that would be a prince among them from the line of David. Today, Ezekiel prophesies that Israel will be fruitful once more. Then, by means of a strange vision, the Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley of dry bones. Through the word of the Lord, these bones gather into fully restored bodies and stand on their feet.Ezekiel 36 - 1:13 . Ezekiel 37 - 10:44 . Ezekiel 38 - 18:14 . Psalm 137 - 23:57 . Psalm 138 - 25:16 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today’s passage, Ezekiel recalls the day when, 12 years into exile, he first hears word that Jerusalem has been overtaken. Those who remain behind want to claim the land as their own property, but the Lord sees their wickedness and vows to make them a desolate waste. The Lord also sees the shepherds of Israel, those leaders and rulers who have been entrusted with taking care of God’s flock. Rather than nurturing and protecting those under their watch, they have abused their power for the sake of selfish profit. God’s flock will be rescued from their hands, and he will send a better shepherd, his servant David, who will be a prince among them. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

As evidenced by the pyramids that remain standing today, the treasures of the pharaohs, along with abundant of historical records, Egypt was once a major world power that ruled mightily for centuries. Bible readers will recall that Joseph helped Egypt thrive early in their history and that Egypt held the nation of Israel in bondage for 400 years. This proud nation defied the Lord God and proved to be an unreliable ally to the surrounding nations, a splintered, reed staff that injured those who leaned on it. In today’s text, God proclaims that he will once again use Babylon as the sword of his wrath. Unlike some other nations, the exiled Egyptians will be allowed to return to their land, but as a nation they will never again achieve their former status.Ezekiel 29 - 1:10 . Ezekiel 30 - 6:02 . Ezekiel 31 - 12:05 . Ezekiel 32 - 17:41 . Psalm 134 - 25:17 . Psalm 135 - 25:44 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Israel and Judah have incited the Lord’s wrath by their wanton disregard for His statutes, and the Lord intends to pour His wrath out on His people. Even so, He will continue to stand by His promise to save a remnant and bring them back into the land. This is not the case for the surrounding nations, who have shown contempt for Jerusalem and disregard for the Holy One of Israel. A majority of today’s passage focuses on the esteemed port city of Tyre, located on an island just off the coast. Though Nebuchadnezzar was unsuccessful in his siege, Alexander the Great was eventually successful after creating a causeway of timber and stone, wiping them out, never to exist again.Ezekiel 25 - 1:13 . Ezekiel 26 - 4:52 . Ezekiel 27 - 10:50 . Ezekiel 28 - 18:16 . Psalm 132 - 24:36 . Psalm 133 -  26:53 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The Word of God sometimes shocks us with the imagery it gives to describe the sins of mankind, and today’s passage is no exception. As we begin, the Lord speaks with Ezekiel inviting him to pass judgment on Jerusalem, for the princes of Israel have abused their power in order to shed blood. The Lord goes on to tell a parable of sorts, describing Samaria (aka Israel) and Jerusalem as two sisters named Oholah and Oholibah. With scandalous and sordid depictions of their rebellion against God, they stand condemned before the one who called them to faithfulness and purity.Ezekiel 22 - 1:17 . Ezekiel 23 - 8:33 . Ezekiel 24 - 19:24 . Isaiah 39 - 25:11 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our episode begins with a lament for the princes of Israel, who are compared to lions that grow up to devour people, and are therefore captured and taken away. Some of the elders of Israel gather around Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, but God denies them and recounts the history of Israel’s rebellion and idolatry. Time and again, the Lord would have been justified in exhausting His wrath against Israel, but over and over He relents from disaster so that His name won’t be profaned among the nations. The Lord will not answer them, for as they seek Him they also seek after idols, even sacrificing their children to false gods.Ezekiel 19 - 1:14 . Ezekiel 20 - 3:46 . Ezekiel 21 - 15:44 . Isaiah 38 - 22:56 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Today we get a glimpse of God’s lovingkindness toward Israel as God describes Himself as a Father who adopts an unwanted baby, then as a man who redeems the life of a woman by claiming her as His bride. This woman becomes beautiful through the nurturing love of God, and as she grows in beauty, she begins to trust her beauty more than her husband. This bride is more anxious to please other men than to please her own husband, and therefore His anger is kindled against her. Later, the Lord says that a sinful man can be restored when he is repentant before God, but the one who turns away from righteousness will be condemned.Ezekiel 16 - 1:20 . Ezekiel 17 - 16:28 . Ezekiel 18 - 22:51 . Psalm 131 - 29:19 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

We begin today’s passage with prophecies against false teachers who make up things to say from the Lord even though he didn’t actually say them. These prophets are figuratively like those who don’t repair the structure of a weakened wall so that it is strong once again, but who simply whitewash over it to make it look nice. Women who practice sorcery and sell bracelets as magic charms are condemned here as well. Later, the Lord God says that no one from Israel will be saved simply because there are some who live it in who are holy; in fact, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were residents, not even their family would be saved by their association with the righteous.Ezekiel 13 – 1:09 . Ezekiel 14 – 7:43 . Ezekiel 15 – 13:49 . Isaiah 37 – 15:33 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, while meeting with Judah’s elders, Ezekiel was carried off in a vision by the Lord. In one scene after another, the Lord showed Ezekiel the abhorrent practices of idolatry that the people were committing, especially those in the Lord’s temple. Today, the prophet sees an otherworldly visual representation of the Lord’s sovereign decrees as judgment is declared upon Jerusalem and upon the temple where God once lived among His people. He is then carried off to see a conversation between the elders of Jerusalem who boast in their self-worth and who plot to take Israel’s land soon after they have been exiled.Ezekiel 9 - 1:13 . Ezekiel 10 - 4:02 . Ezekiel 11 - 9:03 . Ezekiel 12 - 14:06 . Isaiah 36 - 19:23 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

When we last left Ezekiel, the Lord had given him prophetic acts to perform before the people of Jerusalem. In one he drew the city of Jerusalem on a brick and then laid siege to it. In another, he was commanded to lay on his left side for 390 days, and then 40 days on his right, all while eating bread baked over cow dung. Today, at the Lord’s direction, Ezekiel shaves his head and beard, a look that was considered shameful, and then proceeds to destroy most of the hair that had been removed. Later, Ezekiel is carried away in a vision given a tour of Jerusalem’s detestable acts of idolatry.Ezekiel 5 - 1:12 . Ezekiel 6 - 5:31 . Ezekiel 7 - 9:48 . Ezekiel 8 - 16:17 . Isaiah 35 - 20:51 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Ezekiel is on his way to Babylon with a group of exiles when suddenly, the heavens are opened and he sees a vision from God. The symbolism here is pretty deep. Coming from the north, like the Chaldean armies, the Lord’s angels are fourfold with four faces and four wings, communicating the Lord’s sovereignty over the fourfold directions of the earth (north, south, east, and west) over every mighty creature, and over every man. The cherubim were the enforcers of divine judgment and were accompanied by wheels full of eyes communicating that God is omniscient and omnipresent seeing and knowing all things.Ezekiel 1 – 1:12 . Ezekiel 2 – 6:46 . Ezekiel 3 – 8:47 . Ezekiel 4 – 15:24 . Isaiah 34 – 19:13 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org