Gospel at a Glance

Episode 110 - Kingdom Context - Corban

Episode Summary In this Kingdom Context episode, we unpack the meaning of “Corban” and why Jesus uses it as a powerful critique of religious systems. What appears to be devotion, like dedicating something to God, can become a loophole that allows people to avoid clear moral responsibility. Jesus exposes how tradition, when misused, can override God’s commands and create a version of faith that looks right on the outside but is misaligned at the core. Takeaways * Corban means “dedicated to God,” but was often misused in practice * It allowed people to avoid supporting their parents while maintaining a religious appearance * Jesus challenges the elevation of human tradition over God’s commands * Religion can become a loophole when it replaces real obedience * True faith is not about appearances—it’s about alignment between heart, intent, and action Recommended Reading & Sources * Matthew 15:1–20; Mark 7:9–13 (NIV, NRSV, ESV, CSB) * Jewish Annotated New Testament * CSB Study Bible * Matthew for Everyone * The New Testament and the People of God * The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament) * Matthew 8–20 (International Critical Commentary) * Mark 1–8 (Anchor Yale Bible) * The Gospel According to Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary) * Jesus and Judaism About the Podcast Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels one short passage at a time, finding depth, challenge, and comfort in just a few verses. Follow for daily reflections that invite you to see how the kingdom of God still breaks into ordinary life. * Connect: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com [gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com] * Instagram: @gospelataglancepod [https://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod] * Substack: Gospel at a Glance [https://gospelataglance.substack.com] * Facebook: Gospel at a Glance [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586735634496] Keywords Corban, Matthew 15, Pharisees, tradition, hypocrisy, obedience, kingdom of God Hashtags #GospelAtAGlance #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FaithDeconstruction #JesusTeachings #BiblicalContext

Episode 109 - Matthew 15:1-9 - When Tradition Replaces Truth

Scripture: Matthew 15:1–9 (NIV) Episode Summary In this episode, we explore Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees over ritual purity and tradition. What begins as a question about handwashing becomes a deeper challenge about authority, obedience, and the danger of using religious systems to avoid God’s commands. Takeaways * The issue is not hygiene but ritual tradition * Jesus contrasts human tradition with God’s commands * Corban reveals how religion can be used as a loophole * Hypocrisy is outward performance without inward alignment * True faith is rooted in obedience, not appearance Recommended Reading & Sources * Matthew 15:1–20 (NIV, NRSV, ESV, CSB) * Jewish Annotated New Testament * CSB Study Bible About the Podcast Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels one short passage at a time, finding depth, challenge, and comfort in just a few verses.  Follow for daily reflections that invite you to see how the kingdom of God still breaks into ordinary life. * Connect: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com [gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com] * Instagram: @gospelataglancepod [http://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod] * Substack: Gospel at a Glance [http://gospelataglance.substack.com] * Facebook: Gospel at a Glance [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586735634496] Keywords: Matthew 15, Pharisees, tradition, Corban, hypocrisy, obedience Hashtags: #GospelAtAGlance #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #JesusTeachings #ProgressiveChristianity

Episode 108 - Matthew 14:28-36 - In the Storm

Episode 108: In the Storm Scripture: Matthew 14:28–36 (NIV) 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. Episode Summary In this episode, we explore Matthew 14:28–36, focusing on Peter stepping out of the boat, losing focus, and crying out to Jesus. This passage is not just about a miracle. It reveals what happens when faith starts strong but falters under pressure. We walk through how fear shifts our attention, how quickly doubt can take over, and how Jesus responds in that exact moment. The episode also highlights the contrast between the disciples’ fear in the storm and the people’s trust when Jesus reaches land and begins healing. This is a passage about imperfect faith, immediate grace, and the steady presence of Jesus both in the storm and beyond it. Takeaways * Faith can be real and still falter * Fear often begins with a shift in focus * Jesus responds immediately when we call out * Doubt does not disqualify us from grace * Recognition of Jesus changes how we respond to Him Recommended Reading & Sources Scripture (compare translations): * New International Version (NIV) * New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) * English Standard Version (ESV) * Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Study Bibles: * CSB Study Bible * NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible * Jewish Annotated New Testament About the Podcast Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels one short passage at a time, finding depth, challenge, and comfort in just a few verses. Follow for daily reflections that invite you to see how the kingdom of God still breaks into ordinary life. * Connect: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com [gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com] * Instagram: @gospelataglancepod [https://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod] * Substack: Gospel at a Glance [https://gospelataglance.substack.com] * Facebook: Gospel at a Glance [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586735634496] Keywords Matthew 14, Peter walking on water, faith and doubt, Jesus saves, fear and trust, gospel teaching, New Testament study, Christian podcast Hashtags #GospelAtAGlance #BibleStudy #Matthew14 #FaithAndDoubt #WalkingOnWater #JesusSaves #ChristianPodcast #FaithInTheStorm #TrustGod

Episode 107 - Holy Week at a Glance

Scripture: Luke 23:44–46 Episode Summary: A clear walkthrough of Holy Week that explains not just what happened, but why each moment matters in the Christian faith...from expectation to resurrection. Takeaways: * Each part of Holy Week carries meaning, not just the ending * The cross and resurrection reshape how Christians understand suffering and hope * Faith includes both clarity and waiting

Episode 106 - Matthew 14:22-27 - One Who Walks on Water

Scripture: Matthew 14:22–27 (NIV) Jesus Walks on the Water 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Episode Summary In this episode, Matthew moves directly from the feeding of the five thousand into a new scene on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat while He withdraws alone to pray. As night falls, the disciples find themselves in difficulty. The wind is against them, and the boat is battered by the waves. What begins as a simple crossing turns into a long struggle. Meanwhile, Jesus remains on the mountain in prayer. His withdrawal is intentional. After a public miracle that could stir political expectations, He chooses solitude and communion with the Father rather than momentum with the crowd. During the fourth watch of the night, in the darkest and most exhausting hours before dawn, Jesus comes to the disciples. He is not in a boat. He is walking on the water. In the world of Scripture, the sea is more than a setting. It often represents chaos, danger, and forces beyond human control. In passages like Job and the Psalms, it is God alone who rules the waters and stills the waves. So when Jesus walks across the sea, Matthew is not simply describing a miracle. He is revealing identity. The one who approaches the boat stands over the chaos. The disciples respond with fear. They assume they are seeing a ghost, unable to recognize what is happening. Their fear is not irrational. It reflects the impossibility of what they are witnessing. Jesus speaks immediately. “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The phrase “It is I” carries deeper meaning. It can also be understood as “I am,” echoing the language of divine self-revelation. In the midst of wind and waves, Jesus is not only calming fear. He is revealing His presence. The storm has not yet stopped. The waves are still active. But everything changes because Jesus is now present with them. Takeaways * Jesus often sends His followers into situations that reveal their need for Him * The sea represents forces beyond human control, yet Jesus stands over them * God’s presence may come after long periods of struggle * Fear can come from misrecognizing what God is doing * The presence of Christ changes the meaning of difficult circumstances Recommended Reading and Sources Scripture and Cross References Matthew 14:22–27 (NIV, NRSV, CSB, ESV) Job 9:8 Psalm 77:19 Isaiah 43:1–2 Standard Study Resources HarperCollins Study Bible CSB Study Bible R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew W. D. Davies and Dale C. Allison Jr., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Matthew Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Ulrich Luz, Matthew 8–20 Jewish and Historical Context Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament About the Podcast Gospel at a Glance walks through the Gospels one passage at a time, exploring how Jesus’ actions and teachings reveal the nature of God’s kingdom. Each episode invites listeners to slow down, observe carefully, and reflect on how Scripture speaks into real life. Connect * gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com * Substack: Gospel at a Glance [https://gospelataglance.substack.com] * Instagram: @gospelataglancepod [https://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod] * Facebook: Gospel at a Glance [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586735634496] Keywords Matthew 14, Jesus walks on water, sea as chaos, divine identity of Jesus, fear and faith, Gospel of Matthew Hashtags #GospelAtAGlance #Matthew14 #BiblePodcast #JesusWalksOnWater #KingdomOfHeaven #ScriptureStudy #ChristianPodcast