Commentaries on the Bible
These articles explain the author's intended meaning and purpose for passages in the Bible. They are in Adobe pdf format. Simply click on the title and if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader the file will download for reading and printing.
Commentaries on Matthew
Matthew 1:18:25 Joseph's Dilemma: Justice and Mercy in the Balance
When Joseph finds out Mary is pregnant, but not with his child, he decides to act both justly and mercifully and annul their betrothal. However, God has a different plan. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him Mary is pregnant through a miracle of God, take her as his wife and name the boy Jesus.
Listen to talk given at Grace Community Church on 12/03/06.
Matthew 2:1-12 The Mystery of the Magi
Parthian kingmakers see signs in the sky that the long awaited Jewish Messiah is born. They are overjoyed by the news while the current king of the Jews, Herod, is terrified.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 12/10/06.
Matthew 2:13-23 Herod: A Desperate Despot
King Herod decides Jerusalem isn't big enough for two kings of the Jews and tries to kill Jesus. Joseph, Mary and Jesus escape to Egypt and return to Nazareth after Herod dieds.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 12/17/06.
Commentaries on Luke
Luke 1:5-25 Wake up and smell the incense!
The angel Gabriel visits Zechariah in the Temple to tell him that even though his wife is beyond her childbearing years she will become fertile and bear him a son. They are to call him John (the Baptist). John will be the messenger predicted by the ancient prophets to tell the people of Israel their long awaited Messiah has come. In the mean time Zachariah will need to trust Gabriel's words.
Listen to talk given at Grace Community Church on 10/08/06.
Luke 1:26-38 An angel, a Messiah and a teen pregnancy
Gabriel visits a 12 year-old peasant girl named Mary to tell her that God will miraculously conceive a child without the aid of a biological father. Unlike Zechariah, Mary responds in faith and service.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 10/15/06.
Luke 1:39-56 The Meeting of the Mothers
Mary walks around 70 miles to visit her relative Elizabeth whom Gabriel told her is pregnant (with John). The Holy Spirit reveals to Elizabeth and the baby in her womb (John) that the baby in Mary's womb is none other than Israel's long-awaited Messiah. Mary praises God and utters a prophecy about what God is doing to overturn the social, political and religious orders.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 10/22/06.
Luke 1:57-80 John the Baptist: a messenger of mercy
When John is born Elizabeth and Zechariah respond in faith and obedience to Gabriel's first instructions to name their son John. Zechariah praises God and utters a prophecy about God showing his compassionate mercy through the Messiah and John His messenger.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 10/29/06.
Luke 2:1-20 A manger, some shepherds and angels Oh my!
In response to a decreed Roman census, Joseph travels to his ancestor's home of Bethlehem. In order that the Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem may be fulfilled Mary goes along and gives birth to Jesus in the manger of a small peasant house. Angels appear to the shepherds in a nearby field to tell them their Messiah was born that day. Through Jesus' birth, God accomplished a feat of enormous strategic planning and preparation and is therefore worthy of the greatest on honor and glory.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 11/05/06.
Luke 2:21-40 The Presentation of Jesus
After Jesus is circumcised and presented as a member of the covenant community of Israel an old man and woman step out of the crowd to affirm that Jesus is the Savior for all the nations.
Listen to this talk given at Grace Community Church on 11/19/06.
Copyright 2006. Gary C. Burger and New Media Ministries. Each article may be reproduced and distributed freely as long as it is done so in its entirety. If quoted it must be properly cited as a reference.