Gospel at a Glance

Episode 53 - Matthew 8:14-17 - He Took Our Sickness

Scripture:
Matthew 8:14–17 (NIV)
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
 
Episode Summary
In this episode, Matthew places two powerful healing scenes side by side. Jesus moves from the quiet intimacy of Peter’s home to the overwhelming needs of an entire town. Together, these moments reveal that Jesus’ healing ministry is not about spectacle or performance. It is about compassion, restoration, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to carry human suffering. Whether healing one quietly or many publicly, Jesus’ heart remains steady and deeply attentive.
Takeaways
Jesus sees and responds to suffering in both private and public spaces.
His touch restores dignity, strength, and belonging.
Jesus’ authority is calm, compassionate, and unforced.
Matthew connects Jesus’ healing work to Isaiah’s vision of a suffering servant.
Healing in the kingdom of God restores people to life and community, not just health.
Recommended Reading & Sources
N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Craig Keener, The Gospel of Matthew
Amy Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Isaiah 53
HarperCollins 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
Substack: gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram: @gospelataglancepod
Keywords
Matthew 8, Jesus heals, suffering servant, Isaiah prophecy, compassion of Jesus, healing and restoration, gospel reflection
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #Matthew8 #JesusHeals #SufferingServant #ChristianPodcast #BibleReflection #HealingAndHope

A Brief Pause for Rest

Beginning December 17, the podcast will be going dark for a short, intentional pause. A seasonal illness has settled into our household, and alongside the natural rhythm of the holidays, some rest is truly what the doctor ordered.
This pause is not an ending, but a breath. A reminder that even good work can be set down for a moment, and that rest itself is a faithful act.
Gospel at a Glance will return on Monday, December 29, refreshed and ready to close out the year together.
Thank you for listening, for your grace, and for being part of this space.

Episode 52 - Matthew 8:5-13 - Faith of the Centurion

Scripture:
Matthew 8:5–13 (NIV)
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go. Let it be done just as you believed it would.”
And his servant was healed at that moment.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Jesus encounters a Roman centurion whose faith challenges every expectation. Though he stands outside Israel’s religious community and represents the occupying military power, the centurion approaches Jesus with humility, compassion, and deep trust. His confidence in Jesus’ authority amazes Jesus Himself. This story invites us to rethink who we assume belongs in God’s kingdom and reminds us that genuine faith is often found in unexpected places.
Takeaways
Faith is not limited by background, status, or religious identity.
Humility often grows from clarity and reverence, not insecurity.
Jesus moves toward suffering, even when it crosses cultural boundaries.
Trusting Jesus’ authority does not require proximity or proof.
God’s kingdom is wider and more welcoming than we often imagine.
Recommended Reading and Sources
N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Craig Keener, The Gospel of Matthew
Amy Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Dale Allison, The Sermon on the Mount
HarperCollins 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
Substack: gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram: @gospelataglancepod
Keywords
Matthew 8, centurion faith, Jesus authority, humility, healing, kingdom of God, Gentiles, trust in Jesus
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #Matthew8 #FaithAndHumility #JesusHeals #ChristianPodcast #BibleReflection #KingdomOfGod
 

Episode 51 - Matthew 8:1-4 - Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Scripture:
Matthew 8:1–4 (NIV)
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said,
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
“I am willing,” he said.
“Be clean!”
Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Then Jesus said to him,
“See that you don’t tell anyone.
But go, show yourself to the priest
and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Episode Summary
Jesus comes down from the mountain after teaching the Sermon on the Mount, and Matthew immediately shifts from words to action. The first person who approaches Him is a man with leprosy, someone carrying physical suffering, emotional weight, social isolation, and spiritual stigma. He kneels before Jesus with both faith and uncertainty and says, “Lord, if you are willing.”
Jesus responds first with a touch. Instead of avoiding him, Jesus moves toward him. His compassion reaches the places others avoid. With three simple words, “I am willing,” Jesus heals the man instantly and restores his dignity and his place in the community. This miracle shows the heart of the kingdom Jesus announced: no one is untouchable and no one is beyond restoration.
Takeaways
Jesus moves toward those who feel excluded or unseen.
Healing begins with trust even when we are unsure of God’s willingness.
Jesus touches the places others avoid.
Restoration includes belonging, dignity, and community.
The kingdom Jesus taught is the kingdom He demonstrates with real people in real pain.
Recommended Reading and Sources
Matthew for Everyone by N. T. Wright
The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary by Craig Keener
The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing by Jonathan Pennington
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey
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
Email: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Substack: https://gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram: @gospelataglance
Keywords
Matthew 8, healing, leprosy, Jesus, compassion, restoration, belonging, faith, Gospel reflection, kingdom of God
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #ChristianPodcast #Matthew8 #JesusHeals #FaithJourney #BibleStudy #HealingAndRestoration #KingdomOfGod #DailyScripture #SpiritualFormation
 

Episode 50 - Matthew 7:28-29 - He Taught with Authority

Scripture:
Matthew 7:28–29 (NIV)
When Jesus had finished saying these things,
the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
because he taught as one who had authority,
and not as their teachers of the law.
Episode Summary
As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds respond with astonishment. Not polite admiration, but a deep, heart-shaking awareness that this teacher is unlike any they have heard. Jesus speaks with an authority rooted not in tradition or human training but in His own identity as the One who reveals God’s heart.
This episode reflects on what made Jesus’ voice so distinctive: His clarity, His compassion, His ability to free rather than burden, and His invitation to move from amazement to transformation. The Sermon ends with a quiet crossroads. Will His listeners allow His authority to reshape their lives?
Takeaways
Jesus taught with divine authority, unlike the teachers of the law.
His authority brings freedom, healing, and clarity rather than fear.
The crowds recognized the difference immediately, even if they couldn’t fully explain it.
Amazement is only the beginning; the goal is practicing His way.
Jesus’ teaching still astonishes today because it reveals the life we were created for.
Recommended Reading & Sources
Matthew for Everyone — N. T. Wright
The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary — Craig Keener
The Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven — Amy-Jill Levine
The Divine Conspiracy — Dallas Willard
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:
Email — gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Substack — https://gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram — @gospelataglance
Keywords
Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7, Jesus’ authority, astonishment, discipleship, transformation, gospel reflections, spiritual formation
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #ChristianPodcast #Matthew7 #JesusAuthority #SermonOnTheMount #BibleStudy #FaithFormation #SpiritualGrowth #DailyFaith

Episode 49 - Matthew 7:24-27 - The House on the Rock

Scripture:
Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV)
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice
is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house,
and it fell with a great crash.
Episode Summary
As Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount, He gives a picture so simple that anyone can understand it, yet so profound it reaches into every season of life. Two builders. Two foundations. One storm revealing what calm can hide.
This episode explores what it means to not only hear Jesus’ teaching but to practice it. We look at the Galilean image of riverbeds that seemed safe until the rains came, how storms expose the true condition of our foundations, and why Jesus’ invitation is rooted in love rather than fear. The “rock” is not our flawless obedience. It is Jesus Himself, shaping our instincts and grounding our lives day by day.
Takeaways
Your foundation matters more than the appearance of your life in calm weather.
Hearing Jesus is passive; practicing His way is what builds stability.
Storms don’t create cracks — they reveal them.
The rock is Jesus: His presence, character, and teaching.
Small daily acts shape a life that stands firm over time.
Recommended Reading & Sources
The Divine Conspiracy — Dallas Willard
Matthew for Everyone — N. T. Wright
The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary — Craig Keener
The Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven — Amy-Jill Levine
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:
Email — gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Substack — https://gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram — @gospelataglance
Keywords
Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7, wise builder, foolish builder, foundation, storms of life, spiritual resilience, Christian formation, Jesus’ teaching, Gospel reflection
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #ProgressiveChristianity #Matthew7 #BuildOnTheRock #SermonOnTheMount #ChristianPodcast #FaithInRealLife #JesusTeachings #SpiritualFormation #BibleStudy #DailyFaith
 

Episode 48 - Matthew 7:21-23 - I Never Knew You

Scripture:
Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Episode Summary
In this passage Jesus brings a sobering challenge. He reminds us that spiritual performance is not the same as spiritual connection. The people He describes are active, capable, and impressive, yet something essential is missing. Relationship. Integrity. A life that reflects the heart of God. Jesus is not trying to frighten us. He is inviting us to a faith that is honest and rooted. A life built on knowing Him and doing the will of the Father, not on appearances or accomplishments.
Takeaways
Jesus cares about authenticity. What we do flows from who we truly are in Him.
Saying the right words is not the same as living the right way.
Spiritual gifts are not proof of spiritual maturity.
God desires relationship more than performance.
The will of the Father is revealed in the whole Sermon on the Mount.
Recommended Reading and Sources
N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Dale Allison, The Sermon on the Mount
Craig Keener, The Gospel of Matthew
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
HarperCollins 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:
Email: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Substack: gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram: @gospelataglancepodcast
Keywords
Matthew 7, Lord Lord passage, Scripture reflection, authenticity, doing the will of God, spiritual maturity, Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaching
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #Matthew7 #SermonOnTheMount #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #DailyDevotional #JesusTeaching #SpiritualFormation #AuthenticityInFaith

Episode 47 - Matthew 7:15-20 - Warnings and Fruit

Scripture:
Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV)
Episode Summary
Jesus turns our attention from our inner life to the voices we follow. He warns that not everyone who speaks in His name reflects His heart. Some appear gentle on the outside but cause harm beneath the surface. Jesus invites us to practice discernment and to look for the fruit that grows over time. This teaching is not meant to make us suspicious of everyone. It is an invitation to maturity so we can recognize what is good, healing, and aligned with the kingdom of God.
Takeaways
Character reveals truth. Jesus teaches us to look beyond charisma and pay attention to the fruit a person produces.
Discernment protects and strengthens communities.
Healthy trees bear healthy fruit. Long-term patterns show the presence or absence of the Spirit.
We become what we follow. The voices we trust shape our spiritual direction.
Recommended Reading and Sources
N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Craig Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
Scot McKnight, Sermon on the Mount
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
HarperCollins 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:
Email: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Substack: gospelataglance.substack.com
Instagram: @gospelataglancepodcast
Keywords
false prophets, discernment, spiritual fruit, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7, Jesus teachings, Christian wisdom, spiritual maturity
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #SermonOnTheMount #Matthew7 #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SpiritualFormation #Discernment #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional

Episode 46 - Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate

Scripture
Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Episode Summary
In this episode, Jesus invites us to consider two ways of life: a wide, easy path that requires little intention and a narrow path that leads to transformation and life. We explore how ancient gate imagery shapes this teaching, how the narrow way reflects the character of Jesus, and how small daily choices open into a life marked by freedom, integrity, and spiritual maturity.
Takeaways
• The narrow way requires intention and attention.
• Hard does not mean harsh; it means formative.
• The wide path avoids growth and leads away from life.
• Spiritual transformation happens through small daily choices.
• The narrow gate appears in ordinary moments; look for it.
Recommended Reading and Sources
• Matthew 5–7
• Psalm 1
• N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
• Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
About the Podcast
Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels passage by passage, helping listeners discover depth, challenge, and comfort in the teachings of Jesus.
Connect
Email: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod
Substack: https://gospelataglance.substack.com
Keywords
Narrow gate, discipleship, spiritual growth, Matthew 7, Sermon on the Mount
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #NarrowGate #ChristianPodcast #Matthew7 #DailyFaith #DiscipleLife

Episode 45 - Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule

Scripture
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Episode Summary
This episode focuses on the Golden Rule, one of Jesus’ most famous and far-reaching teachings. Unlike many ancient versions stated negatively, Jesus frames His command positively and proactively. We discuss how this teaching reflects the entire Sermon on the Mount and how it calls us to initiate love, mercy, and understanding rather than waiting for others to act first. Jesus invites us to let our behavior reflect the generosity we hope to receive.
Takeaways
• The Golden Rule is proactive, not reactive.
• Love initiates rather than imitates.
• This teaching reflects God’s own generosity.
• Every interaction becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ.
• One small act of goodness can transform a relationship.
Recommended Reading and Sources
• Matthew 5–7
• Luke 6:31
• N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
• Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son
About the Podcast
 
Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels one short passage at a time, helping listeners encounter Scripture with clarity, depth, and hope.
Connect
Email: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelataglancepod
Substack: https://gospelataglance.substack.com
Keywords
Golden Rule, ethics of Jesus, love in action, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7
Hashtags
#GospelAtAGlance #GoldenRule #JesusTeaching #DailyFaith #ChristianPodcast