The Bible Tells Me What?: Recent Episodes
Matt Brough
Rev. Matt Brough raises questions and occasionally gives some answers that are raised by looking at the library of ancient wisdom known as the Bible. The Bible Tells Me What is a podcast where we wonder out loud about what the Bible meant in its original context, what it might mean now, and how the places the Bible leads us are often surprising and challenging.
A Reflection on John 21
Lots going on in this final chapter (epilogue?) of John’s Gospel, including:
- A miraculous catch of fish
- Why does Peter put his clothes on and jump into the sea when he sees Jesus?
- The reinstatement of Peter and Jesus questioning his love.
- The final reveal on the author of the story.
A Reflection on John 20:24-31
One of the disciples is known as a doubter, but actually they all doubted, and we all do too at one time or another. The amazing thing is that Jesus just shows up and helps Thomas believe that he really is risen. We then get an encouragement to believe/abide in Christ (even if we don't see or have proof of his risen identity) and to receive life.
In John 20:19-23, Jesus sends his followers after giving them his peace, and the gift of the Spirit, but he tells them that if they forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven, and if they "retain the sins" of anyone they are retained. Just what might that mean for us?
A reflection on John 20:1-18
There is so much in these few verses as we think about the Easter narrative. Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved have a race to the tomb. Mary thinks she meets a gardener, but it is Jesus, and then he commissions her to announce his resurrection and ascension.
A reflection on John 19:38-42
Interestingly, none of Jesus' closest followers are there just after Jesus dies. It is two "secret disciples" who care for Jesus' body. Could the "new tomb" and the garden be hints of what is to come in the next chapter?
A reflection on John 19:28-37
As Jesus dies on the cross we are connected to the main symbols of water, blood, and body that are so important in the earlier chapters of John. His body is given, his blood, and the water of life poured out.
A reflection on John 19:17-27
A sign is put on the cross that describes Jesus' identity, soldiers gamble for Jesus' clothes, and Jesus shows compassion for "his own" that were there when he died.
A reflection on John 18:28 - 19:16
There is so much going on in this section of John’s gospel where Jesus is sentenced to death.
A reflection on John 18:1-27
This is high drama in the gospel of John, which starts with a mob showing up to lynch Jesus and him literally knocking them over with his words. We then move into the sequence of Peter being questions and denying Jesus, and Jesus being questioned by the High Priest.
A reflection on John 17:1-26
Take some time to overhear the beautiful prayer that Jesus prayed for his followers and take in the words that you need to hear.
A reflection on John 16:23-33
Jesus continues to tell his followers that they can ask for anything in his name, but he also says that on the day of his resurrection they will ask nothing on him. Why is this and how does it encourage us with our own prayers in times of trouble?
A reflection on John 16:4b-22
Jesus talks about the Spirit "proving the world wrong" about sin, righteousness, and judgment, but what does that mean? When we centre Jesus in the narrative we get some clues.
A reflection on John 15:18-16:4
Jesus talks about the world hating him and hating his followers, but it isn’t always clear what that means. The context might help a bit with this question and may reveal something to us about the interplay between religious communities and “worldly values.”
A reflection on John 15:1-17
Jesus talks about us being branches and him being a vine. The image is about abiding, about staying connected to Jesus, and thought it may not always feel like it, this leads to deep joy.
A reflection on John 14:15-31
"Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” Such powerful words that appear just after Jesus promising peace, and not a peace “as the world gives”. As we all pray for Ukraine and an end to war, let us hold onto these words.
A reflection on John 14:1-14
So much going on in these few verses. We need to remember the context of what came before on this one. Jesus talks about many dwelling places right after he has predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. Does he prepare a place even for them? And for us?
A reflection on John 13:21-38
We learn of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial and in the midst of what is presented as the darkest point in John’s gospel, Jesus speaks of it being the moment of his glorification and he commands his disciples to love one another.
A reflection on John 13:1-20
Jesus washes his disciples feet, even including the one who betrays him. This is a moment where we learn that the most important thing is to actually receive grace rather than worrying about all the things we “should” do. At the same time, those who follow Jesus are also sent out to humbly serve as he did, with no sense of superiority - simply a free offer of hospitality. Still the message remains focussed on receiving the one sent to us with gracious hospitality and service.
A reflection on John 12:12-36. The situations of our lives and world can be completely overwhelming, but even as Jesus turns toward his darkest hour, he encourages us to keep walking in the light.
A reflection on John 11:54-12:11 about the time when Jesus' freind Mary poured a pound of perfume on his feet, Judas objected to it saying it could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus defended her and said it was for "his burial." A strange episode in John's gospel.
A reflection on John 11:1-53. Such a pivotal chapter in John's gospel where Lazarus is raised from the dead. So much here: Jesus' deep compassion, the "I am the resurrection and the life" saying, and the foreshadowing of Jesus' own raising from the dead.
A reflection on John 10:22-42. Well, the interpretation goes a little sideways on this one, but that’s going to happen sometimes when you read the Bible!
A reflection on John 9. Jesus heals a man born blind and it, of course, creates a controversy. By the end of the story we discover the real blind ones are the people who went so far as to kick the formerly blind man out of their community.
A reflection on John 8:31-59. There is a lot in this passage that starts with the familiar “and the truth will set you free,” but spirals until Jesus’ opponents try to stone him.
A reflection on John 7:53-8:11. The religious authorities drag a woman in front of the crowd, accuse her of adultery, and want to use the Bible to justify killing her as punishment. They also decide that this is an excellent occasion to try and trap Jesus in making him decided between compassion and following the law.
A reflection on John 7:1-36. We get introduced to the idea of Jesus saying “my time is not yet here,” as he responds to subtle accusations of doing miraculous signs just to gain fame for himself.
A reflection on John 6:41-71. Jesus goes deeper on the metaphor of him being the bread of life. He starts talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood and even a lot of his own disciples stop following him.
A reflection on John 6:1-40. Jesus feeds 5000 people, but there’re so many connections: Bread of Life, Eucharist, communion, hungering for life, and the Great I Am. What an amazingly rich part of the Bible.
A Reflection on John 5:19-47. A section we might be tempted to skip, but here Jesus just keeps going deeper with showing us who he really is.
A reflection on John 5:1-18. Is this man that Jesus heals being standoffish and does he tell on Jesus to the authorities or does he end up identifying himself with Jesus?
A Reflection on John 4:43-54. A man travels a great distance to ask Jesus to heal his dying son, and Jesus, as usual, says something cryptic: “unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
A reflection on John 4:31-42. Jesus’ disciples return and urge him to eat, but Jesus talks about how he is nourished by completing God’s work that has already started.
A reflection on John 4:1-30. The Samaritan woman at the well is often misunderstood, but she is actually theologically astute, not afraid to question and push back on Jesus, and also becomes one of the first evangelists. She is a stark contrast to the religious leader from John 3, who is left simply dumbfounded. The woman at the well is the one who, in the end, gets it right.
A reflection on John 3:22-36. This passage is mostly about John the Baptist. Some of his followers are upset because Jesus is kind of encroaching on John’s territory. Jesus has been baptizing people - the shock! John’s response - I never said I was the Messiah. He must increase, I must decrease. John wasn’t out for fame, but rather was all about pointing to the truth - and that actually meant that his ministry was going to get smaller.
And then, there’s the only mention of the word wrath in John’s gospel - that will always trip us up!!!
A reflection on John 3:11-21. A continuation of Jesus’ conversation with a religious leader, containing the beautiful John 3:16, but also some tricky and difficult language about judgment and condemnation.
A reflection on John 3:1-10 - Jesus is visited by a Pharisee named Nicodemus and they have a really strange, and probably very important, conversation. Nicodemus seems to get everything right, but then Jesus takes things further (again!), speaking about the need for one to be born from above (or anew), the kingdom of God, water, Spirit, and the wind blowing wherever it wants.
A reflection on John 2:13-25. Jesus gets angry and turns over the tables of the money-changers in the temple. With his action, Jesus upends the religious system of his day and points to himself as the way draw near to God.
A reflection on John 2:1-12. Most people have heard about Jesus changing water into wine, but in this little story there are just so many amazing connections. And, once again, there is just way more to Jesus than we might think!
A reflection on John 1:43-51. In this passage, Jesus is judged because of where he comes from, but there is always way more to Jesus than we think there is. This is, of course, true of any person. The invitation is still the same - "come and see."
A reflection on John:1:35-42. What might this bit of the Bible be telling us? Jesus asks "What are you looking for?" And the answer is "Teacher, where are you staying?" Do we know what we are looking for in our endless searches, scrolling, and binge-watching?
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the prologue to John's gospel - John 1:1-14. The gospel writer uses grand "spiritual" language and is also very grounded. Jesus is talked about as the Logos (the Word, or the defining principle of the universe), but he also talks about this Logos becoming flesh and "moved into the neighbourhood." This is, in fact the whole point of Christmas as the celebration of the incarnation, God with us.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the Annunciation in Luke 1:26-38. This is the story of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will have a child. They also back up to Zechariah and Elizabeth's story earlier in Luke where the angel Gabriel first appears. They wonder whether Gabriel might be the main character at this point, and also how Zechariah and Mary respond differently (one with fear, and the other with "pondering") to Gabriel's announcements.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss Mary's song, the Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55. In this text Mary begins with the blessing she is receiving herself, and then moves to a more universal blessing that God is giving to the world through the child she is carrying. Mary prophetically proclaims that God's salvation has already been accomplished.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the classic Advent text Isaiah 40:1-11. This text speaks to the exiles from Jerusalem living in Babylon and promises comfort for God's people, the glory of God being revealed, a highway being made in the desert, a herald coming with glad tidings, a shepherd carrying and leading his sheep. So much here!
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough talk about Isaiah 64:1-12, the lectionary text for the first Sunday of Advent, that starts with "O that You would tear open the heavens and come down." It is a prayer asking God to do something, to show up, to fix things. This text is for the Sunday of Hope, but often Advent emphasizes the darkness of the world as we anticipate the coming light of Christ. Most of us feel like we don't need more reminders of the darkness and want to just get to the hope and the light. This text tells us that while God addresses our hopes, God's way of doing so is often surprising. We need reminding that our hope must always be in God rather than in the things that we think God ought to do for us.
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss Amos 5:18-24, which is actually one of the "nicer" passages in Amos. They go over some of the book of Amos, this prophet highly concerned with justice for the oppressed. How do we deal with passages that portray an angry God? How would we like it if God was not angry at injustice?
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes. This is the opening of Jesus' famous sermon on the mount, where he speaks about being blessed. Are these instructions for how to live differently, is he giving a new way of living, or is he promising transformation for people who are hurting? Well, it is Jesus, so maybe all of this.
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss this amazing text from Philippians 4:1-9 that speaks about not worrying, not being anxious, taking things to God in prayer with thanksgiving, and rejoicing always. They acknowledge that these things are not easy to do, yet we can cultivate a particular way of living. The danger is that we make a self-help equation out of "doing all the right things" leading to "getting peace." Lots to reflect on here!
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss the 10 commandments found in Exodus 20:1-20. In particular, they focus on the framing of the commandments and how God forms his people, what the commandments have to do with humans being made in God's image, idols that we might cling to in our lives, and the human struggle with sabbath and coveting.
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss the ancient hymn found in Philippians 2:1-13, and what it means to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. The hymn speaks of Jesus being in the form of God but did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped onto (or be exploited), but emptied himself. We too are made in the image of God and there is great power in that. What then does it mean for us to not consolidate power, but empty ourselves of it for the sake of others?
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss Exodus 16:2-16 where the Israelites complain about being hungry in the desert and God responds by providing manna and quail. God has very specific instructions about how to collect it, including that they need to collect double the amount on the day before the Sabbath. In many ways, God is forming his people, not just providing for them, but teaching them how to have freedom from the work that they had to do seven days a week as slaves in Egypt. How might we also need to be brought back to square one and be re-formed by God with particular patterns of life?
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss this important text (Exodus 14:19-31) which has major implications for conversations around justice. In many ways, we are too familiar with the story of the Israelites fleeing Egypt. But Matt and Jen point out that God's people were slaves and the Head of State of the nation that enslaved them, after promising them freedom, changed his mind and sent the military after them. They also consider the fact that God takes the side of the slaves in the story. How do we read the wider context of the biblical story, what does it mean for God to take one side over another, and how does this effect how we understand our current world?
Jen and Matt have a brief conversation about Romans 6:1-11 which discusses some very big concepts like union with Christ through baptism, sin, and grace.
Jen and Matt talk about Matthew 9:35-38 and explore the image of the harvest (is it terrifying or is it an image of celebration?). Listen to the end for how this image might relate to Church decline, and... we have outtakes!
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss 1 Corinthians 12-14 including leaning into your gifts, what Paul means by the "most excellent way," and why Chapter 13 isn't just for weddings.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough share their first thoughts on Acts 2. They comment on the strangeness of the story, and the combination of the unpredictable activity of the Holy Spirit and rational explanation, as well as the whole point actually being about pointing to Jesus.
Matt and Jen talk about Acts 1:1-11. In this text, Jesus goes up to heaven and it is a critical text to understand. Here, we talk about whether the question the disciples ask Jesus is misplaced or whether it reflects the deepest of longings. ("Is now the time when you will restore the kingdom?") Much like the first followers of Jesus, perhaps our own questions for God have different answers than we envision
In this episode, Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss John 14:15-21 where Jesus talks about sending his disciples another advocate. Part of the farewell discourse, we consider connection to Jesus washing his disciples' feet, the Vine and the Branches, what it means to abide, and who is the Holy Spirit really. No wonder this is our longest episode yet!
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch have a conversation about the powerful words found in the first two chapters of 1 Peter.
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch talk through Luke 24:13-36 and give some initial thoughts about this powerful story of the risen Jesus meeting his disciples on the road, but them not recognizing him (at first!).
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss John 20:19-31 and dive into all the implications of Jesus saying to his disciples "As the Father sent me, so I send you."
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the Easter text of Matthew 28 and reflect on the importance of giftedness being spread across the Church, the idea of being sent amid fear and doubt, and how the women in the story are the quintessential sent-ones.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough talk about the parable of The Rich Fool from Luke 12:13-21.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough talk about the uncertainty of our times as we face social isolation and more because of Covid-19, and then talk about the Parable of the Good Samaritan and what it means to be a neighbour when we are supposed to stay home.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough talk about Jesus' very tricky and disturbing parable of the wedding banquet found in Matthew 22:1-14.
Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss some first thoughts on Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son as found in Luke 15:11-32.