Scripture First

Maundy Thursday: an often overlooked section of Scripture in light of Easter coming around the corner. Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Nick Hopman: what is Maundy Thursday? Why is there a section of verses missing from the middle of this reading? And what is the importance of foot washing? In the midst of the devil deceiving Judas into thinking that betraying Jesus is better than having faith in him, Je...

The Triumphal Entry...yet, in a single week, Jesus is killed. How did we go from cheering hosanna to "Crucify him!"? Lars Olson joins Kiri and Mason to discuss the lectionary text for Palm Sunday. In today's conversation, we discuss what does it mean for something to be prophesied—like Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Lars also teaches us the translation for hosanna means &q...

Jesus has been performing increasingly more impactful miracles on His way to Jerusalem. Today, we're discussing the biggest of them all: the resurrection of Lazarus. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha both confess or confront Jesus. Luther House of Study's Sarah Stenson breaks down what we can learn from Jesus' response to them. Finally, when Jesus arrives at Lazarus' tomb,...

A man was born blind. Jesus gives him sight. Everyone is upset when Jesus is merciful. No one believes the formerly blind man that he can now see. The Pharisees demand to know how he was given sight. His parents pass the buck. Nick Hopman teaches us that miracles aren't the gospel. They don't forgive your sin and give you eternal life. They do, however, show us who Jesus is: the one to g...

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well at noon. What happens next completely changes her life forever. Luther House of Study's Dr. Chris Croghan sits down with Kiri Haugen and Mason Van Essen to discuss the significance the time of day plays in this story. When you hear the passage, pay attention to Jesus' responses to the woman. It may sound harsh, but—as you'll hear Dr. Croghan...

John 3:16. From football fields to inspirational posters, many consider it to be the Gospel in a nutshell. What's often overlooked is the context around the verse and why Jesus said those famous words, "For God so loved the world..." Luther House of Study's Lars Olson sits down with Adam Guthmiller and Mason Van Essen to talk about why the Nicodemus is coming to Jesus under the...

This week, Adam Guthmiller and Mason Van Essen are joined by Sarah Stenson to discuss this week's lectionary Gospel text: the Temptation of Jesus.  Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  Sarah breaks down the ways Satan tempts Jesus—turning stones to bread, throwing himself off of the temple, and ruling all the kingdoms of...

In this week's lectionary text we hear Jesus lay out terms of the law such as: "...if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also" "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and, the kicker, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  We hear this and think to ourselves, "How is this even possible?" That&ap...

In last week's lectionary Gospel text—instead of getting rid of the law—Jesus said He's going to fulfill the law. In other words, to make sure the law is followed to a T. In this week's text, Jesus explains what He meant by that...by turning up the heat on the law.  Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not get a divorce.  Dr. Chris Croghan explains how we, like the scribes and...

You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.  What does it mean to be the salt and light of the world? How does you lose your saltiness? Who would hide their light under a basket? These are the questions Kiri Haugen, Adam Guthmiller, and I ask Luther House of Study's Lars Olson on th...

For this week's lectionary reading, we're discussing the Beatitudes. Sarah Stenson teaches us that—when translated—the word beatitudes means state of bliss or supreme joy.  Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What does it mean to be blessed by God?  What is the difference between happiness and joy? What does it mean to stand up for your neighbor? Sarah explains that to be blessed is to receive God...

Following His baptism and temptation, Jesus continues to show us how God is constantly using unexpected people and ways to bring about His Word: the shepherds, John the Baptist, the region of Galilee, and—in today's text—the fishermen.  When we all expect the Messiah to deliver a more perfect law, Jesus delivers the opposite: forgiveness.  Then Dr. Chris Croghan explains the verse Martin Luth...

John the Gospel writer describes John the Baptist's landmark statement, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  Adam, Kiri and I point out how, without context, this phrase doesn't make sense.  What does it mean that Jesus is a lamb?  Can lambs take?  Is there a difference between taking away the sin of the world and paying for the sin of the world?  Luther H...

ELW 304 - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized // ʟᴏʙᴛ ɢᴏᴛᴛ, ɪʜʀ ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇɴ  ZACHARY'S NOTES:  Stanza 1 // The dove appears as “peaceful” and “urgent” as a flame. These are both images of the Spirit in Scripture, but in this context, the Spirit is “peaceful” because of the promise spoken - “you are my beloved Son” - yet “urgent” because of the work of ministry to save and redeem the world. Sta...

In this week's lectionary text, Jesus is seeking out John to be baptized, and John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” before having the heavens opened to Jesus and the Spirit descending like a dove.  Adam, Kiri, and I ask Lars Olson: What is baptism? Why do we need to be baptized? And why does Jesus need to be baptized, too?  Lars teaches u...

"Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." -Martin Luther. Luther House of Study's Mason Van Essen and Lars Olson sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to introduce Sing to the Lord —LHOS' podcast to understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church. Each week, Zachary, Lars, and Mason will discuss the lectionary's hymns, their m...

It's the lectionary text after Christmas and it's a difficult one to hear, to preach, and to understand. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream to warn him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to save Jesus from being murdered by Herod.  What does Herod do when he hears his power is threatened when he hears that the Messiah's been born near Bethlehem? He orders the unfathomable:...

It's Christmas Eve and we're thrusted into the ever-familiar Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke. All the world should be registered. Mary's firstborn son wrapped in bands of cloth, laid in a manger. No room in the inn. Shepherds living in the fields when an angel appeared.  Dr. Chris Croghan explains to Adam, Kiri, and Mason why it's so important to hear this text every year...

We're discussing the very familiar lectionary text for Christmas Day in today's episode: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  As you'll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson, we can roll over the incredible...

The Gospel of Matthew opens with Joseph finding out that his fiancé is with child from the Holy Spirit and is planning to call off the engagement quietly. That is until an angel intervenes and appeared to Joseph in a dream.  Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman teaches Adam, Kiri and Mason about how the virgin birth isn't the most fundamental aspect in this passage, the significance of th...

After saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God" and having a front row seat to Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist is in prison and second guessing if Jesus is the Messiah. Sarah Stenson explains how this is a great preaching text because John the Baptist needs a preacher—and so do we.  Jesus says in this week's lectionary reading, "This is the one about whom it is written, 'See...

We meet a wild man in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." We're joined by Luther House of Study's Lars Olson, who teaches us the definition of repentance and what it means that the kingdom of heaven *has already* come near.  Repentance happens to you. You are repented. Encountering God's kingdom completely changes your li...

It's the first Sunday of Advent and we hear a text about how no one knows what day when our Lord is coming, but we're supposed to keep awake and be ready.  Dr. Chris Croghan joins Adam Guthmiller, Kiri Haugen and Mason Van Essen to explain that Advent isn't a time of preparation like many of us mistake it to be. Instead, it's a celebration of what Jesus already did for us on th...

We welcome Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman back to Scripture First to discuss the text for Christ the King Sunday: Jesus on the cross between two criminals at His crucifixion.  The Messiah is supposed to be glorious. Yet, here Jesus is. Hanging on the cross. In fact, people all around Christ are tempting Him to be the glorious Messiah and save Himself.  But He doesn't. He takes on th...

Jesus tells his apostles that the temple—the opulent landmark of the day—is going to be destroyed and natural disasters, plagues and wars are coming their way. Oh, and they will be hated because of Jesus' name. Hearing this, it can be jarring hearing that this is the Gospel of our Lord.  Sarah Stenson joins Adam Guthmiller, Kiri Haugen, and Mason Van Essen to discuss how a text like this can...