Scripture First

God tells the disciples to listen to Jesus. Jesus tells them exactly what’s going to happen. Yet they don’t understand. They argue about which of them is the greatest. Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson explain how Jesus saying, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all,” is not an instructional. If you try to be last, you’re still putting yourself first.  When you have faith, yo...

Jesus puts His disciples on the spot by asking, “Who do you say that I am?” With nowhere to hide, Peter boldly proclaims, “You are the Messiah.”  With that correct answer, Jesus clearly explains what it means to be the Messiah: He will suffer, die, and be raised. The only problem? Peter doesn’t agree. In this week’s conversation, we ask Lars Olson, why does Jesus call Peter, Satan? Satan tries to...

Jesus goes deeper into the land of the Gentiles and encounters a woman who begs Jesus to cast out a demon possessing her daughter. He gives a curious answer: it wouldn’t be fair for Him to heal her.  But as you’ll hear Dr. Chris Croghan teach, faith is what you put your trust in. This woman trusted that a crumb from Jesus could do anything because she had heard about Jesus’ mercy.  If faith comes...

In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus confronts the Jews for their hypocrisy: they believe they’re honoring God’s law by going above and beyond what it requires with man-made traditions.  Sarah Stenson teaches us that this hypocrisy isn’t exclusive to the Jews in this story: it’s all over Christianity today with the theological fights about music preferences, communion rules, and church membership...

When his disciples heard Jesus teach about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”  Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan explain how the disciples’ assumption that they have the power or ability to accept Jesus’ teaching is the same misunderstanding Christians have today assuming you have free will or the ability to accept Jesus as your Lord...

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is what Jesus says in this week’s lectionary text.  What does it mean to never be hungry? To believe and never be thirsty? Dr. Chris Croghan explains what it means that Jesus is the bread of life. To never be hungry and thirsty means you won’t chase your needs or be worri...

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is what Jesus says in this week’s lectionary text.  What does it mean to never be hungry? To believe and never be thirsty? Dr. Chris Croghan explains what it means that Jesus is the bread of life. To never be hungry and thirsty means you won’t chase your needs or be worri...

On the heels of eating their fill of loaves and fishes, the crowd tracked Jesus down on the other side of the Sea of Galilee looking for more of their needs to be met. Jesus tells them not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.  Sarah Stenson teaches Kiri and Mason why the crowd is confused about what they have to do to receive eternal life when Jesus t...

This week, we’re discussing the popular story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson teach Kiri and me the details that show what Jesus is doing in this story to produce faith in the people who ate the fish and loaves as well as in those who hear this story today.  In this week’s conversation, we ask Chris and Sarah: What’s the difference between miracles and parables? Do...

In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus and His apostles attempt to get away from the crowds by heading to a deserted place by boat. The only issue? The people are so desperate to hear a Word from Jesus, they beat them to the other side of the sea on foot!  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches Kiri, Max, and Mason what it means that, “God’s Word is for you.” What does God’s Word say and why is it good news for...

In a lectionary text that’s extremely difficult to understand (let alone preach), Lars Olson guides us through the historical nuances of the story of King Herod, John the Baptist, and Herodias, and the many, many ditches this text puts in front of the hearer.  You’ll even hear Kiri, Max, and Mason fall into one of those ditches in the middle of this conversation. Lars made the key note that you sh...

This week’s lectionary text centers on the people in Jesus’ hometown saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him?...Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?’...And they took offense at him.” Sarah Stenson explains why these people were astounded at Jesus, and how people are offended by Jesus’ message today, too. Many, many people want God to be fair,...

In this week’s lectionary text, we hear two examples of truly desperate people: a leader of the synagogue with a dying daughter and a hemorrhaging woman. They’ve tried everything under their power. At their wits’ end, they reach out to Jesus.  Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson teach us that it’s not about reaching out to God earlier. It’s demonstrating that Jesus will always be your last resort, and He...

Caught in a windstorm with the waves from the Sea of Galilee swamping the boat, the disciples are terrified for their lives as Jesus sleeps soundly in the stern.  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches Kiri, Max, and Mason: How Jesus is so calm in a life threatening situation  Why the English translation of Jesus’ response to the sea doesn’t cut it And how preachers can deliver the gospel in a text that doesn’...

What comes to your mind when you think of the kingdom of God? A place? A thing? A membership?  In this episode of Scripture First, Sarah Stenson explains how the kingdom of God is faith in Christ. This is crucial to not only understanding the parable of the growing seed and mustard seed in this week’s text, but to understanding that all parables are about God electing you.  Faith comes through hea...

Jesus is healing people, casting out demons, and forgiving sins. The scribes respond by calling Him the chief of demons.  Lars Olson joins the Scripture First to explain how Jesus not only dismantles their logic, but flips it on them. A higher demon wouldn’t throw out a lower demon. They’d empower them! He came to bind the demons to take what they claimed to have possessed for Himself.  We also ta...

After performing the first miracles of His ministry and demonstrating authority at the temple, a Pharisee named Nicodemus seeks Jesus out at night to determine where He gets His power.  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us context and meaning packed into this text starting with why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.  We also discuss Jesus’ response to Nicodemus, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see...

After performing the first miracles of His ministry and demonstrating authority at the temple, a Pharisee named Nicodemus seeks Jesus out at night to determine where He gets His power.  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us context and meaning packed into this text starting with why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.  We also discuss Jesus’ response to Nicodemus, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see...

The day of Pentecost had come. A sound like the rush of a violent wind. Divided tongues of fire rested on each of them. Speaking in tongues.  Kiri, Cole, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson about the many misguided assumptions Christians have about this passage of Acts. Why do we assume speaking in tongues is some sort of gibberish that requires an interpreter?  There are a lot of misunderstandings about...

The same night that Jesus is arrested, He gives a lengthy prayer. Kiri, Max, and Mason ask Lars Olson, why did Jesus say this prayer and what is the content of what He’s praying?  Jesus tells His disciples, and us, that He has given His word to everyone God has given to Him. That word delivers God’s very nature: mercy. Having received God’s mercy, you are now a new creation. You are comfortable be...

In a text that says, “abide in my love,” “if you keep my commandments,” and, “I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another,” you may think Jesus is giving you the instruction manual on how to live correctly.  But then He says, “You did not choose me but I chose you.”  Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explains how the texts from recent weeks all point to this moment of electio...

This week’s text says that Jesus is the vine and God is the vinegrower. Everyone who produces fruit, God prunes to produce more fruit. Everyone who doesn't produce fruit, God lops off the vine to wither and burn.  And this is supposed to be reassurance? Dr. Chris Croghan explains how this is an election text. The fact you’re hearing this means you’re connected to the vine; you’re connected to...

Many of Jesus’ “I Am” statements lend themselves to comforting depictions for Christians. “I am the light of the world,” makes for a nice painting! But in today’s passage, Jesus is the gate.  Sarah Stenson teaches us how Jesus is being categorical in this text. There are two options: enter through the gate by hearing the shepherd’s voice or climbing in another way which makes you a thief and a ban...

The two men who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus are just starting to tell the disciples about what they’d experienced when Jesus appears before them again.  Lars Olson explains how the Gospel of Luke is using this literary structure to depict what happens when the resurrected Jesus shows up: fear, joy, and disbelief.  The resurrection is so unbelievable the disciples desperately try to rat...

The political power, religious authorities, and the general public all demanded Jesus’ death. The disciples were terrified they were next.  Suddenly, Jesus breaks the laws of nature and shows up in the locked room and starts a sermon: peace be with you. Here is the consequence of your sin.  Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson explain how Jesus shows them the marks on His hands and sides and clearl...