Lutheran Reflections

In this Good Friday episode, we look at Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10, where we are told, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." If Jesus couldn't sin, how was he tempted? Did Jesus really experience every temptation that we do?

In this episode, we look at several prophecies from from Zechariah that were fulfilled during Holy Week, including the Old Testament reading for Palm Sunday, Zechariah 9:9-12. How were these prophecies misunderstood in the New testament era, and what can these misunderstandings teach us about our own tendencies when reading Scripture?

In this episode, we look at Mark 10:32-45 where James and John tell Jesus, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." How does Jesus respond when his disciples ask him for glory or positions of power, and what does this reveal about the disciple's misconceptions of Christ's mission?

In this episode, we discuss both John 3:14-21 and Numbers 21:4-9. How does the bronze serpent made by Moses foreshadow Christ? Did Jesus die for the sins of everyone, or only the elect?

Throughout the season of Lent, our broadcast is moved to Tuesdays at 7:00pm ET to allow us to attend our congregation's midweek services. We will resume our normal Wednesday evening broadcast schedule during Holy Week. 

In Mark 8:27-38, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, however also rebukes Jesus when he predicts his own suffering and death. It seems that Peter knew who the Christ was, but not what he was sent to do. In this episode, we answer what it means to be The Christ, and discuss how Peter's confusion is a mirror of modern day misconceptions about Jesus's identity.

In this year's Ash Wednesday episode, we turn our attention to 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:10, where Paul tells us that "we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." How can we be ambassadors for Christ, and how can the Church prepare her members for evangelizing?

In this Transfiguration episode, we look at 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6, where Paul says, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Who is "the god of this world" and how does he blind minds of unbelievers to the Gospel?

Does it matter how we share the Gospel? How do we balance our belief in monergism with the idea that the way we present the Gospel has an impact on whether or not the hearer will be receptive to our message?

In this episode on the Commemoration of the Conversion of St. Paul, we look at Galatians 1:11-24 and discuss an excerpt from Martin Luther's lecture on Galatians.

In this episode, we look at the Old Testament reading for the third Sunday after Epiphany, which is Jonah 3:1-10. How does Jonah's story fit with the Epiphany theme "God revealed to the Gentiles?" Did God change his mind when he "relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them?"

In this episode, we discuss 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, where Paul tells us, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful." Does this mean that we no longer are bound by the moral law? How are we to understand these words in the context of the rest of the chapter?

In this Epiphany episode, we look at Ephesians 3:1–12, where Paul says, "...through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." Who are these rulers and authorities, and how is God using the church to reveal his wisdom to them? What does this say about the continuity between the physical and spiritual realms?

In this episode, we look at the Gospel reading appointed for Christmas day, which is John 1:1-14. Why does the lectionary use this reading for Christmas day instead of one of the birth narratives? What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Word?

In this final Advent sermon series, Pastor Aaron Astley reminds us of the promises that Christ will fulfill when he once again comes to reign as our king.

This week, Pastor Aaron Astley discusses the promise given to Abram in Genesis 12:3, that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Why did God choose to extend this promise to Abram's family, and what does this teach us about our own families?

During this Advent season, we take a break from our usual live discussion and instead broadcast a portion of the midweek service from St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Ontario. Join Pastor Aaron Astley as he discusses one of the first prophecies in Scripture: a promise given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

As the current church year comes to and end, we look at Mark 13:23-33, where Jesus tells his disciples what signs will accompany his second coming. How should we understand these prophecies, and what should be our response?

In this episode, we look at the Gospel reading for Thanksgiving, which is Luke 17:11-19. In this passage, Jesus heals ten lepers, however only one (a Samaritan) returned to Thank him. What does Martin Luther have to say about this passage, and how does it relate to the preceding verses?

In this episode, we look at Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus tells his disciples the Parable of the Talents. How did the church fathers understand this parable, and what lessons are we meant to glean from it? How can we best use the things that have been entrusted to us to serve our neighbor and the Church?

As the church year starts to wind down, we turn our attention to Christ's second coming. Tonight, we look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where we are told, "then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Does this verse teach that there will be a rapture? What does Lutheranism teach about the end times?

In this All Saints Day episode, we look at 1 John 3:1-3. Why does the lectionary assign this reading for All Saints Day? What does it mean to be God's Children, and how is it that "everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure"?

In this year's Reformation Day episode, we look at John 8:31-38, where Jesus says, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." In what way is this message particularly applicable for Reformation Day? How does our culture understand truth compared to the Biblical understanding?

In this episode, we look at Luke 10:1-9, where Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Who are these laborers in the modern day Church? What instructions does Jesus have for the disciples he sends in this reading, and what can we learn from them?

In this episode, we look at Matthew 22:1-14, where we are told "many are called, but few are chosen." What can this parable teach us about the doctrine of election? What is the significance of the wedding garment in verses 11 and 12, and what does it mean to be "clothed in Christ?"