Scripture First

The Beatitudes. The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  We ask Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson:  What is Jesus conveying in this sermon and how can preachers build on that in their own sermons?  How do Christians misconstrue this text to be an instruction manual for being a good person? And how are you actually blessed when people revile you, persecute you, and utter all kinds of evil against you?...

Jesus calls his first disciples, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”  Dr. Chris Croghan and Lars Olson explain how Matthew’s version is unique compared to Mark’s version and Luke’s version as well as the importance of realizing when Jesus says, “Repent!” and “Follow me!” they’re imperatives, they’re not optional.  Jesus is not waiting for you to answer the call. He’s claiming you as...

John the Baptist sees Jesus coming and declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” We ask Lars Olson:  Why is John the Baptist such a key figure in Lutheranism? What does Lamb of God mean?  What does it mean to be baptized into Christ? CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTION In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians...

Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson make that abundantly clear in this week’s conversation. But that leads to the question, why did Jesus come to John to get baptized?  In baptism, Jesus begins to take our sins from us. Jesus has to make you think you’re right in killing him. To receive mercy, you need to sin against Jesus.  Plus, we welcome two surprise fir...

In John Chapter 1, John speaks in this one thing after the next kind of cadence, “He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.” Dr. Chris Croghan helps us break out of the methodical nature of the words to reveal what the Word is really saying: that we believe we’re in charge of our our own existence because the devil causes us to question God’s s...

There are texts like this one where we can’t make sense of the suffering. Herod authorizes the killing of thousands of children to protect his political power, and we’re left putting God on trial: why would He allow this?  But that’s why this Jeremiah text is so important: in the midst of the inevitable suffering in this life, the suffering is for God’s glory. And what is God’s glory? Mercy, peace...

Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson teach us in today’s episode that the temptation with this text is to tone down just how crazy this story is into something tame, understandable, and familiar. But, as you’ll hear, this story is truly out of this world.  Joseph thought his righteousness came from the law and his gentle demeanor toward Mary. Instead of stoning her, he was divorcing her quietly. Isn’t he...

Even John the Baptist, the prophet who points his long, bony finger to Jesus, is left to question, "Are you the one who is to come?”  Lars Olson teaches us that John, just like all of us, expects Jesus to make the world a better place according to our expectations. But that’s what Advent is all about: the dawn of a new creation. A new kingdom found in the promise of Christ.  CHALLENGE GRANT A...

Dr. Chris Croghan joins Scripture First to break down the many preaching moments found in this lectionary text about John the Baptist including:  Why the wilderness is significant, The definition of repentance, The definition of the kingdom of heaven, Why Jesus calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers,  And why you don’t need to fear when you hear that the ax is lying at the root of the...

Many think Advent is a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus, but, as this text illuminates, there’s no time to prepare. Jesus has broken in and the clock has struck midnight.  Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson teach us that this text is about the end times. When Jesus breaks in, he doesn’t come with a to-do list. He comes with a to-done list. It’s the end of times; what is done, is done.  And...

It’s Christ the King Sunday and you’re about to hear how Jesus is dying the death of a criminal. On Christ the King Sunday we are declaring that Jesus has authority and power over all, yet we are talking about his crucifixion, not his resurrection.  If Christ is a king, where is his kingdom?  You’ll hear that in the words Jesus speaks on the cross: “Father, forgive them.”  CHALLENGE GRANT A Luther...

Right after Jesus directs their attention to the woman giving her last two coins to the temple, they remark how beautiful the temple itself is.  Jesus proceeds to tell them not only will every stone of the temple be thrown down, He will take our idols away from us.  Of course, we try to cling to these idols until the final moment, but Jesus has come to remove all this fear of the things you can lo...

The Sadducees try to pose an impossible question in the law to Jesus: if seven brothers marry the same woman, whose wife is she in heaven?  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how Jesus schools them in their understanding of the law and the resurrection: in eternal life, there is no law.  Plus, he teaches us the Lutheran understanding of vocation being what God gives you to do for the purpose of being in...

For this All Saints Sunday, Sarah Stenson teaches us what it means when Jesus describes those who are blessed.  To be blessed means God has expended his benefits to you. And what are God’s benefits? Mercy and unfairness. In this old world, you’d expect the poor to get food, shelter, and money, yet when the Holy Spirit gives us faith in the promise of Christ, the poor get a sermon.  She concludes w...

Reformation Sunday. Jesus says the truth will set you free, but most people will hear this and try to turn it into a to-do list to earn their freedom.  Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan flipped this text by saying the truth is the truth. You don’t have your truth and I have my truth. Those are opinions, and opinions are not certainty.  Everyone who commits unbelief is a slave to it. You can’t get y...

Jesus tells his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.  We ask Sarah Stenson:  Is it possible to pray without ceasing?  Can you decide not to lose heart?  What is the point of prayer?  Jesus delivers one of the greatest promises in this passage. He says, “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helpin...

Ten lepers approach Jesus, calling out to him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  Dr. Chris Croghan explains how one of them, a Samaritan, is a Lutheran:  He hears a word from Jesus and believes it.  He practices true worship, “Lord have mercy on me, and thank you.”  And he doesn’t go back to the law for his righteousness after receiving mercy.  CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTION In Care of Souls, a speci...

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  Lars Olson teaches us how many Christians today view faith the same way the apostles did: as a power that you can increase.  But Jesus’ response, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,” reveals that it’s not about how much faith you have, it’s about whether you have faith or not. It’s black and white, you either have faith or you don’t. ...

Covered with sores, a poor man named Lazarus lay at the gate of a rich man who dressed in fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day.  The roles are reversed in death with Lazarus on one side of the chasm with Abraham and the rich man calling out for mercy on the other side.  Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how this is election. God is unfairly choosing who will receive his promis...

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager. You will hear Kiri and my confusion: a rich man is considering firing his manager only for the manager to go to those he was working with to slash the amount owed to the rich man. He’s commended for this? He’s a bad manager, but is it a good thing to cut people’s debts in half?  Sarah Stenson teaches us how we’re caught in trying to determine what’s good and w...

The sinners flock to listen to Jesus. Why do the Pharisees grumble about this?  Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us that what they hold important is the law, and it isn’t working the way they want it to work. You grumble because you’re not getting your way.  Then Jesus tells a parable about the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep and the woman searching for her lost coin.  Dr. Croghan expl...

Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”  Kiri and I discuss with Lars Olson, if hating your own life is something you can even do, and, if not, how can anyone be Jesus’ disciple.  Lars teaches us how Jesus’ word claims you. You don’t claim Jesus. His Word makes you his disciple...

Jesus is at the Pharisees house where he tells them a parable about the seats of honor at a wedding banquet.  Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how nearly everyone will hear Jesus’ words as the law in order to avoid being implicated as a sinner.  This is not a prescription on etiquette. It’s a depiction of what’s going on in your heart.  CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTION In Care of Souls, a spec...

Jesus heals a woman on the sabbath who had been suffering for 18 years. The leader of the synagogue ignores her praising God and rebukes Jesus for breaking the law by healing on the sabbath.  Sarah Stenson teaches us how Jesus holds up the mirror to reveal what is in your heart. It comes down to whether or not you believe God judges you based on how good or bad you are at following the law, at bei...

The scribes and Pharisees think they’re going to make the world a better place through the law. Jesus tells them, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!”  What is the division Jesus is bringing? That is the question we ask Dr. Chris Croghan in this week’s conversation.  CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTION In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podca...