Scripture First

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…

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.…

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 d…

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 word…

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 drive…

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…

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 e…

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 …

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:

• Wh…

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…

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 doe…

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 …

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 op…

"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 …

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 …

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 mange…

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 wi…

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 appear…

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 …

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 repe…