In this week's passage, we hear Jesus tell his disciples, "Those who love me will keep my word." We like to think that we love Jesus and that we keep his word, but at the end of the day we don't keep his word... and that means we don't love him as we say we should. But Jesus doesn't say, "Get your love better!" He says I'm sending my Spirit to make sure my Word never leaves you. You won't be able to avoid my Word—I'm going to keep you in my Word for you so you can finally have peace. Questions A...
May 16, 2022•25 min
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." That's the commandment Jesus gives his disciples in this week's text and the same commandment that is commonly mistaken for the gospel. As you'll hear Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explain, loving one another is not the gospel and the gospel is not loving one another. In fact, we explore the depths of what Jesus meant by "Just as I have loved you," in this week's conversat...
May 09, 2022•22 min
After hearing several parables, we can empathize with the Jews' request of Jesus in this week's passage, "If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answers, "I have told you, and you do not believe." In this week's conversation, Sarah Stenson explains a concept we talk about a lot as Lutherans: how faith comes through hearing. Then we discuss some of Adam's favorite of God's promises in all of scripture: My sheep hear my voice. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one w...
May 02, 2022•27 min
After Jesus' resurrection, Jesus continues to make appearances: first to Mary Magdalene, next to the disciples without Thomas in the locked room, then to the disciples with Thomas and finally, to the disciples in this week's text: in Galilee. After seeing the risen Lord, Peter, Thomas and five other disciples go right back to their previous vocations: they start fishing. That is until Jesus returns to speak creation and faith back into their lives in a dramatic way. Then, Jesus pulls a confessio...
Apr 25, 2022•30 min
In the morning, Jesus' empty tomb was discovered. By the evening, the disciples locked themselves in a room because they were terrified they were next. The next thing they know, Jesus was standing among them and immediately gives them peace. The disciples rejoice that Jesus is alive, but Jesus gets down to business—he gives them the Holy Spirit and the Great Commission to repent and forgive sins in his name. In this week's conversation, Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson teach Adam, Kiri and I what th...
Apr 18, 2022•30 min
Easter Sunday. You may have heard of this week's text. It's the one the Christian faith is centered on: Jesus' death and resurrection. In this week's conversation, Lars Olson points out that each gospel has slight variations of the resurrection story, but there's one certainty that rings true through them all: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. From the women who discover the empty tomb to the disciples who can't believe it, they—like us today—think its utter nonsense for someone to rise from ...
Apr 11, 2022•28 min
It's Palm Sunday. We're discussing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. You know the story: Jesus is arriving at Jerusalem—where he knows he will die, he tells his disciples to get him an untamed colt, and his followers welcome him as a king by throwing their cloaks on the road and shouting Hosanna. Sarah Stenson says this text is often glossed over because, rightfully so, we focus on Jesus' looming crucifixion. She makes the case for why we should preach a strong sermon with this overlooked p...
Apr 04, 2022•27 min
Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. You've heard this passage: Martha is running around hosting dinner and Mary is present at Jesus' feet. Their dichotomy is important, and, as you'll hear Dr. Chris Croghan teach us this week, it's Mary's reaction that we should pay attention to. We hear how Mary's reaction is illustrating what it's like to experience the mercy and new life of Jesus Christ. It's what happens when you receive ...
Mar 28, 2022•32 min
The Parable of the Prodigal Son — One of the most well known parables in the Bible. The younger son squanders his inheritance in a foreign land. Broke, broken and starving, he devises a plan to convince his father to take him back as a hired hand. Upon his return, he begins reciting his speech only to have his overjoyed father cut him off to start the celebration. His older brother, who was still out working in the field, feels betrayed that his little brother gets the party that he deserves for...
Mar 21, 2022•35 min
Lent is filled with texts about repentance and sin and the language can be sharp. This week's lectionary text is no different as we hear about God's judgement and how we must repent or perish. Then we hear a parable about a fig tree that hasn't produced fruit and the owner says to cut it down. The supposedly kind gardener steps in and asks to give it another year as long as he can nurture and take care of it. But as you'll hear our guest, Lars Olson, teach us, this isn't mercy. It's just prolong...
Mar 14, 2022•23 min
Jesus calls the Pharisees foxes. God is compared to a hen gathering its chicks under its wings. And your election. Right before this week's lectionary text, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." In our conversation with Sarah Stenson, we break down Jesus' response to this election text. We ask her: What is election? How does God elect people? And, what, if any, role do we play in our election? Questions...
Mar 07, 2022•28 min
Dr. Chris Croghan is back to break down the well-known account of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. You've likely heard how the devil tried to accomplish this: turn this stone into bread, worship me and I'll give you all the kingdoms of the world, and throw yourself from the top of the temple — God will send angels to save you. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: If Jesus was fully human, how could he have lived for 40 days in the wilderness? What are examples of the devil sayi...
Feb 28, 2022•24 min
The Transfiguration. Peter, James and John have a literal mountaintop experience when they witness Jesus' divinity right in front of them. His face changed and his clothes become dazzling white and suddenly Moses and Elijah appear. Peter didn't want this incredible moment to end so he offers to make three dwellings for them to stay on the mountaintop only to have God enter the scene to say, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan break down the context sur...
Feb 21, 2022•29 min
For the first time on Scripture First, we welcome Lars Olson to have a conversation with Adam, Kiri and I about this week's lectionary text about the middle section of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. This part of Jesus' sermon is all about loving your neighbor. Jesus is telling us what the law expects of us—or what most of us think are the things we should be doing as good Christians. But as we'll find out, the bar is impossibly high. We can't complete it. And that's where we end up: the kingdom of ...
Feb 14, 2022•27 min
The scene is set: Jesus comes down the mountain after praying all night, so many people—coming from every direction— come to hear him preach, and Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Plain. "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." As you'll hear Sarah Stenson teach us in this week's episode, Jesus is using the present tense here. For yours *is* the kingdom of God. God's kingdom happens when he blesses you. You are in that kingdom when you are given faith. You have peace in tha...
Feb 07, 2022•29 min
From henceforth thou shalt catch men, from now on you will be catching people, I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men. Whether you've learned about this week's lectionary text in your Sunday School songs or not, Adam, Kiri and Mason get the chance to have a conversation with Dr. Chris Croghan about Jesus calling his first disciples on the shores the Lake of Gennesaret. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Why are the small details important, like Simon cleaning his nets? W...
Jan 31, 2022•24 min
Last week we heard Jesus' first sermon. This week we hear their reaction. Dr. Steven Paulson returns to Scripture First to break down the crowd's reaction to hearing the gospel for the first time. Ultimately ending in them trying to hurl Jesus off a cliff... Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What does the crowd mean, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Why did the crowd want to hurl Jesus off a cliff? What does Jesus mean by referencing Elijah and Elisha? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scriptu...
Jan 24, 2022•38 min
Dr. Steven Paulson returns to Scripture First to talk about the mic drop sermon Jesus gives in the synagogue upon his return to his hometown of Nazareth. Dr. Paulson breaks down the significance the Spirit leading Jesus to begin preaching in Galilee and Nazareth instead of Jerusalem, what it means to be in the year of the Lord's favor, and the incredible passages from Isaiah Jesus uses in his sermon that are directly speaking about himself. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Who get's anointed?...
Jan 17, 2022•33 min
Jesus changes water into wine. You think you know the story of Jesus, his mother and his disciples attending the wedding in Cana, but Luther House of Study's co-directors—Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson—teach this text in a new way. We discuss the interesting exchange between Jesus and Mary where she says "They have no wine." And Jesus responds, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." Then, we discuss what makes a miracle and what importance miracles play in...
Jan 10, 2022•25 min
The Festival of Epiphany, the 12 days of Christmas, and the full power of God on display. That's what Luther House of Study's co-director, Sarah Stenson, discusses with Kiri Haugen and Mason Van Essen as they break down Luke chapter 3 verses 15 through 22. In this week's conversation, Sarah teaches us the history of epiphany including the origins of the 12 days of Christmas . Then they talk about John the Baptist's ministry centering on telling us that Jesus is not only here, but he's here for y...
Jan 03, 2022•28 min
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That's how the Gospel of John begins and that's the lectionary text Dr. Chris Croghan breaks down to Adam, Kiri and I. In this week's conversation about this familiar passage, Dr. Croghan teaches us key definitions about who is the word, what is the light and what is the darkness, and what does it mean to have the power to be God's children. Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenso...
Dec 27, 2021•35 min
12-year-old Jesus and his parents go to Jerusalem for Passover only for Jesus to stay behind for three days listening and asking questions of the Rabbis of the temple. In this week's conversation, Dr. Steven Paulson teaches Adam, Kiri and I what's the law and what's the gospel in this week's lectionary text. Specifically, he explains Jesus' relationship to the law and how that impacts his favor with God. Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What's the significance of Jesus being 12? How did Mary ...
Dec 20, 2021•39 min
Pregnant with Jesus, Mary hurries to the hill country to visit her aunt Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist. When John hears Mary's voice, he leaps in Elizabeth's womb. As you'll hear in this week's lectionary text: Elizabeth says to Mary, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Luther House of Study's co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teach Adam, Kiri and I that Mary is blessed because of Christ. Mary tells us that she'll be remembered ...
Dec 13, 2021•26 min
You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Sarah Stenson joins the podcast to talk about John the Baptist naming peoples' sin and taking away their claim to righteousness through their lineage to Abraham. Naturally, when we're called sinners and it turns out that the thing we think we're doing that makes us worthy of salvation isn't enough, we respond the same way the crowd responded to John: What then should we do? John gives us the answer and points his long bony finge...
Dec 06, 2021•29 min
Advent is not a preparation for Jesus to come, it's a remembrance that he already came. This week, on Scripture First, Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us about why God gave His word to John in the wilderness. Not the powerful political actors. Not the religious elite. But John. Here are the questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: Who are all of the people Luke lists at the beginning of chapter 3? Does proclamation always come before repentance? How do you prepare the way of the Lord? Interested in sponsor...
Nov 29, 2021•26 min
Why does the first text in a new lectionary year begin with the end times? As you'll Dr. Paulson teach us, in order to understand the gospel, you have to start at the end. In this week's text, we discuss the text at the end of the Gospel of Luke where Jesus is telling us about the end times. Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Here are the questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: When is the end? How do we know that this is what the end will be like? What p...
Nov 22, 2021•33 min
Pontius Pilate asks Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" In this week's podcast episode, Dr. Croghan and Sarah teach us what it means to call Jesus a king and the political and religious ramifications this has between Jesus, Pilate and the government, and the Jewish community. Here are the questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What truth is Jesus testifying to? Why do we call Jesus a king? Who was Pontius Pilate? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie...
Nov 15, 2021•26 min
Jesus and the end times. God's wrath vs God's mercy. Wars and earthquakes. Sarah Stenson joins Scripture First to discuss this week's lectionary text: Mark 13:1-8 where Jesus reviews the end times and his disciples ask for a sign of when they're coming. Here are the questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What are the birth pangs? Why does Jesus predict there will be people leading astray? Why are the disciples impressed with large buildings? Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? E...
Nov 08, 2021•23 min
All Saints Sunday. Jesus raises Lazarus. God's promise in death. Dr. Chris Croghan is back on Scripture First to talk about John 11:32-44 and what it means that God's glory is going from death to life in an incredible promise. Here are the questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What is a saint and why do we celebrate them? What does it mean that Jesus was deeply moved? How is God's glory going from death to life? Interested in sponsoring Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu Support the ...
Nov 01, 2021•32 min
Dr. Steven Paulson is back on Scripture First to talk about Jesus' sermon where he promises, "I will set you free," in John chapter 8 for this Reformation Sunday. In this week's text, we hear Jesus say to Jews who no longer believed in him that listening to his word will let them know the truth and the truth will make you free. As you'll hear Dr. Paulson teach us: the Jews in this text, and people today, are surprised and upset to be told they aren't free. In fact, they're slaves to their sin. B...
Oct 25, 2021•36 min
