Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 28:11-20. Jesus’ resurrection is a reality, just as He said. That didn’t stop His enemies from making one final attempt to defeat Him and His Word. They pay the guards to spread the lie that Jesus’ stole His body while the guards were sleeping. The soldiers’ love of mammon and the chief priests’ hypocrisy show just how far unbelief will go to deny the truth. They had not believed J...
Apr 14, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 28:1-10. The women went to Jesus’ tomb on the first day of the week just as the light was dawning, though they did not yet realize just how bright that light would be. The reality became apparent soon enough. As an earthquake accompanied Jesus’ death, so another earthquake accompanied Jesus’ resurrection as God’s own creation announced the new creation. God sent His angel to ...
Apr 14, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:57-66. Although Jesus’ burial is sometimes neglected in preaching, it is a key event in the Lord’s work for our salvation. Jesus’ burial shows that He is, in fact, dead, and His third day resurrection is not a farce. Jesus’ burial fulfills Scripture, an important theme in the Gospel of Matthew. Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who is a...
Apr 10, 2020•14 hr
Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:45-56. St. Matthew has been building to the point of Jesus’ death. As the moment approaches, all creation responds to the Day of Judgment that is being poured out upon Jesus. Darkness covers the land as Jesus, true God and true man, is forsaken by His Father. Here Jesus suffers in our place, bearing the fullness of God’s wrath that sinners deserve. The bystanders continue to ...
Apr 09, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:27-44. The mockery that Jesus faced in the midst of His trial before Pilate teaches an important truth for our salvation. Precisely through His suffering and death, Jesus reigns as King. Though the soldiers did not realize the truth of their actions in crowning Jesus with thorns, this truly was Jesus’ coronation as the King who reigns with forgiveness. Contrary to the natural exp...
Apr 08, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:11-26. As Jesus goes on trial before Pontius Pilate, the question of who is to blame for Jesus’ death takes center stage. As governor, Pilate recognizes that Jesus has committed no crime, yet he releases the guilty Barabbas in place of the Innocent One. Though Pilate washes his hands in an attempt to ease his conscience, his guilt remains. The chief priests and elders act only ou...
Apr 07, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Hans Fiene, pastor at River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:1-10. The morning of Good Friday started with the darkness of the Sanhedrin’s attempt to legitimize their sin of the previous night. They turn to the Roman authorities to do the dirty work of executing Jesus. None of these attempts to escape judgment succeed, however. The Passion narrative calls all sinners to recognize their guilt in sending Jesus to His death, even as Go...
Apr 06, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:69-75. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Peter has been bold in word and deed, leading him into both great faithfulness and great failure. His God-given confession of Christ was followed by serving as the mouthpiece of Satan previously. Now, during Jesus’ Passion, his bold declaration that he would die with Jesus is followed by...
Apr 03, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Sean Smith, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wine Hill, IL and Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Point, IL and host of Concord Matters, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:57-68. As Jesus is put on trial before the Sanhedrin, two opposing worldviews clash. Jesus is focused on the things of God, while His opponents only think the things of man. As the high priest, Caiaphas should have known the Scriptures and recognized Jesus as the true temple. Instead, he leads a sham tri...
Apr 02, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Roy Askins, managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:36-56. Jesus continues to fulfill the Scriptures and His own Words as He goes willingly into His Passion. As Jesus revealed Himself as God to Peter, James, and John in the glory of His transfiguration, now Jesus reveals Himself as God to the same three in the weakness of Gethsemane. Jesus’ prayer to the Father in both trembling and resolution brings us to marvel and rejoice at the mystery ...
Apr 01, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:20-35. As the Passover meal approaches, Jesus continues to direct the events. He knows what is happening, and He goes forward willingly to save sinners. He declares to His disciples that one of them will betray Him. Though they all would feign greatness, Jesus reiterates that one of those who has eaten with Him will betray Him. Worse still, woe is declared to this one because he ...
Mar 31, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:1-19. The Gospel of Matthew has been pushing to this moment. Jesus has concluded His ministry of teaching and now enters into His time. Though the chief priests and elders think their plots can bring Jesus to an end, He goes to His passion, death, and resurrection willingly. He directs the events toward the fulfillment of the Scriptures. At the home of Simon the leper, an ordinary...
Mar 30, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, director of admissions and director of the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus concludes His final discourse by teaching His disciples about His coming in glory on the Last Day. Though Jesus compares the Last Day to a shepherd separating sheep and goats, this is not a parable; rather, Jesus is describing what will actually happen on the Last Day. As God and man, Jesus will ...
Mar 27, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 25:14-30. What does it look like when God reigns as King? Jesus’ parable of a gracious master who entrusts his property to his servants paints the picture. Just as the master knows his servants perfectly in the amounts he gives, so the Lord knows His disciples perfectly. Just as the master gives abundantly to his servants, even to the one who will misuse his gift, so the Lor...
Mar 26, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus continues His parables concerning His coming on the Last Day. He sets before His disciples the need for watchfulness by comparing the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins awaiting a bridegroom. The difference between the foolish and the wise was their readiness for the bridegroom’s coming. The foolish who have no oil provide a picture of those who would attach thems...
Mar 25, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 24:36-51. Jesus shifts from speaking about the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 to the topic of His second coming on the Last Day. His disciples had asked Him about both prior to His discourse. Jesus told them what would happen prior to the destruction of the temple, but when it comes to His second coming, Jesus answers: “There will be no sign. Watch!” Only the Father knows th...
Mar 24, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 24:15-35. Jesus continues speaking to His disciples concerning the coming destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70. This terrible event portrayed God’s judgment on the generation of those who rejected His Son in the flesh, became a visible manifestation end of the Old Covenant because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, and provides a...
Mar 23, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at the Northeast Kansas Lutheran Partnership, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 24:1-14. Jesus leaves the temple for the last time on Tuesday of Holy Week and tells His disciples that this grand building will one day be destroyed. God’s presence dwells in Jesus; therefore, the foundation of the disciples’ faith is not a building, but Jesus’ words. They ask Him two questions in response to this shocking statement, perhaps with some misunderstanding concerning ...
Mar 20, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 23:13-39. Jesus speaks a series of seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees. Such words are far stronger than bad news; Jesus tells these false teachers that they are on the broad road to eternal death. Woe is theirs because they have rejected the saving grace of Jesus and have taught others to do the same. Woe is theirs because they have been ...
Mar 19, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 23:1-12. Throughout Jesus’ Holy Week teaching, the scribes and Pharisees have continued their angry unbelief toward Him. He now turns away from them to address those who have been receptive to His teaching. He warns His disciples and the crowds concerning these false teachers. When they speak as heirs of Moses’ teaching, repeating the Word of God, that Word does continue to...
Mar 18, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, and Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, join host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 22:23-46. Jesus’ opponents continue their attempts to trap Him during Holy Week. The Sadducees, deniers of the resurrection of the dead, pose a ridiculous scenario to Jesus concerning the Old Testament practice of levirate marri...
Mar 18, 2020•14 hr
Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 22:1-22. Jesus continues preaching against the Jewish religious leaders on Monday of Holy Week by telling the parable of the wedding feast. God the Father is the King, Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the Church is the Bride. Those who are invited first but refuse to come are the Jewish religious leaders who would not listen to the preaching of John the Baptist and the apostles. They wo...
Mar 16, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 21:23-46. Jesus’ authority has been on clear display at the beginning of Holy Week, and the chief priests and elders are quick to challenge Him. Jesus’ question in return only escalates the matter of authority. If these religious leaders had been exercising true authority, they either would have believed in John as a teacher from God, or they would have rejected him outright as a li...
Mar 13, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 21:1-22. The triumph of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is not that of a conquering Roman emperor. Instead, He comes to conquer sin, death, and the devil by His own death on the cross. The donkey on which Jesus rides marks Him as the King greater than Solomon who has come in humility to serve sinners by giving His life in the place of theirs. The crowds rightly acclaim Him with...
Mar 12, 2020•14 hr
Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 20:17-34. For the third time, Jesus tells His disciples of His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection. Although Jesus goes into greater detail this time than the previous two, His disciples still fail to grasp what He means. Their conception of the Son of Man does not involve the suffering and death of which Jesus continually speaks. ...
Mar 11, 2020•14 hr
Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus tells a parable to illustrate His saying at the end of chapter 19: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Jesus’ parable does not illustrate sound business practices for a vineyard, but life in the kingdom of heaven. The master who calls workers to go into his vineyard throughout the ...
Mar 10, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 19:16-30. A rich young man comes to Jesus acknowledging Him as a teacher and questioning Him about eternal life. The question becomes: “Will this rich young man believe the answer Jesus gives?” As Jesus engages the man, He calls him into a deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity not just as a Teacher, but as God Himself. Jesus first reminds the man of the comman...
Mar 09, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, IA and St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 19:1-15. Jesus begins His journey south toward Jerusalem. On the east side of the Jordan River, the Pharisees confront Him to test Him concerning matters of marriage and divorce. Their approach to the Law is wrong from the start; they come at God’s Law looking for ways by which they can bend it and justify themselves by their outward ...
Mar 06, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 18:21-35. Peter probably thought he was being generous in suggesting forgiveness for his brother seven times. Jesus’ answer is far greater, teaching Peter and all His disciples of the boundless forgiveness of God. The parable Jesus tells highlights the forgiveness of the king. The first servant has racked up a debt that is unimaginable. When the king calls him to account, he begs ...
Mar 05, 2020•14 hr
Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 18:1-20. When Jesus teaches His disciples about greatness in the kingdom of heaven by placing a child in their midst, He turned upside down their expectations. In the ancient world, children were valued for the fact that they grew into adults. Jesus reverses such thoughts when it comes to the kingdom of heaven. To enter into the kingdom of heaven is to come as one entirely de...
Mar 04, 2020•14 hr
