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Scripture First

Luther House of Study

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Three millennials sit down with Lutheran theologians to understand how Scripture is working in our lives. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, sin, faith, forgiveness, Luther, and more are on the table as Mason Van Essen, Kiri Haugen, and Adam Guthmiller discuss each week's upcoming lectionary Bible passage with Luther House of Study's theologians to hear the context in and around Scripture before it's preached in church.
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Sing to the Lord

Luther House of Study

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"Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." -Martin Luther. To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Luther House of Study's Mason Van Essen and Lars Olson sit down with Zachary Brockhoff each week to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel.
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The book of Hebrews says we make a continual sacrifice to God. This means each day is one lived in the grace of God’s great sacrifice - one in which we sleep and rise in joy - for Christ has paid the price for our sin, and calls us to awake each day in His forgiveness. Stanza 2 // Just as Christ raises us from death to …
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In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus confronts the Jews for their hypocrisy: they believe they’re honoring God’s law by going above and beyond what it requires with man-made traditions. Sarah Stenson teaches us that this hypocrisy isn’t exclusive to the Jews in this story: it’s all over Christianity today with the theological fights about music pr…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The world God has made gives us many great gifts - all of which leave us unfilled apart from Jesus Christ. The call of Christ comes from one who has the “words of eternal life” - greater than all gifts of the world, even the most miraculous manna given to God’s people in the Old Testament. Stanza 2 // Those who know Jes…
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When his disciples heard Jesus teach about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan explain how the disciples’ assumption that they have the power or ability to accept Jesus’ teaching is the same misunderstanding Christians have today assuming you have free…
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"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is what Jesus says in this week’s lectionary text. What does it mean to never be hungry? To believe and never be thirsty? Dr. Chris Croghan explains what it means that Jesus is the bread of life. To never be hungry and thirsty …
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Christ’s words are sung by Christians to one another - perhaps most effectively when led by a choir, cantor, or small group of singers. Jesus gives us these words, and we come to Christ because God calls us to Himself. Stanza 2 // The bread Jesus gives is Himself for your life, which promises us life forever in God’s pr…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // This hymn provides remarkable contrast between the questions in this weekend’s Gospel text. Here, Christ - enthroned in heavenly splendor - is the same Lord who comes down from heaven to give us “true and living bread!” This leads to shouts of “alleluia” meaning “praise the Lord!” Stanza 2 // The contrast between God en…
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"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is what Jesus says in this week’s lectionary text. What does it mean to never be hungry? To believe and never be thirsty? Dr. Chris Croghan explains what it means that Jesus is the bread of life. To never be hungry and thirsty …
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Those who wander hungry and thirsty in the wilderness are given a promise from our Lord. In Him, we neither hunger nor thirst, for Christ comes to feed us continually with His word of truth. When Christ gives heavenly food, we taste and see the goodness of God. Stanza 2 // Whether lost, scattered, strangers, or seeking …
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On the heels of eating their fill of loaves and fishes, the crowd tracked Jesus down on the other side of the Sea of Galilee looking for more of their needs to be met. Jesus tells them not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life. Sarah Stenson teaches Kiri and Mason why the crowd is confused about what the…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Beyond the now popular stories and miracles of Jesus’ earthly life, this hymn is a prayer seeking Christ’s promise “beyond the sacred page” that we would know God as the Living Word today. Stanza 2 // When Christ gives us His word of truth, we are both named sinners and named as God’s forgiven people forever. In this pr…
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This week, we’re discussing the popular story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson teach Kiri and me the details that show what Jesus is doing in this story to produce faith in the people who ate the fish and loaves as well as in those who hear this story today. In this week’s conversation, we ask Chris and Sarah: What’s…
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In this week’s lectionary text, Jesus and His apostles attempt to get away from the crowds by heading to a deserted place by boat. The only issue? The people are so desperate to hear a Word from Jesus, they beat them to the other side of the sea on foot! Dr. Chris Croghan teaches Kiri, Max, and Mason what it means that, “God’s Word is for you.” Wha…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Christ came to earth to make all people part of His Church - His beloved bride - as this hymn [and Scripture] say. Where Jesus’ promise of forgiveness is present, the Church exists, and those who are without a shepherd have the Good Shepherd in Jesus’ promise. Stanza 2 // When God gives His promise - whether through Chr…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // For a hymn listed to be sung in celebration of All Saints’ Day, this text has much to teach us about what it means to be named a saint. At all times - most especially when “all around seems bleak” - saints rely solely on “God’s good promise” in life and death. Stanza 2 // The hope of John the Baptist [and King Herod] is…
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In a lectionary text that’s extremely difficult to understand (let alone preach), Lars Olson guides us through the historical nuances of the story of King Herod, John the Baptist, and Herodias, and the many, many ditches this text puts in front of the hearer. You’ll even hear Kiri, Max, and Mason fall into one of those ditches in the middle of this…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES Stanza 1 // God’s Word comes in the flesh to those who are bound to the ways of the earth to give a promise that will “pierce the darkness” - even to those who would reject Jesus Christ. Stanza 2 // This promise is not new, but one of mercy God consistently gave to those who were both “blind and willful” - much as described in this …
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This week’s lectionary text centers on the people in Jesus’ hometown saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him?...Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?’...And they took offense at him.” Sarah Stenson explains why these people were astounded at Jesus, and how people are offended by Jesus’ message …
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Though the crowds and leaders attempt to push Christ’s promise of life aside, nothing will stop our Lord from delivering this gift to sinners. This hymn is an invitation that nothing would stand in our way to sing the “glories of [our] God and King” and “the triumphs of His grace” over all that brings us fear. Stanza 2 …
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In this week’s lectionary text, we hear two examples of truly desperate people: a leader of the synagogue with a dying daughter and a hemorrhaging woman. They’ve tried everything under their power. At their wits’ end, they reach out to Jesus. Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson teach us that it’s not about reaching out to God earlier. It’s demonstrating t…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Though this one stanza may seem to be a trite retelling of this weekend’s Gospel reading, Scripture proves we need to hear this word more than once! Jesus’ calming of the sea [and storms of our life] are done in the same way - with His Word of peace. Christ both rebukes the waves and His followers in this weekend’s read…
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Caught in a windstorm with the waves from the Sea of Galilee swamping the boat, the disciples are terrified for their lives as Jesus sleeps soundly in the stern. Dr. Chris Croghan teaches Kiri, Max, and Mason: How Jesus is so calm in a life threatening situation Why the English translation of Jesus’ response to the sea doesn’t cut it And how preach…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // This is a prayer that the reign or kingdom of God would spread throughout the earth. The stanzas to follow make clear this is God’s work - not our own. We do not pray to ourselves, but to God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is God - our “Creator” - who calls us by name and bestows the “gifts” of “heaven.” Stanza 2 //…
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What comes to your mind when you think of the kingdom of God? A place? A thing? A membership? In this episode of Scripture First, Sarah Stenson explains how the kingdom of God is faith in Christ. This is crucial to not only understanding the parable of the growing seed and mustard seed in this week’s text, but to understanding that all parables are…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // When Christ “enters” our “human story” he comes to destroy all of the stories we tell ourselves and one another. The Pharisees who placed limits on God’s action in the Law - Jesus comes that we might know “unbounded grace” in His Word. Stanza 2 // We rise, shine, and sing to Christ because of what He comes to accomplish…
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Jesus is healing people, casting out demons, and forgiving sins. The scribes respond by calling Him the chief of demons. Lars Olson joins the Scripture First to explain how Jesus not only dismantles their logic, but flips it on them. A higher demon wouldn’t throw out a lower demon. They’d empower them! He came to bind the demons to take what they c…
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After performing the first miracles of His ministry and demonstrating authority at the temple, a Pharisee named Nicodemus seeks Jesus out at night to determine where He gets His power. Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us context and meaning packed into this text starting with why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. We also discuss Jesus’ response to Nicodem…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The day of rest is the Sabbath - made for those who rest in the presence of Almighty God! It is a day of rest because we know and worship the Triune God, who brings us a “balm for care and sadness.” Stanza 2 // This day of rest is not something invented for the benefit of congregations, member engagement, or hymn-singin…
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After performing the first miracles of His ministry and demonstrating authority at the temple, a Pharisee named Nicodemus seeks Jesus out at night to determine where He gets His power. Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us context and meaning packed into this text starting with why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. We also discuss Jesus’ response to Nicodem…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // When Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit - like the wind - “blows where it chooses” and “[we] do not know where [He] comes from or where [He] goes…” we may have as many questions as Nicodemus, or even a few more! This hymn calms the questions of our mind and heart with a Word: “This” - here - “is the Spirit’s entry” - the “w…
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The day of Pentecost had come. A sound like the rush of a violent wind. Divided tongues of fire rested on each of them. Speaking in tongues. Kiri, Cole, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson about the many misguided assumptions Christians have about this passage of Acts. Why do we assume speaking in tongues is some sort of gibberish that requires an interpre…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // After Jesus tells his disciples he must depart that the Holy Spirit would arrive, it is easy to imagine the disciples' confusion and fear. In our fear, we turn to God’s Holy Spirit in prayer, that we would be restored as those without sin. Stanza 2 // The Holy Spirit is named in many ways throughout Scripture. This hymn…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // On this final Sunday of Easter, the “vault of heaven resounds now” - today! - with the good news of Jesus’ “triumph” over death! We join in singing not only with the [now smaller] crowd of Christians gathered to worship, but with the “choirs of angels” who sing a song of glory around the throne of the Risen One. Stanza …
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The same night that Jesus is arrested, He gives a lengthy prayer. Kiri, Max, and Mason ask Lars Olson, why did Jesus say this prayer and what is the content of what He’s praying? Jesus tells His disciples, and us, that He has given His word to everyone God has given to Him. That word delivers God’s very nature: mercy. Having received God’s mercy, y…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The “divine love” of Christ exceeds all love we can imagine - a love and joy that must “come down from heaven.” It is the crown of all God’s “faithful mercies” because it is the commandment Christ says will grow out of faith in our Lord! Christ’s love, which knows no boundaries, can enter even the “trembling hearts” of …
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In a text that says, “abide in my love,” “if you keep my commandments,” and, “I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another,” you may think Jesus is giving you the instruction manual on how to live correctly. But then He says, “You did not choose me but I chose you.” Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explains how the texts from …
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // This hymn connects the promises Christ speaks in this weekend’s Gospel text with the promise we are given in Holy Baptism. “Embraced into Christ the vine” we are joined to be “a branch of [the] life-giving Tree” of Christ. Stanza 2 // The sequence of summer, autumn, and winter is compared to seasons of life. Just as Chr…
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This week’s text says that Jesus is the vine and God is the vinegrower. Everyone who produces fruit, God prunes to produce more fruit. Everyone who doesn't produce fruit, God lops off the vine to wither and burn. And this is supposed to be reassurance? Dr. Chris Croghan explains how this is an election text. The fact you’re hearing this means you’r…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // In this brief stanza, we are given purpose for singing - to “offer praise full of love” specifically to the “paschal victim” - that is, the victim of our Easter celebration, who laid his life down for our sake. The celebration of Easter is the two-fold nature of what it means to have a Good Shepherd - one who lays his l…
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Many of Jesus’ “I Am” statements lend themselves to comforting depictions for Christians. “I am the light of the world,” makes for a nice painting! But in today’s passage, Jesus is the gate. Sarah Stenson teaches us how Jesus is being categorical in this text. There are two options: enter through the gate by hearing the shepherd’s voice or climbing…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The good news of Easter is not only that Christ rose from the dead, but that God’s people are brought forth “joy from sadness” - just as He promised throughout all of Scripture. It is the “faithful” who raise the “strain of triumphant gladness” this Easter day - those “full of faith” that God has worked throughout histo…
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The two men who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus are just starting to tell the disciples about what they’d experienced when Jesus appears before them again. Lars Olson explains how the Gospel of Luke is using this literary structure to depict what happens when the resurrected Jesus shows up: fear, joy, and disbelief. The resurrection is so u…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The peace of God is a peace given by the Risen Christ to his frightened followers. In him, we have the peace of God and the good news our Lord brings during the Easter season. This is particularly in contrast with the peace the world gives - and Christ points out - He does not give as the world gives! Sometimes, this co…
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The political power, religious authorities, and the general public all demanded Jesus’ death. The disciples were terrified they were next. Suddenly, Jesus breaks the laws of nature and shows up in the locked room and starts a sermon: peace be with you. Here is the consequence of your sin. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson explain how Jesus shows …
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The Risen Lord is celebrated not only because He rose from the dead - though this is a miracle! - but because He is the same who “suffered to redeem our loss.” This makes Easter “our triumphant, holy day” and the reason Christians gather to celebrate each Sunday. Stanza 2 // The reason for our singing and exuberant prai…
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It’s Easter Sunday and three women head to Jesus’ tomb fully expecting to find the dead body of the man they betrayed. Suddenly, an angel appears to deliver them the incredible news that is the basis of the Christian faith: “He has been raised; he is not here.” Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan explains why the women expected to find death despit…
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This episode is going to be a little different. No background music. No closing summary and calls to action. Why? Because we’re grappling with the question, “Why did Jesus have to die?” in this conversation. Dr. Chris Croghan and Lars Olson do an incredible job calling out how everyone involved in Christ’s final moments sinned against Him. From the…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Christ was crucified not only by enemies or “foes” but by His own! This echoes the first chapter of St. John’s Gospel - the Word was not received by His own people. It is this lack of offense [save for our sin] which demands the poet begin this chorale not with a text of praise or prayer, but of wonder. Stanza 2 // It i…
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ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Martin Luther rewrote this first stanza and added two more. God’s mercy is given to those who - weak in soul and in need of forgiveness - bow before God in thanksgiving and faith. The body and blood Christ gives to His people is the same “born of Mary” who “carried our sins and sorrows” and “pleads for us” in all “trial…
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In the first of two Holy Week bonus episodes, Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson break down what Jesus meant by giving us a new commandment to love one another in this Maundy Thursday text. Jesus demonstrates true humility by washing His disciples’ feet. He also commands us to love one another. Many will read this as a command in the Law, as an expectati…
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