The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Part III of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

Part III of our Lenten series.  

The text for our discussion is John 14:14-31. 

If you find the current state of the world to be troubling, you. are experiencing nothing new.  It was troubling before Jesus came into the world.  It was troubling in Jesus' time, and so we shouldn't be surprised when troubling things seem to come out of nowhere.  

Jesus has better things in store for us; we rest our faith in Him.  

 

[Hymn: Built on the Rock]

The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem, Part II: The Cup of Wrath

 

The text for discussion is John 1, starting at verse 43.

This week we continue our Lenten series on the disciples who followed Jesus up to Jerusalem.  

We follow Jesus as He brings Philip and Nathanael into discipleship.  

 

 

The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem

During this season of Lent, we will be focusing on the disciples as we follow Jesus to Jerusalem, and His crucifixion.  

This episode will deal with the calling of the twelve Apostles, and Jesus’ plan to travel with them up to Jerusalem . . . . 

Focus texts will be Matthew 10:1-20 and Luke 18:18-34.

 

[Sculpture in photo: Christ and the Twelve Disciples - from France, Normandy, around 1450-1500.  Collection: Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  Public domain.]

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

In this one we reflect on where we stand in the grand scheme of the Fallen world.  There is a single outcome we all face, but Jesus stands between us and the worst . . . .  

(Text: from Matthew 6)

The hymn: Savior When in Dust to Thee (A public domain hymn). 

The Key (Matthew 17, and the Transfiguration revisited)

Looking back at Matthew 17 on this week of the Transfiguration.

Originally entitled "The Key that Opens All Scripture, and Eternity Itself"

From beginning until the very end of the world, Christ is the key to understanding Scripture, life, and eternity to come . . . . 

Everything about the Transfiguration points to Jesus Christ as the Savior . . . .  

The hymn: Beautiful Savior (a public domain hymn)

 

[Image: Carl Bloch, the Transfiguration - public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Dread Darkness (Matthew 27, Part 2, verses 22-66)

When Jesus was crucified, darkness fell over the land.  The light who came into the world, into the darkness was snuffed out.  

The enlightenment of mankind becomes meaningless in this context, but with God, there is light after the impenetrable darkness.

 

The hymn:  Jesus, I Will Ponder Now.  #440 A public domain hymn.  

(this is a newly recorded hymn) 

[The image with this episode is a public domain painting "Behold, the Man" by Antonio Ciseri.]

Damaged Goods (Matthew 27, Part I)

Text for discussion: Matthew 27:1-23

 

Betrayed by Judas, Jesus is delivered from the chief priests and elders (the religious authorities) over to the civil authority, Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea.  

Like the silver coins thrown back at the chief priests and elders by Judas, it is Pilate's wife that wants him to have nothing to do with Jesus.  

Jesus' rejection on every front, is necessary for the salvation of all people, for whom Jesus died.  

All who believe in Him will be saved.  

The hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. (Public domain).

From the Jaws of Defeat (Matthew 26 Part III, Matthew 26:30-74)

The feeling on the night of the Last Supper is a somber and serious one.  The mood of the Passover should be anticipatory of victory, but defeat seems to be on the air . . . .  Beyond human understanding, the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion are a replay of the Passover; they are the greater thing of which the great festival of the Passover is surprisingly, a type, a model.  

The hymn: a completely new recording of Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed.  

A public domain hymn.  

Given and Shed for You (Matthew 26, Part II)

Text for discussion Matthew 26:17-29

What are we to make of Judas?  Was he destined for doom, destruction and damnation even before he was born?

This one answers that question and discusses most importantly what the Lord’s Supper means for us . . . . 

The hymn:  Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me 

A Beautiful Thing (Matthew 26, Part I)

Text for Discussion: Matthew 26:1-16.  

In this passage we learn more about the plot to seize Jesus, and woman anoints Jesus and does a beautiful thing . . . . 

The hymn: Glory Be to Jesus (a public domain hymn)