The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Part VII - The CONCLUSION of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: The Great Day of Friendship

As friends go, Peter wasn't a very good friend on Good Friday, but Jesus' loyalty to Peter and to humanity never wavered . . . .  He died for us while we were still sinners . . . (and rises again on the 3rd day).  

The podcast concludes with several hymns for reflection on Good Friday:

Glory Be to Jesus 

Lamb of God, Pure and Holy 

What Wondrous Love is This 

Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us 

O Love How Deep 

My Soul Now Praise Your Maker

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

(all are public domain) 

 

This afternoon, the Stations of the Cross Service will be available . . . . 

Part VI of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Get Ready!

The Passover was the ultimate event of getting ready-preparing to leave Egypt at a moment's notice.  In the same respect, the disciples had no idea the kind of turmoil that was coming their way, but Jesus was preparing them.  

Whatever may come in this world, we ultimately rest on Jesus' mercies-be not afraid . . . . 

 

Part V of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: Something Bigger Than Ambition

As Jesus tells His disciples of His impending crucifixion, James and John approach him about something less . . . important.  Jesus in turn teaches His disciples what it means to be great.  

[The hymn: My Faith Looks Up to Thee, public domain]

[The artwork: Christ Calling the Apostles James and John, by Edward Armitage, 1869.  Public domain, U.S. and elsewhere]

Part IV of The Twelve Who Followed Him to Jerusalem: The Elephant in the Room

There is a sickness called sin, which leads to death.  

It cannot be denied; everyone who enters this world must exit it.  

That is the elephant in the room.  

Jesus, the great physician comes to heal us of this sickness.  

 

[The hymn: What Wondrous Love is This]

[The illustration: The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio, 1600]

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.]