The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Prophesied Savior (Part III): Where Do You Hang Your Hat?

 

This one looks at the prophecy from Micah that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem.  

Hymn: A Great and Mighty Wonder (public domain).  (This is a new recording!)

Engraving: The Prophet Isaiah by Gustave Dore

Prophesied Savior (Part II): Emmanuel

 

Here we talk about prophecies in Isaiah 8 and 9, specifically about Emmanuel, God with us.  

The Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (public domain)

The engraving: Isaiah by Gustave Dore.  (public domain)

Prophesied Savior (Part I): Born of a Virgin

Text for discussion: Isaiah 7:13-14

 

Prophecy in Scripture comes from hundreds of years before its fulfillment.  This episode discusses predictive prophecy, and specifically Isaiah 7:13-14.  

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (public domain).  

The engraving: Isaiah by Gustave Dore.

 

When the Flesh is Weak

Text for discussion: Leviticus 13.  

To get through all of Scripture, which my hope at this podcast is to do, we will even have to get through the parts that seem even a bit like reading the rules to a game, yet there is important information even in the passages that are a challenge to push through. 

These passages will apply even to texts that are found in the New Testament, and be helpful for understanding the nature of the world and what Christ has come to do.  

The hymn: What Child is This?  (public domain)

The image: Moses (by More)

Of the Clean and the Unclean

Texts for discussion: Leviticus 11 and 12. 

Holiness is a mystery beyond our understanding.  In the Fallen world, God allowed the consumption of meat for our nutritional needs.  Some animals were clean, and others unclean.  Why was a distinction made?  Did God change the rules later?  What was different?  And, what makes children significant?  

The graphic: Moses (by Dore)

The hymn: The People that In Darkness Sat (public domain).

A Consuming Fire

Text for discussion: Leviticus 10

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron are consumed by fire in the tabernacle.  It was a tragedy.  We might recall this verse from Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.  Truly the Law is a consuming fire.  We need a Mediator to come between us and the consuming fire.  

Hymns: Abide with Me

I Bind Unto Myself Today (both public domain)

Image: Moses - (by Gustave Dore).

 

 

Remember us In Your Kingdom and Teach us to Pray

Text for discussion: Luke 11. 

The way of operating in the world is different from the kingdom to come.  

In the world we see the pain and perils of Fallenness, the brokenness of society.  In this dark and difficult situation, God hears our prayers, and answers them, and when this life is over, promises to bring us to Himself.  

This week’s hymns: 

Eternal Father, Strong to Save
God Himself is Present

Fight the Good Fight
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
We Praise You, O God  (All are public domain)

Painting: Jesus Goes Up Alone onto a Mountain to Pray (by James Tissot, between 1886-1894, public domain).

 

 

The Paradox of God’s Will

Text for discussion: Luke 10.

There are many paradoxes to the way God operates in this world.  The rich and powerful will struggle to see God’s Work in this world, and indeed may willfully disobey it.  They may succeed on this earth, but eternity is a different thing than earthly success.  It is the meek, the innocent, the poor in spirit for whom God’s Kingdom and ways will most clearly come into focus.  When we set aside worldly attitudes, different priorities come into focus.

 

Hymn: My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker (Public domain hymn).

Image: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (Johannes Vermeer, 1654, public domain).

 

Jesus Arrives on the Scene to break the Power of Fallenness

Text for discussion: Luke 9.  

 

God will no longer tolerate the power of Fallenness over His creation.  His Son brings with Him the Kingdom and will break the power of sin, death and the devil . . . .

Painting: Karl Bloch - The Transfiguration of Jesus.  (Public domain.)

Hymn: For All the Saints.  (Public domain hymn).  

 

God, Clothed in Human Flesh

Text for discussion: Luke 8.  

Happy week of the Lutheran Reformation! 

Luke 8 covers the Parable of the Sower, a powerful parable, but powerful events also ensue.  Jesus calms the storm, frees a man of a "legion" of demons, and He raises a child from the dead.  Who is this who calms the storm, who the demons must obey, and even death itself must yield?  This Jesus is none other than God Himself, clothed in human flesh . . . .  

The hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God 

The picture: by Rembrandt.  1633. "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee."