The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

No Burn Up on Reentry

Text for discussion: Leviticus 6.  

God is holy and we are not.  Sacrifices were made to forgive sins, and God made the sacrifices holy; His people were restored to Him in these sacrifices.  But what was the greatest sacrifice of all? 

 

Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy.   A public domain hymn.  

Image: by Dore, Public domain.  

All the Difference in the World

Text for discussion: Leviticus 5.  

Leviticus seems to be an impossible book for us.  It describes sins and penalties which are strict, and yet, in the New Testament, Jesus tells us that not one part of the Law will pass away . . . .  But that all turns on one key phrase: ". . . until all is fulfilled."  

There are things in this life that matter and things that really don't at all, and discovering the essential thing, that which matters most of all for you . . . makes all the difference in the world.  

The hymn: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us (public domain).

Picture: Of Moses . . . by Gustave Dore. public domain.  

Dealing with the Unintentional Sins . . . and the Intentional Ones

Discussion text: Leviticus 4.  

 

Leviticus 4 is legislation regarding unintentional sin.  Yet, we know there are times we know exactly what we're doing when we're sinning.  How do we deal with those?  What do we do about the intentional ones?  

Hymn: Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise

Image: (of Moses, by Dore) public domain.  

Laying Down the Gauntlet

Discussion: Luke 3.  

When Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River He is baptized into our sin and we in turn our baptized into His mercy and grace. Interestingly, when Jesus goes to the Jordan he is south of the Mesopotamian Mt. Olympus, so to speak.  His ministry is not just to gather in Israel, but to claim the people of the other nations, and Jesus does so by uprooting and overturning their gods.  In this episode you will discover that there is a bigger battle taking place than meets the eye.  

The hymn: A Mighty Fortress.  Public domain.  

Painting: the Baptism of Christ, by Carl Bloch. Public domain.  

Revisiting the Ten Pre-Flood Patriarchs

This podcast was from July 31, 2020.  

Genealogies in Scripture are there for a reason . . . . 

This week we discuss the 10 Pre-Flood Patriarchs of Genesis 5.  We pray for our children, and for the teachers going back to school, our country, and community . . . . 

A Sword Shall Pierce Your Own Soul Also

Text for discussion: Luke 2. 

 

Everything mentioned in the narrative of the birth of Christ has significance from beginning to end.  In this one we join the shepherds by the manger . . . . 

 

Hymns: What Child is This, On My Heart Imprint Your Image, We Praise you, O God, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Art: Public domain, John Singleton Copley, "The Nativity" dated, 1776-1777.

Song of Zechariah

Text for discussion: Luke 1

The Son of God most High's birth happened in the fullness of time.  God's salvation plan for humanity would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist would roll out the royal carpet for the King of Kings, Jesus, clothing himself in human flesh.  This is the story of John's birth, and the conception of Jesus, Son of God . . . . 

#226 The Benedictus, "Song of Zechariah.", (LSB, CPH).  

"Archangel Gabriel Struck Zechariah Mute" by Alexander Ivanov, 1824

Hush Money Can’t Overcome the Truth, Revisited (Matthew 28)

For those who are behind, this is another week to catch up.  This episode was recorded April 14, and covers the last chapter of St. Matthew.  

Long before the skeptics and atheists of today, the Apostle Paul pointed out what the reality would be if Jesus had not actually risen from the dead.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 ". . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Life is not meaningless, and the resurrection flies in the face of the narrative of meaninglessness.  

Christ is risen, and because He has risen there is something greater than this life, indeed Jesus has greater things in store for us.  

[This episode was dedicated to the memory of Lutheran Hour Speaker Ken Klaus, who saw it so very important to begin his messages with "Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed, alleluia!"  Because Christ is risen, we have a sure hope in Jesus who has greater things in store for us . . . .]

Peace Offering

Text for discussion: Leviticus 3

Leviticus provides instructions to the children of Israel for living.  This chapter is about a voluntary peace offering.  What, if any connection is there to what is to come?  Tune in to find out . . . . 

Hymns: Just as I Am, O Love How Deep [both public domain]

[Image: by Dore, public domain . . . .]

From the Jaws of Defeat Revisited . . . . (Matthew 26)

This week is my week for Vacation Bible School, and so I dip into the archives; this will also give listeners a chance to catch up on other episodes.  

Recorded January 27, this episode delves into the events of Maundy Thursday, what we know as the night of the Last Supper (and the night on which Jesus was betrayed).  

In this podcast we have covered Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, and Jonah, with much more to come . . . .  All of the back episodes are available on this podcast site for you to listen . . . .