Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 23:50-56.

As a member of the Sanhedrin and a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea seems an unlikely disciple. Yet the Lord’s Word had brought Joseph to faith. Looking for the kingdom of God, Joseph actually got to see the King bringing His kingdom, though Joseph probably didn’t expect to see it as he buried the Savior. As Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths as a baby, now Jesus was wrapped in a linen shroud for His burial. Joseph’s unused tomb teaches the uniqueness of what Jesus accomplished by His death and also serves as further evidence that Jesus is the One who was raised on the third day. Jesus’ burial takes place quickly, as both He and His followers observe the Sabbath according to the commandment. Jesus’ burial gives comfort to Christians that they have been clothed with Christ, and as He was raised from His rest in the tomb, so will all His faithful ones be raised from their rest in their tombs.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 23:26-49.

With Jesus weak from all the beatings He received, the Roman soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. In this way, Simon provides a concrete picture of discipleship. As the crowd around Jesus grows, the faithful women begin to mourn and lament. Jesus instructs them not to lament both because the things He does are necessary and because mourning is actually necessary for the destruction that will come upon Jerusalem. When Jesus arrives at Golgotha, He is crucified between two criminals. Even in the midst of shame and mockery, Jesus speaks with forgiveness for the soldiers and promises Paradise to the repentant thief. He dies the blessed death of the faithful, commending Himself into His Father’s hands as He dies for our salvation.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 23:1-25.

Jesus is brought to trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The Sanhedrin lobs false accusations against Jesus, but Pilate is primarily concerned with whether or not Jesus claims to be a king who will lead a rebellion against Rome. Though Pilate finds Jesus innocent, the crowd’s persistence leads to Pilate sending Jesus to Herod. In Jesus’ trial before Herod, the tetrarch is disappointed that Jesus will not do any sign, so he mocks Jesus along with his soldiers before sending Jesus back to Pilate. The Roman governor again finds Jesus innocent, but offers to punish Him to satisfy the growing crowd. However, they demand crucifixion for Jesus, and Pilate ultimately gives in to their demands. The guilty man, Barabbas, goes free, while the innocent Man, Jesus, goes to death. This exchange provides a picture of the justification that God works for us sinners by giving our sins to Christ and giving Christ’s righteousness to us.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and director of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 22:54-71.

As Jesus is led away to His trial, Peter undergoes the trial that Jesus had predicted. With escalating intensity, Peter denies knowing Jesus, being among His disciples, and even being from the same geographic region. When Jesus looks at Peter, the disciple is brought to tears as He remembers Jesus’ words. This provides an example of contrition and faith as we confess our sins to the Lord still today. St. Luke turns his attention back to Jesus. As the soldiers mock Jesus, they ironically prove that Jesus is the Christ, the very thing they deny. As Jesus is put on trial, He gives the good confession as to His own identity in a way that forces His accusers to either confess or deny the truth. They continue in their hard-hearted denial as Jesus continues on toward His death.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 22:39-53.

Jesus takes His disciples from the upper room to the Mount of Olives. There He prays in great agony, knowing the suffering He is about to endure. Even as He asks if salvation for sinners can be accomplished in another way, Jesus prays that His Father’s will would be done. Jesus finds His disciples sleeping instead of praying as Judas comes to betray the Lord with a kiss. When one of the disciples strikes with a sword, Jesus shows His great mercy and compassion in healing the soldier’s ear. Jesus lets His captors know that although they will do their worst in their hour of darkness, He remains in controls of His Passion and goes willingly to His death.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 22:24-38.

The disciples’ questions concerning who would betray Jesus turn into a dispute concerning who is the greatest. As they have throughout Jesus’ ministry, the disciples continue to misunderstand the way Jesus will bring the kingdom of God through His suffering and death. Jesus teaches them that earthly greatness is not a concern in His kingdom; rather, life in the kingdom of God is one of service. The disciples will give that service after Jesus’ ascension as pastors in the early church, even as all Christians continue to serve in their vocations today. Jesus knows that Peter will deny Him, even as Peter denies that such a thing could ever happen. Yet the Lord still seeks to strengthen Peter and all His disciples for the persecution to come. Even though the disciples do not understand at the moment, the Lord will make them His faithful servants after the Holy Spirit is given on Pentecost.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 22:1-23.

As Jesus enters into His Passion, the Old Testament context of the Passover provides the background. Jesus is the Lamb of God who gives Himself as the sacrifice in order to rescue us from slavery to sin, death, and the devil. The devil takes an active role by leading Judas to betray the Lord into the hands of the chief priests. Nonetheless, Jesus remains in control; He directs Peter and John to prepare the Passover with specific details that happen just as He had said. His words to His disciples at the meal indicate that He will bring the kingdom of God by His coming death and resurrection. Jesus fulfills the Passover meal and makes it His own as He institutes His Holy Supper. With the bread, Jesus gives His Body, and with the cup, Jesus gives His Blood, just as He said.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 21:5-38.

When people begin to speak of the temple’s noble stones, Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. In response to their question concerning the timing and the signs, Jesus teaches an extended discourse that not only accurately speaks of the siege and fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, but also speaks about His own return on the Last Day. Wars and natural disasters will always happen prior to Jesus’ return. Such terrors should not alarm Christians, nor should they try to calculate when the Last Day will come. Instead, they should lift up their heads and live in constant expectation of the Day that brings their redemption. The things of this world will not avail in preparation for Christ’s return; only Jesus’ words will never pass away and provide salvation that lasts forever.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 20:41-21:4.

After some of the scribes recognize that Jesus had spoken well, the Lord puts the question to them. He asks them how to interpret Psalm 110. They rightly recognize that the Christ is David’s son; how can Psalm 110 also call the Christ David’s Lord? Through His insightful question, Jesus teaches us to read the Old Testament with Him as the center and calls the scribes to believe that He is both true man and true God. When the scribes continue in their unbelief, Jesus tells His disciples and the listening crowd to beware the idolatry of the scribes that has led them to reject His Lordship. A poor widow who gives the Lord everything serves as the example of a faithful Christian who lives and acts with faith in Jesus as Lord.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 20:27-40.

The Sadducees, known for their rejection of the resurrection, spirits, and angels, take their turn at trying to trap Jesus. They pose a ridiculous example to Jesus based on the practice of levirate marriage, a practice given by Moses in the Law. They believe they have Jesus trapped, as the situation seems ludicrous in the resurrection. Though Jesus could have simply ignored their malicious question, He gives the good confession while not stooping to their games. Jesus tells them that they are wrong to equate this age to the resurrection. In the resurrection, there is no death; therefore, levirate marriage is entirely unnecessary, and the purpose of marriage in bringing about the next generation is no longer needed either. Jesus shows that the resurrection is taught in Scripture by quoting from Exodus 3. God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living!

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.