Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Pilate’s soldiers treat Jesus with cruel mockery. Even though they do not believe He is a King, Jesus truly reigns as He is crowned with thorns and enthroned on His cross. Through the suffering of Christ, the eyes of faith see the glory of God to win our salvation. Jesus refuses to come down from His cross, even as diabolical temptation calls out to Him from the religious leaders and bystanders. Jesus resolutely remains on His cross so that we would believe in Him as the Son of God, our Savior.

Rev. Andrew Belt, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:27-44.

To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit christmarshfield.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

As Pilate examines Jesus for guilt, the governor is amazed at the Lord’s silence to His accusers. Pilate attempts to use his custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover to release Jesus. The dream given to Pilate’s wife reveals that Jesus truly is innocent, yet Pilate’s passive plan backfires as the religious leaders persuade the crowd to plead for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate’s handwashing does not remove his guilt, even as the crowd cries out willing to accept responsibility. In a wondrous irony, Jesus is shedding His innocent blood precisely to place it upon sinners and make us clean.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:11-26.

To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit graceelgin.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Although Peter follows Jesus at a distance, Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus happens just as the Lord had foretold. With growing vehemence, Peter refuses to acknowledge any connection to Jesus, until the rooster crows after the third time. Peter recalls Jesus’ words, and the apostle leaves with bitter tears. As Jesus goes to His trial before Pilate, Judas regrets his betrayal of the Innocent One, but the chief priests fail to point to the absolution found in the blood of Christ. Instead, they take the money paid to Judas to buy a field for burial. Even though their action fails to cover up their guilt and evil, through the action, the Scripture is fulfilled.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:69-27:10.

To learn more about Our Redeemer in Overland, visit ourredeemerstl.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

As the Sanhedrin meets in the darkness, they have already determined a guilty verdict for Jesus, regardless of the evidence. Their initial inability to find even false witnesses to agree on an accusation against Jesus shows their corruption and evil. When two witnesses do agree on something close to what Jesus said, the chief priest puts the question to Jesus directly. Despite the attempts of the Sanhedrin to keep things quiet, they provide Jesus the opportunity to proclaim the truth of who He is. As their hatred of Jesus becomes violence, they are shown to have failed their trial, while Jesus is shown to be entirely innocent.

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:57-68.

To learn more about Immanuel in Roswell, visit immanuelroswell.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through

Just as Jesus said, one of His own twelve disciples delivers Him into the hands of those who desire to kill Him. In an awful irony, Judas uses a sign of greatest affection for the deepest betrayal. Although divine deliverance is only a prayer away for Jesus, He goes to His arrest willingly. He tells His disciples to put their swords away, and He reminds the crowds of His innocence. As Jesus is led away to trial and the disciples scatter, all that must take place happens in accordance with the Scriptures.

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:47-56.

To learn more about St. Michael's Lutheran, visit stmichaelswinchester.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Jesus heads to the Mount of Olives with singing. There, He forthrightly tells His disciples what is about to happen to Him and to them, all in fulfillment of the Scriptures. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays to His Father knowing exactly what He is about to face, yet He does so in obedience to the Father’s will. Although Peter, James, and John cannot stay awake and pray with Jesus, the Lord continues resolutely toward His suffering and death.

Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:30-46.

To learn more about Our Savior in Grand Rapids, visit oursavior-gr.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Jesus observes His Passover with His family. He instructs His disciples to make the necessary preparations for the meal that He will bring to fulfillment. As He eats with His disciples, Jesus tells His disciples that one of them will hand Him over. Judas’ own words reveal him as the betrayer. Nonetheless, Jesus remains focused on the gifts that He has come to give. He brings the Passover meal to fulfillment by giving the Holy Supper of His body and His blood to His disciples.

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:17-29.

To learn more about Calvary Evangelical, visit calvarymechanicsburg.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Jesus continues to move resolutely toward His crucifixion. Although the chief priests and elders believe they are accomplishing their plan, Jesus' suffering and death is truly the Father's will for the salvation of sinners. A woman who anoints Jesus with expensive ointment receives scorn from the disciples, but Jesus teaches them that her action has shown that His suffering, death, and burial truly is valuable and beautiful. Judas, however, does not believe. He places a paltry value on Jesus and agrees to betray the Lord. Nonetheless, God's will goes forward unthwarted.

Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 26:1-16.

To learn more about Memorial Lutheran, visit mlchouston.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Jesus concludes His Olivette Discourse by describing His coming again in glory on the Last Day as a shepherd who separates sheep from goats. The sheep are His righteous ones. They are righteous because they have been blessed by the Father from the foundation of the world, and that righteousness was seen by the way they received Jesus by receiving His messengers. On the other hand, the goats are the unrighteous. They receive condemnation not because Jesus has chosen them for damnation, but because they have chosen it for themselves. That reality was made evident in the way they did not receive Jesus by rejecting His messengers. Jesus' teaching in this section invites all hearers of the Word to consider the way they receive the messengers of Jesus, so that they would rightly receive Him.

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Crawford, NE and Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harrison, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 25:31-46.

To learn more about Bethlehem and Redeemer Evangelical, visit belccrawford.org and relcharrison.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Jesus' parable of the talents teaches His people how to live faithfully now awaiting His return. God gives to His children according to their ability. Because His gifts come from His love, the proper response is to put those gifts to work in faithfulness to God, knowing that He is our loving Master whose gifts always bear fruit. The third servant in the parable illustrates the faithlessness of inaction. This servant's wickedness is revealed in his wrong faith toward his master. Because this servant does not know his master truly, he simply buries the master's property. However, when we trust in God as the loving Father He truly is, we steward His gifts faithfully now, awaiting His commendation on the Last Day.

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Assistant Vice President of Admissions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 25:14-30.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]