Podcasts about reading luke

Reading Luke 17:22-30 where Jesus talks with His disciples about what to expect concerning the coming of the Son of Man, and watch out for those who say that day has already come. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 17:20-22, where Jesus is asked about the kingdom of God, to which He replies that the kingdom of God cannot be observed and pointed to, but is in the midst of you. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 17:11-19 where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one of them returns to praise Jesus, and He receives and even greater healing than the other nine. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 17:5-10 and considering what Jesus taught His disciples about the presence of faith and its power at work in our lives as we serve our King. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 17:1-4 where Jesus tells His disciples that temptations are sure to come, but in addition to resisting temptation, beware not to be the one who tempts others. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 16:24-31 where Jesus continues the account of the rich man and a poor man named Lazarus, who both died and went to different places in the after-life. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

August 10, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 12:22-34 (35-40)Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 25:23-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These verses speak about anxiety. Yikes. Guilty—party of one. And often, when I read them, I immediately become anxious about how anxious I am and how I am not trusting…because I am anxious. Lord, forgive me, a sinner. Look at these words, though: “fear not…it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Fear not; deep breath. In my anxiety, I am afraid. I'm afraid to fail, afraid to be hurt, afraid I'm not enough, afraid that I don't have control…afraid. And yet, Jesus tells us to fear not. And here's the thing—Jesus is trustworthy. He can and does back up that directive. He has the answers to all my fears. Failure, hurt, enoughness, control…all of these flow out of my sinful, selfish nature. The Law shows me that I am a failure, hurtful, inadequate, out-of-control sinner. And yet, Jesus can and does tell me not to fear because He has paid for all of that; He has covered my shame and guilt. It is His now, and He has left it in the tomb—forever gone and buried. Fear not. And now, I can joyfully receive the Father's good pleasure! I can receive His Kingdom with peace and certainty! In my Baptism, Jesus takes my anxiety and gives me peace. It is through His work that I am right before God and safely found within His Father's House. Perhaps you, too, struggle with anxiety. Perhaps you, too, know that you are a sinner and worry about it. Make the sign of the cross, dear Baptized child of God. Remember that it is Jesus Who takes your sin and shame, and it is Jesus Who defeated it for you. Go to the Divine Service and hear the words of Absolution announced to you. Take Jesus' Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Hear God's Word and be strengthened by His promises. You may still struggle with anxiety, but it does not define you. You are Baptized; you are named as one who belongs to Christ, and you can truly fear not. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen (LSB, Collect of the Day)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Reading Luke 16:22-23 and understanding the relationship between Hades and Abraham's Bosom, and what lesson Jesus means for us to learn from the account. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 16:19-22 where Jesus begins to share the account of a rich man who went to a place of fiery torment and a poor man named Lazarus who went to paradise. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 16:18, a single verse in the midst of Jesus' rebuke against the Pharisees, and considering it in the context of the parable He just told about the shrewd manager. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

August 3, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 12:13-21Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:48-18:9; Acts 27:9-26“And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.” (1 Samuel 17:49)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When we picture God going into his armory to find the right weapons to fight for and rescue his people, we might picture something like John Wick's request for guns…lots and lots of guns—or Iron Man climbing into the Hulkbuster or Batman going into the Batcave and hopping into the Batwing. But God's weaponry quite often looks different than how we would imagine it, and his way of fighting his enemies is even more unexpected.The story of David is a classic example. Saul's men try to outfit him with the latest armor, sword, and shield like he's gearing up to play Call of Duty. But God has something better in mind. Rocks. That's right. David takes five smooth stones and his sling onto the battlefield where Goliath rages, taunts, and defies God. But no sooner does Goliath, the enemy of God's people, issue a challenge than God throws down a gauntlet of his own, launched straight from the arm of his servant, David. That's one small stone for David, one giant slayed by a stone to the noggin. This isn't the last time God would defeat his enemies with unlikely weaponry, nor is it the last time God would use a rock to hurl defeat at his enemies. David's Son and David's Lord, Jesus, works with the same battle tactic in the New Testament as he did in the Old. He wraps himself not in the finest bronze armor, but in human flesh. He wields the sword of his word against Satan in the wilderness. Then, in the climactic battle on Golgotha, he slays the dragon, not with five stones, but with wood and nail and blood and death. Jesus overcomes death by death, letting death overcome him. Jesus battles and wins the victory over our sin by becoming sin for us. Jesus, the Son of David, slays Goliath by hurling the stone of his empty tomb wide open in resurrected victory three days later.But the Lord doesn't stop there. He marches straight into this fallen world to arm you for your daily battle against the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh. And once again, he equips you with the most unlikely, yet the most powerful of weapons, his word, his robe of righteousness, his forgiveness, Baptism, and Body and Blood. And in these Gifts, given to you by our Lord and Commander-in-Chief of the heavenly armies, you stand firm and victorious.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer; Great Captain now Thine arm make bare, Fight for us once again! So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise A mighty chorus to Thy praise Forevermore Amen. (LSB 666:4)Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

July 27, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 11:1-13Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Acts 22:30-23:11“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.'” (Luke 11:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you learned your ABCs, someone took a crayon and showed you how to draw the letters. When you learned how to tie your shoe, someone taught you, “Over, under, around and through, Meet Mr. Bunny Rabbit, pull and through.” When you learned to drive, a parent or instructor taught you where your hands go on the steering wheel. As we grow up, life is full of moments where we are taught.The same is true in our lives as God's children. We are always learning. And our Lord is always patiently teaching us. When Jesus' disciples saw him praying, what did they do? They said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And what did Jesus do? Did he let them fumble around trying to figure it out on their own? No. Did he send them a link to a YouTube video? No. Jesus patiently taught them how to pray first by praying with them. Then, he taught them how to pray by giving them the words to use.Jesus teaches his disciples, past and present, how to pray by giving us the prayer we call the Lord's Prayer. It's short. Easy to memorize. It has everything we could possibly pray for all in one place. And best of all, it's God's word. Jesus knows that we don't always know what we should pray for, and that quite often, if we're honest, we don't always pray for the things we should, and that sometimes we're simply at a loss for words.This is another reason why Jesus teaches us and gives us the Lord's Prayer. Every word of the Lord's Prayer is given by Jesus to you. Every word of the Lord's Prayer points you back to Jesus and his love and grace for you. Praying for daily bread or any physical need? It's God's gracious provision that gives you all you need. Ever find yourself struggling to forgive someone who has sinned against you? The Lord's Prayer gives you forgiveness and helps you to forgive others, too. Ever wrestled with your own sin and temptation? Jesus teaches us to pray for deliverance from the Evil One in the Lord's Prayer. And the same Lord Jesus who teaches us to pray, promises to hear our prayers, answer them in his good and gracious will, and deliver you from every evil in body and soul. This is why, as God's children, there is always more to learn whenever we pray, “Our Father.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Our Father, who from heav'n above Bids all of us to live in love As members of one family And pray to You in unity, Teach us no thoughtless words to say But from our inmost hearts to pray. (LSB 766:1)Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Jesus' Last Night Right mouse click here to download as a MP3 audio file G'day and welcome to Partake! We are now on day 21 of our series "Glimpses", looking at the story of the Bible in 30 days, from the time of creation through to the time of the fullness of redemption! Last time we looked at Jesus at prayer. Today we look at the events of his last night, before his death. In Luke 22, we come to Jesus' last night before He goes to death on the cross. It's the time for the Feast of Passover! Jerusalem was filled with people come to celebrate this great event! Passover was a time to commemorate the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and it was a time for remembering and rejoicing with families (Exodus 11-12). 1. Plans of His enemies In Luke 22v1-6, we read that Jesus' enemies plotted to kill him (Luke 22v2) and arranged for Judas to betray him (Luke 22v3). Of course, satan is involved, just as he was at the beginning of time and his purpose was to destroy Jesus (Luke 22v3, Luke 22v31). What about Judas though? Judas was motivated by greed, energized by satan and willing to betray Jesus for money (John 13v2, 27). Judas was never a true believer because his sins had never been cleansed by the Lord (John 13v10-11), therefore he had never truly believed or received eternal life (John 6v64-71). And while all this is going on, Jesus is still in perfect control. All the elements in the plot conspiring against Jesus had been allowed for. Remember, Jesus had been talking to God the Father! The death of Jesus was no accident! 2. Jesus Plans In accordance with the Mosaic covenant, the people of Israel were expected to remove all yeast from their houses (Ex.12v15) as a reminder that their ancestors left Egypt in a hurry and had to eat bread without yeast on their travels to the promised land. In Luke 12v1, Jesus had warned his disciples about the "yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy". In other words, the religious leaders had cleansed their houses but not their hearts. The last thing the religious leaders wanted was a messianic uprising during Passover (Luke 19v11). They would have heard the crowds talking up Jesus Christ as the messiah, particularly after the events of the previous week when Jesus entered Jerusalem!. 3. Jesus Prepares (Luke 22v7-23) Reading Luke 22v7, 13 - Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together." The disciples went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. Disciples needed a room within Jerusalem itself, and also required food - a lamb, bread, bitter herbs and wine. 4. Jesus initiates the New Covenant (Luke 22v14-23) - When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come." He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. The Passover meal contains historical and theological symbolism regarding the death of Jesus. We will come to see what those are later on in the series, but suffice to say at this point, it is why this meal is the model for the central act of Christian worship, which is Holy Communion. Opening Prayer First cup of wine and a dish of herbs and sauce. Story of the Passover was recited. Psalm 113 was sung Second cup of wine Prayer of Grace Main course of roast lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs A further prayer Third cup of wine. Psalm 114 to 118 were then sung. Fourth cup of wine. 5. Jesus Serves Jesus washes the disciples' feet (John 13v1-17) Reading from John 13v1-5 - Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. As part of the custom of the day, a servant or slave usually undertook foot washing of guests. Since none of the disciples had done this, Jesus Himself undertakes the task (John 13v4-5). Peter, recalcitrant and resistant as always, objects (John 13v6,8 ). Peter learns that only those cleansed by Jesus and trusting in Him fully, can be a part of the kingdom (John 13v7, 9). Jesus' rising to serve symbolizes His coming to serve - that was his mission we talked about earlier in the series! It was a mission of great love and service! When he took off his cloak, this symbolizes the taking off of His glory when He became human. As he girded Himself with a towel, symbolizes his taking on human flesh at his birth. And, as the water cleansed the feet, so Jesus death and blood cleanses from sin. When he finished cleaning, he returned to where he was sitting and sat down after finishing this act of service. 6. Jesus Speaks (Luke 22v24-38) Reading Luke 22v 24-27: Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. Here Jesus tells his disciples that they are the new leaders and thereforet they will judge the tribes of Israel! That in doing so, they are to serve everyone gladly, love everyone even those that they tested and persecute them! This is a radical new thing Jesus is telling his disciples - their actions are to back up their claims, just as Jesus' actions confirm his own claims! In so doing, Jesus replaces the old leaders of God with his own people. Tomorrow we look at that day in history - the day Jesus, the God-man, died. Thank you! Right mouse click or tap here to download as a MP3 audio file

July 20, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 10:38-42Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 16:1-22“. . . Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:40-42) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You have been anxious and troubled about many things, distracted with much serving (and so have I). But Jesus' concern isn't serving, it's distraction; distraction from the one thing that is needfull (necessary). Serving your neighbors (family, friends, classmates, coworkers, etc.) is a good and necessary aspect of your vocation as Christians. The Table of Duties in the Small Catechism gives examples of what this means. In this fallen world, there is always work to do for the good of others. There is nothing wrong (and everything right) with service to family, friends, community, and church. Martha's desire to serve, in and of itself, was not wrong – in fact, it was completely right. Martha was not wrong in her desire to serve, but in her troubled heart, trusting in her service to Jesus more than Him as her one thing needful. Her anxiety over loving and serving her neighbors (Jesus and others gathered) distracted her from the true purpose of Jesus' presence. She had not grasped that Jesus came for her. Jesus “…came not to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 28:20). While the one thing needful was right there at hand, Martha felt that serving Him was more important than being served by Him. Mary chose what is better when one is in the presence of Christ: she sat at His feet and received what He came to give. Martha's complaint to Jesus was rebuked not because He didn't appreciate Martha's service, but because Martha erred in thinking that Mary was wrong in her desire to be served by Him before serving. Both Martha and Mary represent critical aspects of living out your Baptism, loving God and loving neighbor (see Luke 10:27). But take care that your much serving doesn't become more important than your being much served by Christ Himself. The former emanates from the law, which cannot save, but only curbs, accuses, and guides (necessary as that is). The latter is the Gospel itself, emanating from Christ our Savior, being necessary for salvation (John 6:27, Romans 5:21, Jude 1:21). It is the much-suffering of Christ (His crucifixion!) that saves you, and it will not be taken away! (See Small Catechism, Explanation to the 2nd Article, 2nd Paragraph)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  O Lord, grant us the Spirit to hear Your Word and know the one thing needful that by Your Word and Spirit we may live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, LSB)Rev. Jeffrey Ries is the pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

July 13, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 10:25-37Daily Lectionary: Judges 13:1-25; Ruth 1:1-4:22; Galatians 2:1-21“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'” (Luke 10:25)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you see it? Do you see how the lawyer already misstepped? I suppose we could start with how he *dares* to question Jesus, or that he wants to ‘put him to the test.' But let's talk about the biggest misstep of all—the one that all sinners make (including you and me). The lawyer's question asks, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He, a sinner, thinks he can achieve eternal life. He, a sinner, thinks he can work hard enough or do enough to ‘earn' it.   The reality is, there is no amount of work that any sinner can do to get eternal life. This lawyer forgot, and we sinners routinely (daily) forget, that we are completely tainted with original sin. We have a condition. We have a death sentence. We have an incurable infection. No amount of work, attempts, or restarts is going to cure it. Even before the lawyer asked this question, he had it wrong. When we look at grace, mercy, forgiveness, or eternal life as ‘achievable' or earned by our works, we have it wrong. We want a way to save ourselves; we, like the lawyer, want to justify ourselves and our good works. We want to control our destiny. Inheritances are received, usually by an heir, after someone's death. Through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, His heirs, including you, receive eternal life. In Baptism, Jesus drowned the Old Adam and created a New Man; He killed the root of the original sin infection. In Baptism, He claims you as His. In Baptism, you receive forgiveness, life, rescue, and eternal life. You receive it! You don't work for it! It is a Gift and it is yours! Dear redeemed sinner, the next time you might want to work for your salvation, or ask God for a chance to ‘work for your eternal life,' repent. Make the sign of the cross. Remember your Baptism. Go to church and hear the Gospel. Receive Jesus' Body and Blood given and shed for you. You are a Beloved child of God, named as one of His heirs; all that He has, He gives freely to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord Jesus Christ, in your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us. Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (LSB Collect of the Day)- Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Reading Luke 16:1-17 where Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest manager, a lesson to His disciples about making the most of every opportunity to the glory of God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 15:25-32 where Jesus brings the point of the parable of the prodigal son home, and we se this was really more about the older brother than the younger son. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 15:11-24 where Jesus gives the parable of the prodigal son, a parable loved by progressives claiming it contains the gospel, but there's a crucial element that's missing. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

July 6, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-20Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Judges 1:1-36; Acts 13:1-12“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus sent the 72. He called them. He sent them out. There was, after all, work to be done, and lots of it. So Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, called 72 ordinary people and equipped them for service in His Kingdom. They would carry His peace. They would heal the sick, drive out demons, and have the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions. Jesus called them to leave the comfort and security of their homes so that they would carry the love of God into people's lives. Jesus called them to bring light to the darkness. Christ Himself equipped them to deliver the Gifts of salvation.I never leave my house without three things. They are important. They are necessary. I would go back home to get them if I had forgotten. That is why, as I prepare to leave, I ask myself, “Do I have my wallet, keys, and my phone?” I cannot do most things without them. I need my keys to go anywhere (I live six miles from town) and to get in when I get there. I need my phone to be able to call someone (yes, I am old enough that my iPhone actually gets used to make phone calls), or to look something up. I need my wallet to pay for stuff (but I can do that from my phone now, too), but more importantly than that, my wallet has my ID—my identification. My ID tells me (and others) who I am. I know who I am, and I can go and do what needs to be done.In the waters of your Baptism, Christ claimed you as His own and marked you as one redeemed. In that life-giving water, God bestows on you Gifts. You have God's Gifts to share His love and shine His light. God will do awesome things through you, not because you are awesome but because He has made you awesome. You might be able to leave home without your wallet, keys, or phone, but you can't leave home without Jesus. He called you by name.“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 2, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 9:51-62Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48“And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'” (Luke 9:60)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus has set His face toward Jerusalem, fully intent on His procession to Golgotha. The Samaritans refuse to accommodate Jesus and His disciples on account of His unwillingness to take His face from Jerusalem. James and John seek vengeance. This is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. How dare some Samaritans deal with Him this way! But Jesus calls no fire and brimstone and instead rebukes them, and they go elsewhere.Still on the road, Jesus encounters three men eager to follow Him. The answers Jesus gives seem harsh, but they serve a point. Jesus was moving and orienting Himself towards Jerusalem—not for political gain or religious zeal, but to walk into Jerusalem to die.This world had no place that could receive Jesus from His purpose in Jerusalem. These three men wanted to follow Jesus for their own gain, and for the sake of following Jesus, the man who does the miracles, speaks with authority, and puts the religious rulers in their place.Jesus is more than just a man; He's the Son of God, who leaves behind His Father, His glory, and any place to rest His head. Jesus leaves it all behind because that's not why He took on our flesh and came into this world. Thanks be to God for that.The disciples James and John show the shallow depth of their discipleship at this point, which, by the time they reach Jerusalem, won't be any better. The 72 will be down to Twelve, but all Twelve will abandon the One. Jesus is the One who leaves the world, fulfills the Law to the will of His Father, and instead of taking what is His, He takes what is rightfully ours—our shame, our sin, our death, and punishment—and takes it up with Him on the cross at Golgotha.On that cursed tree, Jesus, seeing all that He had done, finally breathed His last and laid His head to rest.Jesus presses on toward Jerusalem, toward the cross, where we today rejoice in the cross that leads to the empty tomb. We rejoice that we can find our rest in Him who had no place to rest His head, who gives His body for the feast. It is His very crucified, risen, and ascended body that we are united to in our baptisms.May we all lay down our idols, our pride, and our purposes. May we, by the work of the Holy Spirit, deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Yea, Lord, 'twas Thy rich bounty gave My body, soul, and all I have In this poor life of labor. Lord, grant that I in ev'ry place May glorify Thy lavish grace And help and serve my neighbor. Let no false doctrine me beguile; And Satan not my soul defile. Give strength and patience unto me To bear my cross and follow Thee. Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, my God and Lord, In death Thy comfort still afford. (LSB 708:2)- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Reading Luke 15:11-24 where Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, and Jesus also gives a great picture of repentance and the loving forgiveness we receive from God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 15:8-10 where after telling the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin, and how there is much rejoicing before the angels over one sinner who repents. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

June 24, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:19-31“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (Luke 1:64)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Zechariah's troubling visitation has been resolved. A birth of Abrahamic proportions has occurred. Elizabeth, who was once barren, has now given birth to John. Zechariah obeys the words preached to Him by the angel, and with his mouth opened, he praises God.John isn't your typical child. I mean, he was born like any other child and raised like the other children around him. John was different, though; Zechariah tells us as much. God has made Elizabeth's barrenness bear the forerunner of Christ. God has visited His people. John's birth and the opening of Luke's Gospel are grand, but they are about to be overshadowed.The song of Zechariah gives thanks for his son, John the Baptist, and tells us how God will use John. More to the point of John's life, though, it tells us who John the Baptist is setting up.John is the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord, calling God's people to repentance, and unmasking the vipers of the religious elite. Zechariah boldly proclaims that God has visited His people. The one who will follow His son, John, is the one who will redeem them. He is of the house of His servant David, who will bring salvation and show God's mercy, which was promised to their fathers. John the Baptist, the last prophet of the Most High, prepared the way for His Lord, calling sinners to repent and believe in the one who comes after Him: Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.John the Baptist wasn't just a miracle child or just a wild man in the wilderness. He was God's prophet, pointing God's people to where their sins would be forgiven, where their salvation would be secure, and where God's mercy would be revealed.God is still doing this work for you through His preachers so that you might know that God has visited His people and redeemed them through the One John the Baptist points to and the One of whom Zechariah sings. Thanks be to God for John the Baptist, the forerunner, who prepared the way for our Lord to be the Lamb of God who brings salvation and righteousness to all who believe in Him.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, You once proclaimed salvation. Now grant that we may know this salvation and serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Reading Luke 15:1-7 and hearing the parable that Jesus told about the 99 sheep that were safe in the fold and the shepherd going to find the one that ran away. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

June 22, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 8:26-39Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; Proverbs 26:1-28; John 19:23-42“Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.” (Luke 8:37)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus and His disciples have arrived on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The storm has been calmed, but the disciples' unbelief is less calm. Immediately as Jesus stepped out on land, He was met with an accusation. A man possessed with many demons cries out to Him, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me” (v. 28). Jesus, the calmer of storms, the Lord of all creation, yes; but Jesus the tormentor?The demons do what the disciples do not and openly confess who Jesus is, yet this is not a confession of faith. It is a confession of fear and an attempt to take Jesus away from why He came in the first place.So Jesus, Lord of all creation, deals with the demons as He did with the storm. “For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man” (v.29). Jesus, the word made flesh, commands even the demons. At this point, the legion can only submit and beg for mercy. Jesus accommodates them only to send them into pigs, which are then driven into the lake to drown.All the people of this Gentile country are astonished, and yet their unbelief manifests in fear as they ask Jesus to depart from them.Fear not. Fear not the storms of this life; fear not the devil who prowls around, seeking to devour you. Fear not the world whose unbelief fears an almighty God. Fear not, because this almighty God cares for you, just as He cared for those around Him.Jesus doesn't just command creation for His own glory; He sets His glory aside to restore all creation. Jesus doesn't command demons to show His sovereignty. Rather, His sovereignty is revealed by the throne to which He will ascend and reveal Himself as the Son of the Most High God, who dies for you.Jesus, the Son, Who takes all the unbelief, the fear, and the doubt, and by His death and resurrection makes all things new. He makes you new; He makes you His, just like He the man in the Gerasenes His. We do not fear but believe and proclaim all that God has done for us.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding. Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness;  through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Reading Luke 14:31-35 where Jesus continues to teach about the cost of discipleship, and when professing disciples of Jesus aren't really His disciples, they're worthless. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos.

Reading Luke 14:28-30 and continuing the teaching of Jesus on counting the cost of discipleship, considering what we must give up in order to follow Him and enter His kingdom. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:25-27 where Jesus says to His disciples, "Whoever does not hate His own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters cannot be my disciple." Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:12-24 where Jesus, still as a guest in the house of a Pharisee, tells them a parable about a great banquet at which the most unexpected people will be invited. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:1-11 when Jesus visits a Pharisees home and heals a man on the Sabbath, then He teaches the guests a lesson in humility, before God and others. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:31-35 where some Pharisees confront Jesus with a threat from Herod, and Jesus expresses that He cannot be stopped but will accomplish what He came to do. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:18-30 where Jesus tells two parables about a mustard seed and leaven hidden in flour, and then instructs His hearers to enter the kingdom by the narrow door. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:10-17 where Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and He calls to Himself a woman who was crooked and heals her of her infirmity. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:6-9 where Jesus tells His disciples and the people who are there about the barren fig tree, which the master will cut down for it does not bear fruit. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:1-5 where Jesus responds to a couple of scenarios, one where Pilate killed some Galileans and another where a tragic accident occurred, and points them to repentance. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:54-59 where Jesus tells the crowds that they have a responsibility understand what is going on in the world around them and know what's right and wrong. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:49-53 where Jesus looks toward the judgment that will come, and says that He has not come to bring peace but a sword, to set families against one another. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:45-48 where Jesus instructs His disciples to be ready for His return, and gives a warning to that servant who thinks His master is delayed and acts wickedly. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:39-44 where Jesus says that no one knows the hour or the day of the Lord's return, so we must be dressed for action and always be doing the will of Christ! Visit wwutt.com for all our videos.

Reading Luke 12:35-38, where after telling His disciples not to be anxious, Jesus instructs them to be ready for action, that the Lord may find them faithful servants. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:27-34 where Jesus continues to teach His disciples not to be anxious but to seek first God's kingdom, for it is the Father's pleasure to give it to us in Christ.  Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:22-26 where Jesus tells His disciples not to be anxious about their lives, and for us as well understanding what it means to trust fully in Christ Jesus. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:13-21 where Jesus gives the parable of the rich young fool, warning His hearers not to put their trust in riches or in their material possessions but in God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:8-12 where Jesus tells His disciples about bearing witness before men, warns against blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and says the Spirit will be with them. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:4-7 where Jesus tells the disciples to fear not what man can do to you, instead fear God who can cast into hell, but knowing that God cares for us. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:1-3 where Jesus is teaching His disciples, warning them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and also to mindful that every word we say is known by God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:33-54 where Jesus confronts the Pharisees and tells them that the judgment of God has come upon them, for twisting God's word as we see a lot of today. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:29-32 where Jesus rebukes this generation for seeking signs from heaven, and says no sign will be given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:24-28 where Jesus tells a parable about an evil spirit which persistently attacks a person, and Jesus says the person who is blessed is the one who hears the word of God and keeps it. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:14-23 where Jesus casts out an evil spirit that causes a man to be mute, and when the people accuse Him of being of Beelzebul, He turns the accusation back on them. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!