Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. The Bible tells us that wisdom is something that we need to get. So what really is wisdom? While the World may have an understanding of what they consider wisdom to be, it is not the same as what the Bible declares to be wise. What then is truly wise? It is the Word of God, and it is the message of Christ crucified! If you want to be wise, then get the Word! Proverbs 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

Word of the Week: Life

Life can be a pretty complex and abstract concept. But for believers, life is really based around who and what Jesus is. While the world may have many different ideas about what makes up a good life, the Bible is pretty clear. The goal should not be to live the fullest life possible on this earth, rather the goal should be to attain eternal life. How does one do this? There is only one way to eternal life. Jesus is that way, the truth, and THE LIFE!  John 12:25 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Bible Study: Ezra

As we continue our study of the Old Testament books Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew walk us through the book of Ezra. This is one of the historical books of the Old Testament, and fits into the time of Haggai and Zechariah and gives us the historical background for those books. It includes a lot of lists and families which can be difficult to pronounce but help us to understand that time frame where the book of Chronicles leaves off. The book picks up and covers the time of Ezra himself about 60 years later with another return of the captives and some of the reforms that were carried out by Ezra in his work and ministry. The purpose of the book is to show the fulfillment of God's promises to His people!     

Word of the Week: Passover

The word Passover comes up in all three of the Gospels connected to the events of Holy Week. Jesus gathered with His disciples on Maundy Thursday in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for a final time before His death. It was here as they were celebrating the Passover, that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. But the real connection of Holy Week to the Passover is not just on Thursday night but in the events of Friday. Paul says that Jesus is our Passover, who was sacrificed for us. Jesus was the unblemished Lamb whose blood was shed to save us from death. Because of that, the Passover is not just an Old Testament celebration. It is for New Testament believers as well, as well look to the cross of Christ and see our Passover Lamb suffering death for the sins of the world.

CPR: Discussing Holy Week services and the Triduum

As we come to the end of another Lenten season, Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew discuss and describe the connection and celebration of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (with Tenebrae) and Easter Vigil. These three services were once seen and celebrated as one service, beginning on Manudy Thursday, continuing on Good Friday and concluding with the Easter vigil on Saturday evening. They will describe the unique but powerful tradition associated with a Good Friday tenebrae service, or service of shadows which is also an ancient service, and the Easter vigil which points us to Easter. Learn more about these beautiful and meaningful services which are are often lost in our modern celebrations of the death and resurrection of our Savior.  

Bible Study: Holy Week in Matthew

How does Matthew differ from the other Gospels as he describes the events of Holy Week? During this Lenten study of Matthew's Gospel, Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew will highlight some of the unique features of Matthew's description of the final events of Christ life and ministry. Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies play an important role. The words of Jesus take on a very small role, but the words of Jesus that He does record are directed to the Jewish people and the work which Jesus came to accomplish for them and all. Deepen your appreciation of Matthew and his perspective of Christ's suffering and death in this Lenten study!

Word of the Week: Renew

The Lenten season is often described as one of renewal. In our word of the week we will consider the word renew and consider its relation to the season of Lent. As sinful human beings we need to be "re"newed. We are not to be conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind. The world distracts us from the work of God. It is God's work to bring about this renewal in us through His Holy Spirit. This comes about through the power of God and working in His Word and Sacraments. During Lent, this should be our focus. Hearing His Word. Receiving His Sacrament. Through these Means of Grace we will be renewed in mind and spirit.

Hymn Review: Jesus, Refuge of the Weary

Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew take a look at the background and theology of the Lenten hymn penned by Italian reformer Girolamo Savanarola. This is the oldest of the hymn in the Lent section of The Lutheran Hymnal, dating before the time of Luther. It captures the meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus and reflects on how we should react to the suffering and death of Christ for us. Join us for a look at this instructional and reflective "Reformation" hymn on Christ's work for us.

Word of the Week: Intercede

What does it mean to intercede? Well, quite simply it means to go in between, to go on the behalf of one party and plead their case before another. This is something that we sinners need when going to the Holy God. God Himself provides us such intercession. The Holy Spirit takes our prayers and improves them, and brings them to God. And, of course, Jesus Christ is our great go-between. We see this in His office as our Great High Priest. Not only does Jesus go on our behalf to God the Father, but He is also the sacrifice that makes such an intercession possible in the first place. Thanks be to God that we do have Jesus Christ the Righteous! Offered was He for greatest and for least, Himself the victim and Himself the priest!

Bible Study: Matthew

What was everything in the Old Testament pointing to? Matthew tells us in his Gospel. Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of God's promises in the Old Testament. Matthew bridges the Old Testament and the New Testament by showing that Jesus is the promised Savior. Matthew was written originally for the Jews to show that Jesus was the Messiah that they had been waiting for. He highlights the sermons of Jesus. He emphasizes the the theme of the "kingdom" and righteousness, both which would have been important for a Jewish audience. But his details are also beneficial for us still today. Tune in to learn more about this important Gospel and how he points us to Jesus as the Savior.