You don’t become a saint by finally getting over your selfishness, proving your virtue, or living up to the Beatitudes. You become a saint when Christ puts you to death and raises you to new life by speaking his promise to you. This All Saints Sunday, we hear how Jesus blesses sinners in the middle of mourning, need, and persecution—and gives us a peace this world cannot provide: the certainty that we belong to him.

GOSPEL

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

WOMEN’S ORDINATION PAPER

Luther House of Study has published a new paper, Ordination of Women by Evangelical Lutherans Revisited, by Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson. The paper examines the biblical passages commonly cited against women’s ordination, the Lutheran Confessions, Martin Luther’s writings, and the arguments of Lutheran theologians on both sides of the question. The authors argue that neither Scripture nor the Lutheran Confessions prohibits women from being ordained to the pastoral office. You can read the full paper for free here: Women’s Ordination Paper Link

CARE OF SOULS: DEATH

In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.

Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.

Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:

• How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?
• What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?
• How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?
• What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?
• Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?

With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.

Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.

Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Reformation Day isn't about celebrating how much better Lutherans are at getting Christianity right; it's about hearing the promise that sets sinners free. Jesus says that even those who believe in him are slaves to sin, and that freedom comes not from our ability to remain faithful, but from the Son who gives us a permanent place in God's household. In this episode, we explore why the Christian life isn't about proving that we're free, but receiving Christ's Word when sin, suffering, and doubt tell us otherwise.

GOSPEL

John 8:31-36

31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"

34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

WOMEN’S ORDINATION PAPER

Luther House of Study has published a new paper, Ordination of Women by Evangelical Lutherans Revisited, by Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson. The paper examines the biblical passages commonly cited against women’s ordination, the Lutheran Confessions, Martin Luther’s writings, and the arguments of Lutheran theologians on both sides of the question. The authors argue that neither Scripture nor the Lutheran Confessions prohibits women from being ordained to the pastoral office. You can read the full paper for free here: Women’s Ordination Paper Link

CARE OF SOULS: DEATH

In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.

Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.

Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:

• How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?
• What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?
• How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?
• What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?
• Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?

With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.

Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.

Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

What happens when you use God’s Law to prove that you’re righteous, only to discover that it condemns you instead? In this episode, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes, but Jesus turns the trial around and exposes the very hypocrisy they’re trying to hide. The Law offers no loophole and no escape from accusation—but Christ enters that accusation himself, suffers what our sin deserves, and speaks the word we cannot give ourselves: forgiveness.

GOSPEL

Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" 21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

WOMEN’S ORDINATION PAPER

Luther House of Study has published a new paper, Ordination of Women by Evangelical Lutherans Revisited, by Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson. The paper examines the biblical passages commonly cited against women’s ordination, the Lutheran Confessions, Martin Luther’s writings, and the arguments of Lutheran theologians on both sides of the question. The authors argue that neither Scripture nor the Lutheran Confessions prohibits women from being ordained to the pastoral office. You can read the full paper for free here: Women’s Ordination Paper Link

CARE OF SOULS: DEATH

In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.

Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.

Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:

• How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?
• What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?
• How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?
• What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?
• Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?

With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.

Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.

Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate