In this episode, we ask why Peter responds to Jesus’ promise of suffering and death with, “God forbid it, Lord!” We discover that the cross isn’t something we choose, want, or accomplish—it’s something Christ does for us when our will is at odds with his. Following Jesus isn’t an instruction manual for becoming a better person; it’s the promise that through suffering, death, and resurrection, Christ will give us life.

GOSPEL

Matthew 16:21-28

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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 does Jesus mean when he says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven”? In this episode, we explore why the church isn’t ultimately built on Peter, a pastor, a denomination, or any other person, but on the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah and that his forgiveness defeats sin, death, and the devil. The keys bind what binds us and loose us with Christ’s promise: you are a sinner, but your sin is not the final word over you.

GOSPEL

Matthew 16:13-20

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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

In this episode, we explore one of Jesus’ most memorable encounters: a Canaanite woman who comes to him as an outsider, crosses every boundary, and simply pleads, “Have mercy on me.” As Jesus appears to reject her, she refuses to argue for her worthiness and instead holds him to the promise that his mercy is for sinners—even dogs like her who have nothing to offer but their need. Her “great faith” isn’t her persistence or ability to convince Jesus; it’s the faith that receives his mercy as a gift and trusts that God’s kingdom is not about being treated fairly, but about Christ having mercy on the unworthy.

GOSPEL

Matthew 15:21-28

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

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