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Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 14:43-52. The groups whom Jesus had silenced previously in Holy Week now seek to carry out their violent intent to silence Jesus. In fulfillment of several Psalms, Judas, one of Jesus’ own, cruelly betrays his Teacher and Lord into the hands of the armed crowd with a kiss. The incident threatens to turn to full-scale violence as one of Jesus’ disciples draws a sword to cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants. Jesus speaks up to reveal the outlandishness of what is happening. He had been teaching in the temple day after day; had He been such a threat, surely they would have seized Him then. Yet Jesus recognizes that all of this is happening to fulfill the Scriptures. Even as all His disciples flee from Him, Jesus willingly follows His Father’s will to His suffering and death. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark.

Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 14:26-42. Even with His betrayal, suffering, and death looming, Jesus still sings with His disciples as they go to the Mount of Olives. He bluntly tells His disciples that they will all fall away, as the prophet Zechariah foretold. Peter responds selfishly, contending that he will not. Jesus reveals that Peter particularly will deny Him three times before the night is over, even as all the disciples protest their loyalty. When they reach Gethsemane, Jesus is greatly distressed and troubled; His entire being is sorrowful. He prays with trust in His Heavenly Father’s will. Jesus’ faithfulness stands in contrast to His inner circle, Peter, James, and John, who cannot stay awake with their Lord even for an hour. As His prayer concludes, Jesus is strengthened to face His suffering and death, which is now at hand. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel accordin

Rev. Jason Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 14:12-25. As the LORD delivered His people Israel from death through a sacrificial lamb in the Passover, so Jesus now delivers His people from death by His own sacrifice on the cross. The preparations that Jesus sends His disciples to make are really His own preparations; Jesus is the One giving and preparing this meal. He speaks concerning His upcoming betrayal at the hands of one of His own twelve disciples. Jesus states that this is the way it must be, even as He speaks woe to His betrayer, calling him back from his sin. Even as His betrayal looms, Jesus’ thoughts and actions are for His disciples. He fulfills the Passover by instituting and giving His Holy Supper. He gives His Body with the bread and His Blood with the wine for their forgiveness. Our joy as Christians is to believe Jesus’ words and receive this meal of deliverance from our Savior. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 14:1-11. The events of Holy Week now turn to focus on the Passover. This is not only the Passover Jesus celebrates with His disciples; this is the Passover that Jesus accomplishes for His disciples and for the world in fulfillment of everything the Old Testament has spoken. Though the religious leaders in Jerusalem plot to kill Jesus, it is the Father’s will at work to accomplish the salvation of sinners. The woman who anoints Jesus in Bethany portrays in action what Jesus has been teaching His disciples. She anoints Him for His burial beforehand, confessing the true importance of all that Jesus wins by His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. Though Jesus’ own disciples do not discern the time, misled in their concern for economic matters, this woman recognizes the true worth of who Jesus is and what He has come to do. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron t

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 13:32-37. As Jesus concludes His discourse on the destruction of the temple and His second coming, He knows that His disciples will be tempted toward speculation. He knows that what they need is vigilance, and so He clearly states that only the Father knows the time of the Son’s second coming. The disciples do not need to calculate times and seasons; they need to stay awake. Jesus repeats this command several times at the end of His teaching, making explicit the emphasis that is present throughout. He pictures the lives of His people during the time between His ascension and His return as watchmen. Whatever their work, His people are to stay awake. Whether life is full of earthly blessing or earthly trouble, His people are to stay awake. The temptation is always to fall asleep, to be lulled into security in anything or anyone other than Jesus. Only J

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 13:14-31. Jesus continues to speak to His disciples concerning the destruction of the temple and His second coming. As Jesus’ disciples once saw the abomination of desolation in the temple prior to its destruction, so whenever Christians see heretical teachings working their way into the Church, they flee to the refuge of Holy Scripture. Even in the midst of all the duress prior to the temple’s destruction and in the world before its end, God still intervenes on behalf of His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. His coming is indisputable and for the sake of salvation of His people. In this way, Christians need not be afraid when they see such trouble in the world, for they know that Jesus has spoken of these things beforehand and has promised deliverance. Even as everything else passes away, Jesus gives eternal security in His Word. “The Gospel in Ac

Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 13:1-13. Jesus’ teaching during Holy Week reaches a climax when He leaves the temple for the final time. His words concerning the utter destruction of the temple building left His disciples in shock. This had been the place they knew they would have access to God. In speaking of the building’s destruction, Jesus indicates that He is the new temple; in His flesh, God dwells among His people. He also speaks judgment against those who would find security or permanence anywhere else. As His disciples question Him concerning the timing and the signs that accompany this destruction, Jesus speaks in generalities. He warns them concerning those who would lead them astray to looking for deliverance in anything other than His coming. Even as they face great trouble in this life and persecution for the sake of Jesus’ name, the Lord calls His disciples to the endurance that He gives them through the w

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:38-44. As no one dares to ask Jesus any more questions, He continues His teaching by warning against the scribes and other religious leaders. This warning is necessary because their outward show of piety only covers the evil of their false teaching and refusal to learn the truth of who Jesus is. As they live in pretentious religiosity, they only harm widows, those the Lord particularly desires His people to shower with mercy. In contrast to the scribes, Jesus sees in the temple who puts in a small monetary offering. He commends her because her offering is made out of faith. Even as this example serves to shame and condemn the scribes and religious leaders, the widow’s faith in the grace of God shines through. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel a

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:28-37. The motive of the scribe who comes to question Jesus is less important than the question itself. “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus’ answer ties together love for God and love for neighbor. The scribe responds positively. He recognizes the truth that Jesus has preached previously concerning the role of faith and mercy in the proper use of sacrifices. Jesus tells the scribe that he is not far from the kingdom of God, challenging him to continue listening for that key that he is missing. That key that is needed is the faith that Jesus is the One who perfectly fulfills the love for God and the love for neighbor. The entire Old Testament testifies to Jesus, who is not only David’s son, but David’s Lord. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, IA and St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:18-27. Jesus faces yet another challenge during the early days of Holy Week. The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection and only hold to the five books of Moses, come to Jesus with a case study concerning levirate marriage. They cannot see how their scenario is compatible with the resurrection. Jesus bluntly tells them that they know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. They are looking at the Bible as a mere rule book and do not see the God who reveals Himself in His Word. Jesus teaches them the truth concerning the nature of eternal life, in which death has no more dominion. He further reveals the central truth of who God is. The one true God is the God of the living, which means that all who are His people will rise from the dead. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark.

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:13-17. Despite theological and political differences over paying taxes to Rome, the Pharisees and Herodians find common ground in their hatred of Jesus. During Holy Week, they come to Jesus in an effort to trap Him. As they flatter Him with words they likely do not mean, they end up speaking the truth about Jesus and His judgment. Their words prove true as Jesus skillfully evades their trap and teaches the truth of God’s Word. He forces them to produce the coin used to pay the tax, the coin that bore Caesar’s image and idolatrous inscription. Using His enemies’ answer against them, Jesus refuses to play their game as He upholds the God-give authority of earthly governments, all the while indicating the overarching authority that God has over everything and everyone. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:1-12. Jesus’ parable against the chief priests, scribes, and elders uses Old Testament imagery that describes God’s people Israel as His beloved vineyard. The actions of the tenants in the parable indicate their enmity toward the master. They intend to send him a message by their over-the-top mistreatment of his slaves. Similarly, the religious leaders’ rejection of the LORD’s prophets throughout Israel’s history shows their enmity toward the LORD. Yet the LORD remains true to His character, sending more prophets to call His people to repentance. Finally, He sends His Son, knowing that even He will be rejected. By that very rejection, the LORD works salvation and gives His inheritance to all who put their trust in Jesus. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of

Rev. Mike Newman, president of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 11:27-33. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus’ enemies begin to confront Him. Threatened by the Lord’s actions in Jerusalem the previous two days, they come to Jesus with the false belief that they have authority of their own. They do not trust that authority is God’s gift by which He provides for service for His people, and so they think that they can trap Jesus. As He responds, Jesus does not only masterfully evade their trap; He speaks the Word of God to them in love. Jesus puts the question about Himself to them by asking them about John the Baptist. As the forerunner of the Christ, the Baptist’s ministry is connected intimately to Jesus’ ministry. To believe what John preached is to believe Jesus. Tragically, the religious leaders stubbornly cling to their unbelief instead of honestly answering Jesus’ call to repentance and faith. Throughout the exchange, the Savior is not dist

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 11:12-25. Jesus’ words to the fig tree on His way into Jerusalem on Monday of Holy Week serve to illustrate what He does in the temple that same day. The fig tree Jesus sees is not fulfilling its vocation of producing figs. Jesus speaks words of judgment upon that fig tree as a warning to unfaithful Israel who is not producing the fruit of faith He desires. That lack of faith is precisely what He finds in the temple, where a myriad of religious tourism has replaced the true purpose of the temple to preach Christ crucified. Jesus drives out this distraction and speaks concerning the true purpose of the temple, which He locates now in Himself. As the disciples see the reality of the judgment of the temple in the now-withered fig tree, Jesus encourages them in their faith. The building of the temple has been replaced by Jesus, to whom the faithful people of God pray and in whom th

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 11:1-11. Jesus’ ministry reaches a pivotal moment as He enters into Jerusalem. He instructs two of His disciples very specifically as to where and how they will acquire a colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem. The fervor of the crowd following Jesus grows as they realize that Jesus’ use of a colt signals that He is the promised King in the line of David who comes in humility to save as a sacrifice for His people. Even if the crowd does not fully grasp the truth, they are right to confess Jesus as their King by their use of cloaks and palm branches. They praise Jesus with words from Psalm 118, a psalm that sets the tone for all of Jesus’ saving work during Holy Week. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one d

Rev. Kurt Cockran, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:46-52. Although Bartimaeus is blind, he sees Jesus truly in faith. He comes to Jesus as a little child with nothing, crying out the prayer of every Christian: “Lord, have mercy!” Although the crowd initially rebukes him, Bartimaeus only repeats his prayer louder. Jesus shows mercy by acknowledging and hearing the prayer of this lowly man. Bartimaeus springs forward in hopeful faith. When Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants, Bartimaeus seems to have a better understanding of Jesus than James and John had previously. Bartimaeus requests the mercy of receiving sight, and Jesus is gracious in giving precisely what Bartimaeus asks. By the end of the text, not only has Bartimaeus received physical healing, but he has received eternal healing as well as he follows Jesus in faith. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hi

Rev. Roy Askins, managing editor for The Lutheran Witness, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:32-45. As Jesus continues to lead the way up to Jerusalem, He adds to what He has taught His disciples concerning what awaits Him there. He speaks with great clarity and precision concerning the details of the betrayal, condemnation, mockery, torture, and death He will endure at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles before rising after three days. The disciples once again miss Jesus’ teaching, exemplified by the request of James and John to occupy the places at Jesus’ right and left in His glory. While they have the glory of man in mind, Jesus has the glory of God in mind. This is the glory that belongs to Jesus because He has given His life on the cross between two robbers. That glory is what is given to all who follow Jesus, crucifying their sinful desire for greatness and filling them with a desire to serve each other as Jesus came to serve them by His death. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:17-31. The rich young man stands in contrast to the little children Jesus has just welcomed. Whereas those little children came with nothing and desired to receive from Jesus, this man presumes that he does have something to offer Jesus. He believes he has kept the law. Jesus responds to his law questions with law answers, all the while trying to draw the rich man toward the truth of the Gospel. Out of love, Jesus seeks to show this man his idolatry. When the man leaves sorrowful, Jesus teaches His disciples how riches particularly become an idol that entraps us and prevents us from entering the kingdom of God. Yet what is impossible with sinful humanity is possible with God. Only through the work of Jesus Christ is any sinner brought into the kingdom of God. In His kingdom, the gifts that He bestows far surpass anything that we lose in this world. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-s

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:13-16. This text is far more than a heart-warming scene. Children are brought to Jesus because they are in need of His eternal gifts of forgiveness and salvation, and Jesus desires to give it to them. Jesus’ disciples, however, have failed to recognize their Lord’s priorities. They see children as a hindrance to what they think Jesus’ work as Messiah should be. Jesus teaches and corrects their thinking. He welcomes the children because the kingdom of God belongs to those like them. As children bring nothing of their own but are entirely dependent upon the help of the others, so those who would enter the kingdom of God can bring nothing of their own but instead rely fully upon Jesus as their Savior.  “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:1-12. Jesus’ ministry of teaching continues in the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. In the same area where John the Baptist had once spoken against Herod’s sin against adultery, the Pharisees come to Jesus to test Him with a question about divorce. When Jesus turns the question back to them, they quote from Moses in Deuteronomy 24. Jesus’ response makes it apparent that they are looking at the wrong text because they are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking, “How can a divorce be lawful?” they should ask, “What is marriage?” The answer to that question is found in Genesis 1 and 2, where God creates marriage as the lifelong union of a man and a woman as one flesh. What God has joined together must not be broken by man. The disciples receive the same answer from Jesus privately. These words from Jesus are difficult for us still today because of our own hardness of heart. We must tak