Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Christ the Rock Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Revelation 4. “On each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes.” In Revelation 4 John’s perspective is spirited away from Asia Minor to God’s throne room. Much is familiar—a door, the voice, white robes, the crowns. The church and our worship are windows to heaven. But there are these four living creatures and “twenty-four elders.” The elders represent God’s people old and new, the tribes of Jacob’s twelve sons and the church of the Lord’s twelve apostles. The creatures, however, represent all creation: an ox for the livestock, a lion for the beasts of the field, an eagle for the birds of the heavens, and human face for mankind. They worship God “day and night” around “a sea of glass.” God is putting all six days’ creation into perfect order, removing all waves and chaos, perfecting what He started in Genesis. Christ gives us thrones and crowns that we might fall down i

Rev. Kevin Golden, pastor of Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Revelation 3. “You are dead.” “You have kept my word.” “You are wretched, poor, blind, and naked.” The Lord Jesus sees all and knows all, and He knows “the works” of all churches, symbolized in Revelation 3 in the historic churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. We look at some churches and see vitality or an abundance of resources, but all that could be death and poverty from Christ’s perspective. We have to see beyond the “name” of branding and reputation to see the name of identity—only Christ’s Word is gold, and only His life of good works in us is vitality. Although Philadelphia had “but little power,” they were true “Jews,” true members of the tribe of Judah because of Christ “who has the key of David.” Baptism gives us our truest identity in the immovable Christ despite the world’s shifting opinions and appearances.

Rev. John Lukomski, retired LCMS pastor and co-host of Wrestling with the Basics, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Revelation 2. Stars, lampstands, angels and churches: one thing is clear, these letters in Revelation 2 are not John’s private letters to select individuals, but Christ’s own words meant for the whole church. The first letter is for the church in Ephesus. They weren’t struggling with emotions, but with actions, the fruit of our faithfulness to Christ (Jn 14:15). As for Smyrna, they were beset by intense persecution, so Christ encourages them to see their spiritual splendor. Pergamum and Thyatira have demonstrated endurance and good works, but they have also tolerated immorality which threatens to destroy them (see the episode on Zechariah 3 for more on the white stone!). We see ourselves in these churches, weak in ourselves and yet conquerors in Christ.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in North St. Louis County, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Revelation 1. “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore.” Christians shouldn’t be scared of Revelation; it’s the language of our “Sunday” worship and our tradition! And more importantly, it all points to Jesus Christ as our Savior who conquers our enemies and says “Fear not.” Chapter 1 describes the book as a “revelation” or an “apocalypse,” in the same way that Daniel and Zechariah contain apocalypses: Jesus removes the veil to show us the world from a spiritual perspective, especially past and present events. Just as God is Creator, so Christ is the Alpha and the firstborn from the dead. Just as God will bring the new creation, so Christ is the Omega who will judge the living and the dead.

Rev. Christopher Maronde pastor of St. John Bingen in Decatur, Indiana, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 14. “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two.” As the Lord Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, so shall He descend there to render judgment. The talk of geography and weather however is meant to remind us of the Exile and the Exodus. This fourteenth and final chapter of Zechariah retells the previous two to show that God’s preservation will not be easy or without casualties. The Hasmoneans withstood the siege at great cost, and the church suffers great loss even as God sees us through hard times. Yet Christ comes to bring us “living water” and the tree of life, the new day of the new creation with sure and certain peace.

Rev. Steven Theiss, Retired pastor in Frohna, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 13. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” After waves of disciples had left Him, our Lord quoted these words from Zechariah 13 to signal that the Twelve were about to abandon Him as well. Even in the centuries since, waves of sheep have wandered off from the church, and disasters have scattered us at times. Yet through it all, God “refines” us like silver and gold, and we never stop gathering as God’s people, albeit in different forms. When our Lord was pierced, “a fountain opened” in His side to give us the Sacraments, which make us part of His body. God refined His people as the Maccabees purified the Temple, and we look forward to the day when God will make us totally pure in the new creation.

Rev. Doug Nicely, pastor of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 12. “When they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn.” Zechariah 12 begins the final oracle of the book, and again we have a passage very prominently quoted in the New Testament. When Christ was pierced by the spear, we were made members of His body. In Him we are part of the true temple and the immovable rock. God foreshadowed this when He defended Judah and Jerusalem against their besieging enemies, making Jerusalem an immovable “heavy stone.” Although God’s people mourn their sin and their pierced king, sometimes in isolation, in the resurrected Lord we shall never be moved.

Rev. Nathan Meador, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 20. “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!” Sometimes it feels like God uses Scripture to speak directly to us, in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic or whatever else. What beautiful prayers of peace we have in the Psalms! Psalm 20 originally spoke of David going off to battle, sent from God’s sanctuary to defend His people. When David was saved, the people were saved. When Christ was raised from the dead, we received eternal life. We are sent to serve others even when we feel like hiding in fear; Christ wins the battle and the war. Our trust is not ultimately in chariots or vaccines, but Christ alone.

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 11. God’s wrath against “the shepherds” continues in Zechariah 11. This time, God has Zechariah become a literal shepherd for a month as a living parable for the people. He symbolizes the reality that God is our true shepherd, who guided His people with the staffs of “Favor” and “Union.” In the end, the staffs are broken, and the people are given over to the “worthless shepherd who deserts the flock,” as Zechariah throws his 30 days’ wages into the Temple. The leadership of God’s people became corrupt, selling them out to the foreign powers that were slaughtering them. It was all upside down, both at the Maccabean Revolt but especially at our Lord’s birth, when Judas’s 30 pieces had to be thrown out of the Temple, not into it. Only Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Priest and King who selflessly protects His people.

Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 10. “The people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.” The previous chapter flows seamlessly into Zechariah 10, but the emphasis on the rulers and “shepherds” of Israel becomes even more prominent. These words seem to anticipate the Maccabean Revolt, but their greater fulfillment is found in Christ. Christ had compassion on the people and made them lie down in green pastures to feed the five thousand. He is “the Good Shepherd” and “the Lamb” who defeats the horsemen of Zechariah and Revelation in spiritual warfare. Only Christ’s kingdom combines physical and spiritual restoration in the resurrection. Focused on Christ we will not be led astray to either extreme.

Rev. John Lukomski, Retired LCMS pastor in Southern Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 9. “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.” Quoted in both Matthew’s and John’s gospel accounts, Zechariah 9 is best known for the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Yet for all the humility, this chapter proclaims military glory. The king rides in on a donkey because he seems to have defeated all the enemies, including the relentless Phoenicians and Philistines. Historically this fits with Alexander the Great, whose successors were defeated by Zion’s “sons” in the Maccabean Revolt. Yet only Christ defeats Satan and His demons. Only the kingdom of heaven offers lasting peace.

Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 8. “The LORD of hosts” is repeated 10 times as Zechariah 8 powerfully extends and concludes the previous chapter. Although He is the God of all the nations of the world, He is jealous, jealous, jealous for the nation of Israel in particular. The word in Hebrew means “exclusively devoted to”—God is not polygamous or unfaithful in His love for Israel. God enables the Temple to be finished. He gives peace and prosperity so that their “hands [may] be strong” to finish the work. He enables His people to live in righteousness. By God’s grace, we may be on the side of “truth and peace. The resurrected Lord claims us in baptism and turns our weeping and fasting into joy and celebration.

Rev. Brian Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 7. Almost two years after the visions, Zechariah addresses a reasonable and serious question in chapter 7: is it time to stop mourning the Exile and to start celebrating the Temple? As its reconstruction neared completion, God’s people were at a turning point. God answers a question with a question: While the reasons for fasting and mourning the Exile were good, what did God actually command? Have we lost sight of our good intentions and begun to lie to ourselves like Walter White (Breaking Bad spoiler)? God’s people are not doomed to repeat history; the sinful nature never learns or gets better, but the Spirit of Christ is stronger than our sinful nature.

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 6. More horses of different colors! Like the first chapter, Zechariah 6 describes heavenly patrolmen who serve the God of Israel, reporting to God on the happenings of Earth to its four corners, represented by the four colors. This time however the horses ride out in chariot formation from bronze mountains. This spiritual show of power signals that the God of all nations has acted in behalf of Israel. Although they’re a small vassal of Persia, God orders the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak to be fitted with a gold and silver crown. Royal roles converge in a rebuilt temple, because God Himself is king and priest in Christ His temple. He gives us peace, power, and forgiveness to work with Him in blessing.

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, Texas, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 5. A giant flying scroll and a woman in a basket! Zechariah 5 continues the symbolic visions of people and things associated with the Temple. The larger-than-life scroll (30 feet by 15 feet) had the same measurements as the Temple porch where sermons were given. Amist Israel’s reconstruction of the Temple, God Himself was preaching and purifying them from the oaths of theft and deception. As for the woman in the basket—this was no ordinary basket. An ephah basket was a unit of measure, and this woman was found wanting. Why a woman? While “iniquity” (ʿāwōn) is a little ambiguous, “wickedness” (rišʿâ) is one of many Hebrew abstract nouns like “wisdom” which are poetically represented by women. Jesus Christ Himself, the ultimate messenger of God, comes to purify His bride the church that we may bless the entire world.

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’Shalom in St. Louis, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 21. No mere military anthem, Psalm 21 emphasizes God from the outset: “O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices.” Although David praises God for answering his particular prayers, the focus is not on individuals but the whole Davidic line and the whole people of God. David had only begun to discover God’s goodness. God promised to bless the Davidic line “forever and ever,” and each king He protected for “length of days”—but only to Jesus Christ the true king did He give eternal resurrected life. Christ became like us, God’s “enemies,” so that we might share in His feast and celebration.

Rev. William Foy, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 4. Zechariah’s angel guide tells him to snap out of his daze—these visions are not meant for his personal enjoyment, but for preaching to the people! In chapter 4, Zechariah sees two golden lampstands. Each has an olive tree feeding a giant oil bowl on top. Each bowl is attached to seven lamps, which in turn have seven “lips.” However you draw it, the lamps look like extensions of the olive trees. God’s Spirit is the oil that lights the lamps of His people. Israel’s leaders, Joshua and Zerubbabel, are humble conduits. Like pastors, they simply pass along God’s own abundance. God was the one enabling the construction of the Temple, and God is the one who builds Christ’s church through the sacraments.

Rev. Daniel Olson, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 3. Why is the high priest wearing filthy robes, and why is Satan standing next to him? More important for chapter 3 however is the third figure: the Angel of the LORD, the Lord Christ before His birth. He commands Satan to back down, cleanses Joshua the priest of sin, and dresses him like a proper high priest—Christ is both the fulfillment and the foundation of the priesthood. Joshua is then presented with a seven-faceted stone with a mysterious inscription, possibly referenced in Revelation 2:17. Christ was at work to rebuild the temple and later to re-introduce God’s Word through Ezra, since Christ is both temple and Word Himself.

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of “Wrestling with the Basics” on KFUO Radio and retired pastor in Southern Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 2. In Zechariah’s next vision, he overhears the conversations of angels working together on Jerusalem’s reconstruction. Although a “measuring line” was promised back in chapter 1, here in chapter 2 its purpose is made clear. It was meant for surveying, not for putting limits on God’s city: it will be a boundless city of multitudes with “a wall of fire all around.” Ultimately, the success of God’s people does not depend on our efforts but God’s faithfulness. Despite outward appearances, God is invisibly at work protecting us. He protects us like His own pupil, “the apple of His eye.” He is fiercely protective, and to poke His eye is to invite a swift reaction. Our Lord Jesus was sent to dwell in our midst and to condemn the enemies of God for our salvation.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in North St. Louis County, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 1. As the twin prophet of Haggai, Zechariah provided a heavenly perspective on God’s command to rebuild the Temple. Although this young man bore the stamp of one born and raised in Babylon, He confirms that God has not changed despite shifting circumstances and uncertain times. In a dream he sees a man on a red horse in the midst of a glen of myrtle trees. He is no ordinary man; he is “the angel of the LORD,” the commander of the angel horsemen who patrol the earth. He pleads with God in behalf of Judah, and God promises to rebuild Jerusalem and to dispatch the “four horns” who have scattered Judah. In this we have a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, superior to all the angels of God, who pleads for us sinners as our priestly intercessor to secure our forgiveness and salvation.