The Scriptures Tell You Who You Are | Luke 24:44-53 with Dr. Chris Croghan

In Luke 24, after the resurrection and before the ascension, Jesus once again tells the disciples that everything in Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms was always about him—and then he does what they could never do for themselves: he opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. In this episode we wrestle with the deeply Lutheran claim that understanding Scripture isn’t mastering information, but standing under the Word as it exposes your sin and delivers Christ’s forgiveness. And as Jesus ascends, he leaves his betrayers behind not with shame, but with a message powerful enough to create faith in all nations: repentance and the forgiveness of sins in his name.

GOSPEL 

Luke 24:44-53 

44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you -- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 

50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTION

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 struggling with life’s challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. 

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.

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

Because in the end, it’s not about fixing people—it’s about preaching the Gospel.

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