Sharper Iron — Advent with the Prophets: The King Who Reigns on David’s Throne Forever

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 33:14-16.

Jeremiah is often called the Weeping Prophet. He suffered greatly for his faithful preaching to Judah concerning the judgment that the LORD was bringing upon Jerusalem. Jeremiah actually lived through that destruction; he and other faithful residents of Judah mourned greatly. Yet Jeremiah’s preaching also includes words of promise and hope for these exiles. The LORD promises the days when He will fulfill His promise to place a king on David’s throne forever. This promise is not fulfilled by a man who sits in Jerusalem, but by Jesus, who reigns over all things as the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord. He is the righteous Branch that sprouted forth from a dead line, who has executed justice and righteousness for our sins in His death on the cross. He has taken our sins away in forgiveness and bestowed upon us His holiness, so that He truly bears the name: “The LORD is Our Righteousness.”

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Lord‘s Eternal Covenant with David

¹⁴“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ¹⁵In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).