Lutheran Illustrations
Law and Gospel, justification by faith, sacramental theology.
Key question: “How does this distinguish Law from Gospel?”
14930 illustrations found
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read this passage in Matthew 11:28-30 as a profound proclamation of the Gospel. Here, Christ offers rest to the weary and burdened, which we understand as the sinner overwhelmed by the weight of the Law and sin. Jesus' invitation is pure Gospel, a promise of grace and rest found in Him alone, apa
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
We read Genesis 17:1-27 through the Lutheran Lens as a narrative that underscores both Law and Gospel. The Law is evident in God's command of circumcision, which exposes humanity's inability to fulfill God's covenant without divine intervention. The Gospel is seen in God's promise to Abraham, pointi
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
We read this passage as an exhortation to remain steadfast in the Gospel through the lens of Law and Gospel. The Law is evident in the call to 'fan into flame the gift of God,' reminding us of our inability to sustain faith by our own efforts. The Gospel shines through in the assurance of God's grac
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as a text where the Law and Gospel are distinctly present. The command to 'be strong and courageous' is a clear presentation of the Law, which exposes our incapacity to fulfill God's demands on our own. Yet, within this command is the Gospel promise — God Himself will be with Jo
Quiet Time: Understanding - Prayer
Consider the image of a quiet lake at dawn. The surface is still, reflecting the soft hues of the rising sun. It is in this stillness that we truly see the beauty around us—each ripple of light, each color blending...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
We read this passage as a profound illustration of the Law and Gospel distinction. The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals the depth of the Law's demands — it shows our inability to fulfill God's command to love our neighbor perfectly, exposing our sin and the old Adam within us. Yet, in the figur
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
We read Genesis 3 through the Lutheran Lens as a foundational text for understanding the distinction between Law and Gospel. In this passage, the Law is vividly displayed through the command not to eat from the tree and the subsequent judgment following Adam and Eve's disobedience. The Gospel, howev
Lutheran Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
We read John 3:16-17 as a profound proclamation of the Gospel, revealing God's unconditional promise in Christ. This passage assures us that God's love for the world is not contingent on human merit but is an act of grace, given freely in the person of Jesus Christ. The Law is implicit in the contex
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
We read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a profound illustration of the theology of the cross. Christ here declares blessings not on those who achieve or succeed, but on those who are poor in spirit, mourning, and meek — positions of weakness where God's grace and mercy are most profoundly needed
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
We read this passage as a profound interplay of Law and Gospel. John's question from prison reveals human doubt and the Law's work in exposing our inability to recognize God's work apart from revelation. Jesus' response, however, is pure Gospel — proclaiming the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, po
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Romans 8:28-39 (Nothing Can Separate Us)
We read Romans 8:28-39 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing this passage as a profound proclamation of the Gospel. The text assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, emphasizing God's unconditional promise and grace. This passage highlights the theology
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:1-12
We read Matthew 5:1-12 as both Law and Gospel. The Beatitudes expose our spiritual poverty, mourning, and meekness, which the Law reveals as our inability to fulfill God's demands. Yet, they also proclaim the Gospel as they promise the kingdom of heaven, comfort, and inheritance — gifts given freely
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son)
We read this passage as a profound illustration of the Law and Gospel distinction. The recklessness of the younger son exposes the Law's work, revealing the depth of human sin and the bondage of the will — the old Adam rebelling against the Father. Yet, the father's unconditional embrace of his repe
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Revelation 21:1-8
We read Revelation 21:1-8 as a profound proclamation of Gospel, revealing the final consummation of God's promises in Christ. Here, the New Heaven and New Earth testify to the eschatological hope secured by Christ's victory over sin and death. The passage assures us of the new creation where God dwe
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
We read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 as a powerful proclamation of the Gospel that delivers the victory of Christ over sin and death. This passage highlights the promise of the resurrection, where the perishable will be clothed with the imperishable. We see the assurance of our future transformation as pu
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Luke 8:1-3
We read this passage as a demonstration of the Gospel at work through the means of grace, particularly through the ministry of Jesus. Luke 8:1-3 shows us how Christ proclaims the good news of the Kingdom of God, which is central to our understanding of the Gospel as God's unconditional promise in Ch
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 4
We read Genesis 4 through the lens of Law and Gospel, understanding it as a vivid account that exposes the pervasive reality of sin (Law) and the enduring promise of God's grace (Gospel). The story of Cain and Abel reveals the depth of original sin, as Cain's jealousy leads to murder, illustrating t
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
We read this passage as a profound illustration of the body of Christ, emphasizing both unity and diversity within the Church. Through the Lutheran lens, this text highlights the Law in exposing our tendency toward division and self-sufficiency, while the Gospel reveals the grace of God in creating
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ruth 3:1-18
In the Lutheran Lens, we read Ruth 3:1-18 through the dual lenses of Law and Gospel. The Law is apparent in Naomi's plan, which reveals human scheming and reliance on our own understanding, highlighting our inability to secure our future apart from God's grace. However, the Gospel shines through Boa
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Luke 2:1-7
We read this passage as a profound proclamation of the Gospel through the humbleness of Christ's incarnation. Here, the birth of Jesus in a manger reveals the theology of the cross, where God chooses the lowly and despised to bring about His salvation, standing in contrast to a theology of glory. Th
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 11:27-12:8
We read this passage through the lens of Law and Gospel, seeing God's call to Abram as a profound act of grace that foreshadows the Gospel. The command to 'go' (Genesis 12:1) exposes the Law, highlighting human insecurity and inability to initiate such a journey of faith. Yet, it is God's promise to
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 50
In Genesis 50, we read Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers as a profound example of the Gospel breaking into a narrative of sin and betrayal. The Law is evident in the brothers' guilt and fear of retribution, but the Gospel shines through Joseph's assurance of God's providential care and his refusa
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 25:31-46
We read this passage as a vivid depiction of the final judgment where the distinction between Law and Gospel is profoundly clear. The Law is apparent in the separation of the sheep and goats — it exposes our inability to live perfectly as Christ commands. Yet the Gospel emerges as we see Christ as t
Living Out Perseverance - Illustration
Consider the life of a gardener, tending to a small plot of land. Each morning, they rise early, armed with a spade and a heart full of hope. The soil is often hard and unyielding, the seeds seem so small,...