Illuminated Lamb
Exploring the themes of Christ and light as found in the Bible
50 episodes
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monthly cadence
English language
https://illuminatedlamb.com/feed/podcast/
Episodes
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Exploring the themes of Christ and light as found in the Bible
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In this episode, two kinds of biblical meditation/reflection are discussed…contrasting and cross-referencing. Contrasting reflection looks the opposite of another text. Cross-referencing reflection brings in other passages related to the topic on which you are reflecting. We reflect on the topics of rest and burden, as found in Exodus 5:4-9 (the Egyptian Pharaoh who commands the Israelites to return to their burdens) and in Matthew 11:28-30 (Christ, who offers to the exhausted and those unable to carry a heavy load, His true rest for our souls). We also briefly examine, whether knowingly or no
A helpful technique in reflecting on a passage from the Bible is understanding what the opposite of the text looks like and see the contrast. Scripture already supplies such examples as Psalm 1:1-2, Proverbs 8:10 and Romans 8:6. In this episode, we apply this technique to Philippians 4:8. The apostle Paul supplies a number of things to think on as a Christian. Setting up a list of the opposites places Paul's actual text in much sharper focus. It helps us to build up our mindset in Christ (the Greek word "phronema" points to this. It is an important part of Eastern Orthodox theology). It is an
What happens when we face an "end of path?" There are times when the circumstances we face make it seem impossible to move on or to recover. Western Europe faced a similar crisis over 600 years ago. Half of Europe died from the plague in the mid 14th century. A crisis of church leadership caused there, in the late 1300s and early 1400s, for there to be two (and at one point, three) popes, each claiming supreme headship over the church. During that time, how would one know to follow? Their resolution was an emphasis on prayer and the study of Christ. We face "end of path" crisises in our own li
Matthew 13 offers us several of the Lord Jesus' parables. This episode examines one of those…the parable of the wheat and the tares/weeds. The Lord gives us the instruction to pay careful attention to His interpretation of the parable. The parable has an application for us in the here and now. We live in the time before the wheat and tares will be permanently separated. What does it mean for us to know that good and evil are growing up, side-by-side, in our time? We examine the current phenomena of "doomscrolling." It is, in light of this parable, a lopsided way to view the events of our world
People love to collect things. Collections can include a wide range of objects including thimbles, automobiles, books and Bibles. We truly have treasure in our print and digital copies of Scripture. Yet, the Bible points to an even greater way that a Bible collection can be produced. It is made up of Scripture which we have stored/treasured in our hearts and minds. This episode examines Psalm 119:11. We look at some reflections from the 17th century British minister Thomas Manton for insight on the value and great help an internal Bible collection can be to others and to you.
Today, we are blessed to have texts of Christian prayers from over the centuries. In this episode, we read a prayer from 11th century England for the spread of Christ's kingdom across the world. This prayer is not simply a kind of museum piece. It's words ring as true and relevant to our time as it did a thousand years ago. Here is an instance in which 11th century devotion can shape ours today.
We live in a distracted time. Our culture and technology demand our time. We need wisdom to recognize and avoid distraction. In contrast, the Bible calls us to be attentive. With over a thousand references in the Bible to behold and gaze, we are being instructed to take the time to observe and pay attention to what God wants us to notice. This requires more than a glance. This episode lays out some scriptural calls to behold. These calls are more than just how God addressed those He spoke to, back then, in Bible times. These calls to behold are present day instructions to stop, look, observe a
Are you a secret Christian? An answer in the 21st century and an answer in 17th century England would be different. Rather than trying to prevent others from knowing you are a believer in Christ, in the 17th century, a believer carried on three types of spiritual duties (Public - Fellowship with large numbers; Private - Fellowship with smaller numbers of persons; Secret - The spiritual duties/activities carried on by oneself in solitude. This episode reviews these and looks to encourage us in the "secret duties", not so much as to check off a spiritual activity list but with the mindset of tak
The Bible is clear that the Lord Jesus, in His humanity, was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. There is biblical evidence to show that Christ's resurrection occurred in a never before used tomb. In essence, a virgin tomb. The episode explores how this is far more than a point of biblical trivia. It has implications for the future rising from the dead for every believer in Christ.
There is a very interesting picture of the two paths of human eternal destiny. They can be seen on the three crosses of Calvary. The imagery of salvation and damnation can be seen through two thieves crucified with Christ on Good Friday. This episode explores how what played out on Calvary two thousand years applies to every human, past, present and future.
For centuries, well into the 1700s, March 25th was celebrated as New Year's Day. But why March 25th? This episode explores how a Christ-centered European culture marked time by Christ. The choice of March 25 as New Year's Day has implications and lessons for us, even today.
The 17th century Puritans knew their theology along with having devoted hearts for Christ. This episode shows one, great example. It is a short prayer found in the writings of the English minister John Flavel (1627-1691). It sounds like the Eastern Orthodox Jesus Prayer. Yet it calls upon Jesus, whose name means, "God Saves" to be a Savior to His people.
This is an update and clarification for the "Reading Outside The Box" episode. The clarification is to clearly state, and not assume, that the audience will understand Jesus Christ as being both fully God and fully human at the same time. While Christ has both fully human and fully divine natures, He is not split up into two persons. Two natures; One Person.
Ideas have implications. Statements in the Bible have implications as well. In this episode, Hebrews 1:3 is examined alongside Luke 2:8-9 (as well as references to Ezekiel 10). Christ is said to be the radiance of the glory of God. On the night of His birth, shepherds encountered the glory of the Lord. Was Christ specially present to the shepherds as the glory of the Lord while, as a fully human baby, He laid in a manger in nearby Bethlehem?
This episode examines John 17:23. It is taken from Christ's High Priestly prayer on the night before His death. In this verse, we discover something staggering. The Lord is praying for those who would come to believe in Him. If we are believers, that's us, now. He prays that the outside world would perceive that the love which God the Father has for His Son is the same love He has for us.
This episode examines how we seek spiritual comfort in the midst of sleepless nights. It is even reflected in our online searches. Spiritual counsel is given for looking to re-align our worried thoughts with a godly perspective. Psalms 121 and 139 can be of particular comfort. The episode closes with a prayer for those seeking the peace of Christ in dark nights.
This episode contains the reading of a prayer from the eighth century. It is a treasure of our Christian past and gives us insight into the prayer life of our ancestors in the faith.
This episode looks at getting back to basics as a believer in Christ. An example of the need for this is explored in two ways. The first is looking at the example of the 20th century golfer Jack Nicklaus, perhaps the best golfer of his era. He would annually visit his first golf instructor to ask him to "Teach me how to play golf." The second is found in the Lord Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7). He commended for them for their handling of the truth but rebuked them for leaving their first love. The rebuke was so severe that their very existence as a church was threate
This episode looks at two different types of "Great Commission" found in the Bible. The first is found in Genesis 1:28 when Adam and Eve are instructed to be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth. The second, found in Matthew 28:19-20, along with texts from Acts 1 and Luke 24 instruct Christ's followers to fill the Earth with followers of Christ. Both commissions involved those being sent as receiving the blessing of God.
This episode examines the critical need for us to remember Jesus Christ. Passages from Deuteronomy 8 and 2 Timothy 2 are used to point out how important this is. Some (hopefully) practical ways of doing this are discussed.
This episode examines how the Bible, which contains the God-breathed words of God, contains some unusual texts which point to the power of God's Word as the Living Word.
This episode links together Psalm 119:105 with Revelation 21:23 to point out that the Word of God, both in print (the Bible) and living (Christ) provide light for our journey in life. This video is based on my very first YouTube released in December 2018
This episode looks at an interesting, alternate reading of Isaiah 9:6. Based on the Greek Septuagint translation, the One predicted is referred to as The Angel of Great Counsel. Within the episode, there is a discussion of the history of the Septuagint and a possible explanation for why this wording was chosen. An angel can also be a messenger. Christ, who is clearly not a created angel, has been seen as the Messenger of Great Counsel within church history and devotional life from the very start.
This episode looks at how the New Testament addresses the humbling and exalting of Jesus Christ. It's even seen in how the New Testament writers address Him. We are also reminded that, for followers of Christ, we too, are following a pattern of humbling in this life, and await a glorified exaltation with Christ, in the next.
This episode centers on readings from "The Great Rest Giver" by William Haig Miller. It was published in London about 1891. Walt found a print version of the book in a large Detroit bookstore. The theme centers on Matthew 11:28-30 in which Christ speaks of true, Christ-given rest.
