Narrative Lectionary

The birth of Jesus with shepherds
Commentary on Luke 2:8-20

As with the story of Jesus being born in a barn (see the commentary on [...]

You will find a child
Commentary on Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Many of us adorn our homes and churches with beloved [...]

Annunciation to St. Joseph
Commentary on Matthew 1:18-25

Any New Testament text, including this one, comes from a time, place, culture, and language [...]

lighthouse shining against deep blue sky
Commentary on Isaiah 42:1-9

Today’s lection is one of the four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah. The church has nearly [...]

Commentary on Esther 4:1-17

Week 5: June 28, 2026 Preaching text: Esther 4:1-17; accompanying text: Luke 9:23-24 Ruth 1: [...]

Shop worker grinding down sword
Commentary on Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; then 2:1-4

The narrative account in Isaiah [...]

Dear standing in forest
Commentary on Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:[3b-6] 17-19

Although at first glance Habakkuk [...]

Commentary on Micah [1:3-5]; 5:2-5a; 6:6-8

Prophesying toward the end of the eighth century BCE, Micah [...]

Naaman is cured from leprosy
Commentary on 2 Kings 5:1-15a

In the Year 1 cycle of the Narrative Lectionary, this story about Elisha’s healing of [...]

Judgment of Solomon
Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4-9 [10-15] 16-28

The passage begins with Solomon’s sacrifice to the LORD at [...]