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As truncated by the Revised Common Lectionary, this text is as unpromising as it is repulsive. Without warning we are thrown headlong into the furious conclusion of an orthodox if long-winded sermon (Acts 7:2-50, appearing (...)

We ought to first note that the lectionary this week has skipped over I Peter 2.1-18. The very important passage in I Peter 2.4-10 will be next week’s text. The creators of the lectionary have (...)

In its narrative context, this pericope reveals a number of things about the person and ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. 1. Jesus’ ministry is aligned with God’s purpose as it is revealed (...)

The Gospel lesson for this day presents the second of seven pericopes in Matthew’s Gospel dealing with John the Baptist: 3:1-12 the ministry of John is reported 3:13-17 John baptizes Jesus 9:14-15 John’s disciples ask (...)

With its focus on Joseph as the chief character, Matthew’s unique story of Jesus’ birth will probably not be the model for any children’s Christmas pageant, in many of which Joseph seems to walk in (...)

The difficulty of today’s text is perhaps also its genius: God is with us-and the consequences are altogether ambiguous. Properly understood, is that not the ambiguity of Advent itself? God is coming: Rejoice! Or, God (...)

What is it that we most deeply hope for, long for, or expect in our lives for the present or for the future? If we were to fill in the dots and draw the picture- (...)

Luke 13:31-35 begins with a warning from the Pharisees for Jesus about Herod’s plan to kill him, but it becomes a reflection on the nature of Jesus’ life and mission (which reach their ultimate goal (...)

This three-week series, with readings primarily from the New Testament, serves as a sort of throwback. By “throwback” I mean that creeds are typically the result of a concerted effort to “codify” a kind of (...)

Initial impressions of Hebrews might suggest that the writer is detached from any context.1 The opening chapter takes people into the heavenly realm of the angels. In what follows the author seems to live in (...)