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Throughout this Gospel, Matthew keeps a close eye on the conflicting expressions of power that distinguish human rulers — whether Herod, Pilate, or the Judean priests and rulers in Jerusalem — from Jesus and the (...)

Habakkuk has in the past been deemed a dangerous book.1 Ulrike Bail writes that in 1940, a church newspaper in Basel Switzerland published a column under the title: “Word on the (Current) Situation” that included (...)

This four-week summer series highlights three biblical books—Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon—that garner little attention in the Revised Common Lectionary and in most mainline churches’ preaching.1 And it is easy to see why. Proverbs (...)

Notes for a 5-week preaching series on the Psalms This worship and preaching series on the Psalms is meant to move through the Psalms in a manner that reflects both how the Psalter progresses, but (...)

Notes for a six-week preaching series on Job.1 These are suggested passages from the book of Job to be used for a sermon series. I’ve sketched a few ideas for each week, but you may (...)

[This overview was co-written by Karl N. Jacobson and Rolf A Jacobson.] The Year of Mark: “God at the Center” Year 2 in the Narrative Lectionary’s (NL) four-year cycle is the Year of Mark. This (...)

First Corinthians 15 is a great way to open discussions about the historical shape of early Christian confession and faith.1 This Pauline letter is one of earliest writings in the New Testament, alongside his Thessalonian (...)

Mark 10:32-52 comprises three interrelated but separable units. All constitute the third revolution of a quadripartite cycle, begun at 8:27-9:1 and repeated in 9:30-37. Location Prediction of the Son of Man’s Destiny Disciples’ Misunderstanding Teaching (...)

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards (1933-2006) once said, “You can put lipstick and earrings on a hog and call it Monique, but it’s still a pig.” Read this Sunday’s Gospel lection. Meet Monique. But make (...)

When Jesus returns to his home place, he meets resistance. Where earlier his family had moved to intervene and bring him home (Mark 3:12), now that he is there, he isn’t welcome. For some time, (...)