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The second, longest, and most complex of this Gospel’s narrated exorcisms (see also Mark 1:21-128; 7:24-30; 9:14-29), Mark 5:1-20 is a tale of terror.  Jesus encounters a demoniac who horrifies his neighbors by howling among (...)

As you read this, I’m going to take a wild guess that you’re feeling somewhat stressed and anxious.1 It’s one of the vexing ironies of the Christmas season that the peace it proclaims can be (...)

When interpreting the prophets it is always important to understand the historical context in which the prophetic message was uttered, lest that particular word of the LORD, delivered to a particular people, in a particular (...)

[This overview was co-written by Karl N. Jacobson and Rolf A Jacobson.]1 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 (...)

Wisdom Literature Worship and Preaching Series Introduction: The following commentary and worship “Wisdom Literature” worship and preaching series is designed for congregations that follow the Narrative Lectionary (NL) during the normal North American congregational program (...)

My teacher James Arne Nestingen once said, “Every preacher should preach through the Ten Commandments once every three years.” Ideally, a sermon series on the Decalogue would run twelve weeks — one week to proclaim (...)

The story of the manna from heaven in Exodus 16 indeed can be described as the quintessential image of the God who provides. A recurring theme throughout the biblical traditions, this compelling metaphor for God (...)

Isaiah 55 appears at the end of the so-called “Book of Comfort” (Isaiah 40-55), which is believed to be addressed to the exiles who were returning from Babylon. It appears that Isaiah 40-48 is addressed (...)

This Old Testament reading ranks among the most famous of Old Testament texts. Elijah’s flight to the wilderness and his encounter with God in “a still small voice” (KJV, NKJV) is well known. It is (...)

The building of the temple is a major turning point in the history and religion of Israel. There is mention of such a construction as early as 2 Samuel 7 and it is “on deck,” (...)