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John communicates much of the message of the Book of Revelation in images, that is, in word-pictures. While Revelation 21:1-6 contains some imagery, its method of communication is a little more direct and propositional. This (...)

Psalm 67 begins with a prayer for blessing that draws its words from the great priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 (verse 1). In the Numbers passage God directs Aaron and his descents to bless the (...)

Psalm 97 appears in a grouping of psalms that have as their main subject the reign of God (Psalms 93, 95-99; see also Psalm 47). Scholars often refer to these psalms as “enthronement psalms” because (...)

This creation psalm celebrates the goodness, splendor, complexity, and interrelatedness of creation, which reflect God’s wisdom. With the words “your works” and the subsequent naming of elements of nature, Psalm 104 celebrates the world as (...)

This passage begins with what is surely one of the most familiar parts of the New Testament, though perhaps in its less familiar form: Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer. Though the preacher might be (...)

Hosea 11 depicts God’s compassion for God’s people despite their rejection.   It offers a fresh take on the sometimes-stale metaphor of God as parent, and it daringly explores the possibility of divine emotion and (...)

We expect the gospels, perhaps Luke especially, to reassure us that we find security in Jesus Christ. What we sometimes neglect is that the gospels also speak about our condition and obligations in ways that (...)

This passage offers a test for preachers — really for any Bible readers. What will we do with it? The test is: to what other passages will we turn to make sense of Jesus’ words? (...)

Luke 15 begins with the ever-present concern for the company one keeps. As it is said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In the ancient world, as with today, individuals were concerned that those with (...)

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus provides us with a parable about the necessity of persistent prayer. Jesus’ parable falls near the end of his journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:27) and immediately follows his teaching about the (...)