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Genesis 1 narrates God’s magisterial creation of our universe in a grand liturgical style, even as it leaves readers with many interpretive possibilities. Awe and wonder I encourage preachers to approach this overly familiar account (...)

Throughout the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we frequently see Jesus using parables to describe the reign of God. Yet the opposite is true in the Gospel of John: Jesus does not use (...)

The Valley of Dry Bones is perhaps the best-known text from the book of Ezekiel. In it, the Spirit of the Lord leads the prophet back and forth throughout a valley filled with bones. Or (...)

As I write this biblical reflection—more theological and historical, likely—I start with a confession. After years of preaching the lectionary texts, and most often choosing the first reading or the psalm for the week, I (...)

Challenges abound for interpreters of this opening section of the Sermon on the Mount.  How does the sermon function, and for whom? Does it set out entry standards for encountering God’s empire, or does it (...)

The question that springs to mind immediately upon reading this text is, “Why is this here?” Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus “cleansing the temple,” but in the synoptic tradition (Matthew, (...)

We begin “the next day” in this passage, because one day has already transpired in verses 19–28, in which John gives testimony about who he is: not the Messiah, nor Elijah, but “the voice of (...)

In the context of God’s long-standing presence with Israel (Matthew 1:1–17), God has initiated the conception and commissioning of Jesus (1:18–25). Jesus is commissioned to manifest God’s saving presence (1:21–23). Here in chapter 2, he (...)

Christian prayer is the spiritual and mystical act of being incorporated into the life of the Son by the Spirit and coming before God the Father, being received as the Son, and speaking to the (...)

The majestically celebratory opening of Hebrews merits a cautious approach at Christmas.1 The author’s portrayal of Jesus as unique and superior comes at the expense of Jewish traditions and practices. Understanding this portrayal can help (...)