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Though Luke 24:51 intimates it, Acts 1:9 is the only place in the New Testament that graphically depicts the Lord’s ascension. The surrounding text is a semicolon between two exclamation points: Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 24:1-49) (...)

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 (...)

Peter tells an audience in Jerusalem that the resurrected Jesus reigns at God’s right hand, and that Jesus’ ministry continues through his followers, in the power of the Holy Spirit. He delivers the sermon on (...)

The “valley of dry bones” is almost certainly the most beloved and well known of Ezekiel’s visions. The vividness of its imagery, the wonder of its unfolding narrative, and visceral appeal of its symbolism endow (...)

This elegant story is, first and foremost, a dual commentary on human nature and divine character. Yes, it is a story about Israel’s history, although in this case, the primary purpose is not to learn (...)

One week after the Baptism of Our Lord, the lectionary texts from the Old Testament sit us squarely in the promise and pain of servanthood. Whether we accompany the psalmist (Psalm 40:1-11) or gather to (...)

The passage consists of two pericopes, “The Warning against Herod” (Luke 13:31-3) and “The Lament over Jerusalem” (13:34-35). They are located within the so-called Travel Narrative in the Gospel of Luke (9:51-19:27). Ever since 9:51, (...)

Most of the time, Matthew’s story overshadows Mark’s. But when it comes to the Triumphal Entry and the Cleansing of the Temple, our imaginations typically follow Mark’s story line. Matthew’s is quite different. Matthew’s Jesus (...)

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 (...)

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