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Having grown up in churches that sang vigorous hymns about the cross’s redemptive power, I have always been prone to see a bit of Easter in Calvary. It has taken me longer to recognize Calvary (...)

Not surprisingly, the lectionary gives us an epistle reading that deals with baptism for the day of Easter Vigil. Let’s begin by clarifying that in this text Paul isn’t advocating a particular method for or (...)

The several exegetical challenges in the passage itself and in its context need not divert from Paul’s overriding focus on the absolute indispensability of wholehearted trust in God. During Lent, this reminder could not be (...)

There are few texts in the Bible as odd as Genesis 15. The narrative comes to us in a dream-like state as Abram encounters God in a mystical vision. In the vision (or in real (...)

This fascinating passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is part of his larger discussion with them of what it means to be “in Christ.” Paul seeks to distinguish and defend his ministry from (...)

Christ’s bodily resurrection is not a stand-alone miracle. Rather, it has concrete implications for Christians and the world. Christ’s resurrection as the first fruits exemplifies God’s transformative work that will culminate in believers’ resurrection, the (...)

Here Paul grounds his apostolic vocation—including its hardships—in God’s glorious work of unifying Jew and Gentile in Jesus Christ. Although his outward circumstances are humble and, being a prisoner, even shameful, Paul wants the church (...)

Colossians 3:12–17 is an inspiring and lofty vision of what the Christian life looks like. But this vision is not sentimental, and nothing in it is random or boilerplate. Paul is giving practical expression to (...)

There is a plaintive quality to today’s lesson. The passage opens with the Lord beseeching the people to return to the Lord; the opening phrase “yet even now” (Joel 2:12) gives the impression that the (...)

The lectionary calls for reading Hebrews 1:1–14 on Christmas Day, but Epiphany or Eastertide could provide other opportunities for churchgoers to hear its message afresh. “Epiphany” refers to the manifestation of God in Christ, and (...)