Listen Closely
Third Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Ezekiel 33:7-20 Ezekiel 33:7-20 The prophet Ezekiel is known for his harrowing “wheel within a wheel” vision. But the book is filled with amazing...
Hard Words, Broken Heart
Second Sunday in Lent, Gospel, Luke 13:31-35 Luke 13:31-35 We left Jeremiah speaking tough things to his people. And here we have the “Messenger of the Covenant” bringing a hard word to those same people. Amazing how the consistency of God’s heart shows itself in his...
A Beautiful Turn
Second Sunday in Lent: Epistle, Philippians 3:17-4:1 Philippians 3:17-4:1 If you love to read then chances are you love words that make reading possible. And poetry is the place where most of those magical uses of words appear. It's a genre that lends itself to...
OT Itching Ears
Second Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Jeremiah 26:8-15 Jeremiah 26:8-15 Itching ears. Aren’t we warned about those in the New Testament? Yes. Paul reminds Timothy that in the last days people will not put up with good...
It is Written
First Sunday in Lent: Gospel, Luke 4:1-13 Luke 4:1-13 No better direction could come to God’s people at the beginning of the Lenten season than to stick with the written Word. In our Gospel...
Too Easy?
First Sunday in Lent: Epistle, Romans 10:8b-13 Romans 10:8b-13 Easy believism! Cheap grace! Oh the epithets hurled at those who believe in Christ. The Bible actually speaks of believing “into” Christ and I...
Placing His Name
First Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Lent is given to us by the Lord, through the church and her history as a season of repentance and preparation. Advent is precisely the same, although perhaps because of...
Hearing and Speaking
The Transfiguration of our Lord: Gospel, Luke 9:28-36 Luke 9:28-36 What a marvelous Sunday on the calendar of the Church. We celebrate together an unveiling of sorts. The magi have had their epiphany. Now the inner circle of Jesus gets a turn. And not because they are better or...
Right Refrains
The Transfiguration of our Lord: Psalm, Psalm 99 Psalm 99 Jesus the Son of God displayed in glory. That is the theme of the Transfiguration. Perhaps no more stunning vision of God in the Scriptures save the anticipated appearing of...
The Real Promised Land
The Transfiguration of our Lord: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 It seems rather unfair. At least to me. Every time I read the account of Moses’ burial on Mt. Nebo and the Lord’s restricting him from entering the Promised...
