Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 You simply cannot, in my opinion, read and understand the first chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians without sighing deeply and declaring...
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Micah 6:1-8 Micah 6:1-8 I remember when I became a Christian as a college student in Oregon, the Jesus movement was waning in California. But one of the strong byproducts of that movement was its...
Third Sunday After the Epiphany: Gospel, Matthew 4:12-25 Matthew 4:12-25 In this wonderful season of the Epiphany, biblical discussions easily move to light. Our Old Testament reading was the source of a quote found in our Gospel for the week dealing...
Third Sunday After the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Paul had a full plate in Corinth. There were doctrinal issues. There were relational issues. There were issues of sin without repentance. I know...
Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Isaiah 9:1-4 Isaiah 9:1-4 God is all about rescue. From the earliest pages of the scriptures we see God in rescue mode. Not frantically. Not out of sorts. But flexing his “saving...
Second Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, John 1:29-42a John 1:29-42a Just a short commentary today. Enter into the text as if you are seeking something … someone. You need help and you want that help to come from someone who is...
Second Sunday after Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul, as his practice much of the time, begins this epistle with a word of thanksgiving. Let’s read: “I give thanks to my God always...
Second Sunday after Epiphany: Old Testament, Isaiah 49:1-7 Isaiah 49:1-7 There’s something quite uncomfortable about seeing our Savior as our Servant. He washes feet. He coddles little ones on His...
Epiphany (Observed): Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Snakes are not foreign to the Bible. And snakes or serpents strike. The first encounter we have with a snake is in the garden of Eden (Genesis...
Epiphany (Observed): Epistle, Ephesians 3:1-12 Ephesians 3:1-12 I love Ephesians. I love a good mystery. In chapter three Paul cracks the egg on a shell which has encased a treasured egg. “The mystery of Christ.” Paul...
