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...
Be
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 6:27-38 Luke 6:27-38 In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew includes these words of Jesus, “ … be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48b). Luke, in recording...
A Mystery to Me
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42 After so many years in the Christian ministry, first as a hospice chaplain, and now for many years in a congregational setting I think what mystifies me most is the...
Beyond Imagination
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Genesis 45:3-15 Genesis 45:3-15 If you love the Lord Jesus, then you must love the account of Old Testament Joseph. Much has been made of parallels existing between the great Prime...
Accessible
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 6:17-26 Luke 6:17-26 We have a bit of a “twin birth” in our gospel reading. Not identical perhaps, but close. The text we encounter today has been dubbed Jesus’ “Sermon on the...
Clueless
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Quick story. My first day of seminary, my first class was an 8:00 a.m. class in the Pentateuch. That is a fancy title for the first five books of the Old Testament written by Moses. Before class got under...
Sweet Spot
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Jeremiah 17:5-8 Jeremiah 17:5-8 Stark contrast marks the Old Testament passage for the week. As stark as curse vs blessing. And in God’s Word you could not be...
Who Knows Best?
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 5:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 If I have written similar thoughts on this precious gospel account, forgive me. But as I wrote to a friend earlier this very week, I have a hard time reading this account. Because by its end I am usually overcome by a couple...
Great is the Glory
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 138 Psalm 138 Idolatry. It is the sin of our age. It is probably the sin of every age and it is rooted in self and pride and really...
