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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
