Sunday, December 26, 2010: Matthew 2:13-23
Today is December 26. It is still Christmas and it will be until January 6. My mother did not think so....
Sunday, December 19, 2010: Matthew 1:18-25
When the lectionary tells me I can skip a few verses, I am not suspicious. I don't ask what secret is being kept from me or what doctrine is being protected....
Above and beyond: Mark 16:1-8
Is this any way to run a resurrection? Is this enough to persuade, to stir new life in the followers of Jesus?
Triumphal entry? (Mark 11:1-11)
The term better fits Matthew than Mark, and neither Gospel justifies the church’s celebration of Palm Sunday as though it were an Easter before Easter.
Jesus the priest: Hebrews 5:5-10
The Epistle to the Hebrews joins the Revelation to John as the literature most intimidating to readers of the New Testament. With the Revelation the reader must endure its terrible splendor; with Hebrews the reader must listen intently to the tightly woven arguments in what the writer calls a sermon.
From God, to God (Ephesians 2:1-10)
The writer of Ephesians interprets what is happening to a person entering the Christian life.
Life-giving law: Psalm 19
Notice the size of this psalm: it moves from the revelation of God in the heavens to the revelation of God in scripture to the mysterious working of God’s word in the believer.
Lenten roadmap: Romans 4:13-25
We are reading Romans 4 with the eyes of believers on a Lenten journey. There is a time for debate over law and gospel, works and grace—but not now.
Altar call: Psalm 51:1-17
Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten journey to Jerusalem. It is best not to journey alone.
Test run (Mark 1:9-15)
In an account in which only Satan, wild animals, and angels are with Jesus, the reader is also present.