Scripture
Confusion that inspires (John 10:1-10)
When Jesus’ hearers don’t understand him, is it because they are spiritual doofuses? Or is non-understanding part of Jesus’ intent?
April 26 Easter 4A (John 10:1–10)
Animals know kindness from cruelty—even sheep, who are not the sharpest tools in the shed.
Stay with us—it’s getting dark (Luke 24:13-35)
Compassion and its rationale are so simple.
April 19, Easter 3 (Luke 24:13–35)
I don’t know where Jesus is heading when he encounters the two companions on the road, but it seems like maybe he never does get there.
Orientation and reassurance (Psalm 16)
What more could one need than an encounter with the risen Christ?
April 12, Easter 2A (Acts 2:14a, 22–32; Psalm 16; John 20:19–31)
Some resurrection stories carry wounds we must not ignore.
The genders within us
I am more and more convinced that trans people’s gender multiplicity will point us to our collective liberation.
A biblical treasure hunt (Jeremiah 31:1-6)
Here are some gems from the Jeremiah reading for Sunday.
Jesus’ Passion made present (John 18:1–19:42)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder shows us what Good Friday preaching ought to do.
The Passover story’s ambivalence (Exodus 12:1-14)
It’s hard to take it strictly on its own terms.
Etched in flesh
Stigmata assert identity and collective memory through self-scarred skin. What if we read the Thomas story through a tattoo hermeneutic?
April 5, Easter 1A (Jeremiah 31:1–6; Matthew 28:1–10)
In six short verses, Jeremiah makes sermon illustrations of three different exile stories.
April 3, Good Friday (John 18:1–19:42)
Jesus is crucified while the world goes on as usual.
Empty-handed (Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66)
What is a preacher to do with Palm/Passion Sunday?
April 2, Maundy Thursday (Exodus 12:1–14; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; John 13:1-17, 31b–35)
Overcoming the reluctance to be served requires something that looks and feels a lot like faith.
Easter in a brutal world
How can we proclaim any sort of hope right now? We aren’t the first Christians to wrestle with this question.
Trauma at the tomb
I understand why Mark’s editors added to his ending. Still, I wish they hadn’t.
March 29, Palm Sunday A (Matthew 21:1–11)
We parade into our worship spaces singing “Hosanna,” only to realize we’ve been following Jesus’ hearse.
March 29, Passion Sunday A (Matthew 26:14–27:66)
Matthew’s Passion doesn’t show us Jesus’ reactions. We just see his pain and hear his silence.
Life after death (John 11:1-45)
When the bottom drops out of our world, I think most of us find ourselves preferring the old status quo.