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This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder verses 12-31 from chapter 20 of the gospel of John. The English Standard version splits the passage into three parts and supplies the headings: (1) Jesus Appears to the Disciples; (2) Jesus and Thomas; and (3) The Purpose of this Book. We learn that after Jesus was …

Jesus wished them peace in their terror Read More »

This Sunday we’ll celebrate Easter, the day the disciples discovered Jesus had been raised from the dead. The lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 16:1-8. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with the title “The Resurrection.” It tells us: Two nights passed after Jesus had died and was placed in a tomb. On Sunday, …

The fish, the water, and the resurrection Read More »

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to consider John 12:20-43. The English Standard Version breaks the text into three portions and supplies them with the headings: “Some Greeks Seek Jesus,”[1] “The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up,”[2] and “The Unbelief of the People”[3]. The first portion tells of some Greeks[4] who’d come to Jerusalem …

The forgotten Greeks and the glorified Jesus Read More »

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 10:35-45. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with the title “The request of James and John.” The Message translation titles it “The Highest Places of Honour.” In verse 32, Mark tells us that Jesus headed purposefully towards Jerusalem, and that the twelve disciples he had …

A good leader spends himself Read More »

On Sunday, the lectionary invited us to reflect on the gospel according to John chapter 3, verses 14-21. These verses are the back end of John’s report of a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. John tells us that Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews. And that he came to Jesus “by night,” out of …

The Serpent, the Son, and Nicodemus Read More »

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John’s account of Jesus’ wreaking havoc on the trading floor of the Temple in Jerusalem. The passage is in the Gospel according to John, chapter 2, verses 13-22. Most readers miss the shock in the first verse, verse 13. It reads: “The Passover of the Jews was …

Why did Jesus wreak havoc on the trading floor? Read More »

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 8:31-38. In these verses, we read that Jesus taught his disciples he would soon suffer, be rejected, and be killed; and be raised up from the dead. And that the same things would happen to them. Two thoughts which Christians have treasured over the centuries come …

Why did Jesus experience suffering, rejection and murder? Read More »

Today I preached on Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. The text is in Genesis 22:1-18. I pointed out that the apostles Paul and James, and the writer to the Hebrews, speak of Abraham as a model of faith, because he believed the promises God made to him. Especially those recorded in Genesis 15. I also said …

Was Abraham a model of faith for Jesus? Read More »