Weekly Lectionary Scripture
Each week we explore a scripture passage based on the lectionary.
- Exploring the Scripture Today’s passage is part of the longer account in Luke 24 that includes the empty tomb and the encounter of two disciples with Christ on the road to Emmaus. These stories are in harmony with Luke’s entire message that Jesus has…
- Exploring the Scripture This letter is written to people who are being persecuted. We do not know the reasons for the persecution; ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs, economic status, or all of them. Despite their circumstances, the letter is…
- Exploring the Scripture John 10:1–18 is referred to as the Good Shepherd speech. In today’s passage (vv. 1–10), Jesus describes the role of the Good Shepherd as spoken of in Ezekiel 34. This passage stops one verse short of Jesus naming himself as…
- Exploring the Scripture The text for today is one of several stories that occurred during the 40 days between the Resurrection and Ascension, which describes the resurrected Christ appearing to his disciples. In this post-resurrection story two…
- Exploring the Scripture An old saying is, “The purpose of preaching is to comfort the distressed and distress the comfortable.” The First Letter of Peter provides inspiring advice for those in need of being comforted. Today’s passage begins a message…
- Exploring the Scripture The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Risen Lord, the Messiah, and Son of God; one in whom we should have faith. The resurrection account is the climax of that faith statement and, for John, the final proof of Jesus’…
- Exploring the Scripture All four Gospel writers report Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Mark’s Jesus is humble, with no hint of triumph in his behavior (Mark 11:1–11). John’s Jesus is triumphant, regal, the one who raised Lazarus from the dead (John…
- Exploring the Scripture Our last Sunday of Lent points directly to the coming of Easter, with the story of Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. A memorable story of new life, it brought hope in a time of despair and has continued to inspire…
- Exploring the Scripture Today’s Gospel lesson is among the longer readings in the lectionary, presenting the preacher with both opportunity and challenge. On one hand, John’s account of the healing of the blind man is storytelling at its best: a…
- Exploring the Scripture Paul’s letter to the Romans is key to Paul’s understanding of the gospel and his lived experience because of his conversion to Christ. Chapter 5 is best understood after considering the first four chapters in the letter…