Genesis 9:8–17   This is the ending of the flood story with Noah.  Here God makes promises about the future, about a coming new relationship with the human family. 1 Peter 3:18–22  Jesus’ suffering provides our assurance before God.  All Jesus won is given to us in baptism, an act that shapes our lives around [...]

2 Kings 2:1–12   Elijah’s ministry ends and Elisha’s ministry begins.  2 Corinthians 4:3–6  Paul reminds his readers that the center of ministry in the church is not the people who do the ministry but the one in whose name the ministry is done, Jesus. Mark 9:2–9   As at his baptism, Jesus is once [...]

2 Kings 5:1-14  Leprosy is a common theme in the readings this Sunday.  Naaman the leader of the Syrian army is cured of this disease through the directions of Elisha.   In practical terms this means that Naaman is able to live among others once again. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27   Living as if something other [...]

Isaiah 40:21-32  God’s perspective and ours is not the same.  Being God’s people means seeking to be conformed to God’s way of seeing the world. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23   Paul reminds the Church in Corinth that the gospel is the most important thing in the life of the church.  All things must be shaped by [...]

Isaiah 52:7-10 Christmas is more than gifts and food.  We gather together to hear the great news of God’s deep love for us in sending one who will teach us and show us that God’s purpose for this world is life and wholeness.  Isaiah sees this and rejoices that God’s purposes will become reality. Hebrews [...]

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Here we read God’s covenant (promise) to David: one of his household will be the ruler over God’s people forever.  Christians see this promise fulfilled in Jesus. Romans 16:25-27 In this song of praise of God, Paul celebrates the compassion of God in Jesus which brings salvation to all people. Luke [...]

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 This Sunday we hear God’s purpose for the creation: it is one of healing and peace. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 God’s purpose is for us to know joy. John 1:6-8, 19-28 John never points to himself in God’s plan.  His life and ministry always points to Jesus.  In this he sets an example [...]

Isaiah 40:1-11 The prophet’s message is one of comfort, but ironically it is also one of judgment.  God’s comfort cannot come to us without knowing ourselves as those whose lives need to be remodeled along God’s lines. 2 Peter 3:8-15a God’s time and our time are two different things.  This is what the apostle reminds [...]

Jeremiah 31:31–34 Jeremiah looks forward to God law being written in the hearts of the people.  This is the law which is unbreakable and eternal. Romans 3:19–28 No law will make people right with God, it is only by the gift which God provides for the human family in Jesus. John 8:31–36 Jesus speaks of [...]

Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18    The legal code of Leviticus calls God people to be holy as God is holy.  God’s people are always called to be like God.  Here that similarity is lived out in caring for the poor and seeking justice for all people. 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Paul writes about coming among the Thessalonians [...]

Isaiah 45:1-7 God calls Cyrus, the Persian emperor, as the anointed one through whom God will return the people of Israel from the exile.   By using a Gentile to accomplish God’s will we know that God is the Lord of all people, Jews as well as Gentiles. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 This is most likely [...]

Isaiah 25:1-9 Isaiah has a vision of the great feast at which God not only provides the best of everything, but also wipes all tears from our eyes. Philippians 4:1-9 Paul’s words bless the church with peace both in individual relationships as well as in the whole community. Matthew 22:1-14 Again Jesus tells a parable.  [...]

Isaiah 5:1-7 The song of the vineyard is Isaiah’s poem regarding God’s love and judgment which comes to make the vineyard (symbolizing the people of Israel) a better, more God-trusting people. Philippians 3:4b-14 Nothing is as important as Jesus, declares Paul in this reading from Philippians. Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus’ parable speaks about God’s expectations from [...]

Jeremiah 28:5–9 Jeremiah confronts another prophet, Hananiah, about the message Hananiah proclaimed. Jeremiah speaks words of judgment from God. The exile in Babylon will not be easy or something not to be taken seriously. The Babylonian Exile is God’s judgment on a people who have thought only of themselves, forgetting the poor, those in need, [...]

Genesis 1:1—2:4a In the first creation story in Genesis (the second is recorded Genesis 2:4 through 25), it is the Word of God which brings about creation in our reading. That Word comes to us in flesh in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 13:11–13 God is a God of order. In his conclusion of the second set [...]