Content related to New Testament

Home » New Testament » Page 104

Mark 4:1-20

LC
Lora Copley

Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider Why does the same message produce different returns? Consider the chapter before our text. Mark 3 is chock-full with Jesus-resisters. Pharisees tag-team with Herodians. Evil spirits blab the Messianic secret. Jerusalem’s doctrinal deputies censure Jesus as Satanic.  Judas is introduced as the betrayer. Even Jesus’ own family–including Mary meek…

Read More

John 4:46-54

LC
Lora Copley

Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider Jesus is no Ned Flanders. The “okely-dokely” nooberly-nice Evangelical neighbor of the Simpsons is a far cry from the Lord, who can come off as needlessly harsh, even rude.  Who says to a desperate father–with a feverish son at death’s door- “unless you people see miracles, you won’t believe?”…

Read More

1 Peter 4:1-11

LC
Lora Copley

Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider: Both new Christians and suffering Christians wonder “what kind of life have I gotten into?” In the first half of chapter 4 (our text), Peter addresses the worldview issues of the new believer; in the second half, the worry issues of the suffering one. These former pagans learn this…

Read More

Luke 4:21-30

Epiphany 4C

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

I confess that I don’t quite understand this passage. Or at least I don’t understand how it turns out. It’s not so much what is contained in this Lectionary snippet of verses 14-21 as in what follows when the people in the synagogue turn on Jesus with a murderous ferocity.  After all, Luke 4:15 assures…

Read More

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Epiphany 4C

Stan Mast headshot
Stan Mast

For this 4th Sunday after Epiphany, the lectionary returns for a 3rd time in a row to Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians, particularly this section focused on the divisions in that church created by their abuse of spiritual gifts. Having emphasized that all the gifts come from the same Spirit for the common good…

Read More

John 8:12-20

HDJ
Heidi De Jonge

Jesus’ words in chapters 7 and 8 of John happen during a particular religious festival.  We look back to the beginning of chapter 7 to read about the Feast of Tabernacles (or the Feast of Booths).  Jesus’ brothers set out their ideas for Jesus’ travels – recommending that he go up to the Feast with…

Read More

Galatians 2:1-14

HDJ
Heidi De Jonge

To be differentiated as an individual is to be defined and connected at the same time.  The principle of self-differentiation comes to us from the family systems theory.  Aside from Christ, no human being is completely differentiated.  We all, the apostle Paul included, could be plotted somewhere on the scale of differentiation of self.  Sometimes…

Read More

1 Peter 3:1-12

HDJ
Heidi De Jonge

When we pick up the text at 1 Peter 3:1, it’s pretty clear that Peter is right in the middle of saying something quite long and profound.  He is calling the believers in Asia Minor – many of whom were new converts – to good lives – to lives that are so good that they…

Read More

Revelation 19:1-10

HDJ
Heidi De Jonge

There are a couple of big questions that haunt my reading of Revelation 19:1-10 (especially when I read it against the backdrop of Revelation 18).  What/Where/Who is Babylon? And how do I react to the fall of Babylon? When I first read Rev. 19:1-10 in preparation for writing this sermon commentary, I knew I was…

Read More

John 3:22-36

Chelsey Harmon
Chelsey Harmon

After the midnight conversation with Nicodemus in which Jesus proclaims who he is and what he is about on earth, the gospel writer solidifies and catapults the message by bringing Jesus and the John the Baptist’s storylines back together in verse 22. Back in chapter 1, John the Baptist is introduced as the man sent…

Read More