John 1:1-14

Luke 2:1-20

Mark 1:1-8

We read the beginning of Mark’s gospel as he sets the stage for the story of Jesus, who is himself the good news.

Mark 13: 24-37

Advent is a season to ponder Christ’s return in glory.  No longer hidden, Christ’s glory will be revealed for all to see.

The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers, but only the Samaritan returning is often used as a morality lesson for giving thanks.  The story though is more about Jesus’ identity.  Our praise and thanksgiving is rooted in that identity.

Ezekiel 34

Matthew 25:31-46

Ezekiel speaks the word of the Lord about the Shepherds of Israel who look out for their own well-being and not the flock’s.  The Lord’s judgment in Ezekiel is echoed again in Jesus’ words of this final parable before his Passion.

Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus tells his parable dealing with the end and judgment.  Discipleship is, he points out, a life of joy and there is more to come in the end.

Revelation 7:9-17

John the Seer reports his vision of a vast multitude gathered around the throne praising God, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb!”  People from all over, gathered into one body for one purpose.

John 8:31-38

Matthew 22:34-46

Jesus faces his final challenge from religious authorities before his death.  Here Jesus gives his summation of the Law.  Love God and love neighbor.  The whole law and prophets hang on the commandment to love.

Matthew 22:15-23

Jesus is tested by religious leaders regarding paying taxes to Rome.  Jesus does not answer their question but reframes the debate, looking at God’s sovereignty over the world instead.  Ultimately Jesus fulfills both sides of his clever statement “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”

I am indebted to my colleague and former classmate Matt Musteric for the emphasis on the passion.

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus concludes his answer to the religious leaders who had asked him “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave that authority to you?”  Jesus’ parable are saying something about him, the religious authorities and the Kingdom, all while saying something else.

Philippians 3:4b-14

Paul lifts up his incredible achievements as a Jewish man, but realizes that they are nothing when compared to Christ’s actions claiming him.

Ezekiel18:1-4, 25-32

Matthew 21:23-32

Both texts have elements of fathers and sons.  Ezekiel’s text addresses the notion that the sins of the father are visited upon the son.  God declares that each person will be judged as an individual.

Jonah 3:10-4:11

After finally arriving at Nineveh, Jonah reluctantly delivers the judgment against that great city.  But when God shows mercy on Nineveh, Jonah is angry enough to die.  God’s mercy can be scandalous when it gets extended even to our enemies.

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter asks about frequency of forgiveness and Jesus tells a parable of an Unforgiving Servant that speaks of God’s forgiveness of us and our subsequent response.  We are called to forgive others, but that is no mere feat.  It is hard work, but a work we must engage in to refuse sin the last word.

Romans 12:1-8

After laying a theological foundation that re-orients the identity of God’s people, Paul turns to the living out of that identity.  Paul uses the language of sacrifice but turns it so that it is rooted in the life of Christ rather than death.

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman who won’t take “No!” for an answer.  Jesus ignores and insults.  He abuses theology.  Yet the woman is persistent, enlarging the picture of Jesus’ mission for his disciples.

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus walking on water testifies to his deep and unique relationship to God the Father.  With much resonance to other passages in scripture, we see that what God does, Jesus does.

Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds, where he touches on the problem of evil in the world.  While he does not touch on the cause of the evil or answer why God might allow it to continue, the promise inherent is that there will be judgment and that the evil will be cast out.