Easter 7 • Acts 1:12–26 • June 1, 2014


Easter 7 • Acts 1:12–26 • June 1, 2014

By Paul R. Raabe Acts 1:12–26 narrates what the followers of Jesus did after his ascension. They remained in Jerusalem as Jesus had commanded (Acts 1:4). Luke names the eleven disciples and then summarizes that they were together in unity dedicated to prayer. “All these were continuously devoted (present participle) with one accord to prayer together with women, also ..


Easter 7 • Revelation 22:1–6 (7–11) 12–20 • May 12, 2013


Easter 7 • Revelation 22:1–6 (7–11) 12–20 • May 12, 2013

By Gerhard Bode Introduction In 1563, Lutheran theologian David Chytraeus (1530–1600) wrote a commentary on the book of Revelation in which he calculated the date of Christ’s second coming. Such theorizing by one of Luther’s own students may surprise us, yet Chytraeus’s prediction tells us something about how he understood the book of Revelation and ..


Easter 7 • John 17:1–11 • June 5, 2011


Easter 7 • John 17:1–11 • June 5, 2011

By William W. Schumacher In the Heidelberg Disputation (1518), Martin Luther drew a stark contrast between a “theologian of glory” and a “theologian of the cross,” and that distinction may still make a Lutheran preacher reluctant to dwell on the glory of God in a sermon. But this present text, the first part of our Lord’s ..


Easter 7 · John 17:11b-19 · May 24, 2009


Easter 7 · John 17:11b-19 · May 24, 2009

By William W Schumacher The vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of this text are rather simple. In fact, a pastor whose Greek has become rusty would be well advised to return his attention to the original languages with this week’s Gospel lesson. The impact and rhetoric of the text are another matter. Embedded in the narrative ..