Lectionary@Lunch Live – 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Paul Raabe continues the discussion of the Old Testament pericopies in Advent Year B
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 ..
Innocent Suffering: A Lenten Thought
In the piety of Lenten self-reflection, the confession of our sin holds a prominent place. Especially for Lutherans who recognize that, as simul iustus et peccator, our confession of sin is comprehensive. The words of Isaiah 64 quickly become our own: “we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like ..
New Review of Lessing’s Isaiah
The periodical published by the Institute for Biblical Research, known as “Bulletin for Biblical Research” (23/4, 2013), included a positive review of Reed Lessing’s commentary on Isaiah 40-55. Gary Smith of Bethel Seminary writes: “Overall, this is an outstanding and unique commentary with valuable lexical and syntactic notes to help those who need a little ..
Jesus as Human Male: The Latest Controversy
Mark Driscoll thinks Jesus was a cage-fighter. What does this mean?
Palm Sunday • Philippians 2:5–11 • March 24, 2013
By Paul R. Raabe The epistle lesson for the Sixth Sunday in Lent/Palm Sunday (series C) is the famous Carmen Christi of Philippians 2:5–11. Because verses 6–11 display poetic hymn-like qualities, Greek editions rightly present them as a poem. It consists of two halves of equal size: verses 6–8 (10 lines—90 syllables) and verses 9–11 ..
The Great Transfer
The Lord laid on him . .
A Devotional Thought for Lent
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Reflecting on Christ’s words along the way to the cross
Lent 4 • Numbers 21:4–9 • March 18, 2012
By Paul R. Raabe Numbers 21:4–9 is the appointed Old Testament lesson for Lent 4 in series B, where it is paired with John 3:14–21 as the Gospel lesson. It is also appointed for Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14) with John 12:20–33 as the Gospel lesson. Both Gospel lessons appropriately correspond with the Numbers 21 ..
Lent 4 • John 9:1–41 • April 3, 2011
By Paul Raabe John 9 is the appointed gospel lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Series A). The appointed Old Testament lesson works well with the gospel lesson, since Isaiah 42:14–21 announces both God’s promise to lead the blind and his rebuke of ancient Israel for its spiritual blindness. Jesus picks up this Isaianic ..
Historical For You, Not Wishful Thinking – An Easter Devotion
Acts 10:40-41 A Devotion for Easter Season 2010 Paul R. Raabe “This one God raised on the third day and gave him to become manifest, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” Christianity is ..