Workingpreacher.org Narrative Lectionary

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson and Kathryn Schifferdecker as they welcome Karoline Lewis, Luther Seminary's resident Gospel of John expert, for the first episode in John's gospel year. This timely discussion explores John 1:19-34, perfect for the first Sunday after Christmas and sermon preparation for the Narrative Lectionary. In this episode, the hosts unpack John the Baptist's crucial role as witness rather than baptizer in the Fourth Gospel. Unlike the synoptic gospels, John presents the Baptist not as Elijah or "the prophet," but as one who testifies to Jesus's identity. Caroline Lewis illuminates how John 1:29's declaration—"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"—reveals a profound theological distinction: in John's gospel, "sin" isn't a moral category but describes separation from God. The conversation explores first-century Jewish apocalyptic expectations, drawing on scholarly work about messianic figures and prophetic forerunners. Discover why John's Gospel omits the heavenly voice at

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore the beloved Christmas story from Luke 2 in this special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day episode. While the Narrative Lectionary typically follows the Gospel of John this year, the hosts return to Luke's account because "you got to have the shepherds and the angels at Christmas." This conversation moves beyond sentimentality to reveal the cosmic significance of Christ's birth and its enduring power to speak to experiences of both homecoming and dislocation. TIMECODES: 00:00 Christmas Reflections: Homecoming and Tradition 02:52 The Significance of Dislocation and Divine Presence 06:08 Hospitality and the Cosmic Nature of Christmas 09:00 The Fulfillment of Promises and the Birth of a Savior

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore John's magnificent prologue for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 21st). This episode examines one of Scripture's most eloquent passages - the opening 18 verses of John's Gospel that present a cosmic perspective on the incarnation. The hosts dive deep into the poetic and hymnic qualities of John's prologue, contrasting its cosmic, awe-inspiring message with the traditional nativity narratives. Rather than focusing on shepherds and mangers, this passage presents the Word becoming flesh in ethereal, almost haunting language that integrates both mind and heart. This episode unpacks the multi-dimensional concept of "zoe" (life) in Greek, which encompasses physical existence, relational connection with God, communal belonging, and resurrection promise. The hosts trace how this theme of life runs throughout John's entire Gospel - from "God so loved the world" in John 3:16 to Jesus declaring "I am the way, the truth, and the life

Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester for the Third Sunday of Advent as they explore Isaiah 55:1-13, a climactic prophetic word from the end of Second Isaiah that offers hope at the close of exile. This episode examines the vivid marketplace imagery of God's free invitation—"Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price"—and unpacks how this passage bridges exile and restoration while pointing toward the incarnation in John's Gospel. Key Themes Explored: * The marketplace imagery of Isaiah 55 and its evocative call to spiritual nourishment * God's everlasting covenant with David and its messianic significance * The shift from literal food to spiritual sustenance and hope * How covenant relationship transforms celebration beyond surface-level feasting * The expansion of God's covenant to include all nations, not just Israel * Connections between Advent themes and Isaiah's vision of restoration TIMECODES: 00:00 Hope in Exile: The Message of Isaiah 55 03:01 The Invitation

When everything feels dead and hope seems lost, can dry bones live again?  In this powerful episode for the Second Sunday of Advent, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester explore Ezekiel's stunning vision of the valley of dry bones—a message of hope for exiles who believed they were completely cut off from God. The conversation unpacks the rich Hebrew word "ruach" (spirit/breath/wind) that runs throughout Ezekiel 37, revealing how God promises to breathe new life into seemingly hopeless situations. Unlike Jeremiah who wrote from Jerusalem to the exiles, Ezekiel himself was living in exile, speaking directly into the despair of a displaced people whose city had been destroyed and who felt abandoned by God. This isn't just ancient history. Whether you're an individual feeling spiritually dried up, or part of a congregation that seems to have lost its vitality, this text speaks directly to that despair. As the hosts emphasize, the Israelites' lament—"our bones are dried up, our hope is l

Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore Daniel 3:1 [2-7] 8-30 for the First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 2025). This episode kicks off the Advent season, a season of hope and reflection. It offers lessons from the Book of Daniel on exile, hope, martyrdom, and humor/satire as one way to exercise faithfulness in the face of authority.   TIMECODES: 00:00 Advent: A Season of Hope and Reflection 02:03 Living in Exile: Lessons from Daniel 06:03 Humor and Satire in Biblical Narratives 10:01 Faithfulness in the Face of Authority 13:01 Advent as a Call to Self-Reflection 14:12 Outro

Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 for Christ the King Sunday (November 23, 2025). This powerful episode examines Jeremiah's shocking letter to the Babylonian exiles, where God calls His people not to resist, but to settle down, build homes, and seek the welfare of the very city that conquered them. The hosts unpack the jarring nature of Jeremiah's message—marry, have children, pray for Babylon—in contrast to the rage expressed in Psalm 137. They explore how this ancient text speaks to anyone finding themselves in an unexpected place or life circumstance, offering hope through one of Scripture's most famous promises: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). This episode offers fresh perspective on exile, hope, and what it means to live faithfully in a mixed society while maintaining covenant relationship with God. Perfect preparation for A

Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore Isaiah 9 in this week's Narrative Lectionary podcast. Moving from the northern prophets to the southern kingdom, the hosts examine Isaiah's vision of hope and justice centered in Jerusalem. This familiar passage—"For unto us a child is born"—is often associated with Advent and Handel's Messiah, but what did it mean in its original context? The conversation unpacks Isaiah's prophecy during a time of Assyrian invasion, the connection to King Hezekiah's reign, and the enduring themes of justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tzedekah) that echo through the prophetic tradition. The hosts wrestle with the tension between Isaiah's vision of endless peace and our present reality of ongoing conflict. How do we hold both the promise of Christ's birth and the "not yet" fulfillment of complete peace? Discover how prophetic hope functions not as self-generated optimism, but as a shaft of light piercing the darkness—God's future breaking into our

Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they explore the powerful message of the prophet Amos in this week's episode of I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary for November 9th, 2025. The prophet Amos brings one of the most challenging messages in Scripture—calling out the disconnect between religious observance and social justice. Though he was a farmer from the Southern Kingdom, Amos was sent to speak truth to power in the Northern Kingdom around 760-780 BCE. His ministry may have lasted only two years, but his words continue to resonate today. In this episode, we discuss: * The meaning of "The Lord roars from Zion" and Amos's prophetic mission * The dangerous disconnect between piety and justice * What biblical justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tzedek) really mean * Why Amos declares "I hate, I despise your festivals" * The call to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" * How this message connects to modern calls

In this episode of "I Love to Tell the Story," hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester explore one of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible: Elijah's journey to Mount Horeb and his encounter with God in the "sound of sheer silence" (or "still small voice"). After his dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel's threats and travels from the northern territories all the way to Mount Horeb in the south—literally going "off the map." Exhausted and despairing, Elijah asks God to take his life, claiming he alone is left faithful to God. But God has other plans. In a powerful theophany (divine appearance), God shows Elijah that the divine presence is not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire—as it was for Moses—but in the sound of sheer silence. God redirects the self-righteous prophet back to his calling, reminding him that he's not alone and that his work isn't finished yet. The hosts discuss how this passage functions

Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester on "I Love to Tell the Story" as they explore the narrative lectionary reading for October 26th, focusing on the building of Solomon's Temple from 1 Kings 8:1-13. In this episode, the hosts discuss the transition from King David's reign to his son Solomon, who fulfills David's vision of building a permanent temple for worship. They examine how the temple serves as a central place where God's presence is "intensified" while not confining God to a single location - similar to how we understand the sacraments today. Key topics covered: * The significance of the Ark of the Covenant and the stone tablets at the temple's heart * How the covenant relationship ("I will be your God, you will be my people") remains central to worship * The connection between this reading and Reformation Sunday * Personal reflections on visiting St. Peter's Basilica and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher * The importance of communal worship versus privatized religion * How sacr

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they dive deep into one of the most compelling stories from the Hebrew Bible - the call and anointing of David from 1 Samuel 16:1-13, paired with the powerful verses from Psalm 51 about creating a clean heart. In this episode, we explore: * Why Samuel's mission to anoint David was an act of treason * The dramatic irony of Samuel falling into the same trap he's warned against - judging by appearances * The ancient symbolism of shepherds as kings throughout the Near East * How God's value system clashes with human expectations of leadership * The Hebrew understanding of "heart" as the seat of wisdom and discernment, not just emotion * Why the youngest son pattern appears throughout Scripture * How David's capacity for repentance becomes more important than his perfection This podcast explores the Narrative Lectionary, offering fresh insights into familiar Bible stories and their relevance for today's world. Whether you're a pastor preparing

Welcome to "I Love to Tell the Story," a podcast exploring the Narrative Lectionary! In this episode for October 12th, 2025, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferducker, and Craig Koester dive into 1 Samuel 3 - the powerful story of God calling the young boy Samuel. Join us as we explore: * The crisis of leadership in ancient Israel at the end of the judges era * Why Samuel didn't initially recognize God's voice calling him * The challenging truth-telling ministry Samuel was called to, including confronting his mentor Eli * How God's persistent calling doesn't depend on our ability but on God's faithfulness * What it means to be a "trustworthy prophet" who speaks difficult truths * The ongoing vocation of listening that defines prophetic ministry * How all Christians are called through baptism to various forms of ministry and witness This episode tackles the uncomfortable reality that sometimes God calls us to speak truth to power, even when it's difficult or involves confronting corruption. The hosts remind

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis on this episode of "I Love to Tell the Story," a podcast on the narrative lectionary for October 5th, 2025, as they explore the powerful story of manna in Exodus 16. After the Israelites' dramatic exodus from Egypt, they find themselves hungry and complaining in the wilderness, longing for the "flesh pots of Egypt." But God responds to their grumbling with miraculous provision - sending quail for meat and manna, the mysterious "bread from heaven" that would sustain them for 40 years. Our hosts dive deep into this foundational story, exploring themes of freedom versus security, God's faithful provision, and what it means to trust God day by day. Catherine connects this ancient story to Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse in John 6, while Ralph shares insights about the "manna economy" - where everyone has enough and no one lacks. Discover how this wilderness story reveals both human nature and God's character as the ultimate provider, and learn

Join Profs. Rolf Jacob, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis on "I Love to Tell the Story" as they explore the pivotal moment when God reveals the divine name to Moses at the burning bush. In this episode covering the fourth Sunday of the Narrative Lectionary (September 28), our hosts dive deep into Exodus 2:23-3:15, examining Moses' call and the profound revelation of God's name as "I AM." This episode unpacks the gospel message embedded in the Old Testament - how God hears, remembers, looks, and takes notice of suffering. The hosts discuss the relational nature of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and explore the significance of God's willingness to reveal the divine name as an act of intimacy and commitment. Key topics covered: * The preparation for Moses' call through the women in his life * God's response to Israel's cry for help in slavery * The mystery and meaning of God's name "I AM WHO I AM" * Connections to John's Gospel and Jesus' "I AM" statements * Moses' reluctance and excuses

Welcome to I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the narrative lectionary! In this episode for September 21, 2025, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis dive deep into the complex story of Jacob stealing his brother Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebecca. This episode explores the third week of the narrative lectionary cycle, examining one of the most morally complex stories in Genesis.  Our hosts discuss: * The dysfunctional family dynamics in Genesis and what they reveal about humanity * Jacob as a "trickster" figure and the consequences of deception * The theological significance of God meeting Jacob at Bethel when he had nothing but a stone for a pillow * How this Old Testament story connects to John 1:50-51 and Jesus as the place where heaven and earth meet * The contrast between trying to "box God in" versus recognizing God's presence in daily life The conversation reveals how these ancient stories continue to speak truth about both God's character and human natur

Welcome to "I Love to Tell the Story," the podcast exploring the Narrative Lectionary! In this episode for September 14th, 2025, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis tackle one of the most challenging and theologically rich stories in the Bible: The Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). Join us as we dive deep into this difficult passage, exploring: * Why Jews call it the "binding of Isaac" while Christians call it the "sacrifice of Isaac" * The theological significance of God's promises to Abraham * How different religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) interpret this story * The rich Hebrew literary techniques that make this narrative so powerful * Connections to the Gospel of John and Good Friday traditions * Practical approaches for preaching this challenging text Our hosts provide historical context, discuss rabbinic interpretations, and offer insights into how this ancient story speaks to questions of faith, trust, and relationship with God. Whether you're a prea

Welcome to the first episode of the new Narrative Lectionary year (Year 4)!  Join hosts Rolf Jacobson and Kathryn Schifferdecker, along with special guest Karoline Lewis, a homiletics and New Testament expert, as they dive deep into Genesis 1 and its connections to John's Gospel. In this episode, we explore: * The poetic structure and litany format of Genesis 1 * The relational nature of God's "goodness" in creation * The image of God and what it means for humanity * Connections between Genesis creation and John's prologue * The significance of Sabbath as a "sanctuary in time" * Practical preaching ideas for a fall sermon series Karoline Lewis brings her expertise in John's Gospel to illuminate the connections between "In the beginning" in Genesis and "In the beginning was the Word" in John 1. We discuss how both texts reveal God's fundamental character as creator and God's commitment to relationship with creation. Perfect for preachers, seminary students, and anyone interested in biblical narrative and lecti

Revelation Preaching Series on Revelation (text commentaries found on Working Preacher at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/preaching-series-on-revelation-2025/commentary-on-revelation-14-8-7. • Week 1 - 7/27/2025: Revelation 1:4-8 (Greetings and 1st Vision) • Week 2 - 8/03/2025: Revelation 4:1-11 (The Elders and the Four Living Creatures) • Week 3 - 8/10/2025: Revelation 5:1-13 (The Seven Seals) • Week 4 - 8/17/2025: Revelation 7:9-17 (The Multitude from Every Nation) • Week 5 - 8/24/2025: Revelation 13:1-18 (The Beast and the Dragon) • Week 6 - 8/31/2025: Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5 (The New Heaven and the New Jerusalem) ⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00  Introduction to Narrative Lectionary Summer Preaching Series on Revelation 02:54  Overview: Exploring the Book of Revelation 03:35  Week 1: Revelation 1, Greetings and First Vision 05:51  Trinitarian Theology in Revelation 08:41  Week 2: Revelation 4, The Elders and the Four Living Creatures 08:59  Imagery and Symbolism in Revelation 12:04  

In this episode of 'I Love to Tell the Story', Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Matt Skinner explore the themes of the Holy Spirit's role in the Christian faith, particularly through the lens of Paul's letter to the Galatians. They discuss the significance of adoption into God's family, the concept of freedom in Christ, and how the fruit of the Spirit manifests in the lives of believers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community and relationship in living out one's faith, as well as the challenges and realities of spiritual growth. ⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Narrative Lectionary 01:03 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 04:04 Freedom and Adoption in Christ 06:46 Living Out the Fruit of the Spirit