Tag: <span>kingdom of god</span>

Published July 23, 2017

Hide Away (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)

Summary: Even the briefest parables tell tales of massive upheaval. Jesus’ parables of the hidden leaven and the mustard seeds describe small acts of infiltration that have tremendous consequences. His parables of the treasure in a field and the pearl of great price are about the overturning of value systems and entirely reordered lives. The kingdom of heaven, it appears, involves more than most of us might have expected. It will get into everything.

I wrote this article for those preparing to preach or hear sermons on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. It was originally a guest contribution to the “Dear Working Preacher” series. Read the full article at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

gospel of matthew holy spirit jesus kingdom of god kingdom of heaven leaven Matthew 13 mustard seed parables pearl of great price treasure in the field yeast

Published July 16, 2017

In the Fields of the Lord (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

Summary: Jesus’ parable of the weeds and wheat resounds with a number of concerns that the Gospel according to Matthew voices. It expresses worry about the damage that imposters might cause, but there is more worry here about what harm will come to “the children of the kingdom” if one actively tries to weed out those imposters. The challenge is to remain engaged in ministry that serves the wider world and opposes injustice while also leaving judgment up to God.

I wrote this article for those preparing to preach or hear sermons on Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. It was originally a guest contribution to the “Dear Working Preacher” series. Read the full article at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

gospel of matthew Jeremiah 1:10 jesus judgment kingdom of god kingdom of heaven Matthew 13 matthew 20:1-16 matthew 5:1-12 parables weeds wheat

Published February 22, 2015

Commentary on Mark 1:9-15

Summary: According to this biblical passage, Jesus’ public ministry begins with a test, one that gives us hints to suggest God is in the process of reorienting the whole created order. Everything is changing. The time is right for inaugurating the kingdom of God, but it remains a time in which risk hangs in the air.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

angels gospel of mark jesus kingdom of god mark 1:9-15 satan wild beasts wilderness

Published February 1, 2015

Commentary on Mark 1:21-28

Summary: In this biblical passage, Mark’s first extended glimpse into Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus teaches in a synagogue and is confronted by a man possessed with an unclean spirit. Right away, we learn that this story will concern itself with themes of contested authority and Jesus’ power over the things that resist the inbreaking of God’s kingdom.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

authority capernaum exorcism gospel of mark jesus kingdom of god mark 1:21-28 synagogue unclean spirit

Published January 15, 2015

The Kingdom of God Is for Children (Luke 18:15-17)

Summary: When the Gospel according to Luke describes Jesus saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs,” what does he mean? To answer this question, we need to know how people in Jesus’ culture regarded children. When we see that Jesus is celebrating and empowering children as some of the most invisible, inconsequential, and vulnerable people of his society, then we should go on to ask: How should we treat and assist vulnerable children in our society? Caring for children — especially endangered and exploited children — is indeed an important part of any church’s work, in any setting.

This article is part of a Bible study exploring the church’s response to youth homelessness and was produced by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. The entire five-part Bible study was written by five different professors from Luther Seminary and is available here.

 

Bible commentary: general audience The Bible and Christian practices

children gospel of luke homelessness human trafficking jesus kingdom of god luke 18:15-17 mark 10:14 matthew 19:14

Published February 24, 2011

The Parables: Understanding Jesus’ Strange Good News

Summary: In the gospels, Jesus tells parables but he rarely explains them for his hearers. Instead, he allows people to enter the unfamiliar and sometimes strange world that the parables describe. These stories and Jesus’ use of them suggest that God promises us a different way of living and being.

Read the full article on The Huffington Post.

Bible commentary: general audience

gospels jesus kingdom of god luke 15 mark 4 matthew 5:13-17 parables