“Bear Fruits in Keeping with Repentance” (Luke 3:1-14) It’s Advent. Advent is a season of hope and anticipation, as we look forward to our Lord’s coming, both at Christmas and on the Last Day. But besides hope and anticipation, Advent … Continue reading
“Blessed is the King Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:28-40) As you can tell from the change in the color of the paraments and from the presence of the Advent wreath and from one candle being … Continue reading
Today the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. Unless you’re under the illusion that America is a Christian nation, this decision should come as no surprise. This isn’t the first time our country has ignored God’s will … Continue reading
“The Past, Present, and Future of the Ascension” (Luke 24:44-53; Ephesians 1:15-23; Acts 1:1-11) “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the … Continue reading
“To Understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:36-49) Have you ever thought about what the Bible is all about? I mean, if you had to boil it down to just a few short sentences, what would you say is the main message … Continue reading
“A Twelve-Year-Old Boy, Filled with Wisdom” (Luke 2:40-52) When I was twelve years old, I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Pretty impressive, eh? No, pretty stupid, actually. Because, at twelve years old, I hiked to the bottom … Continue reading
“Depart in Peace” (Luke 2:22-40) Are you ready to go? What I mean is, are you ready to leave? No, I don’t mean right at this very moment. It would be nice if you would stick around till the end … Continue reading
“What Christmas Is All About: God Saving Us, in a Humble Way, to Be His People” (Luke 2:1-20; Titus 2:11-14; Isaiah 9:2-7) What is Christmas all about? How do people view Christmas and celebrate it? Why do they look forward … Continue reading
“Mary, What DID You Know?” (Luke 1:26-38) Every year several of the radio stations in St. Louis start playing nothing but Christmas music. I think they start sometime around mid-August, but that’s beside the point. They play Christmas music, and … Continue reading
“But Deliver Us from Evil” (The Lord’s Prayer; Luke 23:32-49) “But Deliver Us from Evil”: The seventh and final petition of the Lord’s Prayer. And how appropriate that we should come to this petition on this particular day, Good Friday. … Continue reading
“Lead Us Not into Temptation” (The Lord’s Prayer; Luke 22:1-46) During this Lenten season we’ve been doing a series on the Lord’s Prayer called “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” And that’s exactly what our Lord does on this Holy Thursday … Continue reading
“The Day Is Coming” (Malachi 4:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-28) “The Day Is Coming.” “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near.” What day am I talking about? Thanksgiving? No, nobody cares much about Thanksgiving anymore, except for eating turkey and … Continue reading
“The God of the Living and the Sons of the Resurrection” (Luke 20:27-40) In these days of November, as we near the end of the church year, our thoughts turn to the end times, the return of Christ, and, as … Continue reading
“A Parable of Persistent Prayer” (Luke 18:1-8) The parable Jesus tells in the Holy Gospel for today, from Luke 18, is traditionally called the Parable of the Importunate Widow. “Importunate” is an old-timey kind of word. It means “persistent in … Continue reading
“Mercy for the Marginalized” (Luke 17:11-19) The Holy Gospel for today from Luke 17, about the cleansing of the lepers, happens to be the assigned Gospel for the Day of Thanksgiving. And that makes sense. Jesus’ words about the one … Continue reading
“Faith for Living in Community” (Luke 17:1-10) In our Gospel reading for today, from Luke 17, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, and he is giving instructions to his disciples. At first glance it may seem like these are … Continue reading
“Managing the Master’s Money” (Luke 16:1-15) Do you remember the name Bernie Madoff? He was in the news a few years back. Bernie Madoff was the investment-firm guy, the money manager, who, over the years, defrauded his wealthy clients out … Continue reading
“The Great Reversal: The Humble Exalted” (Luke 14:1-14) Up is down, and down is up, in the kingdom of God. Or so it seems sometimes. Actually, the kingdom of God is all about turning things rightside-up. It’s just that rightside-up … Continue reading
“Strive to Enter through the Narrow Door” (Luke 13:22-30) Do you ever wonder about who all will be saved? When people die, and when this world comes to an end, how many will make it into heaven? How many will … Continue reading
“The Lawyer and the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) Our text today is one of the most familiar and well loved of Jesus’ many parables. It’s the story of the Good Samaritan. But really, we could call it the story of … Continue reading
“Hands of Blessing” (Luke 24:44-53) “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” This is our text. … Continue reading
“O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?” (Luke 23:1-56) “O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?” Short answer: None. But then why all this pain and sorrow and death on this day when Jesus is sentenced and crucified … Continue reading
“The New Covenant in My Blood” (Luke 22:7-20) “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” So said Jesus on this night, this night on which he was betrayed, this Holy Thursday when … Continue reading
“The Joy of Zacchaeus” (Luke 19:1-10) The story of Zacchaeus is a very famous and familiar story in the Bible. Most of us probably remember it from our Sunday School lessons and from that children’s song we all learned. You … Continue reading
“What Will the Owner of the Vineyard Do?” (Luke 20:9-20) In the Holy Gospel for today, from Luke 20, Jesus tells a parable. It’s the Parable of the Tenants, also called the Parable of the Vineyard. It goes like this: … Continue reading