The readings for the second Sunday after the Epiphany are taken from Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; and John 1:29-42. The physics are simple: the Word of God comes to us and draws us along so that we follow.  Isaiah has much to reveal about the promised Savior. He is the Redeemer of all people, Gentiles … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday after Epiphany

The readings for the Baptism of our Lord are taken from Isaiah 42:1-9, Romans 6:1-11, and Matthew 3:13-17. Central to the Epiphany season is the reminder that God has always had all people in mind and saves all people through the incarnation of His Son. Isaiah foretold that the manner of Jesus was consistent with the … Continue reading Sunday Summary: The Baptism of Our Lord

The readings for the fourth Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25. Sometimes the lessons and their intersections are plain. Re-reading the lessons is a best practice and wonderful.  Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son, Immanuel, which means “God with us.”  Paul, in his letter … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday in Advent

The readings for the third Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-11; and Matthew 11:2-15. Isaiah inspires hope for the desert places, where John the Baptizer would let people know that the Savior of the world was near. This Savior would bring healing. He would make a highway to bring us to Himself. He … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Advent

The readings for the second Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12. Isaiah and Matthew both record the presence of the Holy Spirit with Jesus. We remember that Gabriel told Mary she would conceive a firstborn Son by the power of the Holy Spirit and another angel explained to Joseph that the Mary’s … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Advent

The readings for the first Sunday in Advent are from Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:8-14; and Matthew 21:1-11 (Palm Sunday) or 24:36-44. Isaiah foretells the coming of the mountain of the Lord’s house, which is the Son of God, born true man of the virgin Mary. His coming brings peace (swords beaten to make plows). Such good … Continue reading Sunday Summary: First Sunday in Advent

The readings for the last Sunday of the Church Year are taken from Malachi 3:13-18, Colossians 1:13-20, and Luke 23:27-43. The word “judgment” can be positive or negative, depending on whether a person is good or evil. The lesson from Malachi records what so much of both the Old and New Testaments show—the contrast between the … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Last Sunday of the Church Year

The readings for the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Exodus 3:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17; and Luke 20:27-40. As we approach the end of the church year (the Sunday before Thanksgiving), we consider lessons that have to do with the end of the world, also known as Judgment Day. All three lessons have … Continue reading Sunday Summary: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost