Sunday's Common

On the eve of his departure by death, Jesus promises a different Presence, assuring that his disciples will not be left helpless or alone.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

On the night before his death, Jesus speaks words of reassurance and promise to his troubled disciples.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus draws a contrast between a trustworthy shepherd and thieves, bandits, and strangers while also describing himself as the gate for the sheep.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

The risen, unrecognized Jesus accompanies two disciples on the road toward Emmaus, walking them through Scripture from grief to joy.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

The risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples to give them peace and a mission.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

When women come to the tomb looking for the corpse of Jesus, all heaven breaks loose. Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Please read the passion narratives, especially from Matthew and John, with care, sensitivity, and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of our Jewish neighbors.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus and his disciples draw near to Jerusalem, then parade into the city escorted by palm branches and praise.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus tells Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life," then backs it up by raising her brother Lazarus from the grave.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus brings both vision and division, giving sight on a sabbath to a man born blind.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus speaks with an astute Samaritan woman about living water and his dumbstruck disciples about an abundant harvest.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus talks with Nicodemus about heavenly things beyond human grasping.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Six days later, six figures meet together in mountaintop glory, but the real story is what is said by an unseen Voice from the cloud.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

You are salt and light, Jesus tells his hearers, called to flavor and illumine the world with righteousness beyond religion as usual.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with a surprising roster of the blessed.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

After John is arrested, Jesus picks up his message and launches his own ministry.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

John points out and testifies about the Lamb of God, who begins to attract disciples.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Amid John's misgivings and heaven's vocal and visual approval, Jesus is baptized.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

John poetically plumbs the depths of what the arrival of human Jesus means for us and for all of creation.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Angels and dreams choreograph the escape of young Jesus and his family from the familiar threat of a murderous king.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

After planning to make the best of a bad situation, Joseph learns that the "bad situation" is really God's unfathomably good gift of salvation in the works.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

John and Jesus pose illuminating questions about one another.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

John the Baptist draws a crowd, then tells them that something--and someone--greater are on the way.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus offers a variety of provocative images to describe the sudden coming of the Son of Man.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Crown or clown, mess or Messiah? The Christ on the cross gives us a powerful new vision of what royalty and salvation look like.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

When observers marvel at the temple's large, beautiful stones, Jesus widens the frame with shocking predictions, then pinpoints the focus on small, beautiful lives.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Some Sadducees bait Jesus with a question about marriage protocol in the resurrection and receive a loaded answer.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Zacchaeus has to hurry home to welcome salvation.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Who is blessed, and how are God's children called to live?Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus tells a parable contrasting two men at prayer in the temple and their shocking status with God. (For those who celebrate, Reformation themes are included!)Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus, having taught his disciples how to pray, now colorfully encourages them to keep at it.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Ten men are healed, and one of them--a Samaritan effusive with praise and gratitude--is also made well.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

The Lord responds to a request from the apostles to increase their faith. Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus adds new twists to a familiar plot line about fortunes reversed; will it reverse the way his hearers see and engage reality?Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus drops a whopper on his disciples, a parable about a manager undercutting his former boss which undercuts our assumptions and expectations.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

When religious leaders grumble about the earthy company Jesus is keeping, he responds with two parables about searches that end in heavenly joy.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus turns to the crowds he has attracted and counsels them to consider carefully the steep cost and consequences of following him.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

At a sabbath meal, Jesus turns the tables and serves up more (or less?) than anyone is bargaining for.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus sees, summons, and heals a woman in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, sparking controversy and praise.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Still heading toward Jerusalem, Jesus tells his disciples that he has come bringing not peace, but division, then chides the crowds for failing to interpret the moment.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus teaches his disciples to let go of fear, and possessions, because God has something far greater in mind for them.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

In response to a request to mediate an inheritance dispute, Jesus gives warnings, including a story, about the dangerous lure--and ultimate bankruptcy--of greed.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Jesus responds to a request from one of his disciples: "Lord, teach us to pray."Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all have different perspectives, voices, styles, and presentations of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. What if each were a movie or a play? How does each author shape the way we experience the story of Jesus?Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Introducing my new podcast, Sunday's Common! Who am I? Why and how did I decide to begin podcasting about gospel passages? Get the background on this new resource for preachers and other church leaders.Send us Fan MailSupport the show