This week take a look at the “sign” that Jesus worked at the Wedding at Cana. John says that he did this to “reveal his glory” and so that his disciples believed. We also discuss how the Reformers interpreted this passage in widely varying ways, but primarily with an emphasis on the importance of marriage. We conclude by discussing the theme of savoring the joy of life and creation that seems to play an important role in the Gospel text.

This week we discuss the account of Jesus’ baptism in Luke’s Gospel, which has some subtle but important differences from the “normal” way we envision it. We also discuss the role of sacraments in the Reformation, and baptism in particular. Finally, we close with a discussion of two questions: “Did Jesus need to be baptized?” and “Do we need to be baptized?”

This week we are re-broadcasting our podcast from last year on John 1:1-18, discussing the passage as the primary source for our understanding of the incarnation, how the Reformers dealt with this passage, and how Juergen Moltmann sees incarnation as a reflection of God's eternally self-communicating love.

This week we discuss the episode when Jesus went to Jerusalem with his parents for the Passover, and when his parents left Jesus remained behind due to his commitment to God’s purpose. The Reformers bring our several themes, including Jesus’ relationship with his human parents and his relationship with God. We tend to read this passage with the assumption that it reflects Jesus as divine, but we discuss that in our final segment.

This week we are rebroadcasting our episode from last year on Mary’s Magnificat. Here are a couple of images that will help with the discussion: Madonna and Child by Giotto and Madonna Litta by Da Vinci.

This week discuss the role of John the Baptist as the herald of salvation in light of Luke’s unique presentation of him and his ministry. We discuss some of the interesting ways theologians in the Reformation era used this text. Then we conclude with a discussion of the victory of God’s grace.

This week we begin a new liturgical year with the end of Jesus’ discourse on the coming of the Son of Man in Luke’s Gospel. We also discuss how this passage was interpreted during the Reformation and particularly a woodcut depicting the alignment of the planets in 1524 as a tumultuous event. Finally, we talk about how to approach this passage from the perspective of Advent.

This week in preparation for “The Reign of Christ Sunday,” we take a look at Jesus’ trial before Pilate and the somewhat surprising things Jesus says. We also discuss how this passage influenced ideas of the Reformation and even the notions of the divine right of kings. Finally, we talk about how a thoroughgoing confidence that “The Lord Reigns” is essential to the Christian faith.

This week discuss the beginning of what is known as the “Apocalyptic Discourse,” where Jesus speaks about the coming destruction of the Temple, as well as the signs of the coming of the “Son of Man.” We also discuss the various ways apocalyptic thinking affected the church through the middle ages and the reformation up to today, particularly in the form of dispensationalism.

This week we take a look at a passage that combines Jesus’ criticism of the scribes for taking advantage of vulnerable widows together with his commendation of the Widow’s offering of two small coins at the Temple. Mark portrays this widow as the example not only of discipleship but also what it means to love God with all one’s “life.” This is a pattern in Mark’s gospel: those who are seemingly insignificant become the exemplars for faith.