Narrative Lectionary from Working Preacher

Who truly sees Jesus?

In this episode of the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz unpack Luke 18:31–19:10, exploring the powerful stories of Zacchaeus and the blind man.

As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, he encounters a blind man seeking sight and a tax collector seeking transformation. These encounters reveal a radical message of salvation, repentance, and inclusion, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

Commentary on Luke 18:31-19:10 is forthcoming. Check back at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/zacchaeus-2/commentary-on-luke-1831-1910-2.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lj71ZlT8Cfw.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

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Is your wealth a blessing or a barrier?

In this episode, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz dive deep into Luke 16:19-31—the rich man and Lazarus parable. What does Jesus' story reveal about judgment, compassion, and discipleship? Are we using our resources to help others, or have we allowed wealth to become an idol?

Join us as we unpack Christian communities' responsibility to care for the marginalized and work together to address poverty. This parable is more than just a warning—it’s a call to action for all of us.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 16:19-31 written by Angela Deinhart Hancock at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/rich-man-and-lazarus-2/commentary-on-luke-1619-31-9.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/JqUm06Yb57Q.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz dive into the powerful parables of Luke 15, exploring the Prodigal Son and the profound themes of divine love, grace, and community. Why does Jesus tell these stories together? What do they reveal about repentance, inclusion, and the heart of God?

Join us as we unpack the tensions between sinners and Pharisees, the joy of redemption, and the often-overlooked perspective of the older brother.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 15:1-32 by contributing author Angela Dienhart Hancock, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/lost-sheep-coin-son/commentary-on-luke-151-32-4.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/-UNiKJOr-Wo.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz dive into Jesus’ teachings on suffering, repentance, and the powerful symbolism of the barren fig tree. As Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, he calls his followers to respond to God’s grace with urgency. What does this mean for us today? How do we make sense of tragic events, and what does true repentance look like in our lives and ministries?

Join us as we explore the deeper meaning of this passage and its impact on preaching and discipleship.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 by contributing author Robert P. Hoch-Yidokodiltona, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/lament-over-jerusalem/commentary-on-luke-131-9-31-35-4.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/xyXV1G4n180.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

What does it truly mean to love your neighbor? In this episode of the Narrative Lectionary Podcast, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz explore one of Jesus' most well-known and challenging parables—the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The hosts unpack the story’s radical message of compassion, cultural boundaries, and the call to action that still resonates today.

Join us as we dive into the historical and theological context of this parable, reflecting on what it means to embody mercy in a world that often draws dividing lines. How might Jesus’ words challenge us to rethink who our neighbors really are?

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 10:25-42 written by Robert P. Hoch-Yidokodiltona at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/good-samaritan-2/commentary-on-luke-1025-42-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/yjPoalKlL3U.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

What does Jerusalem represent in the Gospel of Luke? How does the journey to the cross shape our understanding of discipleship? In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, we explore the significance of Jerusalem as a central character in Luke’s narrative, the cost of discipleship, and the challenges of rejection and conflict that followers of Jesus face.

As we approach Ash Wednesday, this conversation invites preachers and ministry leaders to reflect on the perseverance required in faith and the realities of following Jesus.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 9:51-62 by author Robert P. Hoch-Yidokodiltona at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/jesus-turns-to-jerusalem/commentary-on-luke-951-62-9. 

Want to delve deeper into this text? Head over to Enter the Bible with Katie Langston and Kathryn Schifferdecker, where they answer listener-submitted questions. In episode 112, they discuss Elijah and other prophets from the north. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckQZ5FpjI6c.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/-_7zZZpxCiU.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the significance of Moses and Elijah, the contrast between glory and suffering, and the powerful healing moments in Jesus’ ministry. With thoughtful commentary, they reflect on how glimpses of the future kingdom shape faith in the present, offering insight and encouragement for preaching and teaching.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 9:28-45 by contributing author Robert P. Hoch-Yidokodiltona, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/transfiguration-3/commentary-on-luke-928-45-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/oy94SFLcOnA.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

What does it mean to be truly forgiven? 

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story: A Podcast on the Narrative Lectionary, Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive into the moving story of the sinful woman who weeps at Jesus' feet. Join us as we explore the cultural context, her devotion's depth, and grace's transformative power.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 7:36-50 by contributing author Gerald C. Liu, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/forgiven-at-jesus-feet/commentary-on-luke-736-50-2.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4eE8IwMcPTY.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Craig Koester, and Kathryn Schifferdecker dive deep into Luke 7, where John the Baptist asks a crucial question: Is Jesus really the one? Together, they explore the tension between expectation and reality, the culture of offense, and how Christ’s legacy is revealed through acts of compassion.

But what does true wisdom look like? And how do actions speak louder than words when it comes to faith? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges us to see Jesus in a new light.

The commentary on Luke 7:18-35 will be published shortly. We appreciate your patience! 

💌 Go further in your study with Working Preacher:  https://www.workingpreacher.org/

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/izaMoYX_DIo.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive into Luke 7, particularly focusing on the stories of the centurion and the widow. The hosts explore themes of authority, worthiness, and the nature of faith in relation to Jesus' actions. 

Tune in as our hosts discuss how Jesus interacts with individuals of varying social statuses and the significance of compassion over faith as a prerequisite for receiving mercy, also touching on the challenges of pastoral care in times of grief and the universal experience of death as an equalizer.

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly narrative lectionary insights!

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 7:1-17 by contributing author Gerald C. Liu, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/raising-the-widows-son/commentary-on-luke-71-17-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QhSmM9vZze0.

Mentioned in this episode:

Celebrate Working Preacher's 19th anniversary!

This fall, Working Preacher is celebrating 19 years as a lectionary resource. Thank you for giving generously to ensure the site's future as a source for Narrative Lectionary resources, including this podcast.

Support Working Preacher