Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

In this Sermon Brainwave episode, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner explore the Transfiguration of Jesus from Matthew 17:1-9 for Transfiguration Sunday (February 15, 2026). The team examines how this pivotal moment bridges the season of Epiphany and the journey into Lent, highlighting God's voice declaring "This is my son, the beloved" and the crucial addition: "listen to him."

The conversation unpacks why the disciples are terrified not by seeing Jesus transformed, but by hearing God's voice—and how Jesus' compassionate touch and words "get up and do not be afraid" offer reassurance for facing the unknown. The hosts discuss the significance of Moses and Elijah as eschatological figures, the narrative context following Jesus' predictions of suffering, and how the glory of the mountaintop contrasts with the immediate return to ministry in the epileptic boy's healing.

Drawing on Mark Throntveit's powerful sermon framework, the team contrasts two mountains: the Transfiguration's radiant glory with Moses and Elijah versus Calvary's darkness with two thieves. Both mountains declare "This is my son," yet reveal the Jesus we want versus the Jesus we get.

In a special moment, Rolf Jacobson announces his departure from the podcast to focus on his academic dean responsibilities and launch a new podcast series on Rudolf Bultmann, with colleague Cody Sanders stepping in to continue Sermon Brainwave's work.

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Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Matt Skinner, and Karoline Lewis as they explore the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany lectionary readings for February 8, 2026. This episode dives into Matthew 5:13-20, where Jesus declares "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world" - not as invitations, but as statements of fact about Christian identity.

The hosts unpack what these metaphors meant in the ancient world. Salt served as both a flavor enhancer and a crucial preservative in a society without refrigeration, making it essential for sustaining life. Light represents the impossibility of keeping faith private in a pluralistic world. These aren't suggestions for what Christians might become, but declarations of who they already are.

The conversation explores how believers manifest the kingdom of heaven through their identity as salt and light. The discussion connects this gospel passage with Isaiah 58:1-9a, which challenges fasting practices and calls for genuine justice, Psalm 112:1-9 about those who fear the Lord, and 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, where Paul discusses God's hidden wisdom revealed through the Spirit.

Rolf shares insights from his new book "God Meets Us in Our Suffering," connecting Paul's theology of the cross to how God meets us not primarily in our glory and success, but in the places where we think it's impossible for God to be. The conversation emphasizes that having "the mind of Christ" means participating in God's life through the Spirit, not just receiving benefits from Christ's death.

Discover how these ancient texts speak to modern questions about public faith, Christian identity, and what it means to be caught up in the life of God.

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Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for an exploration of the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany lectionary texts. This episode unpacks the Beatitudes as Jesus' mission statement and inaugural address, revealing where God's kingdom breaks into the world.

The hosts discuss how Matthew's Beatitudes function as Jesus' announcement of the people he will be found with—those the world overlooks or considers unblessed. Matt Skinner explores how these verses bracket Matthew's entire gospel ministry with deep compassion and mercy.

Karoline Lewis highlights the transition in the Beatitudes from blessing to action, showing how disciples participate in God's alternative community. Rolf Jacobson connects the Beatitudes to the crowds of suffering people who followed Jesus at the end of Matthew chapter 4.

The conversation tackles Micah 6:1-8, examining its powerful indictment and the call to justice, kindness, and humble walking with God. The hosts place this famous verse back into its original context, challenging surface-level readings.

The discussion of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 focuses on Paul's theology of the cross. Rolf explains how Paul argues that the world cannot know God through human wisdom alone—the cross is God's fundamental revelation.

Matt introduces Michael Gorman's concept of "cruciformity," exploring what it means to be a cross-shaped community. The hosts connect Paul's message about God choosing the foolish, weak, and lowly to the Beatitudes' vision of blessing.

This episode offers preachers and biblical educators practical insights for sermon preparation, showing how these texts speak to contemporary issues of power, blessing, and God's upside-down kingdom.

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Join hosts Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the Third Sunday after Epiphany (January 25, 2026).

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Join hosts Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the Second Sunday after Epiphany (January 18, 2026).

This episode examines how John the Baptist serves as the primary witness to Jesus' identity in John's Gospel, highlighting the importance of testimony and discipleship.

The hosts dive deep into John 1:29-42, examining how John the Baptist functions not as the one who baptizes Jesus, but as the testifier and witness to who Jesus is. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus performs signs before people follow him, in John's Gospel, people are drawn to Jesus simply because of who he is—revealed through testimony. The conversation explores the significance of the "Lamb of God" title, connecting it to Passover imagery and God's provision and protection throughout Israel's history.

The hosts discuss how this passage invites contemporary disciples to consider: What have you seen? What will you see? And to whom will you testify? They emphasize that in John's Gospel, revelation comes not primarily through divine acts but through Jesus' identity being witnessed to and shared among people. The episode also explores translation challenges in Psalm 40's opening ("I waited and waited") and the communal nature of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians.

This is the first of four consecutive weeks featuring readings from 1 Corinthians, offering preachers an opportunity to develop a thematic series during this short Epiphany season (only four Sundays this year).

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Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary texts for the Baptism of Our Lord (January 11, 2026), diving deep into what makes this pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry more than just a baptismal event.

The hosts examine why this Sunday marks the beginning of Epiphany rather than simply a theology of baptism. Jesus undergoes John's baptism of repentance—not Christian baptism—which troubled the early church and explains why John's Gospel omits Jesus' baptism entirely. Matt Skinner suggests John the Baptist served as a teacher to Jesus, with repentance signaling Jesus' readiness to embrace God's calling rather than washing away sins.

The conversation emphasizes the Holy Spirit's central role: the Spirit's arrival empowers Jesus for ministry and leads him into the wilderness. This is Matthew's first instance of God speaking directly, publicly affirming "This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

The hosts connect this voice to Psalm 2's coronation language and explore whether God's voice thundered like Psalm 29 describes or arrived as a quiet whisper. Isaiah 42's servant songs provide crucial context for understanding Matthew's gentle yet justice-oriented Jesus.

The hosts preview how this passage becomes essential for navigating Matthew's gospel, which balances Jesus' easy yoke with uncompromising demands. The discussion touches on how the early church searched scriptures post-resurrection to understand Jesus' identity.

Acts 10:34-43 offers Peter's thumbnail sketch of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing God's anointing with the Holy Spirit and power. The hosts note this Sunday functions as a "mini-Pentecost" in Jesus' life, examining how baptism sets a particular way of life in motion—both for Jesus and for contemporary Christians reflecting on their own baptismal calling.

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Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner as they explore the profound themes of divine guidance, resistance, and illumination in the story of the Magi for the Day of Epiphany, January 6th.

This episode unpacks how the Magi's journey represents not just a physical pilgrimage but a theological model for following God's leading—even when it requires non-compliance with earthly powers and going "by another road."

The conversation examines how Matthew's Gospel presents multiple pathways to knowing Jesus: through celestial signs, scriptural interpretation, and the accumulated wisdom of seekers from beyond Israel's borders.

The hosts discuss the Magi's act of resistance when they refuse to return to Herod, highlighting how Christmas and Epiphany demand non-cooperation with tyrannical agendas. Dreams and divine warnings play crucial roles as God redirects the Magi and the Holy Family, demonstrating how God persistently seeks to guide us through various means.

Drawing on Warren Carter's commentary, the discussion emphasizes how "the other way" the Magi take thwarts the tyrant's will and refuses cooperation with empire. The episode also explores the rich intertextuality between Matthew's narrative and the Old Testament readings, particularly Isaiah 61's themes of illumination and wealth, and Psalm 72's vision of an ideal Davidic king fulfilled in Jesus—a very different type of lordship than political dominance.

The hosts wrestle with the nature of the Magi's act of prostration (proskuneo), discussing whether it represents worship, homage, respect, or political acknowledgment, and how this ambiguity enriches our understanding of who Jesus is. They also reflect on what it means to follow God when competing voices and apparent certainties pull us in different directions, acknowledging the human tendency to stop listening or refuse God's direction.

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Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for the Second Sunday of Christmas on January 4, 2025

⏰Timecodes⏰

00:00 Introduction to the Second Sunday of Christmas

01:30 Exploring the Texts: John 1 and Its Significance

05:33 The Nature of God: Intimacy and Relationality in Jesus

08:35 The Incarnation: Understanding Flesh and Humanity

12:20 Cosmic Implications: Ephesians and the Scope of Christmas

15:41 God as Sustainer: Themes from Jeremiah and the Psalm

18:46 Conclusion and Reflections on the Podcast

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Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

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Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary readings for the First Sunday of Christmas on December 28, 2025.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Christmas Podcast 01:06 Exploring the Texts for the First Sunday of Christmas 03:06 The Character of Herod and His Role in the Christmas Story 06:00 The Threat of Jesus to Tyranny and Power 09:08 God's Subversive Action in the Christmas Narrative 11:49 The Tragedy of Innocent Lives in the Christmas Story 15:06 Connecting the Texts: Matthew, Isaiah, and Hebrews 17:47 Conclusion and Reflections on the Christmas Message

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Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9ELQ3P1H5Sw.

Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary readings for Christmas Day (Proper III), Year A.

Read the commentaries for Christmas Day (Proper III) for December 25, 2025 at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christmas-day-nativity-of-our-lord-iii/commentary-on-john-11-14-11.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Christmas Day Podcast 03:00 Exploring John 1: The Prologue and Its Significance 05:52 The Role of Witness in the Christmas Narrative 08:50 Life and Light in John 1 12:08 Connecting Isaiah 52 and the Good News 15:00 Hebrews 1: God's Communication Through the Son

* * *

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kx2yNfKGgIk.