Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death. On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.

Isaiah 25:6-9

The banquet of the Lord

Psalm 24

They shall receive blessing from the God of their salvation. (Ps. 24:5)

Revelation 21:1-6a

A new heaven and a new earth

John 11:32-44

The raising of Lazarus

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

On this day we celebrate the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ—the good news—that makes us free! We pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to unite the church today in its proclamation and witness to the world. In the waters of baptism we are made one body; we pray for the day that all Christians will also be one at the Lord’s table.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

I will write my law in their hearts, says the Lord

Psalm 46

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold

Romans 3:19-28

Justified by God’s grace as a gift

John 8:31-36

Jesus says, Continue in my word and you will know the truth

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who’s number one, which leads Jesus to say something about God's take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.

Isaiah 53:4-12

The suffering servant

Psalm 91:9-16

You have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation. (Ps. 91:9)

Hebrews 5:1-10

Through suffering Christ becomes the source of salvation

Mark 10:35-45

Warnings to ambitious disciples

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

Turn from injustice to the poor, that you may live

Psalm 90:12-17

So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)

Hebrews 4:12-16

Approach the throne of grace with boldness

Mark 10:17-31

Teaching on wealth and reward

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?

Genesis 2:18-24

Created for relationship

Psalm 8

You crown us with glory and honor. (Ps. 8:5)

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

God has spoken by a Son

Mark 10:2-16

Teaching on marriage

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Content note: self-harm and sexual abuse

Someone is casting out demons in Jesus’ name who isn’t part of Jesus’ own circle, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without official authorization. Like Moses, Jesus refuses to see this as a threat. Jesus welcomes good being done in his name, even when it is not under his control. The circle we form around Jesus’ word must be able to value good being done in ways we wouldn’t do it, by people we can’t keep tabs on.

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

The Lord’s spirit comes upon seventy elders

Psalm 19:7-14

The commandment of the Lord gives light to the eyes. (Ps. 19:8)

James 5:13-20

Prayer and anointing in the community

Mark 9:38-50

Warnings to those who obstruct faith

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it concrete, he puts in front of them an actual flesh-and-blood child. We are called to welcome the particular children God puts in front of us, to make room for them in daily interaction, and to give them a place of honor in the assembly.

Jeremiah 11:18-20

The prophet led like a lamb to slaughter

James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a

The wisdom from above

Mark 9:30-37

Prediction of the passion

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Three weeks ago we heard John’s gospel’s version of Peter’s confession of faith. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus’ words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus’ words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of “messiah”) in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The servant is vindicated by God

Psalm 116:1-9

I will walk in the presence of the Lord. (Ps. 116:9)

James 3:1-12

Dangers of the unbridled tongue

Mark 8:27-38

Peter’s confession of faith

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Isaiah 35:4-7a

Like streams in the desert, God comes with healing

Psalm 146

I will praise the Lord as long as I live. (Ps. 146:2)

James 2:1-10, 14-17

Faith without works is dead

Mark 7:31-37

Christ healing a deaf man

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

In today’s gospel many people take offense at Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood; even many of Jesus’ disciples peel off. This is the backdrop in John’s gospel for Peter’s confession of faith. “To whom can we go?” asks Peter, in words we sometimes sing just before the gospel is read. “You have the words of eternal life.” In order to take such a stand, as Peter and Joshua did, Paul tells us to arm ourselves with the word of God. We pray in the Spirit that we might be bold ambassadors of the gospel.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

Joshua calls all Israel to serve the Lord

Psalm 34:15-22

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. (Ps. 34:15)

Ephesians 6:10-20

Put on the armor of God

John 6:56-69

The bread of eternal life