Welcome to I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary from Luther Seminary’s Working Preacher. In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the powerful and provocative story of Stephen from Acts 6 and 7.

🎧 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 24:1-12 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/stephens-witness/commentary-on-acts-61-72a-44-60-2.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/nSYh5xyG24s.

What happens when the risen Jesus walks with you, but you don’t recognize him? And how does scripture set our hearts on fire even before we break the bread?

In this episode of I Love to Tell a Story, Rolf Jacobson, Lois Malcolm, and Jennifer Pietz unpack the rich theological and pastoral layers of the Emmaus Road story. As the disciples journey away from Jerusalem in disillusionment, they encounter a stranger who reveals scripture in a new light—rekindling faith, reframing expectations, and reigniting hope.

The conversation touches on how disappointment and grief shape our faith journeys, the significance of hospitality and shared meals, and how Jesus is made known through both scripture and sacrament. The hosts invite preachers to embrace the “multimedia” revelation of the risen Christ—through emotion, intellect, and community.

🎧 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 24:13-35 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/emmaus-road-2/commentary-on-luke-2413-35-10.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Sm44RvVQzX0.

In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the powerful resurrection narrative in Luke 24, focusing on the role of women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb.

💬 What does it mean to "remember" Jesus' words? 🕊️ How does the Holy Spirit empower believers in the wake of the resurrection? 🌿 What does it look like to live as people of new life and forgiveness?

The conversation unpacks the angelic question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”, and its deep theological implications. The hosts reflect on how the remembrance of Jesus’ teachings by the women at the tomb connects faith, memory, and the fulfillment of scripture—offering hope and transformation for believers today.

🎧 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 24:1-12 written by Katherine A. Shaner at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/resurrection-3/commentary-on-luke-241-12-11.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/KNo9QEUGQMI.

In this episode, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm deeply dive into Luke 23:32-47, exploring the powerful and poignant account of Jesus' crucifixion. They discuss the trial, execution, and profound imagery of Jesus’ suffering, emphasizing his innocence and the significance of his final words in Luke compared to other gospels.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 The Context of Jesus's Crucifixion 02:26 The Innocent Sufferer: A Deep Dive into Luke's Narrative 05:02 Contrasting Last Words: Trust vs. Abandonment 07:26 Forgiveness and Understanding in Suffering 07:36 Outro

🎧 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 23:32-47 written by Karl Kuhn at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/crucifixion-2/commentary-on-luke-2332-47-4.

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

What really happened at the Last Supper? In this episode, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm unpack Luke’s account of this pivotal moment, exploring:

- The role of Satan in influencing Judas’ betrayal - Jesus’ radical servant leadership and its challenge to worldly power - The human weakness and ambition at play among the disciples - The establishment of the new covenant through Christ’s sacrifice

Follow along with the commentary on Luke 22:1-27 by contributing author Karl Kuhn, found at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/lost-sheep-coin-son/commentary-on-luke-151-32-4.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Narrative Lectionary Podcast 00:52 The Role of Satan in the Last Supper 03:45 Jesus as the Model of Servant Leadership 05:42 Disputes Among Disciples: The Quest for Greatness 07:07 Human Weakness and the New Covenant

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

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/JaxP-kfb8P0.

Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Alan Padgett as they discuss Luke 19:29-44 for April 13, 2025. In this episode, our theological experts explore Jesus' arrival at Jerusalem—his "triumphal entry" riding on a donkey—and his heartfelt lament over the city.

The conversation highlights how Luke's narrative fulfills the Messianic promises from earlier in the gospel, with Jesus explicitly declared as "king" through the adaptation of Psalm 118:26. The hosts reflect on what kind of king Jesus reveals himself to be—not one who seeks political or military power, but one who weeps over rejection and prepares to lay down his life.

Key topics include: - The cultural context of ancient processionals welcoming dignitaries - Jesus' humble approach on a donkey contrasting with worldly power - The emotional weight of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem - The prophetic vision of Jerusalem's destruction and humanity's resistance to peace - Palm Sunday celebrations and their significance across different Christian traditions

Whether you're preparing for Palm Sunday or exploring the paradoxical nature of Christ's kingship, this discussion offers valuable insights for sermon preparation and Bible study.

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

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/o6r7Pf0fG7A.

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.

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.

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.

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.