A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna ...

“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) There is much in scripture that talks about readiness and alertness. There is much in life that distracts us and makes it hard for us to be alert and ready. This tension between readiness and reality ...

“Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.”  Matthew 22:9 The verse above is from another puzzling parable that Jesus tells to help us understand who God is and how God works. In the story a king has prepared a wedding ...

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Matthew 20:15 One of the most frustrating parables in Jesus’ teaching is the parable of the workers in the vineyard. In the story, the owner of the vineyard ...

Jesus said, “If another member of the church[a] sins against you,[b] go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” (Matthew 18:15) There is enough in this simple sentence of Jesus to change the world. More things go ...

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) We emphasize grace a lot in our tradition. It is the strength of the Lutheran message and a gift to us and the whole church. ...

And all ate and were filled; they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:20-21) Our culture teaches us to think about things scarcely. Advertisers spend entire careers convincing us ...

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) We often worry about WHAT we treasure. Are we focused on the right things or are we distracted by the wrong ones? This is a natural concern and one that all of us should pay attention to. It ...

“Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) In Matthew 5-7 we have the largest collection of Jesus’ teaching in any one spot. Matthew has an incredible assortment of important tings that Jesus ...

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) This text is the message of Christmas. In fact, it is the message of Christianity! The same word that spoke ...

The angel said to Joseph, “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 Maybe you are more naturally trusting than I am, but I have to think that when Mary told Joseph that she was ...