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John 1:29-42 Sermon Commentary
A theme in the Gospel of John is that of testimony, or being a reliable witness. Throughout the whole text, Jesus is establishing himself as needing no other witness. Here at the beginning of the narrative, we see John pointing to this reality through his own witness, supported by the witness of the prophecy he…
Isaiah 49:1-7 Sermon Commentary
Illustration “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists in two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” Knowledge of God, of course, sounds noble enough but that knowledge of ourselves? Does it strike you as a little pop-psychology? Kind-of self-help-y and postmodern? Where does that quotation…
Psalm 40:1-11 Sermon Commentary
Psalm 40 is certainly one of the more curious of the psalms. The first 11 verses (which is all the Lectionary is directing us to) comprise an upbeat song of thanksgiving and praise to God. The psalmist claims to have waited patiently for God to come through for him and then God did. He lifted…
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Sermon Commentary
It can be tempting for some Christians to assume that ministers of the Word and sacrament, as well as missionaries are the only people God ever calls. When pastors share that assumption, it can easily get us into some binds. Among them is the question, “Where exactly is God calling me to do ministry?” At…
Sermon Commentary From Other Lectionary Cycles
John 1:29-42 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
“The world was made through him,” the apostle John wrote earlier in this chapter, “but when he was in the world, it didn’t recognize him.” Indeed, it didn’t. Jesus existed as just another face in the crowd. Even his own cousin, John the Baptist, almost missed recognizing him. And yet hidden inside that one man…
John 1:29-42 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
The lamb of God. Agnus Dei. The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Agnus Dei tolle peccato mundi. It is so familiar to us. Even if you Google that Latin phrase Agnus Dei, you instantly get over 10 million hits. And that’s in Latin! (Maybe these days quid quo pro…
Psalm 40:1-11 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
“The correct ‘voice’ for Psalm 40 is not in doubt,” says Patrick Henry Reardon in his Christ in the Psalms. “We know from Hebrews 10 that these are words springing from the heart of Christ our Lord and have reference to the sacrificial obedience of his Passion and death.” That may be ultimately true and…
Sermon Commentary for Sunday
This Week's Commentary
Epiphany 2A
The Epiphany 2A Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for John 1:29-42 from the Lectionary Gospel; Isaiah 49:1-7 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 40:1-11 from the Lectionary Psalms; and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Psalm: Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 103 (Lord’s Day 38)