Narrative Lectionary from Working Preacher

Luther Seminary
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Working Preacher hosts "I Love to Tell the Story," an engaging conversation on upcoming Narrative Lectionary readings. Each episode is fun, informative, and creative—and will help you and your congregation become fluent in the first language of faith.

  1. 3D AGO

    Narrative Lectionary 666 (NL435): Jesus the Passover Lamb - April 3, 2026

    What does it mean that Jesus died at the exact hour the Passover lambs were being slaughtered? And why did John include such specific, seemingly minor details — unbroken bones, blood and water, a burial garden — in his account of the crucifixion? In this Good Friday episode, hosts Rolf Jacobson and Kathryn Schifferdecker are joined by Johannine scholar Karoline Lewis to unpack the rich theological layers woven into John 19.

    9 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Narrative Lectionary 665 (NL434): Jesus's Last Words - April 2, 2026

    It Is Finished. What did Jesus mean when he said "It is finished"? Was it defeat — or completion? In this Maundy Thursday episode of I Love to Tell the Story, hosts Rolf Jacobson and Kathryn Schifferdecker are joined by Johannine scholar Karoline Lewis to unpack three of the seven last words of Jesus as recorded uniquely in John's Gospel. Drawing from John 19:23–30, they explore the profound theological layers woven into Jesus' final moments on the cross — and why John's telling is unlike any other. This episode is ideal for preachers, ministry leaders, and Bible study groups preparing for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Whether you're preaching the Seven Last Words, walking a congregation through John's extended Passion narrative, or simply seeking richer engagement with the crucifixion story, this conversation offers scholarly depth and pastoral warmth in equal measure.

    12 min

  3. FEB 24

    Narrative Lectionary 664 (NL433): The Crucified Messiah - March 29, 2026

    In this episode of 'I Love to Tell the Story', hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Kathryn Schifferdecker discuss the readings for Palm Sunday, focusing on the symbolism of the triumphal entry in John 12 and the crucifixion narrative in John 19. They explore themes of honor and shame in the Roman context, Jesus' identity as King, and the significance of his final words. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus' voice and recognizing his kingship, even in the face of suffering and death.

    9 min

  4. FEB 24

    Narrative Lectionary 663 (NL432): Jesus Condemned - March 22, 2026

    In this episode of the 'I Love to Tell the Story' podcast, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Kathryn Schifferdecker delve into the narrative of John 19, focusing on the trial of Jesus before Pilate. They explore the complexities of Pilate's character, the political dynamics at play, and the profound choices presented to both the characters in the story and the listeners. The discussion highlights themes of power, judgment, and the choice between light and darkness, ultimately reflecting on the nature of kingship and the human condition.

    11 min

  5. FEB 18

    Narrative Lectionary 662 (NL431): Jesus and Pilate - March 15, 2026

    What is Truth? In this episode of the 'I Love to Tell the Story' podcast, hosts Karoline Lewis, Rolf Jacobson, and Kathryn Schifferdecker explore the themes of kingship, power, and truth as presented in the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on Jesus' trial before Pilate. They discuss the contrast between worldly power and the kingdom of Jesus, the nature of truth, and the choices presented to the people during this pivotal moment in the narrative.

    11 min

  6. FEB 11

    Narrative Lectionary 661 (NL430): Peter's Denial - March 8, 2026

    "I Am Not": Peter's Denial and the Crisis of Discipleship | John 18:12-27 In this Third Sunday of Lent episode, Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis explore Peter's denial in John's Gospel—a moment that reveals something deeper than we often recognize. Unlike the synoptic gospels where Peter denies knowing Jesus, John's account presents a more profound crisis: Peter denies his own identity as a disciple. The hosts unpack how John's unique telling positions Peter's three denials ("I am not") against Jesus' bold declarations of identity ("I am") happening simultaneously inside Annas's courtyard. While Jesus speaks openly before authorities, Peter—interrogated by a servant woman at the gate—cannot claim who he truly is. The garden reference, unique to John's Gospel, connects this moment back to the place of intimacy and friendship where Jesus often met with his disciples, making Peter's denial even more poignant. Karoline Lewis highlights crucial details that preachers might miss: the gatekeeper who questions Peter is the feminine version of the gatekeeper in John 10 who recognizes the good shepherd, yet here Peter is not known. The charcoal fire warming Peter appears again in John 21 when the resurrected Jesus prepares breakfast and restores Peter through the threefold "do you love me?" question—offering redemption rather than shame. Rolf shares a powerful sermon illustration from Will Willimon about hearing "the c**k crow" after witnessing racism and failing to act, connecting Peter's denial to our own moments when we fail to follow Jesus in the face of injustice. The episode challenges listeners to consider: When do we deny our own discipleship? When do we fail to be who Jesus has called us to be? This episode is essential listening for pastors preparing Lenten sermons, Bible study leaders, seminary students, and anyone seeking to understand the distinctive features of John's passion narrative as we enter the heart of the Lenten season.

    11 min

  7. FEB 4

    Narrative Lectionary 660 (NL429): Jesus Washes Feet - March 1, 2026

    Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Kathryn Schifferdecker for an intimate exploration of John 13:1-17, where Jesus washes his disciples' feet on the final night before his crucifixion. This episode unpacks one of the Gospel of John's most profound acts of love—a moment that transforms our understanding of servanthood, sacrifice, and what it means to love "to the end." Discover why the foot washing appears after dinner rather than at arrival, what connects this scene to Mary's anointing of Jesus in John 12, and why this act of love is directed toward both faithful disciples and those who will betray and deny him. Karoline Lewis explains the unique chronology of John's Gospel, where chapters 13-17 cover a single night—the same narrative space that chapters 1-12 use for three years of ministry. In This Episode: * The cultural context of foot washing and why Jesus performs this act after the meal * How Mary's anointing of Jesus in John 12 foreshadows and connects to the foot washing * Why there's no Lord's Supper in John's Gospel and what replaces it * The theological significance of "loved them to the end" (εἰς τέλος - eis telos) * Why Jesus washes the feet of Judas (his betrayer) and Peter (his denier) * The relationship between the foot washing and the love commandment * Personal stories of servanthood that embody Jesus' example * Whether foot washing should be considered a sacrament

    10 min

  8. JAN 23

    Narrative Lectionary 659 (NL428): Jesus Raises Lazarus - February 22, 2026

    Such love is not about sentiment but about action for the beloved. Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore one of the most profound narratives in John's Gospel: the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). This episode examines the seventh and final sign in John's Gospel—a passage that reveals not only Jesus's power over death but also his deep solidarity with human grief and loss. The hosts unpack why this 44-verse narrative dedicates so much space to grief and death itself, rather than rushing to the miraculous sign. Caroline Lewis highlights a crucial theological insight: Jesus declares "I am the resurrection and the life"—two distinct promises, not one. Resurrection points to our future hope, while "the life" speaks to abundant life available in relationship with Jesus here and now. The episode explores the poignant words spoken by both Martha and Mary: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." This lament echoes through our own experiences of loss and absence. The hosts discuss the significance of Jesus weeping—not just shedding a tear, but sobbing, crying an "ugly cry" over death's reality. The hosts offer concrete suggestions for proclamation, including the use of reader's theater scripts to bring the multiple voices to life, considering breaking up the reading with brief preaching segments, and remembering not to ask congregants to stand for the entire lengthy gospel reading. They discuss how this passage serves powerfully at funerals, offering the promise that the Good Shepherd will call our names even when we are "deader than dead." This episode is essential listening for pastors preparing Lent 1 sermons (February 22, 2026), ministry leaders facilitating Bible studies on John's Gospel, and anyone seeking deeper understanding of how Jesus meets us in our grief and loss.

    10 min
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About

Working Preacher hosts "I Love to Tell the Story," an engaging conversation on upcoming Narrative Lectionary readings. Each episode is fun, informative, and creative—and will help you and your congregation become fluent in the first language of faith.

Information

  • Creator
    Luther Seminary
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    668
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Working Preacher podcast episodes are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
  • Show Website
    Narrative Lectionary from Working Preacher

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