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. 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 Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    11 min

  2. 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. Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    11 min

  3. JAN 23

    Narrative Lectionary 658 (NL427): The Good Shepherd - February 18, 2026

    It is through Jesus that one becomes identified as insider or outsider. Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker with Johannine scholar, Karoline Lewis for an unexpected take on Ash Wednesday through John 10:1-21, the Good Shepherd discourse. Karoline reveals a crucial connection: Jesus' Good Shepherd discourse is his own interpretation of the healing of the man born blind in John 9. The man has already lived out this imagery—following Jesus' voice despite opposition and finding abundant life. This isn't abstract theology; it's enacted truth the listeners just witnessed. Why This Text for Ash Wednesday? While typically an Easter season passage, John 10 speaks powerfully to Lenten themes. Jesus' statement "I lay down my life in order to take it up again" (v. 17) previews the passion we're journeying toward. Ash Wednesday confronts us with mortality, yet this text paradoxically points beyond death to resurrection and abundant life. The shepherd metaphor carries messianic weight—"shepherd" was royal language in the ancient Near East. When Jesus declares "I am the good shepherd," he's making claims about divine kingship his audience would immediately recognize. This text overflows with themes: abundant life, sacrificial love, discipleship, dual shepherd/gate imagery. The hosts discuss focusing strategies for a single sermon, addressing the pastoral challenge of the hired hand reference, and connecting Jesus' garden arrest to this discourse—where he both protects his disciples and surrenders himself, acting as both gate and shepherd. Perfect for pastors, ministry leaders, seminary students, and anyone following the Narrative Lectionary. 🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers. Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    12 min

  4. JAN 23

    Narrative Lectionary 657 (NL426): The Man Born Blind - February 15, 2026

    Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41). Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    15 min

  5. JAN 14

    Narrative Lectionary 656 (NL425): Healing Stories - February 8, 2026

    Walking in Faith: Healing Stories in John's Gospel Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore two powerful healing narratives from the Gospel of John. In this episode, they examine Jesus healing the royal official's son (John 4:46-54) and the man ill for 38 years (John 5:1-18), uncovering what these signs reveal about faith, obedience, and life in relationship with Jesus. Key Insights: * The importance of following Jesus' word even before seeing results * How translation choices affect our understanding (Greek present tense: "your son lives" vs. "will live") * Why Jesus sometimes seems uncompassionate before healing * The pattern in John's Gospel: sign → dialogue → discourse * Living in the "not yet" of faith while walking toward promise * How signs point beyond themselves to Jesus' identity and the abundance of relationship Rolf offers personal reflections on what it means to believe Jesus' word while walking through uncertainty, comparing the official's journey home to experiences of waiting through medical crises. Karoline, as a Johannine scholar, explains why Jesus challenges the crowd's focus on signs and wonders (verse 48), connecting this healing to the Nicodemus encounter and forward to later chapters. The episode traces Jesus' movement between Galilee and Jerusalem throughout John's Gospel, noting how these healing stories bookend different geographical locations—Cana in Galilee and Jerusalem—while developing consistent themes about belief, obedience, and the life Jesus offers. Perfect for: * Pastors preparing sermons for February 8, 2026 (Narrative Lectionary) * Bible study leaders exploring John's Gospel * Anyone wrestling with what it means to believe before seeing * Seminary students and ministry leaders seeking scholarly insights on * Johannine healing narratives Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    12 min

  6. JAN 9

    Narrative Lectionary 655 (NL424): The Woman at the Well - February 1, 2026

    Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker and Karoline Lewis explore the woman at the well—one of the New Testament's most transformative encounters. This episode unpacks how an unnamed Samaritan woman becomes the first person to receive Jesus' explicit "I am" declaration. The Readers' Theater script referred to in this episode is available for download here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/NL424_John4_script.pdf Key Discussion Points: - Correcting Misreadings: The woman is NOT immoral or "a woman of ill repute." The hosts challenge false assumptions about her five husbands and emphasize staying with what's actually in the text. - Old Testament Type Scene: The well setting echoes betrothal scenes (Jacob/Rachel, Moses/Zipporah), but Jesus subverts expectations—this meeting leads to spiritual rebirth and witness, not marriage. - Transformation Through Misunderstanding: Like Nicodemus with "born from above," the woman initially misunderstands "living water." But her openness moves her further in faith than Nicodemus—from confusion to recognizing Jesus as prophet to becoming a witness. - She Left Her Water Jar: A powerful detail showing her transformation. She came to draw water but leaves with living water and a new vocation. - First "I Am" Statement: Verse 26 contains Jesus' first absolute "I am" (ego eimi) in John's Gospel—given to a Samaritan woman, not to Jewish leaders. This echoes God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3. - Harvest Imagery: In the Passover agricultural context, Jesus teaches that the fields are already ripe for harvest—the woman just demonstrated immediate witness rather than waiting. - "Savior of the World": The only time "savior" appears in John's Gospel, spoken by Samaritans after abiding with Jesus. - Worship Planning Tip: Given the passage's length (42 verses), use reader's theater rather than a single reader. A script is available here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/NL424_John4_script.pdf Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    15 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Narrative Lectionary 654 (NL423): Nicodemus - January 25, 2026

    Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore one of Scripture's most famous passages: Jesus' nighttime conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21. This episode unpacks the Third Sunday after Epiphany text from the Narrative Lectionary, examining the encounter that contains perhaps the Bible's most well-known verse—John 3:16. The hosts dive deep into what it truly means to be "born from above" (anothen in Greek), clarifying common misconceptions about this phrase often translated as "born again." Karoline Lewis, a Johannine scholar, explains how belief (pisteuō) in John's Gospel functions not as cognitive assent but as an active relationship with Jesus—always a verb, never just a noun. The conversation explores how eternal life in John isn't merely about the afterlife but describes the abundant life possible now through relationship with God and Jesus (John 17:3). Discover why Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, comes to Jesus under cover of darkness—a detail that contrasts sharply with the woman at the well who meets Jesus in broad daylight. The hosts examine the narrative function of misunderstanding in John's Gospel, showing how Nicodemus's confusion (and similar misunderstandings by the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and even Thomas) serves as an invitation into deeper theological revelation. This episode addresses critical preaching challenges: How do we interpret John 3:16 beyond football game signs? What does it mean for traditions that practice infant baptism to engage with "born from above" language? The hosts trace Nicodemus's character arc throughout John's Gospel, from his nighttime visit in chapter 3, to his defense of Jesus in chapter 7, to his anointing of Jesus' body in chapter 19. Special attention is given to verse 19's crucial claim: God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to save it, yet judgment comes through humanity's choice of darkness over light. This framing helps preachers connect ancient text with contemporary ministry, addressing how sin functions as a condition of separation from God rather than merely individual moral failings. Drawing on Craig Koester's forthcoming commentary on John and scholarly research on the Greek term anothen, this episode equips pastors and ministry leaders with tools for sermon preparation that balance academic rigor with accessibility for congregational settings. TIMECODES: 00:00 Introduction to Nicodemus and John 3:16 03:05 Understanding Belief and Eternal Life in John 05:52 The Encounter Between Jesus and Nicodemus 09:07 Misunderstandings and Revelations in the Gospel 12:08 The Journey of Nicodemus 13:29 Conclusion and Reflections on the Narrative Lectionary Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers. Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    15 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Narrative Lectionary 653 (NL422): Jesus Cleanses the Temple - January 18, 2026

    Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore one of the most pivotal yet frequently misunderstood passages in John's Gospel—the cleansing of the temple. Why does John place this dramatic event at the beginning of Jesus' ministry instead of during Holy Week like the synoptic gospels? The answer reveals something profound about where God's presence truly dwells. In this episode of "I Love to Tell the Story," the hosts unpack John 2:13-25, examining how this passage differs significantly from its synoptic counterparts. Rather than simply critiquing temple corruption, John uses this incident to make a theological statement about Jesus himself as the new location of God's presence. When Jesus declares, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up," he's pointing toward his resurrection and redefining where humanity encounters the divine. The conversation addresses critical pastoral concerns, including how to preach John's Gospel responsibly given its history of misuse to justify anti-Semitism. The hosts emphasize Jesus' identity as a faithful Jewish male who observed Passover and the pilgrimage festivals, helping preachers counter supersessionist interpretations while honoring the text's theological claims. Key insights include the significance of John's three Passover references (establishing Jesus' three-year ministry), the pattern of misunderstanding that characterizes responses to Jesus throughout the gospel, and the meaning of Greek terms like "pisteuō" (believe/entrust) in verse 24. The hosts also tackle contemporary applications, warning against the commodification of religion—from first-century money changers to modern prosperity gospel preachers who treat God's grace as something that can be bought and sold. Whether you're preparing Sunday's sermon, leading Bible study, or deepening your own understanding of John's unique theological perspective, this episode offers scholarly insight made accessible for ministry contexts. Discover how John 2:13-25 proclaims good news: God's presence is not confined to religious institutions or controlled by religious authorities, but is freely available to everyone in Jesus Christ. TIMECODES: 00:00 Introduction to the Temple Cleansing 03:13 Understanding Jesus' Actions in the Temple 05:59 The Significance of Jesus' Presence in Jerusalem 09:11 The Good News Beyond the Temple 10:26 Law and Gospel in the Context of the Temple 🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers. Mentioned in this episode: Epiphany Working Preacher Support

    12 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
    662
  • 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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