Narrative Lectionary from Working Preacher

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...

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 encounte...

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 forgiven...

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 Crucifix...

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 throug...

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 d...

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 messag...

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...

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 an...

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 repentanc...

What does it truly mean to love your neighbor? In this episode of the Narrative Lectionary Podcast, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Alan Padgett, and Jennifer Pietz explore one of Jesus' most well-known and challenging parables—the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The hosts unpack the story’s radical message of compassion, cultural boundaries, and the call to action that still resonates today. Join us as we...

What does Jerusalem represent in the Gospel of Luke? How does the journey to the cross shape our understanding of discipleship? In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, we explore the significance of Jerusalem as a central character in Luke’s narrative, the cost of discipleship, and the challenges of rejection and conflict that followers of Jesus face. As we approach Ash Wednesday, this conver...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the significance of Moses and Elijah, the contrast between glory and suffering, and the powerful healing moments in Jesus’ ministry. With thoughtful commentary, they reflect on how glimpses of the future kingdom shape faith in the present, offering insight and encouragement for prea...

What does it mean to be truly forgiven?  In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story: A Podcast on the Narrative Lectionary, Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive into the moving story of the sinful woman who weeps at Jesus' feet. Join us as we explore the cultural context, her devotion's depth, and grace's transformative power. 🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: htt...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Craig Koester, and Kathryn Schifferdecker dive deep into Luke 7, where John the Baptist asks a crucial question: Is Jesus really the one? Together, they explore the tension between expectation and reality, the culture of offense, and how Christ’s legacy is revealed through acts of compassion. But what does true wisdom look like? And...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive into Luke 7, particularly focusing on the stories of the centurion and the widow. The hosts explore themes of authority, worthiness, and the nature of faith in relation to Jesus' actions.  Tune in as our hosts discuss how Jesus interacts with individuals of varying social statuses and...

Are rules made for people, or are people made for rules?  In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Craig Koester, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive deep into Luke 6, unpacking the Sabbath controversies and what they reveal about Jesus’ radical message of grace. They reflect on how Jesus redefines the meaning of the Sabbath, focusing on human well-being rather than rigid rul...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson explore Luke 5 and the miraculous catch of fish, unpacking the deeper meaning behind the disciples' calling. They discuss sin, forgiveness, and God's mission, emphasizing how His call invites us to a greater purpose. Reflecting on Old Testament figures and the Holy Spirit's transformative po...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher, Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the significance of Jesus' sermon at Nazareth, emphasizing the call to action for followers of Christ to serve the marginalized and oppressed. They explore the messianic identity of Jesus and the cultural implications of his mes...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher, Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the significance of the baptism of Jesus and the role of John the Baptist as a prophet. They explore the prophetic tradition, the call to repentance, and the symbolism of fire in relation to the Holy Spirit. The conversation emp...

In episode #606 of I Love to Tell the Story, the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher, Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson explore themes of parenting, the significance of the temple in Jerusalem, and the blessings and challenges of motherhood.  The conversation highlights the vulnerability of Jesus in the incarnation and the deep connection between Mary an...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson as they delve into the profound themes of the Christmas story, centered on the incarnation of Jesus in Luke chapter two. 🌟 ✨ Topics we covered include: - The roles of Simeon and Anna in witnessing God's promises. - Mary and Joseph's fa...

In this episode of I Love to Tell the Story, the Narrative Lectionary Podcast from Working Preacher Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson dive into the Christmas narrative in Luke 2, uncovering powerful themes of contrasting authorities, Mary’s deep reflections, and the significance of hospitality and praise. Explore how God’s promises—from David to the birth of Jesus—offe...

Profs. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Joy J. Moore, and Rolf Jacobson dive into the biblical text for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, focusing on the Annunciation to Mary in Luke’s Gospel. Discover the profound significance of Mary’s faithful response to the angel Gabriel, the role of the Holy Spirit in this momentous event, and how this passage bridges the Old and New Testaments. Join us as we explore them...

Discover the Promise of Advent: Isaiah 61 and the Spirit of Hope In episode 602 of I Love to Tell the Story: A Podcast on the Narrative Lectionary, hosts Joy J. Moore, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Rolf Jacobson dive into the readings for the third Sunday of Advent. Together, they unpack the rich themes in Isaiah 61, exploring its powerful message of healing, restoration, and the transformative prom...