Friday, April 3, 2026
Light from Isaiah 3: The Suffering Servant Brings Peace and Glory
The final episode in this short series on Isaiah’s Lenten readings shows Isaiah 40-66 to be foundational for key New Testament passages such as Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13-15. Of special importance is God’s Suffering Servant, a role fulfilled by Jesus, the God-Man.
Friday, March 20, 2026
Light from Isaiah 2: Wrath and Mercy
This week we read Isaiah 8-39, noticing important themes, and God’s actions of wrath and mercy. We also delight in the special glimpses of God’s future complete salvation, initiated through the Child, and fulfilled in the new land where all is glory and light.
Friday, March 6, 2026
Light from Isaiah 1: The Bad News and the Good News
Passages from the beginning to the end of the book of the prophet Isaiah are prescribed for us in the lectionary all through Great Lent. We introduce Isaiah and probe four matching themes in chapters 1-7, seeing their connection with Paul’s letters in particular, where he deals with the human problem and God’s remedies for it.
Friday, February 20, 2026
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 8: “That the Scriptures Might be Fulfilled”
This week we complete our reading of the Nativity stories by adding Matthew’s account (Matt 1:1-2:18), and seeing its important connections to Genesis 35:19-20, Jeremiah 31:15-16, Isaiah 7:14, Hosea 11:1, and Micah 5:2. Matthew deliberately quotes and alludes to the Old Testament to show how Jesus recapitulates the story of humankind and of Israel, putting us right with God.
Friday, February 6, 2026
Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity 7: The Growth of God’s Son
This week, just following the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, we read Luke 2:21-52, with the help of Isaiah 42-52, Hebrews 5, and several Church Fathers. What does it mean to talk about the obedience and growth of God Incarnate? How do these stories of Jesus’ childhood encourage and instruct us?