Articles by Karoline Lewis

Blogging Toward Sunday

Against Passion Sunday

Matthew 21:1–11

Apr 11, 2011 by Karoline Lewis

I am thinking of starting a campaign to bring back Palm Sunday, without the additional observance of Passion Sunday. Palm Sunday was always one of my favorites growing up as a preacher's kid, and it was all about the palms--and a lot of them. It was celebratory, festive, when as child I got a chance for a hands-on worship experience and a glimpse of what royalty could look like.

Living by the Word

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Matthew 21:1–11

Apr 05, 2011 by Karoline Lewis

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, 'Who is this?' The crowds were saying, 'This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.'"

Blogging Toward Sunday

Kangaroo care

John 11:1–45

Apr 04, 2011 by Karoline Lewis

Lately I've been thinking about Jesus' raising of Lazarus as the impetus for the authorities' wanting Jesus dead. It might not be that Jesus raising someone from the dead itself causes the Jewish officials to say, "That's it. Enough is enough," so much as that Jesus is exactly who he says he is: the resurrection and the life.

Living by the Word

Sunday, April 10, 2011

John 11:1–45

Mar 29, 2011 by Karoline Lewis

As a John scholar, I have always been fascinated with the scribal confusion about Jesus' "I AM" statement: "I am the resurrection and the life." Some of the ancient manuscripts for the Gospel of John omit "and the life," with the assumption that this is a redundancy and that no self-respecting Jesus would repeat himself. This is Martha's misunderstanding, isn't it?

Living by the Word

Boundless discipleship

Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28

Aug 12, 2008 by Karoline Lewis

The problem with Matthew 15:21-28 lies in the portrait of Jesus as neither the Jesus we have come to know and love nor, if we are honest, a Jesus we particularly like. The optional verses in the lectionary (Matt. 15:10-20) may elicit Peter’s reaction: “Explain yourself, Jesus!”

Living by the Word

Gradual confession

Matthew 16:13-20

Aug 12, 2008 by Karoline Lewis

The conversation at Caesarea Philippi is a defining moment for the synoptic Gospels, although only Matthew and Mark name it as the location for Peter’s confession, “You are the Messiah.” For the Gospel narratives as post-Easter interpretations, reflections and perspectives, who Jesus is constitutes the most important question for those early communities that claimed belief in