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.
Narrative Lectionary 654 (NL422): 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.
10 Dec 2025
Narrative Lectionary 653 (NL421): 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.
9 Dec 2025
Narrative Lectionary 652 (NL420): Wedding at Cana - January 11, 2026
Join Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis as they explore Jesus' first miracle in the Gospel of John—the wedding at Cana. This episode unpacks the theological significance of John's "Book of Signs" and what it means that Jesus inaugurates his public ministry not with fasting or wilderness temptation, but with overflowing wine at a celebration.
Key Themes Explored:
* The Book of Signs: Understanding John's unique structure (chapters 1-12) and how the seven signs point to Jesus' identity and the grace he offers
* Grace Upon Grace: How the abundance at Cana—six stone jars holding 20-30 gallons each, filled to the brim with the best wine—embodies John 1:16's promise of grace upon grace
* Honor and Shame: The cultural context of first-century Palestinian weddings and how Jesus' intervention saves a family from public disgrace
* The Role of Jesus' Mother: Mary's unique presence in John's Gospel, appearing only at the beginning and end of Jesus' public ministry, and her profound recognition of who Jesus is
* Signs vs. Miracles: Why John calls these events "signs" (σημεῖα) rather than miracles—they point beyond the act itself to reveal God's presence and power
Why This Matters for Preaching:
The hosts discuss how this narrative offers multiple homiletical directions: the experience of abundance in our lives, the removal of shame through Christ's compassion, and the call to "do whatever he tells you"—a pattern that continues throughout John's Gospel where obedience to Jesus leads to transformation and abundance.
Karoline Lewis brings her expertise in Johannine literature to illuminate how this first sign sets the pattern for Jesus' entire ministry in John and how it differs significantly from the synoptic gospels' approach to Jesus' early ministry.
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