This post offers visual resources for the week of December 11, 2022 in the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary. It is the third Sunday of Advent and we light the candle of Joy. John the Baptist questions Jesus from prison. Are you the one? Jesus comments that John is Elijah (RCL). Isaiah offers a picture of the Messiah as one who will shine a light for the nations (NL).
This week we light the third Advent Candle. You can download this virtual advent wreath for FREE and use it on your own website, social media platforms, and in worship. Enjoy!
Revised Common Lectionary | Matthew 11:2–11 | John Questions if Jesus is the One
This year we draw from the Gospel of Matthew in the RCL. The season of Advent typically focuses on the Hebrew prophets who speak truth to corrupt power structures in the midst of dark times of oppression and war. Last week we saw how Matthew introduces John the Baptist as a Hebrew prophet. In the text this week we see that John has been imprisoned and has received word of how Jesus has carried on his ministry. He seems confused and sends messengers to ask Jesus if he, indeed, is the Messiah. Jesus responds by listing the work he has been doing. Then Jesus turns to the the crowds and definitively proclaims that John is fulfilling the role of the prophet Elijah. He has proclaimed the coming Messiah, and Jesus is it.
It is important to note that this scene takes place immediately following the Mission Discourse and the stories of Jesus’ healing ministry. Our joy is found in the liberating power that Jesus, the Messiah, brings to all people, especially those that are weak, hurting, and living on the margins.
This image come from page 8 in A Cartoonist’s Guide to Matthew.
Preview PowerPoint
Feel free to use any or all of these slides and images in your own preaching and teaching.
[slideshare id=254690087&doc=matthew111-12-50-221202203336-746a0b27&w=800&h=350]
Narrative Lectionary | Isaiah 42:1–9 | A Light For The Nations
This week the Narrative Lectionary takes us back to the prophet Isaiah. In this beautiful poem the prophet paints a picture of the coming Messiah that will shine a light of hope for the nations. He will not be a violent conqueror, but will “
open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Here are some notes and slides from when I preached this in 2015. For whatever it’s worth.
[slideshare id=43122930&doc=atimeforallsermonslides-141231163552-conversion-gate02]
Join me every Monday at 4:00pm Central Time for a live Bible study on Zoom.
These sessions include:
- a presentation of the visual resources for the lectionary texts for the week,
- live discussion around the texts,
- previews and behind-the-scenes peeks at what is happening at A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible
The video of the session remains available on the network to view at any time, in case you can’t make it for the live session.
This is a part of the Cartoonist’s Bible Network. I’d love to have you join us.
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