This week the Revised Common Lectionary takes us to Matthew 4 when Jesus begins his public ministry based in Capernaum. The Narrative Lectionary went there last week and this week takes us to Matthew 5:1-20 to begin a short series in the Sermon on the Mount.
In this video we visually walk through Matthew 4. Jesus is tested in the wilderness, moves to Capernaum to begin his ministry, and calls his first disciples.
Jesus begins his public ministry in the readings for this week. The Revised Common Lectionary takes us to John 1:29-42 where we see John the Baptist introduce his disciples to Jesus. The Narrative Lectionary continues in Matthew 4:1-17 and takes us into the wilderness where Jesus is tempted and then to Capernaum where Jesus takes up the mantle of John’s preaching.
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1-17. This week both lectionaries take us to this text. The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) focuses on verses 13-17 and the Narrative Lectionary (NL) looks at verses 1-17.