ICE is Anti-Christ
What the Gospel stories about refugees, children, and neighbors reveal about current U.S. immigration enforcement Anti-Christ as a Pattern, not a Person I realize this is a bold statement, and that the term “anti-Christ” carries a lot of connotations. But…
A Reflection in the aftermath of Alex Pretti
I’m writing an Advent devotional focused on embodiment. This is what I wrote yesterday for one of the devotionals. I selected the passages some time ago, but they really resonated with the events of January 24, 2026. Psalm 40:6–8 Sacrifice…
Commentary on John 1:29-42
This article was first published on Working Preacher.
As we journey through ordinary time, our lectionary turns to passages that reveal who Jesus is and lead us into deeper discipleship. The text chosen for this week, John 1:29-42, makes some striking…
Commentary on Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20
This article was first published on Working Preacher. I find it easy, maybe comforting even, to imagine the nativity events that Luke describes as tranquil: a beaming new mother and father admiring their sleeping infant while stable animals sleep around…
Commentary on Matthew 5:1-12
This article was first published on Working Preacher. Matthew shows Jesus to be an active agent of God’s power among the people and an authoritative teacher, highlighted by what is arguably the most famous of Jesus’ teachings, the Sermon on the…
Commentary on Matthew 4:12-23
This article was first published on Working Preacher.
Matthew’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the call of his first disciples is a tale of two kingdoms. Matthew 4:12-23 demonstrates the call for allegiance required to be part of…
Mothers of the Children of Israel (6)
Rachel’s Long-Awaited Sons The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” In this post, we will look at the naming…
Mothers of the Children of Israel (5)
Mandrakes and Three More Children for Leah The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” To this point, we have…
The Mothers of the Children of Israel (4)
Bilhah and Zilpah: the Enslaved Matriarchs The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This post introduces Bilhah and Zilpah as…
The Mothers of the Children of Israel (3)
Leah’s First Four Sons The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This post looks at the naming of Leah’s first…
The Mothers of the Children of Israel (2)
Leah’s Loveless but Productive Marriage The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This blog explores a bit of they dynamic…
The Mothers of the Children of Israel (1)
When Rachel and Leah meet their future husband The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” Specifically, Leah and Rachel’s…
Miriam, Leader of Israel (4)
Miriam was one of Israel’s first leaders and a prophetess for her people. Unlike most women in the Bible, Miriam receives a considerable amount of textual attention. This four-part series surveys some aspects of Miriam’s character and characterization in biblical stories,…
Miriam, Leader of Israel (3)
Miriam was one of Israel’s first leaders and a prophetess for her people. Unlike most women in the Bible, Miriam receives a considerable amount of textual attention. This four-part series surveys some aspects of Miriam’s character and characterization in biblical stories,…
Miriam, Leader of Israel (2)
Miriam was one of Israel’s first leaders and a prophetess for her people. Unlike most women in the Bible, Miriam receives a considerable amount of textual attention. This four-part series surveys some aspects of Miriam’s character and characterization in biblical stories,…
Miriam, Leader of Israel (1)
Miriam was one of Israel’s first leaders and a prophetess for her people. Unlike most women in the Bible, Miriam receives a considerable amount of textual attention. This four-part series surveys some aspects of Miriam’s character and characterization in biblical stories,…
Remembering Mary Magdalene
Mary’s legacy is so much more than “reformed sinner.” She was a faithful follower of Jesus, even to end. She was there when he died and she encountered him first when he rose. She is a model of leadership and devotion…
Mark 6 and the Performance of Power
George Orwell once wrote about his experience of shooting an elephant as “enlightening” in that it “gave me a better glimpse than I had had before of the real nature of imperialism—the real motives for which despotic governments act.” Orwell,…
Jillian D. Nelson, PhD 