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Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 4:1-4
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read John 4:1-4 as an example of Jesus' intentional and purposeful mission. The passage shows Christ's movement through various regions, underscoring His universal mission to all people, not limited by ethnic or cultural barriers. This aligns with our underst
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 4:1-4
We read John 4:1-4 as a testament to Jesus' intentional crossing of societal boundaries, embodying liberation and reconciliation. Jesus' journey through Samaria, a region despised by the Jews, signifies God's movement toward breaking down entrenched barriers of race, ethnicity, and social division.
Traditional Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read John 2:1-11 as a profound revelation of Christ's divine authority and the inauguration of His public ministry. This passage demonstrates Jesus' power over creation, as He miraculously turns water into wine, symbolizing the transformative power of the new covenant. We see in this narrative a
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read this passage as a significant marker in the redemptive history, where Jesus begins to reveal his glory and inaugurates the New Covenant through the first of his signs. The transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana prefigures the abundant blessings of the New Covenant, contrast
Lutheran Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read John 2:1-11 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the miracle at Cana as a revelation of Christ's glory and an embodiment of the Gospel's promise. This passage reveals Christ as the one who provides abundantly and graciously, pointing to the eschatological wedding feast and the ful
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read John 2:1-11 as a profound revelation of Christ’s divine nature and the sacramental reality of the marriage feast at Cana. This passage not only marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry but also prefigures the Eucharist, where ordinary elements are transformed into extraordinary grace. I
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read this passage as a sign of God's abundant grace and transformative power that breaks into the mundane realities of life. In John 2:1-11, Jesus turns water into wine, embodying the liberating God who transforms scarcity into abundance. This miracle whispers of God's deliverance, a theme resona
Traditional Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
We read this passage as a profound demonstration of Christ's divine authority and compassion. In John 6:1-15, Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand exemplifies His power over creation and His role as the provider for His people. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes points to Jesus as
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
We read John 6:1-15 as a profound revelation of Christ's identity as the true bread from heaven, prefigured in the Old Testament manna and fulfilled in Christ's redemptive work. This passage, within the redemptive-historical framework, highlights God's sovereign provision in Christ, demonstrating th
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
In our Catholic tradition, we read John 6:1-15 as a profound revelation of the Eucharistic mystery. This passage anticipates the feeding of our souls with the Bread of Life, which Christ offers in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We see this miracle as more than a historical event; it is a prefigurem
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
We read this passage as a demonstration of Jesus' liberating power and a testament to God's provision for the oppressed. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 is not just about physical bread but about God's ability to meet the needs of marginalized communities. In this story, Jesus sees the hunger of th
Traditional Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
We read John 21:1-14 as a post-resurrection appearance of Christ that reaffirms His lordship and commission to His disciples. The miraculous catch of fish signifies Jesus' provision and the calling of His disciples to be 'fishers of men'. This passage underscores the continuity of Jesus' ministry af
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
We read John 21:1-14 as a profound demonstration of Christ's sovereign grace and his ongoing commitment to his covenant people. In this passage, the risen Christ appears to his disciples, providing a miraculous catch of fish, which signifies his provision and his authority over creation. This event
Lutheran Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
We read John 21:1-14 through the Lutheran Lens as a narrative that highlights both the Law and the Gospel. The Law is evident in the disciples' fruitless night of fishing, symbolizing human inability and the futility of effort apart from Christ. The Gospel shines forth in Christ's provision of an ab
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read John 21:1-14 as a profound encounter with the risen Christ, emphasizing the sacramental nature of this revelation. The passage is not merely about a miraculous catch of fish but a demonstration of Christ's ongoing presence with his Church, particularly throug
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
We read this passage as a powerful revelation of Jesus who meets His disciples in their ordinary struggles and transforms their reality. This is a story of divine provision and communal restoration. The disciples, weary from fruitless labor, experience the liberating presence of Jesus who fills thei
Traditional Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
We read Psalm 3 as a powerful testimony of God's protection and sovereignty amidst overwhelming adversity. David, under divine inspiration, writes from a place of vulnerability, fleeing from his own son Absalom. We see God's faithfulness as a shield and the lifter of David's head, affirming our trus
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
We read Psalm 3 as a profound expression of God's covenantal faithfulness amidst adversity. David's cry to the Lord in the face of overwhelming enemies is not merely a personal lament but an invocation of God's sovereign grace and covenant promises. In the redemptive-historical context, David's appe
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
We read Psalm 3:1-8 as a vivid illustration of the tension between Law and Gospel, with David's lament revealing the crushing pressure of the Law in his dire circumstances. David's cry for deliverance reflects our own condition under the Law, besieged by sin and unable to save ourselves. Yet, the Go
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read Psalm 3 as a profound expression of trust in God's providence amidst adversity. We see King David, despite being surrounded by his enemies, placing his full confidence in the Lord's protection, which prefigures Christ's ultimate victory over sin and deat
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
We read Psalm 3 as a cry for deliverance from oppression, a sacred lament that resonates deeply with our historical and ongoing struggles. This psalm reflects the experience of being surrounded by enemies and yet finding refuge in the Lord, much like our ancestors who found strength in God amidst th
Traditional Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 2:4-10
We read 1 Peter 2:4-10 as a profound declaration of the church's identity rooted in Christ as the cornerstone. This passage affirms believers as a 'chosen race,' 'royal priesthood,' and 'holy nation,' emphasizing our calling to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 2:4-10
We read 1 Peter 2:4-10 as a profound articulation of our identity as God’s covenant people, chosen and precious in His sight. This passage emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant of grace, highlighting that believers are 'living stones' being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the corn
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 2:4-10
We read 1 Peter 2:4-10 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the passage as a profound declaration of the Gospel. This text proclaims our identity as a chosen people and a royal priesthood, established not by our works but through the mercy and grace of God in Christ Jesus. The passage hig