Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Guide A)

Genesis 29:15-28

Psalm 119:129-136

Romans 4:13-25

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

lectionary:

Season of ordinary time, Year a

Author

Jacob Traeger

Keywords (8)

Scripture (14)

Date Added

May 8, 2023

preaching commentary

The context

The parables we hear this week are part of a collection of parables of the Kingdom collected by Matthew in chapter 13 of his gospel account. As with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), there is ambiguity around whether Jesus’ audience is the crowd (13:2; 34) or the disciples (13:10; 36). A natural reading seems to suggest verses 31-33 are addressed to the crowd, and 44-52 to Jesus’ disciples. To what extent does the audience affect our understanding of the meaning of these parables? Does it change the way we approach preaching these passages?

The well-known formula “the Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, which appears (with small modifications) throughout the chapter may be somewhat…

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Lectionary Cycles

Author

Jacob Traeger

Jacob Traeger serves as a Church Planter and Mission Facilitator in Canberra, Australia, with the Lutheran Church of Australia. He ministers at Immanuel Woden Valley Lutheran Church, where he is dedicated to helping God’s people embrace their identity as His beloved children and guiding those who have yet to know God toward a relationship with their Creator and Savior. Jacob’s ministry is deeply rooted in the belief that faith is transformative and should permeate every aspect of life.

Beyond his pastoral work, Jacob is a co-host of the podcast A Christian and Buddhist Walk into a Bar. In this unique platform, he and his co-host engage in thought-provoking conversations on theological, spiritual, and cultural topics from their respective faith perspectives. This endeavor highlights Jacob’s passion for fostering dialogue, building bridges across religious and cultural divides, and encouraging mutual understanding.

Jacob’s heart for cross-cultural ministry is evident in his commitment to exploring faith and spirituality in diverse contexts. His approach is shaped by a desire to see people from all walks of life encounter the love of Christ in authentic and meaningful ways.

Jacob met his wife, Kate, during their university years in Adelaide, and their shared faith and love for adventure have been central to their life together. The couple enjoys hiking through Canberra’s picturesque bushland, appreciating the beauty of creation, and spending quality time with friends and family over board games.

Through his ministry, podcasting, and personal life, Jacob strives to live out his faith in both word and action, embodying Christ’s call to love and serve others. His work continues to inspire those he encounters, encouraging them to explore their faith and deepen their connection with God and one another.