or all who preach and for all who prepare for worship by prayerful reading of the Scripture passages for the day, Word of Promise is a practical and devotional companion which offers wise and informed commentary on the principal service lectionary readings for each Sunday and major holy day in Year A, the year of Matthew. The authors represent a wide spectrum of biblical theology, but their shared love of Scripture and concern for excellence in preaching have combined to produce a commentary that is at once insightful and inspirational. Drawing together Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle and Gospel readings, they provide many imaginative starting points for further reflection and application. Word of Promise will open minds and hearts to the Scriptures and encourage a greater sense of expectation in worship.

An essential handbook for preachers and a lively, informed devotional companion for those who prepare for worship by reading the Scriptures, this commentary on the Principal Service readings for Year A offers: * Variations in interpretation * Background history * Links between passages * Theological significance * Language sources * Illustrative quotes

A resource to inform, inspire and challenge, Word in Our Time is written for all who take part in worship to help them engage more deeply with the Scripture readings of the day. Preachers will find it an invaluable resource which enables them to make links between the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel texts, bring out their essential message and relate them to the experience and needs of the congregation. In addition to pithy and informed commentary on the principal service readings for each Sunday and major holy day in Year C, the year of Luke, many practical preaching' helps are also included: information on biblical or historical background, variations in interpretation, illustrative quotes and points for application. Those who read in church will be helped by a better understanding what the biblical writers were saying, and for all who prepare for worship by prayerful reading of the lessons for the day, Word in Our Time provides many thoughtful and stimulating insights which will encourage fuller integration between our worship, celebration, learning, spiritual formation and daily living.

Wise and informed commentary on the lectionary readings for the principal service in Year C. The authors represent a wide spectrum of theology but their shared concern for excellence in preaching have combined to produce an inspirational volume.

Is John's Gospel antisemitic? In John 8:44 Jesus tells the Jews, 'You are of your father the Devil', a charge used throughout the centuries by antisemites to fuel hatred of the Jews. And it is no one-off statement: throughout the Gospel, 'the Jews' appear as Jesus' sharpest opponents, ultimately seeking his execution. Who then are 'the Jews' in John's Gospel? Defending John against the charge of antisemitism, Motyer argues that, far from demonising the Jews, the Gospel seeks to present Jesus as 'Good News for Jews' in a late first century setting.