Excuses, Lies, and Insults

The story did not end with the prodigal son's return. The older son returned to his home to hear the noise of the joyous celebration at his brother's return. When he learns his brother is ruined and penniless, he refuses to join the party.

If the story of the lost lamb and the lost coin did not move the religious people, perhaps a story of a lost son would touch their hearts. In his most famous story, Jesus tells the story of a son who shames his family and ruins his life. But his sin is not as great as his father's love.

Jesus tells the parables about the shepherd who risked everything to find one lost lamb and a woman who searched diligently to find one lost coin. But would the religious leaders understand the meaning?

Jesus is eating with religious leaders on the Sabbath. After he heals a man in their presence, he chides them for their pride and tells them a story to warn them they must stop making excuses about following him.

Jesus is teaching on the Sabbath in the synagogue. Everyone is enjoying his message when a woman shows up with a deformity she has had for 18 years. Jesus calls her to the front of the synagogue. What will he do on this day of rest?

Tragedies have struck Israel. Pilate has murdered men who were offering sacrifices in the Temple. A tower in Siloam has fallen and killed many. Some want Jesus to take revenge. His story of the barren fig tree identifies the real problem.

Jesus teaches his people about faith that overcomes all fear and then tells stories to reinforce all they have heard and to prepare them for the mission that lies ahead of them.

A man comes to Jesus and asks him to intervene in a family dispute. But Jesus sees that the problem is in the man who came to him. He is filled with greed and the story that follows warns everyone to be on guard against greed.

Jesus has been teaching his followers about prayer. To reinforce the point that God hears and answers prayer, he tells a story about a man who unexpectedly arrives at midnight at his friend's house and the hospitality that is shown to the man.

It is a grand day! Jesus has come to the home of Martha, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus. Martha is excited to do her best for this great man, but when things go wrong in the kitchen she loses her composure and learns an important lesson about what matters most.