One of the most familiar of Jesus’ parables is the Good Samaritan, found only in Luke 10:25-37. Jesus told the parable in a conversation with an expert in the law about how to have eternal life. While the parable’s story line is simple and memorable, it includes twists that turn the whole conversation on its head. Jesus opened the way to eternal life, although it wasn’t quite the way that the expert in the law or anyone else expected.
Four short parables point to the surpassing value of the kingdom of God and the need to find it now.
If we invest in making disciples, our lives become bound up with theirs to die and live together.
After Jesus gave his disciples very troubling news, he told them in John 14:1-14, "Let not your hearts be troubled." He went on to...