Jesus often taught His followers using stories called parables. The parables of The Talents, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and The Two Sons, are presented together to reinforce important principles. They teach us how to be good stewards of the things that we have been given. These timeless truths help us focus on our faith in God and His power to help us live our lives in accordance with His teachings.

Jesus is asked to judge an inheritance dispute, but instead He uses this conflict to affirm the eternal ideals of His Beatitudes taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaches the wronged brother to forgive and love his brother. All who follow Jesus must learn that what we own has little to do with who we are. Important ideals of stewardship and preparedness are emphasized through the parable of the House Built on Rock.

Experience the Passion of Christ. Witness the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Pray with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Feel the betrayal of Judas’ kiss. Endure the trial and crucifixion as Jesus willingly submits. Rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus’ death and resurrection provides pardon for our sins.

In His final days, Jesus cleanses the Temple, but He cannot cleanse the hearts of the people. Even His disciples struggle to understand Him and His mission. Following Jesus’ death, He visits His disciples on the road to Emmaus. Afterwards they finally gain understanding: Jesus delivers all from the bondage of sin and death, giving hope of eternal life through His atonement.

Jesus uses the parables of the King’s Wedding Feast and the Thief in the Night to teach His disciples to have to repent and to be prepared for the day He comes again. Jesus teaches His disciples to patiently watch for the signs of His Second Coming. You’ll see how the disciples misunderstood the meaning of His parables. Even with these insights, will we also misunderstand the signs of His coming today?