Stories of the Master: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Williams
The story of Jesus and the stories he told - as you have never heard them before. Storyteller Jonathan Williams weaves in historical, cultural, and little known biblical details to make the story of Jesus and the stories he told come alive in these half-hour dramatic narratives.
For 400 years, the prophetic word had been absent in Israel. Suddenly, a new voice proclaims in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord! The Kingdom of God is at hand!"
Mystery and intrigue have surrounded the maiden from Magdala. Many have believed her to be . . .
A converted prostitute . . . and . . . or . . .
Jesus’ wife . . . and . . . or . . .
The chief of the Apostles . . . and . . . or . . .
A victim of a male power play in ancient Church politics.
Since the Gospels were written, never have so many believed so much about one person!
Who was she? Solve the mystery!
Mystery and intrigue have surrounded the maiden from Magdala. Many have believed her to be . . .
A converted prostitute . . . and . . . or . . .
Jesus’ wife . . . and . . . or . . .
The chief of the Apostles . . . and . . . or . . .
A victim of a male power play in ancient Church politics.
Since the Gospels were written, never have so many believed so much about one person!
But who was she? Solve the mystery!
The risen Jesus is with his followers for 40 days. He gives them final instructions for the next phase of God's kingdom plan. Then, he ascends to God's right hand in glory from which he rules the world and empowers his people to tell everyone the good news of his victory!
Word spreads about the empty tomb. Then, Jesus begins appearing to his disciples - Mary, Peter, the "12", James, 500 at one time! Jesus is alive! He is the Messiah, and he has conquered sin and death!
Women go to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body properly. But when they arrive, they find the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and
an angelic announcement that will change the world - Jesus has risen!
He bears the Roman cross to Golgotha where spikes are driven into his hands and feet. Jesus hangs in agony for several hours and utters his last words before he dies.
Jesus is led from one mockery of a trial to another. He is in front of the religious rulers, then Pilate, Herod, and back to Pilate. Finally, the verdict is given "Crucify him!"
Jesus and his followers go to a garden outside Jerusalem for prayer. While his disciples sleep, the agony of what lies ahead descends upon Jesus.
On the night in which he would be betrayed, Jesus gathers with his closest followers for final, heart-touching words of promise.
Jesus gathers with his closest followers to celebrate a Passover meal and does something that will shock them and teach an unforgettable lesson.
To prepare everyone for the Kingdom's coming, Jesus tells a story about ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish.
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why? Why are there so many problems in the world? It was not always this way. It will not always be this way. All things will be renewed.
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Why?
Why is there so much sorrow, so much sadness in the world?
Abuse, human trafficking, war and slavery, man-made famine in lawless lands where everyone is in danger from the violent who care only for their power. All these trouble our world.
The Bible, God’s holy word to mankind, tells us it was not always this way. It will not always be this way. Your fears can be relieved. Your shame can be wiped away. Your sins can be forgiven. Your hopelessness can disappear.
All things will be renewed!
Jesus gives everyone every opportunity to understand the seriousness of his mission. He tells the story of the Wedding Banquet and answers hard questions presented by the religious leaders. And he has a hard question also.
Jesus gives everyone every opportunity to understand the seriousness of his mission. He tells the story of the Wedding Banquet and answers hard questions presented by the religious leaders. And he has a hard question also.
Pressure mounts in the Temple between Jesus and the authorities when he tells the story of the Vineyard and the Beloved Son. Everyone knows the parable is pointed at the religious leaders and God's new work that they will miss if they continue to harden their hearts.
Jesus has entered Jerusalem amid much controversy. The religious authorities are infuriated with him. To counter them, Jesus tells a story about two disobedient sons. The lesson is obvious, but will the leaders listen and obey?
The climax of Jesus' ministry is at hand. He enters Jerusalem to the praise of the people, but the religious authorities will not have it. They demand that he force the people to stop hailing him as Messiah. But Jesus' reply will shock them, and the final battle has begun.
Men are feasting at a great banquet held for Jesus and his disciples. While they are enjoying the meal, one woman discerns the difficult days ahead and does something to honor Jesus that would be told around the world for all to hear.
As he nears Jerusalem, Jesus tells a story about a prince who gave money to his servants to invest. When he returned, he learned what the servants did with their investment and how one dishonored him greatly.
Jesus is walking through the city of Jericho. He encounters a man who has been blind for many years and heals him. But another man has suffered from another kind of blindness, and he does something unusual to attract Jesus' attention.
Jesus tells a story about a landowner who was so generous with some of his workers that it made others upset. This story was meant to help the people understand the grace of God, butt would they learn from it?
On a day when he is busy teaching, answering questions, and even blessing children, a man makes his way through the crowd. He is young, he is rich, and he wants affirmation from Jesus for his life.
Jesus has told stories about women, shepherds, fathers, servants, and landowners. He finally tells a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector, their prayers to God, and God's response to them.
Fear has crept into the hearts of the disciples. To encourage them to remain steadfast, Jesus tells a story about a courageous widow who stood for her rights against unjust men.
Ten Lepers were healed by Jesus, but only one came back to give thanks. Jesus commended him for his gratefulness and shared an important insight that would aid him in his new life.
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus loved Jesus and how he loved them! When Lazarus becomes deathly ill the sisters send word for him to come and heal their brother. But Jesus arrives late and Lazarus is four days in his tomb. When Jesus speaks to the grieving sisters, he tells them something they and the whole
world must hear.
After an interesting discussion on forgiveness and faith, Jesus reminds his disciples about the most important attitude to have in ministry with his story of the hard-working servant.
Wealth is not a sign that God's favor is upon the people. Jesus tells the story of a rich man and a beggar. Both die, and they end up in very different places!
Jesus tells a story about a tricky servant who used his wits and cunning to save his position with his master. But will the people who hear the story catch Jesus' point?
In this most famous of all his stories, Jesus provides lessons for the world on finding forgiveness with God, with others, and with ourselves that will change the way we live.
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.
An expert in Jewish law challenges Jesus with a technical question. Jesus answers with a story about a man left for dead. Two religious men offer no help. But when a third man helps the victim, the crowd is shocked by the third man's identity.
Jesus is again in Jerusalem, this time for the Feast of Dedication which commemorated the great victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. But what did it mean to lead the people and to be a true shepherd that would meet the needs of the people?
During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus comes upon a man blind since birth. Jesus says he will heal the man. But first, the man must wash the mud from his eyes in the Pool of Siloam
Shame, anger, and hopelessness fill the heart of a woman caught in sin. Yes, she had done wrong, but so had the man and he was nowhere to be seen. Paraded through the Temple courts she is thrown at the feet of Jesus – guilty of adultery. Her fate will hang upon the words and actions of Jesus.
It was a joyous time in Israel. The nation had gathered to celebrate God's abundant goodness seen in the fall harvest. At this festival, Jesus claims to be the light of the world and the giver of the water of life.
To teach the importance of forgiveness, Jesus tells the story of a king who forgave a servant a massive debt, but the same servant would not forgive others for the small amounts they owed him.
Jesus returns from the mount where he was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. They find the other disciples arguing with the religious leaders and unable to cast out a demon. It is a disappointing day of little faith.
Jesus climbs a mountain with Peter, James, and John. While they sleep, he prays until they are awakened by voices. Jesus is talking with Moses and Elijah and is transfigured before them.
Jesus and his disciples finally get some time away from the crowds. They travel to the foot of Mt. Hermon where Jesus asks the most important question that anyone could ask, "Who do people say that I am?"
A little girl was possessed by an evil spirit who brought untold suffering to her and her family. When her mother heard Jesus was nearby, she sought him for help only to discover he was not there to heal. Then she said something that moved Jesus’ heart to fulfill her bold request.
Jesus continues to be surrounded by religious authorities who watch his every move. On this day, they notice that his disciples do not ceremonially wash before the meal and reprimand him. But Jesus is
not the one needing the rebuke.
Jesus and his disciples are looking for some much-needed rest, but when they arrive on the shore of the lake, they are greeted by thousands of people. Jesus teaches all day and then performs a miracle that astounds them all.
John the Prophet continues to languish in prison, but Herod's scheming wife tricks her husband into executing John, bringing his noble and prophetic life to an end.
For twelve years she had suffered. She had consulted with doctors and spent her entire fortune on their remedies – with no help to show. Now she was reduced to poverty and cut off from friends and family. Then she heard the wonderful news, Jesus had come to her town!
Jesus and the disciples enter a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A life-threatening storm arises which Jesus calms, but when they get to the other side, another kind of storm confronts them.
Multitudes follow Jesus, but do they understand his mission? To test their insight, Jesus tells parables, and he begins with a parable about a farmer planting crops.
A demon-possessed man is brought to Jesus. After he casts out the spirit, the religious leaders accuse Jesus of being in league with Satan. In the meantime, members of Jesus' family come to take him home. They believe he has lost his mind!
Dignitaries from Persia arrive to honor the newborn king of Israel. But this stirs Herod's wrath who embarks on a murderous mission. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee for their lives to Egypt.
When Joseph and Mary present Jesus in the Temple, an aged priest utters prophecies over them and an old prophetess tells everyone that the Messiah has come.
The time for the birth of the Child draws near when an announce-ment comes about a tax. Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem to pay the tax, and there the Child is born just as the prophets foretold.
Mary tells Joseph of her pregnancy but he does not believer her story until an angel appears to him in a dream telling him about the miraculous Child.
An angel appears with astonishing news to a young virgin in Galilee. She will supernaturally conceive and give birth to the Messiah.
It all started in the hill country of Judea with an old priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. They loved God but missed one thing in life. They had no child.
She stood at the edge of the crowd not daring to come closer because of her shame. She desperately wanted to talk with Jesus, but how, and if she did what would she say? More importantly, what would he say to her for the way she had lived?
It has been months since John the Prophet was arrested. He languishes in the dungeons of Herod's fortress, and doubt begins to creep into his lonely mind. Is Jesus the promised Messiah?
The most unusual request for healing comes to Jesus. It is from a Roman centurion. He asks Jesus to heal his servant. As Jesus discusses the situation with him, he discovers something about this man that he could not find throughout Israel.
Pressure mounts from the religious authorities because Jesus heals on the Sabbath and his teaching on the kingdom. For Jesus, it is time to take the ministry to a new level. He spends all night in prayer before he selects twelve men to multiply the ministry.
As news of his mighty works spreads, the religious leaders watch Jesus closely. They are especially troubled by reports that he heals on the Sabbath. One Sabbath Day, a man with a withered hand enters, and Jesus calls him forward.
For 38 years, the paralyzed man had waited for a miracle. Then Jesus came to the place where he was lying and told him to rise up and walk.
Jesus stuns his disciples by accepting an invitation from Matthew the tax collector to go to his house for dinner. When Jesus arrives, he enjoys the festivities with Matthew and his friends, but the super-religious people in town are upset.
Two spectacular healings ignite the crowds with joy, but when Jesus claims to forgive sin, the religious leaders are infuriated by what they think are blasphemous words.
Jesus' disciples have fished all night and caught nothing. When they wearily drag their nets in, he surprises them by asking them to go back out on the water. They reluctantly obey but learn a lesson that will change them forever.
Jesus is praised by all. He enters his home town of Nazareth and speaks in the synagogue, but when he claims that Kingdom prophecies are fulfilled in him, many in the crowd are enraged and attempt to kill him.
Jesus has returned to Galilee after the Passover in Jerusalem. He is ready to return to his home village in Nazareth for an important message he must give in the synagogue. But a royal official pleads with him to go to Capernaum to heal his son.
Hope has awakened in the heart of the thirsty woman. She hurries back to the village to tell the men about her conversation with Jesus. But what will their response be? Will they listen to her story and believe her remarkable tale?
Disappointment, then shame, then numbness. She didn’t care anymore what others thought. One day she was startled by a Jewish man who spoke with her, revealed the secrets of her heart, and awakened hope within.
As Jesus' ministry and fame grow, the crowds begin to follow Him, and John's crowds grow smaller. John's faithful disciples are jealous for him, but John knows his role and ministry and utters unforgettable words of gracious humility for all to hear.
Jesus and his disciples are at the Passover in Jerusalem. His fame is just beginning, and during the night he receives an unexpected visitor from the highest Jewish council. His name is Nicodemus, and he is filled with questions and with wonder at Jesus' answers.
Jesus has returned to Galilee with his first disciples. They attend a wedding with his family. When the wine unexpectedly runs out, his mother appeals to him to do something to save the honor of the host family, and Jesus instructs them to do something that will require faith and obedience.
The temptation is over. Jesus has overcome and recovered. He returns to the place of his baptism where John hails him as the Lamb of God. Jesus meets Andrew and John. Soon, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael meet this extraordinary man from Galilee.
After his baptism, the Spirit compels Jesus to go deep into the wilderness. He fasts and prays for 40 days, then in his extreme weariness and weakness, he is met by the age-old enemy of mankind, Satan.
The prophet John faithfully preaches and baptizes the people preparing them for the coming kingdom. Then, a man steps forward for baptism. It is his cousin, Jesus, and there is something special about him.
As he was dying on the cross, Jesus made several statements that were spiritually significant and life-changing for all who would listen.
John the Prophet continues to languish in prison, but Herod's scheming wife tricks her husband into executing John, bringing his noble and prophetic life to an end.
Multitudes follow Jesus, but do they understand his mission? To test their insight, Jesus tells parables, and he begins with a parable about
a farmer planting crops.
Leave Her Alone! How we wish the bullies, the thugs, the despots, the tyrants would just go away and leave widows, unprotected women, little girls, all who are vulnerable – women and men – alone. Leave them alone!
But the thugs aren’t going anywhere soon, it seems. However, we aren’t going anywhere either. The Church is drawing battle lines and moving forward into the darkness with the message of the liberating kingdom of God. Jesus is building his Church in the world and the gates of Hell will not be able to stand against the onslaughts of the Church. These are his words, not mine.
Shortly before Jesus entered Jerusalem for his final week, a woman came to him and anointed him for his burial. The disciples (not just Judas!) were outraged at this waste and reprimanded her, but Jesus said “Leave her alone!”
This story will be released at 12 AM CST on February 21. I hope you will listen, and you can hear it at: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/17938631
As people hear this story, I want to remind you that it is available in print form in our book, The Women Jesus Loved. Go to our unique website, www.TheWomenJesusLoved.com to hear all the stories where Jesus dignified women. Order your copy of this book, and learn about God's love for those who are vulnerable, the oppressed, and the weak. - Jonathan Williams
– Jonathan Williams, Word of God, Speak!