Parables For Living

04/15/2022

This Good Friday, watch five Biblical Storytellers share the Passion Story of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark.

06/15/2020

Anyone looking to be a fulltime Storyteller?

04/10/2020

Looking for another meaningful way to commemorate Good Friday? Check out Christ Lutheran Church's Way of the Cross online.

Journey through the Way of the Cross, Jesus’ journey from condemnation to death.Read More →

04/10/2020

This Good Friday, watch 5 storytellers give witness to the Passion Story of Jesus, from his annointment to his crucifixion, in this full account of the Gospel of Mark 14-15.

04/10/2020

Way of the Cross - Station #14 -Jesus is laid in the tomb
Luke 23:52:53
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.

A follower of Jesus, a rich man named Joseph from Arimethea, convinces Pontius Pilate to let him take Jesus ' body. He and the other mourners prepare the body for burial and then lay it in a provided by Joseph. A large stone is rolled against the entrance of the tomb. This truly seems like the end, even to Jesus' faithful disciples. Jesus has died and been sealed into his tomb. He promised salvation from death, but now he himself has died. Though they do not love him any less, it seems like failure. They cannot anticipate the empty tomb. We know the rest of the story - the empty tomb, the risen Christ - and yet, like the disciples, we still have trouble anticipating the empty tomb.

Jesus, teach us to live in the knowledge that you died so that we may live. We tend to focus on our troubles, living in the shadow of the sealed tomb. Do not let us lose sight of the fact that you rose from the dead, and in doing so, destroyed death.

04/10/2020

The Way of the Cross - Station #13 - The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
John 19:25
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Jesus is dead. The spectacle is over, and the crowds have dispersed. Only Jesus' closest companions remain. His body is gently removed from the cross and placed into the lap of his mother. This small group of devoted followers can barely believe that their journey has ended this way, after all they have been through with Jesus. But here is his lifeless body, cradled in his mother's arms. Mary recalls the night of his birth, when she cradled her son in the stable. To those who survive, the reality of death is bewildering - a loved one who was once here is now absent. It is important to grieve among others who are also grieving. As we mourn Jesus' death alongside his family and friends, we join the circle of all those across space and time who mourn the loss of loved ones.
Jesus, although we know what your father has in store for us, we still find it difficult to accept the death of someone we love. Please help us to find comfort among others who mourn.

04/09/2020

Way of the Cross - Station #12 - Jesus dies on the cross Luke 23:46
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Hours pass, and the sky grows dark. As Jesus' life ebbs away, a small group of his followers huddles nearby. Once darkness falls, Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Then he cries out again and dies. He breathes no more. This is Jesus' ultimate identification with the human condition. Death awaits all of us, with no exception. But, because of Jesus' sacrifice, we no longer need to fear it. We can face death, knowing that Jesus has been there before us. Jesus has shown us how to die.
Jesus, the idea of our own death fills us with great dread. Help us to understand that, when you died for us, you shined light into the shadow of death.

04/09/2020

Way of the Cross - Station #11 - Jesus is nailed to the cross
Psalm 22:15-16
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
The soldiers take Jesus' hands and drive nails through them, right into the wood of the cross. They do the same with his feet. The cross is then raised up so that Jesus is suspended between the two criminals. At the same time, the insults continue: "Come down from the cross, if you are the son of God!" It is impossible for us to imagine the excruciating pain Jesus feels, both physically and emotionally. One of the scariest and most isolating aspects of pain is that it is felt solely by the one receiving it. But whenever we suffer, whether we ache with physical ailments or with grief, fear or hopelessness, we know that Jesus understands. He knows debilitating pain and mental agony, and he suffers them for our sake.
Jesus, when we are blinded by the pain that is an inevitable part of living, please help us to see that you are right beside us, sharing in our suffering. We are not alone in our pain.

04/08/2020

Way of the Cross - Station #10 - Jesus' clothes are taken away
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!
Jesus and the crowd have arrived at Calvary. The soldiers strip Jesus of his clothes and gamble for them. Once again, Jesus is alone and misrepresented, treated as less than human. Even his tom and soiled clothes are assigned more value than is Jesus' life. As the crowd mocks him, crying "All hail, king of the Jews," let us examine ourselves, acknowledging all the times we have treated others as less than human.
Jesus, you suffered the greatest indignities for the sake of our sins. Help us to address the human being in each and every person we meet, no matter how insignificant to our lives. Teach us to treat everyone as a child of God.

04/08/2020

Way of the Cross - Station #9 - Jesus falls a third time
Matthew 11 :28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus has been stretched to his outer limits. He has no reserves left to draw upon and falls a third time. It is at this point, when Jesus' strength is tapped out, that the grace of God is most evident. Jesus rises to his feet once more. As we walk the way of the cross with Jesus, we can identify the times in our lives when we were buoyed up by God's grace, even when we thought we could not continue another moment.
Jesus, teach us to allow God's grace to lighten our earthly burdens.