Why did Jesus choose stories instead of sermons?

In this episode, New Testament scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine explores how Jesus' parables don't simply explain God's kingdom—they invite us into it.

Rooted deeply in Jewish storytelling tradition, the parables aren't tidy moral lessons. They don't resolve neatly. They don't hand us conclusions. Instead, they challenge us, unsettle us, and ask us to wrestle.

Dr. Levine explains how parables "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable," why discomfort can be a sign we're reading them correctly, and how wrestling with these stories actually builds community.

This conversation isn't just about ancient texts. It's about how stories shape us. How they stretch us. And how joy is found not in easy answers—but in meaningful engagement.

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