In this story the long-time followers of Jesus are taught how to follow Jesus by, one of the most unlikely people, a blind beggar. His expression of faith and discipleship is what we long for among our students. 

Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem, not because they're going to reject Him and crucify Him, but because they missed their chance to actually experience peace. Jerusalem means: city of peace and yet they're not experiencing true peace because they're rejecting the One who can give it to them. I think we all battle with this in one way or another in our lives. We have things we think will make us feel great, fulfilled, happy, secure, and Jesus says to us, "if only you knew what would actually help you." We want our students to take Jesus up on the opportunity to turn away from those things and turn to Him, and not experience the disaster that sin brings about in and through their lives.

The prodigal son is searching for something that doesn't exist where he's looking. However, on returning home he finds that what he's been searching for is what the Father gives him. This is so true for us. We're terrible seekers. We're really bad at looking for fulfillment in the right places. But the good news is that what we long for is what the Father longs to give us.

Prayer seems strange If God knows everything already. Prayer seems pointless If God Is going to do whatever He's going to do anyways. Why Pray? And yet, Jesus teaches us to pray. He gives us Insight Into what Is available for us In prayer and what Is possible through prayer.

There are 3 interactions that happen here that give us insight into more of who Jesus is. How he responds to the crowd, how He speaks to His disciples, and how the disciples interact with the crowd. Jesus welcomes the crowd to experience what it’s like when His kingdom comes. He calls His disciples to stop being bystanders and actually lead. The disciples eventually give to the crowd, what Jesus gives to them and all are satisfied. The hope is that those who are just checking Jesus out will understand that He loves them and wants them to experience His kingdom even though they’re unsure. Those who are followers and aren’t living into that, that they would step up. And that the followers would share with the crowd and everyone else what Jesus has given them.

Jesus gives Simon, a Pharisee, a wake up call. He does all the right stuff, says all the right stuff, grew up in a religious home, knows the Bible, and yet has no love for Jesus. But the sinful woman reveals that she has received Salvation and received forgiveness, by her great love for Jesus. Simon is indifferent towards Jesus, she is different because of Jesus. The wake up call given to Simon is the same wake up call for our students. Their indifference towards Jesus reveals that they don’t really know Him. Their love for Him reveals that they do.