The story of Lazarus teaches us that God seldom meets our expectations but instead fulfills our greatest hopes. His timing is not our timing nor are His ways our ways. But He is faithful always, He is worthy to be praised, and He is a safe place for us to put all our hope.

Today we study the parable of the workers in the vineyard. In this parable, all workers in a vineyard are given the same pay from the master, no matter how long they have labored which reminds us that all who have been called by the Master are blessed by the same reward in Christ.

Jesus heals a blind man starting him on a journey of discovery that will last for eternity. The Pharisees show themselves to be the blind ones, as they were well-versed in their scriptures and their laws but they were far from knowing the God of creation whose heart is full of love and light.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a man beaten on the road gets help from an unlikely traveler. We who are often beaten down along the road of life encounter the healing of Christ through the cross.

The story of the Samaritan woman perfectly illustrates how God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to save the world through him. Jesus humbles himself, engages the woman in conversation, and offers her living waters.

This week is based on the parable of the hidden treasure and the priceless pearl. In this parable, two men give all that they have to buy objects of great worth. We remember that we who are priceless to Christ receive him who gave all that he had to call us his own.

Those who are “born anew" lock their focus onto the crucified and resurrected Christ who now dwells in us by the Holy Spirit. Our life starts to look like the life of Jesus: we are daily crucified as we pick up our cross and follow him, but we are also daily resurrected with life, love, and joy.

Today we consider the parable of the sower and the seed. The seed that falls on fertile soil takes root and grows, while seeds in other soils fail. This parable helps us to remember that when we are open to receiving the Word, the Word of Christ flourishes within us.

Three times Jesus was tempted by the devil and three times Jesus came out on top. Overcoming temptation and hardships is possible in our lives because Jesus rewires our core and makes us new. Our lives become distinctive and intriguing as we overcome common hardships and temptations in a way that gives hope to others.

Welcome to a special Ash Wednesday service in the Parables of Lent series, based on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. In this parable, the tax collector who repents goes home justified, while the proud Pharisee does not. The parable reminds us that we, too, who repent are justified through Christ.