Stories of the Master

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.

No Man Died Like This Man 04/03/2026

No Man Died Like This Man Throughout history, many have faced death with courage. From the philosopher Socrates, calmly drinking the cup of hemlock… to the Jewish martyrs under Antiochus Epiphanes, enduring unimaginable suffering… to faithful Christians who sang and prayed as flames rose around them…. They all died with bravery. But no one died like Jesus. Why did the One who healed the sick, raised the dead, and commanded the winds fall to the ground in sorrow in Gethsemane? Why did He cry out in anguish instead of facing death with calm resolve? The answer takes us deep into the heart of the Gospel. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/40726380

The River of Humility 03/29/2026

The River of Humility Step into the wilderness with the prophet John, the holy man chosen to prepare the way for the Messiah. For months, he preached repentance to crowds from every walk of life—but John’s eyes were searching for one man, the one foretold to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/40405080

When Heaven Spoke Again 03/22/2026

When Heaven Spoke Again For four hundred years, heaven was silent. Then, in the wilderness of Israel, a voice thundered once more. This is the story of John the Baptist, the prophet who broke centuries of silence and announced that the kingdom of God was at hand. Far from the halls of power and the corruption of Rome, a man clothed in camel’s hair proclaimed repentance, renewal, and the coming of the Messiah. Step into the world of first-century Israel — where tyranny ruled, sin enslaved, and hope seemed lost — until God spoke again. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/40405040

When Heaven Was Silent 03/15/2026

When Heaven Was Silent Empires rose and fell — Babylon, Persia, Greece. God’s people waited under the weight of silence, holding on to His promise. And when the time was right, the Voice returned … not in thunder, but in the cry of a child. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/40404990

The Prodigal Son and His Prodigal Father 2 11/30/2022

The Prodigal Son and His Prodigal Father 2 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17649968

The Prodigal Son and His Prodigal Father 1 11/29/2022

The Prodigal Son and His Prodigal Father 1 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17649908

Lost! 11/28/2022

Lost! 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? /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300927

Excuses, Lies, and Insults 11/27/2022

Excuses, Lies, and Insults 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300690

The Crooked Woman 11/26/2022

The Crooked Woman 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? /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300654

Slashing Swords, Crashing Buildings 11/25/2022

Slashing Swords, Crashing Buildings 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300519

The Master Who Served His Slaves 11/24/2022

The Master Who Served His Slaves 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300453

On Guard Against Greed 11/23/2022

On Guard Against Greed 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300411

The Unexpected Guest 11/22/2022

The Unexpected Guest 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300378

Calamities in the Kitchen 11/21/2022

Calamities in the Kitchen 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300303

The Man Left for Dead 11/20/2022

The Man Left for Dead 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/17300252

The Shepherds of Israel 11/19/2022

The Shepherds of Israel 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? /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16686287

The Man with Mud in His Eyes 11/18/2022

The Man with Mud in His Eyes 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 /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16686254

Caught in the Act of Sin 11/17/2022

Caught in the Act of Sin 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16687157

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles 11/16/2022

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16686191

The Servant Who Would Not Forgive 11/15/2022

The Servant Who Would Not Forgive 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16686155

A Disappointing Day 11/14/2022

A Disappointing Day 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16685810

A Night of Vision and Glory 11/13/2022

A Night of Vision and Glory 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16685714

Standing by the Gates of Hell 11/12/2022

Standing by the Gates of Hell 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?" /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16685678

Crumbs from the Master's Table 11/11/2022

Crumbs from the Master's Table 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16685540

Clean in the Eyes of God 11/10/2022

Clean in the Eyes of God 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16685381

Bread by the Sea of Galilee 11/09/2022

Bread by the Sea of Galilee 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16550684

The Dance that Led to Death 11/08/2022

The Dance that Led to Death 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/16550612

The Bleeding Woman and the Dying Daughter 11/07/2022

The Bleeding Woman and the Dying Daughter 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! /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/15840653

The Perfect Storm 11/06/2022

The Perfect Storm 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/15840578

The Farmer, the Seed, and the Soil 11/05/2022

The Farmer, the Seed, and the Soil 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. /episode/index/show/storiesofthemaster/id/15840464

Stories of the Master

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