The Parable of the sower was one of Jesus’ key teachings, with a farmer sowing seed, with varying results depending on where the seed was sown; some fell on a path and were trampled on, some fell on rocky ground and its plants withered, some fell upon thorns and the plants were choked, but some fell on good soil and thrived.

This was a turning point in Jesus’s relationship to those Pharisees who were following him around, observing and criticising.

Jesus operated on two levels. He not only taught the good news to all who would listen, but he also demonstrated his Kingdom, through his healings and miracles.

It was when I was writing a screenplay based on the events of the Gospels that I realised how few women there were in the story; of fifty-five characters, barely five of them were female, most of them called ‘Mary’.

However secure we may feel in our Christian lifestyle, the real test is when our cosiness is disrupted and we find ourselves thinking before acting.

Everything Jesus did in the Gospels was for a purpose, a moral purpose.

This pagan, this Roman Centurion showed more faith in Jesus than anyone else in Israel. This Gentile had put the Jews to shame here.

Here the Kingdom of Heaven is introduced in the beatitudes. We are provided with a series of blessings associated with mourning, meekness, seeking after righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peace-making and persecution.

Can you imagine being chosen among Jesus’ first twelve disciples, being part of the most famous and effective dozen in history?