THE BELOVED SON

Who was Jesus of Nazareth and why does his message still challenge us today?

In the beloved son: Going Against the Grain, Perry Leary presents an accessible account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, inviting readers to encounter the person at the heart of the Christian faith.

Drawing primarily on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Leary follows Jesus from the Nativity and his early years through his ministry, parables and miracles to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Short, readable chapters introduce the people, places, customs and religious tensions of first-century Judea and Galilee, helping readers understand the setting in which these events unfolded.

Alongside familiar accounts such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son and the Sermon on the Mount, the book explores questions of faith, scepticism, grace and the identity of Jesus. Writing from a committed Christian perspective, Leary offers forthright reflections on religious institutions and contemporary culture, returning throughout to Christ's compassion, integrity and commandment to love one's neighbour.

Photographs taken in Ireland, many around Easter, accompany the text, offering moments of beauty and reflection amid the narrative.

For readers discovering the Gospel story for the first time, or returning to it with fresh questions, The Beloved Son offers a personal introduction to Jesus' life and the enduring significance of his teachings.