68 illustrations referencing Mark
Lord of mercy and justice, I bring before You the weight that so many carry — the mother in Chicago who flinches at every car backfire, the father in Uvalde who still sets a place at the table out of...
When the disciples jockeyed for thrones, Jesus knelt with a towel. That single image from Mark 10 reshapes everything — including how we open this Book. Scripture was never handed to us as a checklist of prohibitions to weaponize against...
On the night of November 23, 1654, Blaise Pascal — mathematician, physicist, one of the sharpest minds in France — sat alone in his room....
In Dallas Buyers Club, Ron Woodroof—a rodeo cowboy dying of AIDS—becomes an unlikely advocate for HIV patients. Homophobic and self-destructive, Ron initially wants only to save himself. But smuggling
In Titanic, as the ship sinks, many reveal their true character. The band plays on. The captain goes down with the ship. Rose finds a floating door but Jack stays in the freezing water, ensuring she s
In Jerry Maguire, sports agent Jerry writes a mission statement at 1 AM: "Fewer clients. Less money. More attention to the people we serve." It costs him his job, his fiancée, most of his life. But he
In Patch Adams, Hunter Adams rejects sterile, detached medicine. He clowns in children's cancer wards, learns patients' names, treats people instead of diseases. The medical establishment calls him un
We read this passage as a clear teaching on the nature of true leadership and service, as modeled by Christ himself. Jesus contrasts worldly authority with the call to servanthood in the kingdom of God. Here, Mark records Jesus' words that greatness in God's eyes is achieved not through domination b
The sermon illustration emphasizes the importance of a digital Sabbath, encouraging individuals to unplug from technology to reconnect with God and foster genuine relationships. It highlights the need for intentional rest and spiritual practices that promote human flourishing and transformation in a fast-paced, digitally-driven culture.
Imagine, if you will, a bustling city street on a sweltering summer day. The air is thick with humidity, and the sounds of honking horns and hurrying feet fill the atmosphere. Amidst this chaos, there’s a young woman named Sarah,...
In the gripping tale of *The Prestige*, we enter the shadowy world of 19th-century magicians, where rivalry is as intoxicating as it is destructive. At the heart of this story are Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, two men whose hunger...
The Day of Pentecost signifies God's intention for every believer to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry. This empowerment includes the manifestation of spiritual gifts and the ability to perform signs and wonders, emphasizing that these experiences are relevant and available to Christians today. The Holy Spirit is portrayed not merely as a theological concept but as a personal presence that enables believers to live out their faith actively and powerfully.
Picture a desolate stretch of the California landscape, sunbaked and cracked, where Daniel Plainview stands, drill bit whirring like a hungry beast devouring the earth. He’s not just extracting oil; he’s unearthing a fortune that glimmers with the promise of...
In the captivating series *The Chosen*, we witness the transformative journey of Jesus and His disciples. Picture this: the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the dusty paths of Galilee. The air is thick with...
Imagine a small, sun-drenched village in Nazareth, where the scent of freshly cut wood mingles with the sound of children playing in the streets. In a modest workshop, surrounded by fragrant cedar and sturdy oak, we find a young man...
The sermon emphasizes the significance of the Day of Pentecost as a pivotal moment for believers, highlighting the baptism of the Holy Spirit as essential for empowerment in ministry. It encourages Christians to embrace their identity in Christ and actively participate in the supernatural gifts available to them, fostering both personal and communal growth in faith.
In a small town, a high school student named Grace found herself grappling with the complexities of social media. As a talented artist, she shared her work on Instagram, hoping to connect with others who appreciated creativity. At first, the...
In our world today, the question of women in church leadership still ignites passionate conversation. Take the story of Sarah, a vibrant young woman whose heart beat for ministry. From an early age, she felt the unmistakable tug of God’s...
We read this passage as a clarion call for servant leadership rooted in the example of Jesus Christ. In Mark 10:42-45, we see Jesus turning the world's power structures upside down, calling us to lead not by lording over others but through servanthood and sacrifice. This aligns with our experience o
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read this passage as a profound teaching on the nature of true Christian leadership and service, modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' call to servanthood ('whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant') is understood within the sacramental an
In our fast-paced world, filled with noise and distraction, it can feel as though our capacity to love is stretched thin. Yet, when we look to the teachings of Jesus in Mark 10:42-45, we find a profound call to redefine...
We read this passage as a definitive illustration of the theology of the cross. Jesus subverts the disciples' understanding of greatness by pointing to his own impending suffering and death as the true path to glory. This is a stark presentation of the Law, as it exposes our human inclination toward
We read Mark 10:42-45 in the context of Christ's teaching on servant leadership, but more profoundly, as a revelation of Christ's redemptive work. Jesus contrasts worldly authority with the kingdom ethic of self-sacrificial service, embodied supremely in His own atoning death. In this passage, Chris
As we gather today, I'm reminded of the profound and intricate tapestry that is interfaith dialogue in our world. Picture a vibrant community in a bustling city, where the aroma of spices from a local Middle Eastern café mingles with...