Illustrations from Matthew
1153 illustrations referencing Matthew
Nature Illustration: Light and Darkness
As the sun began to set over the tranquil lake, its golden rays danced upon the water’s surface, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that drew me closer. I stood captivated, watching as the vibrant colors of the sky transitioned from rich...
The Chosen: Compassion Following Power - Charismatic (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the show *The Chosen*, we witness moments brimming with both power and profound compassion. Picture the scene where Jesus encounters a blind man named Bartimaeus. The dusty streets of Jericho are filled with the hustle and bustle of life....
Into Great Silence: Hesychast Rest - Orthodox (Matthew 11:28-30)
As we journey into the depths of Matthew 11:28-30, I’m reminded of the Carthusian monks featured in the documentary *Into Great Silence*. Picture it: a remote monastery nestled within the rugged mountains of the French Alps, shrouded in mist and...
Left Behind: The Judgment of Nations - Dispensational (Matthew 25:31-46)
Imagine a bustling city square, alive with the sounds of street vendors calling out to passersby, children laughing, and the distant hum of a city that never sleeps. Amidst this vibrant chaos stands a weathered man named Eli, weary from...
A Modern Story of Political Division & Unity
In a small town, two neighbors, Tom and Sam, once shared a deep friendship. They would gather on Sundays, sharing meals and laughing over backyard barbecues. But as the political climate grew tense, their conversations turned to debates. What began...
The Passion of the Christ: Christ's "Fear Not" to Us - Christocentric (Isaiah 41:10)
Imagine a small, bustling town on the edge of a lake, where the sun rises like a golden promise each morning. In this town lived a young woman named Miriam, known for her vibrant spirit and infectious laughter. Yet on...
Left Behind: Rest Amid End-Times Chaos - Dispensational (Matthew 11:28-30)
Imagine a crowded shelter on a stormy night, the howling wind rattling the windows like an angry giant. Families huddle together, faces painted with fear, heartbeats echoing the chaos outside. Among them sits a young mother named Sarah, her children...
The Letters: The Corporal Works of Mercy - Catholic (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the film *The Letters*, we journey into the heart of Calcutta alongside Mother Teresa, a woman who incarnated the call of Christ in Matthew 25. Picture a hot, dusty street where the cries of the suffering weave through the...
Morning Meditation: Digital Addiction & Freedom
Dear Heavenly Father, As I sit in the quiet of this morning, I am struck by the weight of the digital world we inhabit. In a time when our screens flicker with notifications and endless feeds, I am reminded of...
A Contemporary Justification Story
In our fast-paced, often chaotic world, the concept of Justification can feel like a heavy weight on our shoulders. We grapple with uncertainties, and the question of our worthiness before God can loom large. But what if I told you...
Left Behind: Thy Kingdom Come - Literally - Dispensational (Matthew 6:9-13)
Imagine for a moment a small, sun-drenched village nestled in the hills of Israel, where the air is fragrant with blooming jasmine and the sound of laughter fills the streets. In this village, there’s a beloved old man named Eli....
Dune: The Chosen One and the Danger of Messianic Expectation (Matthew 16:13-20)
Imagine a vast, windswept desert, the kind where the sand shimmers like gold under a scorching sun, where survival depends on the delicate balance of hope and despair. In Denis Villeneuve’s epic film *Dune*, we meet Paul Atreides, a reluctant...
Quiet Time: Social Justice & Christianity
Dear Heavenly Father, As I sit in quiet reflection, I am drawn to the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46, where He separates the sheep from the goats—a vivid picture of judgment that reveals the heart of our faith....
Les Misérables: Building Life Through Daily Obedience - Wesleyan (Matthew 7:24-27)
As we turn to the story of Jean Valjean in *Les Misérables*, imagine him in the shadowy streets of 19th-century France, a man marked by the weight of his past, yet yearning for redemption. Picture him standing amidst the ruins...
Nature Illustration: Naming Creatures and Responsible Dominion
On a recent hike, I stood mesmerized by the beauty of a small lake nestled in the woods. As I watched the sunlight dance across the water, I noticed a family of ducks gliding gracefully, each movement seemingly choreographed by...
Finding Creation in Everyday Moments
In a small, sun-drenched town nestled between rolling hills, there lived a farmer named Samuel. As a child, Samuel would often wander the fields, marveling at the intricate dance of creation—the vibrant colors of wildflowers, the gentle rustling of the...
Les Misérables: Forgive Us as We Forgive - Wesleyan (Matthew 6:9-13)
In Victor Hugo's masterpiece *Les Misérables*, we meet Jean Valjean, a man marked by the scars of his past. After years of cruel imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread, he encounters the Bishop of Digne, who offers him not...
The Mission: Rest Before Mission - Missional (Matthew 11:28-30)
Picture the dense, vibrant jungle of the Amazon, where the air is thick with humidity and the sounds of life pulse all around. Amidst this wild cacophony, Father Gabriel, a Jesuit missionary, seeks a different kind of noise—one that comes...
Daily Digital Discipleship
Dear Heavenly Father, As I pause today to reflect on the concept of Digital Discipleship, I’m drawn to the profound wisdom embedded in Matthew 6:25-34. These verses remind us not to worry about our daily needs—about what we will eat...
Babette's Feast: Proclaiming the Gospel Through Gift - Lutheran (Great Commission)
Imagine for a moment that you are in a quaint little village on the coast of Denmark, where the air is crisp and the scent of the sea mingles with the faint aroma of baking bread. This is where we...
Romero: Building Base Communities on Justice Rock - Liberation (Matthew 7:24-27)
In the heart of El Salvador, amidst the vibrant colors of the markets and the echoes of laughter in the streets, Archbishop Oscar Romero once stood as a beacon of hope for the oppressed. Picture a small, struggling community nestled...
Harriet: Freedom Light in Slavery's Darkness - Black Church (Matthew 5:13-16)
In the heart of a moonless night, when the air was thick with fear and uncertainty, a figure emerged from the shadows—Harriet Tubman, a beacon of hope amid despair. Picture the oppressive landscape of slavery, where every whisper of freedom...
Marriage Story: What God Has Joined (Matthew 19:6)
In the poignant film *Marriage Story*, we witness the unraveling of a love that was once vibrant and full of promise. The movie opens with Charlie and Nicole sitting across from each other, surrounded by mementos of their past—a well-loved...
Chariots of Fire: Rest Through Sabbath Rhythm - Anglican (Matthew 11:28-30)
In the film *Chariots of Fire*, we see Eric Liddell, the Scottish runner, faced with an agonizing choice: to compete in the Olympics on a Sunday, a day sacred to him. It’s easy to see his decision as just stubbornness,...