Illustrations from Matthew
1153 illustrations referencing Matthew
The Island (Ostrov): Theosis as Mission - Orthodox (Great Commission)
In the hauntingly beautiful film *Ostrov* (The Island), we are introduced to a monk named Anatoly, who lives in a remote monastery on a windswept island in Russia. His existence appears, at first glance, to be one of sheer foolishness....
The Work-Life Balance & Faith Challenge
In our fast-paced world, where the demands of work often drown out the still, small voice of faith, we find ourselves echoing the struggles of biblical figures. Picture a single mother, balancing her day job while caring for her two...
Courageous: Faith That Produces Action - Baptist (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the film *Courageous*, we walk alongside a group of men who one day find themselves at a crossroads. In a poignant scene, they gather in the early morning light, cups of coffee steaming, hearts heavy with the weight of...
A Contemporary Pentecost Story
In our fast-paced, ever-changing world, Pentecost might feel like a distant echo, a relic of a time when the Spirit descended like flames of fire. Yet, it speaks profoundly to us today, much like a lighthouse shining through the fog...
The Chosen: Seeing Jesus in the Broken - Christocentric (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the heart of the bustling streets of Jerusalem, where the colors of life swirl together like the vibrant fabrics of the market stalls, we find Jesus surrounded by those whom society has deemed unworthy—lepers with their tattered clothes and...
When Healthcare & Healing Ministry Meets Faith
In our rapidly changing world, the intersection of Healthcare and Healing Ministry with our faith can feel daunting. Picture a woman named Sarah, a devoted church member, who found herself standing at the crossroads of healthcare decisions when her husband...
Harriet: Deliver Us From Evil - Black Church (Matthew 6:9-13)
In the heart of the antebellum South, in the shadows of cotton fields stretching endlessly under a blistering sun, there were souls who uttered prayers with a rawness that pierced the veil of heaven. Picture Harriet Tubman, standing in the...
Amazing Grace: Salt and Light in Parliament - Reformed (Matthew 5:13-16)
Imagine the crowded, smoke-filled chambers of the British Parliament in the early 1800s, a cacophony of voices rising and falling like the waves of a turbulent sea. Among the throng of politicians, one determined figure stands out: William Wilberforce. With...
When Technology & Human Connection Meets Faith
In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the struggle to cultivate genuine human connection can feel overwhelming. Picture a bustling café, where patrons are absorbed in their screens—fingers scrolling and faces illuminated by the glow of their devices. Amidst this clamor of...
Science Illustration: Astronomy and the Heavens Declare
A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting a planetarium. As the lights dimmed and the vastness of the cosmos unfolded before us, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe. Stars twinkled like diamonds scattered across a velvet...
Finding God in Economic Inequality & Generosity
In our modern world, the chasm of economic inequality often feels insurmountable. Yet, it is within this very divide that the call to generosity stirs within us, urging us to respond with compassion and action. I want to share a...
Chariots of Fire: Building on Ordered Foundation - Anglican (Matthew 7:24-27)
Imagine a young Eric Liddell, his heart racing with the anticipation of race day. The air at the Paris Olympics in 1924 is electric, charged with the dreams of countless athletes. Yet, for Eric, the race isn’t merely about speed;...
Science Illustration: Truth-Seeking and Integrity in Research
A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a science fair where young minds presented their innovative projects. One particular exhibit caught my attention: a group of high school students had built a miniature ecosystem in a clear,...
Ostrov (The Island): Theotic Beatitude Character - Orthodox (Matthew 5:3-12)
In the film *Ostrov (The Island)*, we encounter Father Anatoly, a seemingly simple monk living on a remote island, yet his life radiates profound spiritual truth. He embodies the Beatitudes in a way that invites us to reconsider our own...
Jesus Revolution: Building on Encounter and Obedience - Charismatic (Matthew 7:24-27)
Picture, if you will, a sun-drenched afternoon in a small coastal town, where the waves lap gently against the weathered docks. Among the fishermen and families enjoying the beach, a group of vibrant young people gathers around an old oak...
Selma: Building Movement on Solid Rock - Progressive (Matthew 7:24-27)
In the heart of Selma, Alabama, where the echoes of history still resonate in the sun-baked streets, a dedicated group gathered in 1965. Led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, they stood not just on the...
Harriet: Blessed Are the Persecuted Liberators - Black Church (Matthew 5:3-12)
Imagine a cold, moonlit night in the early 1850s, as Harriet Tubman, a mere five feet tall but filled with the mighty spirit of freedom, stealthily navigates the dense woods of Maryland. Each rustle of leaves beneath her worn boots...
Lessons from Politics - Biblical Analogy
In our ever-shifting political landscape, it can sometimes feel like we are navigating a stormy sea, tossed about by waves of division and uncertainty. Yet, just as the early disciples found themselves on the brink of chaos after Christ’s ascension,...
Science Illustration: Curiosity and the Scientific Method
In a small town, there lived a curious young boy named Lucas. Each day after school, he would rush home to his father’s workshop, a place filled with tools, gadgets, and the sweet scent of sawdust. One afternoon, he noticed...
Spiritual Insight: Perseverance - Biblical Insight
As we gather today, I invite you to picture a gardener tending to a young sapling. Day by day, she waters it, carefully loosens the soil, and shields it from harsh winds. The initial struggle may seem daunting; the sapling...
Facing the Giants: Building Your House on the Rock - Baptist (Matthew 7:24-27)
In the heart of a small town, nestled between rolling hills and sprawling fields, stood the aging football stadium where Coach Grant Taylor poured his heart and soul into every practice, every game. As autumn leaves danced in the crisp...
The Chosen: Jesus Training the Disciples - Christocentric (Proverbs 22:6)
Picture a sun-drenched afternoon in a neighborhood park, where the laughter of children fills the air like music. A father stands at the edge of the playground, watching his daughter, Kayla, as she teeters on the brink of the jungle...
Jesus Revolution: Radical Beatitude Community - Charismatic (Matthew 5:3-12)
Imagine a small, sun-drenched park in the heart of a bustling city, where the sounds of laughter and music blend with the distant hum of traffic. Among the trees and colorful picnic blankets, a group of young adults gathers every...
When Mercy - Quote
There was a small village where a young man named Samuel lived, filled with dreams of traveling the world and sharing stories of hope. But one fateful night, in a moment of poor judgment, he made a choice that led...