Illustrations from Matthew
1153 illustrations referencing Matthew
The Money Challenge
In our modern world, money dances tantalizingly before us, offering both the promise of security and the peril of anxiety. It has the power to elevate us, yet it can also mire us in worry. Many of us know this...
Romero: Subversive Prayer for Liberation - Liberation (Matthew 6:9-13)
In the heart of El Salvador, amidst the turmoil of a nation under the grip of oppressive military rule, Archbishop Oscar Romero found himself in a sacred yet perilous position. Imagine a dimly lit church, its walls adorned with the...
Finding Nemo: I Promised I Would Never Let Anything Happen to You (Matthew 10:29-31)
In the vibrant depths of the ocean, we find Marlin, a caring clownfish, navigating the waters with a heavy heart. He has already lost his beloved wife and most of his children to the merciless jaws of a predator. Only...
Lessons from Political Division & Unity
In our polarized society, we often feel like we're caught in a storm, tossed about by waves of division and uncertainty. Picture a small fishing boat struggling against a fierce tide. The crew, made up of friends who've sailed together...
The Passion of the Christ: Emmanuel's Courage Given to Us - Christocentric (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Picture a young man named Jamal, standing at the edge of a darkened forest one autumn evening. The leaves have turned shades of fiery red and orange, but there’s a chill in the air that sends shivers down his spine....
A Modern Story of Digital Addiction & Freedom
In our fast-paced, digital world, where our phones ping incessantly and social media beckons like a siren, many of us find ourselves ensnared in a web of constant connectivity—a phenomenon we might call “Digital Addiction.” But what if I told...
The Color Purple: Building Life on Faith's Rock - Black Church (Matthew 7:24-27)
In Alice Walker's *The Color Purple*, we witness Celie’s extraordinary journey from despair to empowerment. Picture her standing confidently in the sun-drenched fields of Georgia, the weight of her past tethered like a boulder behind her. But as the winds...
Ostrov (The Island): Theosis Through Mercy - Orthodox (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the film *Ostrov*, we meet Father Anatoly, a humble priest living on a remote island, where the crashing waves seem to echo the struggles of human existence. Picture him in that dim chapel, the scent of burning incense mingling...
Quiet Time: Digital Discipleship
Dear Heavenly Father, As I sit quietly in your presence today, I feel the weight of the world’s digital noise pressing around me. In moments like these, I am drawn to the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46, where...
The Passion of the Christ: Praying as Jesus Prayed - Christocentric (Matthew 6:9-13)
Picture a moonlit night in Gethsemane, where the weight of the world rests heavily on Jesus’ shoulders. The air is thick with the scent of olive trees, their gnarled branches whispering ancient truths. Jesus kneels on the cool, rough ground,...
Spiritual Insight: Perseverance - Prayer
As we gather today, let us reflect on the profound call to perseverance in our daily lives of faith, as highlighted in Matthew 28:19-20. Here, Jesus commissions us to go forth and make disciples, promising His presence until the end...
War Room: Spirit-Led Service - Pentecostal (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the film *War Room*, we meet Miss Clara, an elderly woman whose home becomes a sanctuary—not just for prayer, but for transformation. Picture her small kitchen, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the worn pages of...
Luther (2003): Christ Alone as Foundation - Lutheran (Matthew 7:24-27)
Imagine you’re standing on a windswept beach, the salty breeze ruffling your hair as you watch the waves crash against the shore. In the distance, a magnificent lighthouse stands firm, its light cutting through the stormy darkness like a beacon...
The Mission: Mission Built on Gospel Rock - Missional (Matthew 7:24-27)
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, there stood a mission established by Jesuit priests in the 18th century, an audacious beacon of hope amidst a landscape rich in both beauty and danger. The mission was known as San Carlos,...
Andrei Rublev: Liturgical Prayer and Theosis - Orthodox (Matthew 6:9-13)
Imagine yourself walking into the ancient, dimly lit church of the Assumption in Russia, where the murals flicker softly in the golden glow of candlelight. The air is thick with the scent of incense, a fragrant offering rising up, carrying...
A Modern Story of Pentecost
As we gather to reflect on the significance of Pentecost, let us consider a story from our own time that resonates deeply with the message of Matthew 5:3-12. Last year, a young woman named Maria found herself in the heart...
Courageous: Personal Obedience to the Commission - Baptist (Great Commission)
In the movie *Courageous*, there’s a poignant scene that stays with you long after the credits roll. Picture this: a group of fathers, each grappling with their own failures and dreams, gather in a dimly lit church basement, the air...
Babette's Feast: Rest Received, Not Achieved - Lutheran (Matthew 11:28-30)
In the quaint village of Berlevaag, nestled between majestic fjords and rugged mountains, life had become a relentless cycle of toil and expectation. For decades, the villagers poured their hearts into rigid rituals and stringent rules, believing their worth was...
Romero: Preferential Love for the Poor - Liberation (1 John 4:7-8)
In the heart of El Salvador, during a time of great strife and suffering, Archbishop Oscar Romero became a beacon of hope for the marginalized. Imagine a crowded church, its wooden pews filled with campesinos, their faces etched with the...
Daily Climate Change & Stewardship
Dear Heavenly Father, As I pause today to reflect on the pressing issue of Climate Change and our call to stewardship, I am drawn to the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46. In this passage, we encounter the profound...
The Mission: Mission Prayer in Action - Missional (Matthew 6:9-13)
Imagine a bustling village deep within the Amazon rainforest, where the vibrant sounds of life fill the air. The laughter of children echoes as they splash in the river, while the aroma of wood smoke and traditional cooking wafts from...
E.T.: I Will Be Right Here (Matthew 28:20)
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the suburban neighborhood, Elliott stood outside his modest home. Just moments before, he had shared laughter and tears with a friend from another world—a being who had...
Of Gods and Men: Rest Through Liturgical Rhythm - Catholic (Matthew 11:28-30)
In the acclaimed film *Of Gods and Men*, we witness a group of Trappist monks in the remote hills of Algeria, their lives steeped in a daily rhythm that brings a profound sense of peace amid the chaos of an...
The Letters: Mother Teresa as Light of Calcutta - Catholic (Matthew 5:13-16)
In the heart of Calcutta, where the streets are alive with the vibrant chaos of life, Mother Teresa walked as if she were a living embodiment of Matthew 5:13-16. Picture this: the sun rises over the city, casting a warm...