ChristmasYear A

Second Sunday after Christmas

Sunday, January 4, 2026

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Gospel

John 1:1-14

1448 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

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UniversalClassic

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, the text presses one question: will we trust God’s Word and live it?

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

1:1, 10-20 invites a next step: repentance today, obedience tomorrow, love always—today, not someday.

PentecostalEdgy

4:11-12, 22-28 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Movie Analogy

Hacksaw Ridge: Greater Love Has No One (John 15:13)

In Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond Doss refuses to carry a weapon but volunteers as a combat medic. On Okinawa, he single-handedly rescues 75 wounded soldiers, lowering them down a cliff under enemy fire. Greater love has no one than this: to...

Biblical Profile: Annas and Caiaphas

Annas and Caiaphas Annas and Caiaphas were both spoken of as high priests during the time of Jesus, and they were instrumental in getting Jesus condemned to death. Annas was the Jewish high priest around AD 6–15.

John 11:49-11:53Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Movie Analogy

Manchester by the Sea: Jesus Wept (John 11:35)

In Manchester by the Sea, Lee Chandler lives in frozen grief after accidentally causing his children's deaths. He cannot forgive himself; he cannot feel. When his brother dies and leaves him guardian of nephew Patrick, Lee must choose: stay frozen or feel again.

John 11:35Universalgriefweeping

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Thomas

Thomas Thomas, also known as “the Twin,” was one of the twelve apostles (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is remembered most for his unbelieving response to Jesus’ resurrection. Nothing is known of how Jesus first met...

John 11:16Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Movie Analogy

The Tree of Life: All Things Hold Together in Him (Colossians 1:15-20)

In The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick juxtaposes a 1950s Texas family with the creation of the universe—dinosaurs, galaxies, cells dividing. The connection seems strange until you realize: the cosmic and the intimate are one story. He is the image...

Colossians 1:15-20UniversalcreationChrist

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: John, Son of Zebedee

John, Son of Zebedee John, brother of James and son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles. Early tradition identifies him as the author of the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and the book of Revelation.

John 13:23-13:25Universalbiblical_peoplekingdom

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: John the Baptist

John the Baptist John the Baptist was a fiery open-air preacher who called people to repent and be baptized. John worked in the role of Elijah, to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah (Mal 4:4-5; Matt 11:14; 17:12; Mark 9:13).

John 1:6-1:37Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Movie Analogy

Up: The Adventure of Ordinary Life (John 10:10)

Carl Fredricksen spent his whole life saving for an adventure with his wife Ellie—to Paradise Falls. She died before they could go. So Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies there alone, honoring his promise. But he...

John 10:10Universaladventuremarriage

Movie Analogy

Dunkirk: Valuing Others Above Yourselves (Philippians 2:3-4)

In Dunkirk, small civilian boats cross the English Channel to rescue stranded soldiers. Dawson, a weekend sailor, pilots his yacht into a war zone. When a rescued soldier asks why a civilian would sail toward the danger, Dawson's son answers:...

Philippians 2:3-4Universalsacrificehumility

Movie Analogy

Unbroken: Peace Beyond Understanding (Philippians 4:6-7)

In Unbroken, Louis Zamperini survives a plane crash, 47 days on a raft, and brutal POW camps. His tormentor, "The Bird," tries daily to break him. Louis endures through something beyond human grit—a peace his circumstances can't explain.

Philippians 4:6-7Universalpeaceendurance

Movie Analogy

Atonement: Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51:10)

In Atonement, Briony Tallis tells a lie as a child that destroys two lives. She spends the rest of her life trying to atone—becoming a nurse, writing novels, seeking forgiveness. She cannot undo what she did; she can only offer her broken story.

Psalm 51:10Universalconfessionforgiveness

Historical

The Cross Transforms from Instrument of Despair to Source of Joy

The historical fulfillment is breathtaking: for three days the Cross was the occasion of their panic and despair, the apparent ruin of all their hopes.

John 16:20-22Universaldivine transformationthe power of Christ's resurrection

Historical

The Vine and Branches: Union as Living Dependence

The branches do not draw strength from soil or seasonal rains; they depend utterly upon the living sap flowing from the vine's root system.

John 15:1-4Universalunion with Christdependence and sufficiency

Historical

The Baptist's Magnificent Self-Suppression Points Disciples Away

His words, 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!' are prophecy's swan-song, its final *Eureka!* uttered as it dies.

John 1:37-39Universalself-suppression in servicefaithful decrease

Historical

The Prince Makes a Friend of the Beggar

He means it with deliberate, reiterated assurance to that handful of poor, ignorant fishermen who knew Him so dimly.

John 15:14-17Universaldivine condescensionfriendship with Christ

Historical

Christ's Departure as the Disciples' Greatest Gain

They possessed nothing—no influence, no numbers, no world support.

John 16:7-8Universalapparent loss as spiritual gainthe Holy Spirit's empowering presence

Historical

The Love of God Flowing Through Christ's Pierced Heart

Christ does not merely teach about divine love—He claims to *be* its Object and its Channel.

John 15:9-11Universaldivine love made incarnatethe pierced heart as love's channel

Historical

One Coat of Paint: Repetition as the Teacher's Mercy

Maclaren observes that 'one coat of paint is not enough, it soon rubs off'—a homely image that captures how readily doctrinal knowledge slides from memory without constant reinforcement.

John 15:5-8Universalunion with Christpersonal application of doctrine

Historical

Christ's New Commandment: Love as Pattern and Practice

First, Christ freed this ancient law from false Jewish glosses that had corrupted its meaning (Matthew 23:43-44).

John 10:34Universallove as divine commandmentChrist as pattern and authority

Historical

The Cowardice of Silent Disciples and Too-Late Confession

Christ's death, which scattered His avowed disciples, paradoxically shamed these secret believers into action.

John 19:38-39Universalthe cost of discipleshipfear versus conviction

Historical

Love's Shadow: Why the World Must Hate Christ's Disciples

Christ does not warn His disciples of persecution as an unfortunate accident; He presents it as the necessary consequence of their union with Him.

John 15:18-20Universalopposition to faithidentification with Christ

Historical

Peter's Courage Undone by Cold and Isolation

Maclaren captures the precise moment when courage evaporates: Peter had already 'repented now of, and alarmed for what might happen to him on account of, his ill-aimed blow at Malchus,' compounded by 'the nipping cold' that 'had taken all his...

John 18:15-27Universalisolation and abandonmentfear overcoming conviction

Historical

The Glory Hidden in Christ's Voluntary Surrender

Maclaren asks the penetrating question: why did they not seize Him?

John 18:6-9UniversalChrist's voluntary sufferingsubstitutionary protection

Historical

The Paraclete: Champion Summoned to Our Side

The Greek word *parakletos* means 'one who is summoned to the side of another'—a Champion clad in celestial armour, dispatched directly from God's throne.

John 15:26-27Universaldivine protectionthe Holy Spirit

View all 1448 illustrations →

Second Sunday after Christmas

John 1:1-14

Hacksaw Ridge: Greater Love Has No One (John 15:13)

Other readings this Sunday

Biblical Profile: Annas and Caiaphas

Manchester by the Sea: Jesus Wept (John 11:35)

Biblical Profile: Thomas

The Tree of Life: All Things Hold Together in Him (Colossians 1:15-20)

Biblical Profile: John, Son of Zebedee

Biblical Profile: John the Baptist

Up: The Adventure of Ordinary Life (John 10:10)

Dunkirk: Valuing Others Above Yourselves (Philippians 2:3-4)

Unbroken: Peace Beyond Understanding (Philippians 4:6-7)

Atonement: Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51:10)

The Cross Transforms from Instrument of Despair to Source of Joy

The Vine and Branches: Union as Living Dependence

The Baptist's Magnificent Self-Suppression Points Disciples Away

The Prince Makes a Friend of the Beggar

Christ's Departure as the Disciples' Greatest Gain

The Love of God Flowing Through Christ's Pierced Heart

One Coat of Paint: Repetition as the Teacher's Mercy

Christ's New Commandment: Love as Pattern and Practice

The Cowardice of Silent Disciples and Too-Late Confession

Love's Shadow: Why the World Must Hate Christ's Disciples

Peter's Courage Undone by Cold and Isolation

The Glory Hidden in Christ's Voluntary Surrender

The Paraclete: Champion Summoned to Our Side