LentYear A

First Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 1, 2026

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Second Reading

Romans 5:12-19

246 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

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UniversalClassic

Psalm 71:1-6, the text presses one question: will we trust God’s Word and live it?

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

66:1-12 invites a next step: repentance today, obedience tomorrow, love always—today, not someday.

PentecostalEdgy

Luke 18:9-14 never disrupts comfort, it may be tradition pretending to be fire—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...

Life Is Beautiful: Count It All Joy (James 1:2-4)

In Life Is Beautiful, Guido Orefice convinces his young son that the Nazi concentration camp is an elaborate game. Points for hiding, staying quiet, not asking for food. The grand prize: a real tank. Guido transforms horror into hope through relentless joy.

James 1:2-4Universaljoysuffering

Movie Analogy

Cast Away: Testing Produces Steadfastness (James 1:2-4)

In Cast Away, Chuck Noland survives four years alone on a Pacific island. He loses everything—fiancée, career, civilization. He nearly loses his mind. But he survives, is rescued, and gives a speech to coworkers: "I knew, somehow, that I had to keep breathing.

James 1:2-4Universalenduranceisolation

Historical

Christ's Condemnation of Sin Destroys It in Us

When Christ lived without sin, He exposed sin's nature.

Romans 5:1UniversalChrist's victory over sinjustification by faith

Historical

The Boat in Two Waters: Flesh versus Spirit

Exell's Victorian illustration captures this paradox through a striking nautical image: a boat that has sailed the salt ocean, battered by storms and half-filled with briny water, now navigates fresh river currents.

Romans 5:9Universalthe indwelling Spiritsanctification as process

Historical

Adam's Sin and Christ's Grace Compared in Power and Reach

Lyth, D.D., structures this comparison across three critical dimensions.

Romans 5:15Universalcontrast between Adam and Christuniversal scope of grace

First Sunday in Lent

Romans 5:12-19

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

Other readings this Sunday

Life Is Beautiful: Count It All Joy (James 1:2-4)

Cast Away: Testing Produces Steadfastness (James 1:2-4)

Christ's Condemnation of Sin Destroys It in Us

The Boat in Two Waters: Flesh versus Spirit

Adam's Sin and Christ's Grace Compared in Power and Reach

Romans 5:12-19 — Anabaptist (pastoral)

Romans 5:1-5 — Christocentric (classic)

Romans 5:1-11 — Anglican (edgy)

Romans 5:1-5 — Arminian/Wesleyan (pastoral)

Romans 5:1-5 — Pentecostal (pastoral)

Romans 5:1-5 — Dispensational (pastoral)

Romans 5:1-5 — Missional (classic)

Romans 5:12-19 — Baptist (pastoral)

Romans 5:12-19 — Lutheran (edgy)

Romans 5:1-11 — Reformed (classic)

Romans 5:1-5 — Universal (pastoral)

Romans 5:12-19 — Anglican (classic)

Romans 5:12-19 — Eastern Orthodox (edgy)

Romans 5:1-11 — Charismatic (edgy)

Romans 5:1-11 — Eastern Orthodox (edgy)

Romans 5:12-19 — Reformed (classic)

Romans 5:12-19 — Arminian/Wesleyan (classic)

Romans 5:12-19 — Charismatic (pastoral)