Follow the links below to find a selection of message illustrations for the first reading and psalm

• Genesis 22:1 (scroll down to see the correct record): See artistic depictions of Isaac's sacrifice from Armenia of 1455, a German window of the 14th cent., and contemporary depictions from China and India
• Genesis 22:2: See how an early translation of "only begotten son" for Isaac had a deep impact on our understanding of John 3:16 and other New Testament passages
• Genesis 22:2: Look at the connections between "burnt-offering" and "holocaust"
• Genesis 22:2: In Luang (Indonesia) the particularly kind of offering talked about in this story is translated as “peace sign” -- the same way Jesus' sacrifice is translated
• Genesis 22:3: In Low German, "early morning" is translated as "before dew and day break"
• Genesis 22:5: The many different translations of "worship": “wag the tail before God,” “end oneself before God,” “die under God” and many others. See the text record for detailed information or in simplified graphic format
• Genesis 22:9: The many different translations of "altar": “the place where one sets the burden down,” “sacred fire,” “offering throne” etc. See the text record for detailed information or in simplified graphic format
• Genesis 22:10: “Took the knife to kill” is translated in Chol (Mexico) with a technical term for slitting the throat of an animal for a sacrifice
• Genesis 22:11: "Angel" -- “one who belongs in the sky,” “heavenly messenger,” “word bringer,” “the Lord’s soldier," and many others
• Genesis 22:12: "fear (of God)" -- different ways to approach that in the eyes of different cultures

• Psalm 13:1: For a very detailed analysis of Psalm 13 from different vantage points see the Layer by Layer presentations

Follow the links below to find a selection of message illustrations for the second reading

• Romans 6:12: Many ways to approach the concept of "sin" in various languages
• Romans 6:13 The complete verse in Tenango Otomi (Mexico): “We must not give the road to our hearts to do sin. Rather let us give our hearts to God to do the good. Because now anew we live again.” Also various other translations into English from other languages.
• Romans 6:13: Dozens of translations of "righteousness," including “walk straight,” “do the truth,” “do just so,” “white heart” and many others (see here in simplified graphic format)
• Romans 6:15: "God forbid" is a common idiom today but it comes from this verse in the Bible
• Romans 6:16: "Obedience" is translated in Noongar (Australia) as "hear-do," plus translations from other languages
• Romans 6:16: "Servants" or "slaves" -- some insightful comments on how to approach the translation of the Greek doulos
• Romans 6:19: "Sanctification" is translated in Laka (Chad) as “God calls us outside to Himself," plus various translations
• Romans 6:19: "Licentiousness" or "impurity" is translated in Bariai (Papua New Guinea) as “following behavior like dogs.” Chinese uses a classical idiom
• Romans 6:22: "Eternal life" -- Tagalog (Philippines) translates it as “life which has no boundary.” Also various other translations, including "life fruit."
• Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death” is translated into Tzotzil (Mexico) as “Because the one who works for sin, he will be paid for his work. The payment of his work will be that he will be lost eternally.”

Follow the links below to find a selection of message illustrations for the Gospel

• Matthew 10:41: "Righteous" -- The re-examination of the English word "righteous(ness)" is interesting, including it's relationship with "just(ice)"
• Matthew 10:41: Translations for "prophet" include “one who speaks the voice of God,” “God’s town crier,” “sit true to God’s talk,” “God’s word-thrower” or many others. Also see this entry in graphic format
• Matthew 10:42: "One of these little ones in the name of a disciple” is translated in a German translation as “one of these disciples, who are called the ‘little ones'”
• Matthew 10:42: In a Russian translation “Truly, truly, I tell you” is (very pointedly so) “Trust me!"
• Matthew 10:42: "Cup" is translated as “calabash” in Sar (Chad) or “coconut shell” in Bariai (Papua New Guinea)
• Matthew 10:42: "A cup of cold water reflects the show of hospitality in first-century Palestine." (see this comment in the entry "Translation commentary on Matthew 10:42")
• Matthew 10:42: Translation of the complete verse in Yakan (Philippines): “And whoever gives to one of the ones who follow me who are of low status even a glass of water because he follows me, truly I tell you he will be re-payed good.'”