Back to Spring 2026
Graphics Options
The Narrative Alive graphics are designed with careful thought about how they relate to the text. We've provided possible sermon themes for each graphic to help you choose the direction that best fits your sermon.
Option A
The Sentence
Sermon themes:
•
The crowds grew restless and pressured Pilate into handing Jesus over to them.
•
Everything Jesus predicted would happen to him, happens. He doesn’t run from being crucified. He is in control of his own fate and willingly chooses the sentence to die a criminal’s death.
•
What humanity intended for harm, God transformed into life. Jesus knows the plans and powers at work are TOO SMALL for God’s plans and purposes.
Graphic description:
In the background of this graphic, all the sections point to the center, symbolizing that all of Jesus' life on earth has come to this point.
Option B
A Different Kind of Power
Sermon themes:
•
While Pilate and the religious authorities engage in a power struggle, the religious leaders want blood, and Pilate doesn’t want to lose his grip of power. Jesus is unfazed and uninterested in their petty power struggles because his power comes from above.
•
Jesus’ willingness to accept a criminal’s death is not a weak moment. It is Jesus showing a different kind of kingdom and a different kind of power.
•
Like the suffering servant predicted in Isaiah 50, Jesus is the vulnerable embodiment of God’s love for a dark, broken world.
Graphic description:
The background ray of light in this graphic symbolizes that the power of Jesus comes from above, not from earthly proclamations.
Option C
Confronted with a Choice
Sermon themes:
•
Pilate gives the crowds—and us—a choice. Jesus’ accusers cannot and will not accept who Jesus is. The crowd chooses violence as their king and, as a result, they condemn themselves. How often do we refuse to see God in our midst?
•
Does our testimony in word and deed reflect our citizenship in God’s Kingdom or do our choices suggest our first allegiance is to the worldly Empire?
•
Pilate washes his hands but makes his choice. Silence and self-preservation still count as decisions.
Graphic description:
The graphic has a simple crossroads, which also form the shape of a cross. It symbolizes that, at every intersection, at every crossroads, we have a choice of which direction to take.
