The Narrative Lectionary snaps us backward in the storyline of John’s Gospel this week. I suppose the liturgical calendar overrides the Narrative Lectionary. Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry is a pretty big deal. That said, here is my visual meditation on the Triumphal Entry as it is recorded in the Gospel of John 12:12-27. The Narrative Lectionary actually focuses on John 19 this week. CLICK HERE to view a visual guide to that text.

John 11:45-57 is the key to understanding why the religious leaders needed to kill Jesus.

Jesus fled to Ephraim for a while, then he came back to Bethany in John 12:1-8. Mary anoints his feet there.

John 12:12-13. Palm branches were the symbol of victory. The crowd sings Psalm 118:26 (probably the whole Psalm, actually). They expect that Jesus will be the new King who brings victory over the Romans.

John 12:14-16. Jesus rode in on a donkey. John interprets this through Zechariah 9:9-10. Jesus surprises everyone and does not bring a battle. Instead, he brings peace and submission (remember that the next scene is his washing the disciples’ feet in John 13:1-11).

John 12:19. The leaders’ worst fears are coming true.

This is it. Now that the world is ready to see; Jesus is ready to lift up what the love of God and the Kingdom of God really looks like. He is about to lay his life down for the sake of the sheep of all colors. His death will produce fruit in abundance for the sake of the world.

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