Show Don't Tell: John 12:12-19
Vivid sensory description for preaching John 12:12-19
This is a show dont tell prompt on homiletics and preaching technique for adults.
Instead of saying "Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey," hear the palm branches wave. The next day the great crowd that has come for the festival hears that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. They take palm branches and go out to meet him, shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!" Jesus finds a young donkey and sits on it, as it is written: "Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." At first his disciples do not understand all this. Only after Jesus is glorified do they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd that has been with him when he calls Lazarus from the tomb and raises him from the dead continues to spread the word. Many people go out to meet him because they hear he has performed this sign. So the Pharisees say to one another: "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
Sign up to unlock premium illustrations
Join fellow pastors who prep smarter — free account, no credit card.
Sign Up & SubscribeYou'll be taken to checkout ($9.95/mo) after confirming your email
Topics & Themes
Audience
adultsPowered by ChurchWiseAI
IllustrateTheWord is part of the ChurchWiseAI family — AI tools built for pastors, churches, and ministry leaders.
PewSearch
Find Your Church Home
The most complete church directory in the US and Canada. 218,000+ churches searchable by location, denomination, and tradition.
Search ChurchesChurchWiseAI
Voice Agent & Church Chatbot
24/7 AI phone receptionist and website chatbot for churches — answers calls, handles questions, and follows up with visitors automatically.