Presbymom

  I find lectionary a bit confusing reading this gospel lesson the week before Palm Sunday because in the gospel, it actually comes right after Jesus has triumphantly entered Jerusalem. He raised Lazarus from the dead and had his feet anointed by the costly perfume of Mary. The mood of the people is divided – crowds flock to his miracles while others look for ways to separate him from the crowd plotting to destroy him. The words today are Jesus final public discourse. John 12:20-33 20  Now there were some Greeks   among those who went up to worship at the festival.   21  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida   in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”   22  Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23  Jesus replied,   “The hour   has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.   24  Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, ...

  The reading from John this morning threw me off when we met for our Wednesday lectionary study. The other gospels place this event after the palm processional into Jerusalem. John however places this at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry right after the first miracle of turning water into wine. As you listen keep in mind why John relates this earlier and what he was trying to tell us about the characteristics of Jesus first.   John 2: 13-22 13  When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.   14  In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves,   and others sitting at tables exchanging money.   15  So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.   16  To those who sold doves he said,   “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house   into a market!” ...