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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 Trial
Sermon themes:
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The irony of this scene is that the religious leaders will later celebrate and remember the Passover by eating the passover lambs. And yet, here they are putting the one true Passover Lamb on trial to be killed. They don’t want punishment; they bring Jesus to be tried by Pilate because they want blood.
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The Jewish leaders are passing the responsibility to avoid guilt, and it is a reminder that sin often hides behind systems and structures.
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At the center of this trial is the truth of Jesus’ kingship. The political and religious elites are threatened by Jesus because they are bound up in a union of fear, violence, and contempt.
Graphic description:
While the words "The Trial" are front and center of this graphic, the background suggests the back and forth between Pilate and Jesus, the back and forth between Pilate and the religious leaders.
Option B
What Is Truth?
Sermon themes:
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Pilate struggles with truth. In John’s Gospel, “truth” occurs 25 times. Jesus reveals himself as the truth. For Jesus, truth is an expression of the divine love he embodies.
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At the precise hour when the passover lambs were to be sacrificed, the religious leaders declare themselves to be true friends of the emperor. They presume their truth lies in power.
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The true light, like the dawn, appears even when all seems darkest.
Graphic description:
At the end of this text is the crucial question, "What is truth?" The graphic portrays this with a giant question mark on a stage, which represents the focus that was turned on Jesus. The graphic also includes light shining down, symbolizing that Divine presence was with Jesus.
Option C
A Different Kind of Kingdom
Sermon themes:
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Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. It is not based on violence, status, or power. Jesus speaks of a place where God reigns, which is an inclusive community of those who are of God.
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Pilate’s questions of kingship fall short of capturing the kind of kingdom Jesus has come to deliver. Jesus and his Kingdom are beyond what we experience in this world.
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We, too, are confronted with a choice about what and whom we will set free in the world and in our hearts.
Graphic description:
The graphic shows different spheres, with one standing out in bold color to depict that Jesus' sphere, his Kingdom, is like no other.
