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March 24, 2002 - Matthew 21:1-11

Open It

1. What do you like best and least about parades?
2. Why do many Christians cheer like crazy at sporting events on Saturday and sheepishly sing praise songs to the Lord the next morning?

Explore It

3. To where was Jesus traveling? With whom? (21:1)
4. Through what village were Jesus and His disciples passing? (21:1)
5. How were the disciples instructed to answer anyone who might object to their actions? (21:2)
6. Jesus sent two of His disciples to find and return with what? Why? (21:2-3)
7. Why was this incident significant? (21:4-5)
8. How did the two disciples respond to Jesus' instructions? (21:6)
9. When the men returned with the donkey and colt, what did Jesus do? (21:7)
10. What did the gathered crowd place on the road? Why? (21:8)
11. What size crowd participated in welcoming Jesus? (21:8)
12. What did the crowds shout as Jesus entered Jerusalem? (21:9)
13. How did this "parade" affect those living in Jerusalem? (21:10)
14. What did the crowd accompanying Jesus say about Him to those in the city? (21:11)

Get It

15. How much do you think "the crowds" today understand Jesus' purpose and mission?
16. In what ways do we simplistically "cheer" Jesus?
17. Why did Jesus request a donkey instead of a big white stallion or a chariot?
18. How would you answer if a friend asked, "Who is Jesus?"

Apply It

19. How can you honor Jesus as King this week?
20. What special gift (time, money, possessions, effort, etc.) of worship can you present to Jesus today?
21. What does the Lord "need" from you (see Matthew 21:3) today to accomplish His plan in your life?

Matthew mentions a donkey and a colt, while the other Gospels mention only the colt. This was the same event, but Matthew focuses on the prophecy in Zech. 9:9, where a donkey and a colt are mentioned. He shows how Jesus' actions fulfilled the prophet's words, thus giving another indication that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, he affirmed his Messianic royalty as well as his humility.

This verse is one of the few places where the Gospels record that Jesus' glory is recognized on earth. Jesus boldly declared himself King, and the crowd gladly joined him. But these same people would bow to political pressure and desert him in just a few days. Today we celebrate this event on Palm Sunday. That day should remind us to guard against superficial acclaim for Christ.

1. Taken from LESSONMaker © 1992-1996, NavPress Software, Used with permission.

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