Celebrating Jesus: Kingship, Peace, and Faithfulness
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the significance of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, often referred to as Palm Sunday. This event, recorded in all four Gospels, marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, symbolizing His kingship and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. As Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, He was making a profound statement about the nature of His kingdom—a kingdom of peace, not war. This act was not just a historical event but a prophetic and symbolic representation of God's plan for salvation and His gathering of the faithful.
The crowd's reaction, shouting "Hosanna" and laying down palm branches and cloaks, was a moment of celebration and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. However, this celebration was short-lived, as the same voices that praised Him would soon call for His crucifixion. This dichotomy challenges us to examine our own faithfulness and consistency in recognizing Jesus as our King. Do we celebrate His lordship in our lives, or do we, like the crowd, waver in our allegiance when faced with challenges?
The entry into Jerusalem also invites us to reflect on how we celebrate Jesus in our own lives. Are we willing to lay down our own "cloaks"—our pride, our plans, our control—at His feet in surrender? The celebration of Jesus should not be confined to a single day or event but should be a continuous expression of gratitude and recognition of His sovereignty in our lives.
As we consider the significance of this event, let us be reminded of our mission to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, ensuring that the legacy we leave is one of faith, hope, and love.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, signifying His role as the promised Messiah. This act was a declaration of His kingship and a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Understanding these prophecies deepens our appreciation of Jesus' mission and the divine plan for salvation. [52:34]
2. The Nature of Jesus' Kingdom: Unlike earthly kingdoms characterized by power and conquest, Jesus' kingdom is one of peace and humility. His choice to ride a donkey, rather than a warhorse, symbolizes a different kind of rule—one that brings peace to the nations. This challenges us to embrace the values of His kingdom in our own lives. [01:00:21]
3. The Inconsistency of Human Praise: The same crowd that celebrated Jesus' entry into Jerusalem later called for His crucifixion. This serves as a cautionary tale about the fickleness of human praise and the importance of steadfast faith. We must examine our own hearts to ensure that our devotion to Jesus remains constant, even in times of trial. [01:01:06]
4. Celebrating Jesus in Our Lives: The celebration of Jesus should not be limited to specific events or days. Whether through acts of worship, service, or personal reflection, we are called to continually honor and recognize His lordship in our lives. This involves laying down our own desires and surrendering to His will. [01:06:34]
5. Passing the Legacy of Faith: Our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation, ensuring that they understand the transformative power of the gospel. This requires intentionality in how we live and teach, focusing on the core message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. [45:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [42:38] - Correction on Joseph's Marital Status
- [44:04] - Series Continuation and Next Generation Focus
- [45:21] - Importance of Sharing the Good News
- [46:34] - Defining the Good News
- [47:12] - Prayer and Reflection
- [48:28] - Personal Reflections on Easter Traditions
- [49:45] - The Triumphal Entry of Jesus
- [50:23] - The Significance of Celebration
- [51:47] - Prophecy Fulfilled in Jesus' Entry
- [53:16] - Misunderstanding the Messiah's Role
- [54:39] - Old Testament Prophecies and Jesus
- [56:00] - The Role of the Colt in Jesus' Entry
- [58:50] - Jesus' Declaration of Kingship
- [01:01:06] - The Shift from "Hosanna" to "Crucify Him"
- [01:03:24] - The Heavenly Celebration of Jesus
- [01:06:34] - Ways to Celebrate Jesus in Our Lives
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus
Bible Reading:
1. Zechariah 9:9-10
2. Matthew 21:1-11
3. Psalm 118:25-26
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific actions did the crowd take to celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what did these actions symbolize? [50:23]
2. How does the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 describe the manner in which the Messiah would enter Jerusalem, and how was this fulfilled by Jesus? [52:34]
3. What was the crowd's initial reaction to Jesus' entry, and how did their attitude change in the days following? [01:01:06]
4. In what ways did Jesus' choice of riding a donkey instead of a warhorse convey the nature of His kingdom? [01:00:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem deepen our understanding of His mission and identity as the Messiah? [52:34]
2. What does the crowd's shift from shouting "Hosanna" to calling for Jesus' crucifixion reveal about human nature and the consistency of faith? [01:01:06]
3. How does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem challenge our understanding of power and leadership in His kingdom compared to earthly kingdoms? [01:00:21]
4. In what ways does the celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem serve as a prophetic and symbolic representation of God's plan for salvation? [01:03:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you celebrated Jesus' presence in your life. How can you make this celebration a continuous expression rather than a one-time event? [50:23]
2. Consider the "cloaks" in your life—areas of pride, control, or plans. What specific steps can you take to lay these down at Jesus' feet in surrender this week? [50:23]
3. How can you ensure that your praise and devotion to Jesus remain steadfast, even when faced with challenges or trials? [01:01:06]
4. Identify one value of Jesus' kingdom—such as peace or humility—that you struggle to embrace. What practical actions can you take to incorporate this value into your daily life? [01:00:21]
5. Think about the legacy of faith you are leaving for the next generation. What intentional actions can you take to share the good news of Jesus with them? [45:58]
6. How can you incorporate the celebration of Jesus' lordship into your daily routine, whether through prayer, worship, or acts of service? [01:06:34]
7. Reflect on the significance of Jesus' kingship in your life. How does acknowledging Him as King influence your decisions and priorities? [58:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Entry as Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey was a profound fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, marking Him as the promised Messiah. This act was not merely a historical occurrence but a divine declaration of His kingship and a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. By understanding these prophecies, believers can deepen their appreciation of Jesus' mission and the divine plan for salvation. This event invites us to reflect on the reliability of God's word and His commitment to His promises. [52:34]
Zechariah 9:9 (ESV): "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Reflection: What specific promise from God are you waiting to see fulfilled in your life, and how can you trust in His timing and faithfulness today?
Day 2: The Peaceful Nature of Jesus' Kingdom
Unlike earthly kingdoms characterized by power and conquest, Jesus' kingdom is one of peace and humility. His choice to ride a donkey, rather than a warhorse, symbolizes a different kind of rule—one that brings peace to the nations. This challenges us to embrace the values of His kingdom in our own lives, prioritizing peace, humility, and service over power and dominance. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect these values in our interactions and relationships. [01:00:21]
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote peace and humility in your daily interactions, especially in situations where you are tempted to assert power or control?
Day 3: The Inconsistency of Human Praise
The same crowd that celebrated Jesus' entry into Jerusalem later called for His crucifixion. This serves as a cautionary tale about the fickleness of human praise and the importance of steadfast faith. It challenges us to examine our own hearts to ensure that our devotion to Jesus remains constant, even in times of trial. We must be vigilant in maintaining our allegiance to Christ, resisting the temptation to waver in our faith when faced with challenges or societal pressures. [01:01:06]
James 1:6-8 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where your faith was tested. How can you prepare yourself to remain steadfast in your devotion to Jesus when similar challenges arise?
Day 4: Continuous Celebration of Jesus
The celebration of Jesus should not be limited to specific events or days. Whether through acts of worship, service, or personal reflection, we are called to continually honor and recognize His lordship in our lives. This involves laying down our own desires and surrendering to His will. By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to living under His rule and acknowledging His sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. [01:06:34]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can incorporate the celebration of Jesus into your daily routine, ensuring that His lordship is recognized in all areas of your life?
Day 5: Passing the Legacy of Faith
Our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation, ensuring that they understand the transformative power of the gospel. This requires intentionality in how we live and teach, focusing on the core message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. By living out our faith authentically, we can inspire others to embrace the gospel and continue the legacy of faith, hope, and love. [45:58]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally invest in to share the message of Jesus? What steps can you take this week to begin or continue this investment?
Quotes
"Thinking about this idea of the next generation and what are we teaching and what are we showing them and what are we giving them an example to follow, more and more people are coming to the conclusion that we're not doing the best job of that right now. We are showing sometimes our worst side rather than our best side, and it's affecting the way things are happening in the world. And so, and again, I'm not being a doomsday prophet or anything today, it's just something we need to consider because it's not just us in the church thinking about the next generation." [00:44:48]
"I just keep coming back to us and our whole purpose and our mission of sharing the good news so lives can be transformed. I mean, that right there should define everything we do for the next generation. If we can't build what we're doing to the next generation around that, then we probably need to rethink our priorities and what it is we're focusing on because ultimately at the end of the day, yes, Christ came for us and he died for us, but when he sent his people out, he said in five different places, five different books, you're my witnesses, you need to go, you need to tell the story." [00:45:48]
"The good news of Jesus, the good news of the kingdom of God that is displayed in Jesus and his death, burial, and resurrection, what that does for us, that's the good news. And everything we do and teach and talk about needs to come from that perspective. So I just want to just continue to encourage you, remind you of our mission, hopefully not that you're going to forget it, because I do tell you every week, and I am starting to say it in other places too, but I just want us to get that and realize the importance of us going and being those ambassadors for Jesus who are sharing the good news." [00:46:59]
"Every time I read that I can't help but think we celebrate a lot of things in a lot of ways, but we always seem to put a cap on our celebration of Jesus. And I'm not really being critical, I'm just kind of being introspective more than I am anything else and just thinking about how I can remember words such as 'Well, the more unhappy you are, the more pious you are.' If you've got a nice frown on your face, then you must somehow be a deeply spiritual person, and that's just not the way it is." [00:50:41]
"When Jesus finally is coming into Jerusalem, there's nothing being held back here. These people are celebrating, and I haven't seen this, I meant to go watch this, but a friend of mine said that 'The Chosen' does a really good job of giving this picture of Jesus coming in and the celebration that ensues when he is coming in as the king. And there's a time for us to celebrate, and I wonder sometimes if we sort of miss that because this particular event happens in all four gospels." [00:51:33]
"The beauty of this particular piece is not just in the New Testament and we see it, but as Caleb was talking about a little bit ago, the Old Testament and how a lot of those things carry over. This whole scenario is just a prophecy being fulfilled to talk about who was coming and how he was going to come in and how it was going to be laid out. And so you've got in Zechariah 9:9, you're telling this story that the Messiah is going to come riding in, he's going to ride in on a donkey, the fold of a donkey." [00:52:42]
"They were looking for this Messiah, the king, to write in and it be kind of from a war perspective and we're going to overtake Rome, but that's not what this is about. This is about Jesus, a different kind of kingdom. He is the Messiah, he is the promised one, and he's coming in and they're going 'Oh my goodness, finally the Messiah is here, save us now, the one who's coming in the name of the Lord, the son of David, the promised one that was going to come from the line.'" [00:53:38]
"There's some statistic about this that the number of prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus is, I mean, it's crazy the accuracy that has come from those promises being fulfilled through Christ, one person. And that is our king. I mean, we don't think of it that way because, I mean, we don't understand what a king really is, do we? I mean, we have the president of the United States, he's not a king. For the most part, whatever he says is only good for four years until the next person comes in." [00:54:48]
"When a king made an edict in this time, understanding a king, when the king was coming in, the king was the one who was going to rule. And so these people were excited, finally, this is our king that is coming in. And then the promise of that goes to Psalm 89:3 and 4, yet another part of that, 'I've made a covenant with my chosen one, David, I've sworn to my day to David, my servant, this is where the king is going to come from, this is going to be the one that is the Messiah, he's going to come from this line.'" [00:55:34]
"Jesus came as a peaceful king, but do you think this created peace when he came in? Let's think about this for a second because in just a few short days, the same group, some of them, probably not all of them, but some of them, the same group that's yelling 'Hosana, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is he who comes as a son of David, hosana.' What are they yelling in just a few short days? Crucify him." [01:01:11]
"Today we might be celebrating and yelling 'Hosana, save us now, blessed is the King, thank you Jesus.' Tomorrow when it hits, we might be thinking 'Life really stinks, where are you when I need you?' And then we're yelling 'Crucify him!' And that's where the danger of all of this comes in and we miss so much of what he's trying to tell us in these things, and it's this new and different approach." [01:02:43]
"How we choose to do that is fine, but we need to learn to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ as he rides into our life and he realizes the importance of who we are. And maybe as we think about it, we think about this idea that as these people were laying down not just the palm branches, because there's a deeper meaning to the palm branches that goes back, I learned this from Josh Massengill as well, to the Makabian revolt and what those palm branches actually meant." [01:07:38]
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