Jesus' Triumphant Entry: Identity, Mission, and Our Response
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as depicted in Luke 19. This event is not just a historical moment but a powerful revelation of Jesus' identity and mission. As we reflect on this passage, we are confronted with two pivotal questions: "Who is this?" and "What do we do with such information?"
Jesus' entry on a donkey symbolizes His roles as prophet, priest, and king. As a prophet, He fulfills the prophecies with precision, demonstrating His divine authority and foreknowledge. As a priest, He embodies the ultimate sacrifice, riding on an unblemished colt, signifying purity and readiness for the sacrificial role He would fulfill. As a king, He enters humbly, not as a conquering warrior but as a servant king, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy and redefining what it means to be a king.
The crowd's response, shouting "Hosanna," reflects their longing for salvation, yet many did not fully grasp the nature of the salvation Jesus offered. The Pharisees' demand for silence and Jesus' response that even the stones would cry out if the people were silent, underscores the unstoppable truth of His mission. Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who fail to recognize Him, highlighting the urgency of our response to His message.
As believers, we are called to share this transformative message with the world. The gospel is not just a personal treasure but a truth that demands to be shared. We are reminded that our lives should reflect the reality of Jesus' kingship, and our actions should testify to His saving grace. The challenge is to move beyond complacency, to actively engage in sharing the good news, and to live lives that bear witness to the hope we have in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey reveals His multifaceted role. As a prophet, He fulfills prophecies with divine authority. As a priest, He embodies the ultimate sacrifice, riding an unblemished colt. As a king, He redefines kingship through humility and service, challenging our understanding of power and leadership. [34:53]
- The Unstoppable Message: Jesus' response to the Pharisees, that even the stones would cry out, emphasizes the unstoppable nature of His message. The truth of the gospel cannot be silenced, and creation itself testifies to His glory. This challenges us to be bold in sharing the gospel, knowing that it is a message that demands to be heard. [41:18]
- The Compassion of Christ: Jesus weeping over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who fail to recognize Him. This moment invites us to share in His heart for the lost and to be moved by the urgency of the gospel message. Our response should be one of active engagement in sharing His love and truth. [44:16]
- The Responsibility of Believers: Understanding the power of the gospel compels us to share it with others. We are called to move beyond complacency and to actively engage in sharing the good news. Our lives should reflect the reality of Jesus' kingship, and our actions should testify to His saving grace. [47:37]
- The Urgency of the Gospel: The failure to recognize Jesus' true identity brings judgment, as seen in His lament over Jerusalem. This underscores the urgency of our response to His message. We are reminded that the gospel is not just a personal treasure but a truth that demands to be shared with the world. [50:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:45] - Introduction to Holy Week
- [03:10] - The Two Questions
- [05:00] - Jesus' Triumphant Entry
- [07:20] - Jesus as Prophet
- [09:45] - Jesus as Priest
- [12:30] - Jesus as King
- [15:00] - The Crowd's Response
- [17:15] - The Pharisees' Challenge
- [19:30] - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
- [22:00] - The Urgency of the Gospel
- [24:30] - Our Responsibility to Share
- [27:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 19:28-44
- Zechariah 9:9
- Hebrews 4:14-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the colt, and how did this demonstrate His prophetic role? [34:53]
2. How does the crowd's reaction of shouting "Hosanna" reflect their understanding of Jesus' mission, and what might they have misunderstood? [41:18]
3. What was the significance of Jesus riding on an unblemished colt, and how does this relate to His role as a priest? [38:08]
4. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees' demand for silence, and what does this reveal about the nature of His message? [41:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey challenge traditional views of power and leadership? How does this redefine what it means to be a king? [38:08]
2. How does Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem reflect His compassion and sorrow for those who do not recognize Him? What does this tell us about His heart for the lost? [44:16]
3. What does the unstoppable nature of Jesus' message, as illustrated by the stones crying out, imply about the responsibility of believers to share the gospel? [41:18]
4. How does the failure to recognize Jesus' true identity lead to judgment, and what urgency does this create for believers in sharing the gospel? [47:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Jesus' roles as prophet, priest, and king. How can understanding these roles influence the way you live out your faith daily? [38:08]
2. Jesus' message is unstoppable, yet He calls us to share it. What are some practical ways you can be more intentional about sharing the gospel with those around you this week? [41:18]
3. Consider the compassion Jesus showed by weeping over Jerusalem. How can you cultivate a similar heart for the lost in your community? What specific actions can you take to reach out to someone who doesn't know Christ? [44:16]
4. The crowd shouted "Hosanna," longing for salvation. In what areas of your life are you seeking salvation or deliverance? How can you turn these areas over to Jesus, trusting in His saving grace? [41:18]
5. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was humble and servant-like. How can you embody humility and service in your interactions with others this week? Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community. [38:08]
6. Reflect on the urgency of the gospel message. What steps can you take to move beyond complacency and actively engage in sharing the good news with others? [47:37]
7. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem was due to their failure to recognize Him. Are there areas in your life where you might be failing to recognize Jesus' presence or work? How can you become more aware and responsive to His leading? [47:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey is a profound revelation of His identity as prophet, priest, and king. As a prophet, He fulfills ancient prophecies with divine authority, demonstrating His foreknowledge and the precision of God's plan. As a priest, He embodies the ultimate sacrifice, riding on an unblemished colt, symbolizing purity and readiness for the sacrificial role He would fulfill. As a king, He redefines kingship through humility and service, challenging our understanding of power and leadership. This multifaceted role of Jesus invites us to see Him not just as a historical figure but as the living embodiment of God's promises and purposes. [34:53]
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: In what ways can you embody the humility and service of Jesus in your daily interactions with others today?
Day 2: The Unstoppable Message
The response of Jesus to the Pharisees, that even the stones would cry out if the people were silent, underscores the unstoppable nature of His message. The truth of the gospel cannot be silenced, and creation itself testifies to His glory. This challenges us to be bold in sharing the gospel, knowing that it is a message that demands to be heard. The unstoppable message of Jesus is a call to action for believers to proclaim His truth with courage and conviction, trusting that His word will accomplish its purpose. [41:18]
Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV): "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can share the message of Jesus with someone in your life this week?
Day 3: The Compassion of Christ
Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who fail to recognize Him. This moment invites us to share in His heart for the lost and to be moved by the urgency of the gospel message. Jesus' compassion is not just an emotional response but a call to action for us to engage with the world around us, sharing His love and truth with those who are far from Him. As we reflect on His tears, we are reminded of the depth of His love and the urgency of our mission to reach the lost. [44:16]
Matthew 23:37 (ESV): "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of Christ's compassion, and how can you extend His love to them today?
Day 4: The Responsibility of Believers
Understanding the power of the gospel compels us to share it with others. We are called to move beyond complacency and to actively engage in sharing the good news. Our lives should reflect the reality of Jesus' kingship, and our actions should testify to His saving grace. This responsibility is not a burden but a privilege, as we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. As believers, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, living lives that bear witness to the hope we have in Him. [47:37]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully reflect the kingship of Jesus in your actions and decisions today?
Day 5: The Urgency of the Gospel
The failure to recognize Jesus' true identity brings judgment, as seen in His lament over Jerusalem. This underscores the urgency of our response to His message. The gospel is not just a personal treasure but a truth that demands to be shared with the world. The urgency of the gospel calls us to live with intentionality and purpose, recognizing that our time is limited and the need is great. As we reflect on the urgency of Jesus' message, we are reminded of the importance of living lives that are fully surrendered to His mission. [50:13]
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
Reflection: How can you prioritize sharing the gospel in your daily life, and what steps can you take to make it a more urgent part of your routine?
Quotes
"Help us now, Lord, as we open Your Word, that Your Word would circumcise our hearts, reminding us of the gift of grace and our opportunity to share it. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen." [00:31:56] (16 seconds)
"So many of us, as we get into this week of Holy Week, we've been kind of going through life in our own little way and doing things. And maybe we've given up something or maybe we have just kind of been kind of trudging through this year because this year has been different for some reason or another. And if that's the case for you, you know, obviously that's not okay. But what we want you to do is to dive in now and join us this week as there are so many great things and opportunities we have to just kind of center ourselves on the gospel and be able to share that with others." [00:32:12] (38 seconds)
"Jesus, as we answer this question, who is this? The very first thing is we can identify his character as one who is a prophet. But he's also a priest. And we have to understand his priestly role as well. It was important that this donkey had never been ridden. And he was revealing himself as a priest in this knowledge that this donkey could never have been ridden. It had never been under a yoke. It had never done any work." [00:36:01] (26 seconds)
"And so Jesus, riding humbly upon this animal that would have been fit for a sacrifice, is declaring that the one who rides upon it is also a priest. And not just any priest. He is the high priest. Then the high priest's role, when you look to the Old Testament, was to be the one that went into the tabernacle. It was the one that would go into the temple to the Holy of Holies. This was the great high priest." [00:37:12] (31 seconds)
"Jesus wasn't just a prophet. He wasn't just a priest. He came also as a king. And remember, the people then were expecting him to come in a way where he would ride upon this giant horse and he would come in wielding this massive sword. And he would be the one to destroy the Romans. But instead he comes humbly riding upon a donkey." [00:39:27] (26 seconds)
"And within this kingly role, Jesus presents himself not as one who came to be served, but as one who would serve. And so we ask this question, the very first question, which is this. Who is this? Who is this man riding on a donkey into Jerusalem for the Passover festival and feast? And he's riding in there on this donkey and people are out front waving their palms." [00:40:08] (30 seconds)
"Because even the most religious people in the day of Jesus, as he's making his triumphant way into Jerusalem, even the most religious of people, even the Pharisees and the Sadducees, even the scribes didn't get this message. Look what it says in verse 39. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd, they came to Jesus. Teacher, rebuke your disciples." [00:41:16] (25 seconds)
"And Jesus responds, I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. The people were cheering. They were declaring, Jesus, save us, save us. And he is coming in and these Pharisees approach him. And they're like, hey, wait a minute, tell your disciples to knock it off. And notice his response. He tells them, if I keep quiet, even the stones will cry out." [00:41:51] (32 seconds)
"If we truly believe that Jesus came to save his people, if we truly believe that there is judgment for all people on earth, and those who accept Jesus Christ, because of the gift of Jesus, we are saved. And those who do not know Jesus are not saved. We have a responsibility to take this message into the world. And so the first question, who is this? Well, this is Jesus, the Son of God, who is a prophet, a priest, and a king." [00:42:44] (30 seconds)
"As Jesus approached Jerusalem, on his way, riding on the donkey, as he makes his way there, and he sees the city, what does he do? He weeps over it. Jesus making his way, his triumphant entry. People are taking their cloaks off. People are raising hosanna. And as he makes his way into the city of Jerusalem, he begins to weep. This is the second time that we see Jesus weeping." [00:45:05] (32 seconds)
"I want you to get into the emotions of this. This is Jesus weeping. This is Jesus feeling that rejection, knowing that judgment is ahead, knowing that there's desperation in his heart and his voice. And he sees not desperation for himself, not fear of what will be, but of a people who don't know him. He encounters this city where they are rejecting him." [00:46:17] (30 seconds)
"Failing to recognize the true identity of Jesus brings judgment. And I love this thought here. It comes from Tom Rainer. It says, No believer, no church member, no church goer will ever feel compelled to share his or her faith if they don't really believe that others need the gospel. If they don't understand the power of the gospel for themselves, how can we possibly share it?" [00:49:36] (30 seconds)
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