Hope for those in trouble

16 March 2008

Matthew 21:1-11

This week’s study was prepared by Rev Rocco Scarcella

1. Woman in trouble

An alcoholic woman had run up a lot of debts, so she embezzled money from her employer. Her most recent arrest was a result of causing an accident that had killed the other driver. A friend told her of an outstanding lawyer, who rarely lost a case. The lawyer said, "What you did was wrong. After some time in prison you will need to get into an ongoing recovery program for alcohol abuse, get a steady job and repay the money you stole. That way you have a chance to get your life in order again." She replied angrily, "I don’t need a lecture, I need you to get these charges dropped. Whether I drink or not is my business, not yours!"

2. Hope for a nation in trouble

For centuries the people of Israel had been held down by foreign armies. Many had become cynical. There was no peace and no prosperity. But there was also talk of a Messiah, who would fix everything for them. News came of a man, Jesus from Nazareth, who had healed people, cast out demons and changed water into wine.

3. The man on the donkey

One day this man rode a donkey into Jerusalem. The people poured into the streets, cheered, waved palm branches, spread garments on the road, and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” Life looked promising on that first Palm Sunday! But by the next day, Jesus had made many enemies by driving the animals out the temple, turning over the money-changers’ tables and publicly declaring that the priests had turned the temple into a "den of thieves." Jesus hadn’t recruited any army. He gave no speeches against the Romans. The people were disappointed. By the following Friday, they were shouting, “Crucify Him!” And Jesus was forced to carry His cross to Golgotha and was crucified between two thieves.

4. Who is This Man?

To understand the significance behind what we now call “Palm Sunday”, we need to go to 1 Samuel Ch 8, when Samuel was judge, prophet and priest. He was getting so old that the elders got together and asked Samuel to appoint a king, just like the other nations around them had done. Samuel knew that it was wrong, so he prayed to God. Even so, God tells Samuel to give them what they want. Sadly, most of the Hebrew kings led their people in the wrong direction. Then centuries went by without a king. Israel was ruled by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians and now the Romans. But the people still remembered something of God’s promise of a Messiah! But they wanted a king who would fight their battles!

5. The Passover Lamb

Jesus entered Jerusalem at a very special time. It was Passover, when the Jews were preparing to celebrate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They were remembering the 10 terrible plagues that had fallen on Egypt before they were allowed to leave, the last one being the death of all the firstborn of animals and men. To save His people, God made provision to protect them. They were to kill lambs and sprinkle their blood on the doorframes of their homes. When God saw the blood, He would “pass over” their house. And so, just as the Passover lamb gave the Israelites the chance of a new beginning, so our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, gives us the chance of a new beginning. Jesus completely fulfilled the requirements of the Passover lamb.

6. Jesus is no Hollywood Hero!

Jesus doesn’t enter the town like a cowboy with a big white hat on a big white stallion to shoot it out with Satan the ringleader and his gang. On that day Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Why did he ride in on a donkey? He did so:

a. to fulfil scripture - Zechariah 9:9

b. to show his humility.

c. to show that he was on a peace mission.

7. What this means for us:

a. It answers the question: "Who is Jesus?" Jesus is THE prophet, THE king, THE promised Messiah, the Son of God, the ONLY One who truly offers us eternal life!

b. It strengthens our belief that we are able to overcome suffering and hardship. With the hope of the Resurrection, we can persevere through our present difficult trials knowing that one day they will come to an end.

c. We can confidently shout "Hosanna" the same way we shout "Hallelujah", because we know that Jesus Christ has already rescued us by His death on the Cross.

d. So, let’s remember to lay down the palm branches of our heart and let Him journey through and so allow THIS Jesus the King to rule our lives His way!

Something to think or talk about

Remember, you don’t have to answer all the questions: choose those that seem most relevant.

Read: Matthew 21:1-11

Biblical

1. Why do you think Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse? (v7ff – compare Isaiah 62:11) What might be today’s equivalent?
2. What does the cry of the people in verse 9 mean? (Compare the meaning of "hosanna!" = “Lord save or help us!")
3. How could the crowds know that Jesus was the son of David? (v9 compare Matthew 20:31)
4. What surprises you about verse 11?
5. Were the disciples’ expectations of Jesus any different from those of the crowd? (9; 11) Support your opinion.
6. What effect/s did this event have on Jesus' future?

Personal and practical

7. What spiritual truth/s in this passage do you find particularly meaningful? Why?
8. Read verse 5 out aloud and instead of the phrase "the Daughter of Zion” put in your own name. How does this make you feel? Why?
9. What things have made you cry out, "Hosanna, help me!"? What was the outcome?
10. Share at least two differences that following this same “Jesus the prophet” has made to your life. How?

Christian Life