Victory Parade?
5 April 2009
Luke 19:28-48 
This week's study was prepared by Rev Rocco Scarcella
1. Palm Sunday: setting the scene
It began early one Sunday morning as Jesus was walking toward Jerusalem.
Jesus stops for a moment and sends two of his disciples ahead of Him into a nearby village to do a special task [Luke 19:28b-31]. Jesus gives this unusual command to go into the village to get a colt (a young donkey) that had never been ridden and to bring it to Him. Jesus knew what He was going to face in the city of Jerusalem. So, what is it all about?
Usually, in times of war the conqueror would ride on a prancing stallion. But in times of peace, the king would ride a colt to symbolise that peace prevailed. So, here, for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem on a colt is to declare Himself a King!
2. How would the people respond to this?
Would they recognise that His Kingdom was not of this world that it was a spiritual, a heavenly kingdom and that Jesus was to be a spiritual King?
No, because He had been teaching them that for three and a half years and still they hadn't understood that! They would react differently: some of them would laugh at Him, thinking, "He's a lunatic". Others would be angry and think he's a liar because they would interpret His riding into the city as arrogance and blasphemy against God. Of course, many in the crowd would shout out to Him with joy, welcoming Him as an earthly King, who has come to re-establish the throne of David, and overthrow the Roman Empire. They were ready to place a crown upon His head, but for the wrong reason! Jesus knew that there would soon be a painful death on the cross waiting for Him but he kept going towards the city.
3. Jesus rides toward the city gates
As Jesus rides down toward the gate of the city, the crowds are growing and there is celebration in the air, because it is The Passover and there are pilgrims gathering from all over. There they were with cut palm branches shouting out, "Hosanna to the king!" There was great excitement!
Then Jesus looked over His waiting audience. He must have seen the mixture of expressions on their faces. There were those who loved Him: perhaps Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, the lepers, Jairus' daughter, along with the apostles, Lazarus, Mary & Martha and Mary Magdalene. But there were also evil faces there waiting for Jesus to say one wrong word, like those of the Sadducees & Pharisees. And the Romans watched Jesus closely, afraid of a rebellion.
4. Why was Jesus crying?
Suddenly the whole victory parade stops because of Jesus. He was crying because He had compassion on them as He saw the emptiness of their lives.
They hadn't heard the message of peace. They did not understand the purpose of His coming. (See Luke 19:41-44). The fact they waved palm branches showed that they didn't understand, because that is exactly what happened years earlier when the Maccabees came re-established worship in the temple and overthrew the Syrian oppressors who ruled Jerusalem! They waved palm branches! And so, by waving palm branches now, the crowd was showing that they expected Jesus to be another warlord or general of the armies, who would lead them to overthrow the Romans.
But Jesus came to show us the more excellent way of love. The people of Israel had the opportunity to show Rome something new and different. And so, Jesus cried over them because they would never have that opportunity again. He sees in the years immediately ahead, the armies of Titus surrounding the Holy City, the Temple stones being taken down and the whole city being levelled to the ground. Bodies, blood and hundreds of thousands who are starving to death - while Titus waits for Jerusalem to surrender. All of this because they didn't correctly recognise the Messiah when He came!
5. What are we to conclude about this victory parade?
So, today, just like then with this parade into the city of Jerusalem, you and I find ourselves in the presence of Jesus. If Jesus came to our city today, I wonder what He would find when He looked into our faces?
Would He see people who recognise Him for who He is: The Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God? Would He see people, who are faithfully living as His rescued people? What would He see in you? Would you be rejoicing and praising God with an open heart because you are trusting in Jesus God's Son, who has rescued you from all the consequences of sin?
Something to think or talk about
Read Luke 19:28-48
Biblical
Q1) Why do you think Jesus gives such unusual instructions to the two disciples about where the donkey is and what they should say? (30-31)
Q2) What is the significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey that no one had previously ridden? (30)
Q3) What is it about they way Jesus arrives that points to His claim to be the King of the Jews, the Anointed One, the Messiah? (See Zechariah 9:9-12)
Q4) Discuss the reactions of the pilgrims to Jesus' glorious entry in contrast with the reaction of the Pharisees? Why the difference? Why do you think Jesus is now open about being the Messiah? (35-40)
Q5) Why do you think Jesus weeps over Jerusalem? Support your answer from the text. (41-44) Personal and practical
Q6) Since Jesus is our Master, we must be ready and willing for Him to claim use of our possessions (donkey) and our positions. (30-31) Give examples of when you personally had to put this principle into practice. Was it hard to do? Why or why not?
Q7) "Rejoicing and pain can co-exist as they did in Jesus at the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. They often co-exist in our lives, too." Do you agree with this statement? Illustrate your answer from your own experience.
Q8) Verses 43-44 present a clear image of judgement for those who "did not recognise the time of God's coming..." What do these words have to say about you sharing the Gospel with those around you? What can you personally do about this? Outline a very specific and practical action plan.
Q9) Jesus is identified as our King, our Messiah, the Son of David & God who came to us to rescue us. What difference has He made to you?
Q10) Spend some time now in prayer thanking and worshipping Him aloud and praying for those you know who need to "recognise the time of God's coming".
Barry Chant Studies RSS Feed »
Share this page