May 13th, 2012
MP3 Audio
Youtube video
How Will You Welcome Jesus? (Mark 11:1-11, Zechariah 9:9)
A. Preparing to enter Jerusalem
1) The colt chosen and used by Jesus (1-3)
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, `Why are you doing this?' tell him, `The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'" (1-3)
2) People's expectations about the Messiah (4-6)
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. (4-6)
B. Jesus enters Jerusalem
1) People's misconceptions about Jesus as they welcomed him (7-10)
When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" (7-10)
2) What Jesus did in Jerusalem that day (11)
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (11)
Summary On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, and was eagerly welcomed by crowd of people. Tired of living under their current rulers and dissatisfied with their circumstances, people were longing for a new king who would save them. Jesus comes into our hearts as a savior--as one who saves. And yet, just like the people of Jerusalem, we often long for something or someone other than Jesus to make our lives better. Many of us long for religion, financial success, fulfilling jobs, society, friends, romantic love, and marriage to make our lives better and we welcome them with open arms. Jesus is a savior unlike any of those things. He came as someone we need to follow. We are mistaken if we think that a savior is simply someone who grants our wishes. If we put those expectations aside and follow Jesus in faith, we can live with the unshakeable peace that comes from loving God and being loved by him.
For Discussion
1) Why did Jesus choose to ride a colt?
2) What kind of savior do you want to welcome into your heart?
A. Preparing to enter Jerusalem
1) The colt chosen and used by Jesus (1-3)
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, `Why are you doing this?' tell him, `The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'" (1-3)
2) People's expectations about the Messiah (4-6)
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. (4-6)
B. Jesus enters Jerusalem
1) People's misconceptions about Jesus as they welcomed him (7-10)
When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" (7-10)
2) What Jesus did in Jerusalem that day (11)
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (11)
Summary On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, and was eagerly welcomed by crowd of people. Tired of living under their current rulers and dissatisfied with their circumstances, people were longing for a new king who would save them. Jesus comes into our hearts as a savior--as one who saves. And yet, just like the people of Jerusalem, we often long for something or someone other than Jesus to make our lives better. Many of us long for religion, financial success, fulfilling jobs, society, friends, romantic love, and marriage to make our lives better and we welcome them with open arms. Jesus is a savior unlike any of those things. He came as someone we need to follow. We are mistaken if we think that a savior is simply someone who grants our wishes. If we put those expectations aside and follow Jesus in faith, we can live with the unshakeable peace that comes from loving God and being loved by him.
For Discussion
1) Why did Jesus choose to ride a colt?
2) What kind of savior do you want to welcome into your heart?