(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will study Luke 19:28-40 to examine how Jesus’ divinity was proclaimed in His entrance into Jerusalem.
Provide a copy of the Student Worksheet and a pen for each student. Also provide paper, a dry erase board, and markers. Provide two long sheets of paper and markers. On one sheet, write “On My Own Strength,” and on the other write, “Under the Power of Jesus Christ.”
Learning Goal: Students will examine how Jesus’ divinity was proclaimed in His entrance into Jerusalem.
Say: We’ve gotten used to the cheering crowds and the electric atmosphere that accompany political candidates. Unfortunately, cheering crowds can quickly change their opinions. Point out that many politicians have experienced negative media coverage and drops in their approval ratings. Say: Jesus also experienced the cheering crowds. Unfortunately, the crowds did not recognize Jesus’ true identity. Distribute worksheets and pens to students.
1. Jesus fulfilled messianic prophecy as He entered Jerusalem (Luke 19:28–34).
Read Luke 19:28–34. Point out the importance of Jesus entering Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives by reading Zechariah 14:4. Use information from the commentary to explain why it was significant that Jesus entered on a colt that had never been ridden. Ask: How would you have responded if two men approached you and said that the Lord needed your colt or your car or your computer? Indicate that the immediate response of the colt’s owner indicates that he may have understood who “the Lord” was.
Encourage students to complete the first set of blanks on their worksheets with “messianic prophecy.” Explain that the term “messianic prophecy” refers to all the prophecy in the Old Testament that told of the coming of the Messiah, and that the Jews had been waiting for centuries for the Messiah to come. Then, discuss: What evidence of Jesus’ coming as the Messiah from God is provided in these verses? (His divine knowledge and authority shown in the arrangements for the donkey; that the owner of the donkey knew Jesus as “the Lord”; the colt gave evidence to Jesus’ Kingship) Express that because Jesus is God and Savior, He intentionally rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, both fulfilling prophecy and using symbolism to convey who He really was to the crowds who would greet Him.
2. Crowds gathered to greet Jesus with cheers and shouts of blessing (Luke 19:35–38).
On the board, create three columns with the headings: the disciples, the crowds, and the Pharisees. Divide students into three groups and assign each group one of the headings on the board. Instruct Group 1 to read Luke 19:35–38, and Group 2 to read Matthew 21:8-11 and Group 3 to read Luke 19:36-40, and to work together to answer the questions listed on their worksheets that correspond to the heading each group was assigned. Allow a couple of minutes for groups to work. Then, read Luke 19:35-38 and call on Group 1 to share their responses. Record their responses on the board under the matching heading. Encourage students to take notes on their worksheets as groups present. (Note: Answers are provided below, along with additional information for you to provide after each group shares.)
Group 1: How did the disciples respond to Jesus?
Point out that to the people of that day, their cloaks were of great importance since they provided protection against extreme temperatures at night and the sun’s rays during the day. Emphasize that the cloak was so important to the owner that it would never have been loaned out to someone else. Ask: What might we say is as important to us as the cloak was to them? (Possible answers: homes, cars, clothing) Ask: What does the importance of the cloak suggest that those in the crowd were proclaiming about Jesus? (They proclaimed Him as their King–the Messiah they had waited for.)
Read Matthew 21:8-11 and then, call on group 2 to share their responses. Record the group’s responses in the second column on the board as the group shares.
Group 2: How did the crowds of people respond to Jesus?
Explain that when the road passed over the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple came into full view. Share that the Temple was the center of worship for the Jews and that they anticipated the Messiah entering Jerusalem from this route.
Read verse 38 again. Explain that the crowd responded by quoting Psalm 118:26. Call on a volunteer to read the verse from Psalms, and then lead students to identify how the crowd changed the wording in their praises to better fit Jesus. (The word he in the Psalm was changed to the king.) Ask: What does this change indicate that the crowd believed? (That Jesus had come as the long-awaited Messiah) Encourage students to complete the second statement on their worksheets with “cheers” and “blessing.”
3. Some who saw Jesus could not accept who Jesus was (Luke 19:39–40).
Point out that in the midst of the joyous crowds who greeted Jesus, the Pharisees responded differently. Call on group 3 to present their responses and list these on the board under the third heading:
Group 3: How did the Pharisees respond to Jesus? (Lk. 19:36-40)
Emphasize that the Pharisees understood that the people were proclaiming Jesus as Messiah; but the Pharisees felt that the actions and praises from the crowd toward Jesus were blasphemous since the Pharisees did not believe Jesus to be Messiah. Call on a student to use his/her smartphone to look up the word “blasphemy.” (Merriam-Webster defines “blasphemy” as the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.) Point out that, because the Pharisees were dedicated Jews, they felt their very belief system was being attacked. Encourage students to complete the final statement on their worksheets with “not accept.”