(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will study Luke 19:28-40 to examine how Jesus’ divinity was proclaimed in His entrance into Jerusalem.
Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner.
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 a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen to each learner.
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? Indicate that the immediate response of the colt’s owner indicates that maybe he understood who “the Lord” was. Suggest that the man might have heard about Jesus’ pending arrival.
Encourage learners to complete the first set of blanks on their worksheets with “messianic prophecy.” Then, discuss: What evidence of Jesus’ coming as the Messiah 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).
Read Luke 19:35–36. 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 coming Messiah.)
Explain that when the road passed over the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple came into full view. Read Luke 19:37–38, instructing learners to listen for how the view of the city and the Temple might have impacted the cheers of the crowd. Allow learners time to share their observations. Make sure that learners note 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 learners 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 learners 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).
Read Luke 19:39–40. Ask: Why did the Pharisees want the disciples to stop shouting praise to Jesus? (The Pharisees understood that the people were proclaiming Jesus as Messiah; 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.) Emphasize that the crowd’s reactions demonstrated why the Pharisees were so frightened of the growing response to Jesus.
Read verse 40 again. Point out that Jesus responded that if the people’s praises were silenced, then nature would sing Jesus’ praises. Ask: How can stones cry out that Jesus is Lord? (All nature, just by being, testifies about the God who made the world.) What is the real purpose of our praise? (Praise reveals God, but it doesn’t add anything to Him.) Encourage learners to complete the third statement on their worksheets with “not accept.”