Day One: Palm Sunday | Resources
Discussion Questions
What is the significance of the various Old Testament references in Matthew 21:4?
Read Luke 19:28–34. What do these verses teach us about Jesus’ authority? What do you think these events taught His disciples about who Jesus is?
Why were the crowds so excited about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? What about their response is exciting and what about it is concerning?
Why do you worship Jesus? How would you answer this question if you were asked by a friend, family member, or neighbor?
Notice Jesus’ responses in Luke 19:41–48. What do Jesus’ responses teach us about Jesus’ heart for His people and His mission?
If Jesus were to be on Earth today, how do you think He would respond to what he sees from those who say they love Him and follow Him?
Memory Verse
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!” Luke 19:38 (CSB)
Devotional
Human perception is very powerful. Our beliefs are strongly shaped by our personal biases, first impressions, and past experiences. We see what we want to see, and our viewpoints have immense inertia: once formed, our beliefs are very difficult to change, even in the face of overwhelming empirical evidence that may strongly contradict our original assumptions.
It’s fair to say that exactly zero people completely understood the “real” Jesus when he came to Earth 2,000 years ago. The religious elite, jealous and resentful of Jesus’ soaring popularity, saw him as an arrogant and prideful peasant who threatened their posh status as Israel’s leading aristocrats. Jesus’ followers, thirsty for vengeance against their cruel Roman overlords, were itching for a fight and saw Jesus as a powerful military savior who could finally help them “settle everything” through violent conflict. Even some of Jesus’ closest disciples—commoners hand-picked by Jesus himself—saw Jesus as their “fast-pass” to glory and power in a fractured and unjust society.
All of those forces were at work on the day we celebrate as Palm Sunday, when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to an eaxuberant welcome with the laying of palm branches (symbols of victory) and shouts of hosanna (“save us”). Even as some of Jesus’ followers were starting to realize the true nature of his work (and his real mission here on Earth), they were still struggling with their misconceptions and false assumptions. In fact, a few days later, many of those same enthusiastic “followers” were calling for Jesus’ execution as they realized he wasn’t the person they expected (or wanted).
Jesus is still misunderstood today. Knowing the “real Jesus” is possible, but it requires a humble heart, an open mind, and a willingness to accept the truth (even if it hurts). It’s a deliberate process that requires something from us: regular immersion in the Word of God (both the Old and New Testaments) combined with daily prayer and a commitment to obediently walk in faith. Only then can we truly understand our personal Lord and Savior and share the real gospel with a broken and fallen world.