Intro – Welcome to a video series we are going to do as we walk through Holy Week which I have to say I’m really excited about. I know these are difficult times for us all as we try to navigate life right now while we try to stay healthy and stop the spread of this awful Pandemic. Our prayers go out to everyone who has this virus, and all of you as we try to provide, and navigate all the challenges that come with this outbreak.
One of the things I have really been challenging my own family and our church family to do is to find some positives in all of this adversity, and come out of this time better for all that you are going through. Set a schedule, find some goals, and ask yourself what God is saying to you through all we are walking through. I know, Wow Sam, that sounds insensitive to look for positives as the world has come to a screeching halt for us all right now. Well, that is my point, you may have to look for some blessings and positives right now but I do believe there are some…for me I’m so thankful for the time I have been given with my children as the spring is always such a busy time in our lives. I’m also trying to use that gift of time to draw closer to God, and to grow spiritually through this difficult time. My hope is that in all of this as we have been forced to slow down that it leads us into God’s arms. We are all sitting here realizing how uncertain things are right now and it’s often when things are out of my own hands that I realize just how much I need God in my life. So my prayer is that you will take all of your questions, thoughts, fears, and focus and pour them into your Heavenly Father. This time can be a huge gift, especially as we head towards the biggest moment and time of our faith, the moment that Jesus laid down His life for you and I, taking away our sin, and giving us eternal life, and the ability to walk in a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. That’s what Holy Week is all about, and with this awesome gift of time we have been given we are going to really dig into what happened all week long. I wonder how many of you have ever really taken the time to dig into all that happened during Holy Week? It’s an amazing time, and leads me to the point of this study that we are jumping into.
What we are doing and why we are doing it. Starting today, you will see a daily video coming out through the week highlighting what happened during that particular day of Holy Week. We will also give you the scripture references to read and share together as a family! The goal is to give you a week to focus on and reflect daily on this incredible gift given to us by our Heavenly Father. I know this isn’t how we all thought our spring would go, but I wonder if in this margin and time we have all just found that this year we can truly pause, and center on how incredible God’s gift of Salvation truly is and maybe for the first time dive into God’s word and this incredible time of Jesus saving us all. You have heard me say this often that this is what it’s all about – Jesus, a blood-stained Cross, and an Empty Tomb! This is the Good News…this is the Gospel Message! Paul breaks down the Gospel this way in his letter to the church of Corinth…
1 Corinthians 15:1 …I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. NIV
This is what it’s all about, that you and I experience salvation through Jesus and what He did for you and I on the cross. We will keep coming back to three important points as we study Jesus who was now just days away from this ultimate sacrifice and victory for our Salvation. Here’s what you need to hold in your hearts as we dive into this study…
The Big 3 Points:
- Everything He goes through He goes through willingly
- Everything He goes through He goes through for you.
- His sacrifice changed everything for you and I.
So with that all said, let’s talk about Palm Sunday. What is the significance of Palm Sunday? Well this is the moment where Jesus enters Jerusalem to a celebration with the weight and the fate of the entire world on His shoulders. He knows He is entering this city and this week to die for us all, to save the world. Let’s get into our study. You can find an account of Holy week in all of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and I will attach the Scripture references to this video…for today we will start in Matthew.
Matthew 21:1-11 1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.'” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” NLT
The donkey is significant – Kings would triumphantly ride donkeys after they won a war as a sign of peace. Jesus comes in on a donkey as He heads into His death and ultimate victory.
The prophecy being fulfilled is from the old testament you can read it (Psalm 118:25-26, Zephaniah 3:15, Zechariah 9:9)
John shares something interesting, that His disciples didn’t really understand – Amazing to me, that regardless of how often he told them what was to come they just didn’t get it…even as it begins to unfold.
John 12:16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him. 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” NLT
The Pharisees are worried about Jesus – Because His popularity is really hitting its peak.
The Crowd seems focused on wanting to see a miracle because of Lazarus – yet he comes to willingly lay down His life which they will view as Him losing…so different than what we humans see.
When He enters Jerusalem what does He do? He clears out the temple for the second time…
Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'” 14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?” 17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. NIV
Interesting that every night he heads back to Bethany…he wasn’t hiding. This means everyone knows where He will be when.
So this is Palm Sunday, where Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem…as people cheer for Him screaming Hosanna and laying down Palm Branches to honor Him…but He knows why He has come, and He also knows that in just a few short days…those same people cheering for Him will be screaming for His death. I would encourage you to take some time today and read more about Palm Sunday…you can find this in your Bible here.
Scripture References to Study with the Family:
What happened on Palm Sunday? Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-47, John 12:12-36
Where can we read about the prophecies again? Psalm 118:25-26, Zephaniah 3:15, Zechariah 9:9
As you read and reflect with your family today and all week, remember and focus on these three points…
- Everything He goes through He goes through willingly
- Everything He goes through He goes through for you.
- His sacrifice changed everything for you and I.
Tomorrow Ken will share with us about what was happening on Monday of Holy Week.