The King is Coming… and Nothing is Going to be the Same!

Now when the drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. - Matthew 21:1 – 2

Corrie Ten Boom was asked if it were difficult for her to remain humble. She replied: When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments onto the road, and singing praises, do you think for one moment it ever entered the head of that donkey that any of that was for him? … If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give Him all the praise and all the honour!

Introduction: Going up to Jerusalem (16:21 – 23; 17:22 – 23; 20:17 – 19)

1. The Coming to the Temple (21:1 – 11; cf. Mk.11:11)

Discussion Questions:

1. Palm Sunday ushers in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life before being crucified. What kind of thoughts / emotions do you think were in Him as He approached the city?

2. What do you think the disciples understood about their purpose for being there?

3. When Jesus cleansed the temple (21:12 – 17), what was He most angry about?

4. Do you see how the cursing of the fig tree (21:18 – 22) was really a cursing of the temple rituals as they had become? Who does Jesus hold responsible for this? (Clue: Ch. 23)

5. After the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost the Bible teaches us that we followers of Christ are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 3:16f; 6:19f; 2 Cor. 6:14ff; Eph. 2:21). What implications does this have on how we treat our bodies and live our lives?

Application:

Temples are Holy Places. What do the events of the Scripture we looked at teach you about the Holiness of Jesus?