Passage to Study: Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19.
To read with the class: Luke 19:28-44.
Text for memorization: Younger children - Luke 19:41.
Older children - Luke 19:41 y 42.
OBJECTIVES - To show -
1. That the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem was not a product of mass
psychology but the fulfillment of a prophecy about Him.
2. That when sending on ahead two of His disciples to find the animal, Jesus showed His
omniscience.
3. The contrast between the acclaim made to a king one day and then the cries
against him the next.
4. The Lord felt deeply the rejection of the people, for it made Him weep.
SCENE No. 1. In Bethphage, in a place where two ways met.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- During the last week of His life on earth, the emphasis is on Jesus, the Messiah and
King so long expected by the people of Israel.
- Through the prophets, God had given certain indication He could be recognized.
- Zechariah 9:9 speaks of a King coming “riding upon a colt the foal of an ass”.
Zechariah had prophesied this some 500 years earlier.
- Jesus would ride on an animal as was predicted, on entering Jerusalem.
- This was the first and only time in His life that we know of the Lord Jesus mounted on
an animal.
- There are three proofs of the Lord’s omniscience. He knew:
1) where the animal could be found,
2) that no one had even sat on it, and
3) the reaction of the townspeople when the disciples began to loose it.
- It is proof of His omnipotence that He could control an animal that had not learned to
carry a rider.
- To find all the Lord had said confirmed by the events would strengthen the faith of the
two disciples.
- The disciples reply to the owner of the animal was with the very words that Jesus told
them to use.
Apl. When we speak the gospel is is important to use the exact terms of the Scriptures.
Sug. This scene of the donkey can be applied to the sinner and God’s desire to
utilize him or her in his service.
1) The sinner is tied and must be set free in order to be used by the Lord Jesus.
Apl. Satan, the world, and the flesh all exercise their power to keep the sinner
“tied up” in his sin.
2) The Lord wants the sinner to be available for service. “The Lord has need of
him”.
Apl. The call of the Gospel is not only to save from sin, but make the sinner useful in
God’s service.
3) There will be opposition to the sinner being set free, but the word of the Lord is more
powerful and enables His will to be done.
Apl. Although Satan tries to hinder salvation of the soul, God’s Word is more
powerful. John 8:36.
SCENE No. 2 Coming down
the mount of Olives.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- The disciples and the multitudes acclaim the Lord Jesus. Some spread their outer garment
on the road ahead of him.
- The crowd is excited by the idea that Jesus will take over the throne as King and begin
to reign immediately over them.
- Some of those that accompanied Jesus were expecting a take-over of the govenment by
force.
- There is a larger number of people in Jerusalem at this time because the Passover feast
is the most important one of the year and thousands have come to be present for it
in Jerusalem.
Cns. Might some of those acclaiming Him not have understood the real reason for this
action?
Cmt. No doubt there are those who did not understand, for how else do we explain that the
feelings expressed on this occasion changing so quickly from one day to another for they
said: “Crucify Him”.
Apl. Many find it convenient, perhaps because of the group they are with, to use the Name
of Christ, but have no idea of what it means to be saved and to serve Him.
- This lent itself to the accusation the Pharisees and religious leaders made to the Roman
authorities, that Jesus stirred up the people and wanted to make Himself king instead of
Caesar.
- HOSANNA means “Save oh King,” or “May He save us”. It was a
greeting of expectation.
Cns. The faith we profess and the praise we give the Lord must be sincere and with a true
heart understanding of what we are doing.
- The euphoria of the people was something momentary and passing.
SCENE No. 3. In the temple.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON: -.
- Perhaps the children brought flowers to offer the Lord Jesus, for those who love Him
love to have something to give Him.
- The chief priests and scribes and some of the Pharisees were extremely displeased that
the children showed Him affection and cried out to Him in the temple. (Matt. 21:15; Luke
19:39)
- They wanted Jesus to silence those who were honouring Him.
- Although there are those who try to silence the voice of the gospel, there will always
be those who love the Lord Jesus.
Cns. The parents of some of the scholars will, by using negative comments, make the
teaching of the Sunday School seem unimportant. It is necessary to encourage the
children and help them see they need to have the Lord Jesus in their lives at a young age,
and learn of Him in order to be able to serve Him.
- Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem for rejecting the salvation He offers.
- The Lord knows in advance of the rejection that, before long, the inhabitants of
Jerusalem will carry out in crucifying Him.
- The time of blessing for the people was right then. Luke 19:42.
- Because of their religious blindness, they could not see it.
- THY VISITATION is the same as “now is the accepted time, now is the day of
salvation.”
- On weeping over the city, the Lord uttered some prophesies.
Cns. In the year 70, Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed, remaining thus during hundreds
of years following, the result of having rejected Christ. |
