Palm Sunday & Holy Week

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Palm Sunday & Holy Week 2018

Read Mark 11:1-11 New International Version As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. ————————————— Suggested Questions: • Israel in the first century was ruled by the Roman Empire and during this time there were several “messiahs” who claimed authority and attempted to mount rebellions against Rome. The Jewish historian, Josephus, records accounts of these “messiahs” in his Antiquities. Jesus is also called “Messiah” and his entry into Jerusalem does have a triumphal quality to it; yet, how are Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings different from a simple political rebellion or revolution? • Jesus as Messiah does not emerge from out of nowhere, but his coming is foretold in the Old Testament. For example, search in a Bible or go to biblegateway.com and read Zechariah 9:9. What might it mean for your faith to know that Jesus, or the Messiah, was talked about hundreds of years before his actual birth? • In some ways it appears almost comical that Jesus would ride through the gates of the city on the back of a donkey. I mean, donkeys don’t exactly signify triumphal qualities (no offense donkey lovers!). What do you think that Jesus was trying to communicate by his choice of transportation? • Later in the New Testament Paul will write to the church in Philippi and say this about Jesus: "He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8) Humility was an essential part of Jesus’ identity, which raises the question: “How is humility a part of our identity? How do you practice humility in your daily life? How could you practice this more?” • As we enter into Jesus’ Passion (or the time just before Jesus’ death and resurrection) how do you want to pray? What do you need to hear from God right now in your life? What do you need to say to him?

Christ Church Christiana Hundred Wilmington, Delaware www.christchurchde.org