TRIUMPHANT AND VICTORIOUS

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

EXPLAIN the events of Matthew 21 and relate them to the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9; REVERENCE Jesus as the Promised Messiah; and REPENT of the times when we have not given Jesus the honor due to Him. 

FOCAL VERSES Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11. 

KEEP IN MIND

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest" (Matthew 21:9).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. A New King (Zechariah 9:9)

2. A Donkey for a King (Matthew 21:1-3)

3. The Prophecy Fulfilled (vv. 4-5)

4. The Crowds Worship the King (vv. 6-11)

IN FOCUS STORY

The crisp, cool air of January hit Jennifer's face as she stood of Pennsylvania Avenue with her girlfriends. They had made the cross-country trip from Los Angles to Washington D.C., to attend the inauguration of the President of the United States. The group of friends was certain that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Around noon, the crowd began to swell. Jennifer suggested, "Let's move closer to the street. I want to get a better view." The women craftily moved through the audience. A few minutes later, a group of black SUV's slowly crept by. Jennifer screamed, "Mr. President! We're praying for you!" And just like that, the moment was over. After a long pilgrimage, they had experienced what they wanted to experience-a life-transforming event that left them with a story they would share for generations. 

People often display admiration for prominent celebrities and officials. In today's lesson, we learn that preeminence should be given to Jesus as it was displayed on His prophetic entry into Jerusalem. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Bethphage. Literally the "house of figs," Bethphage was a small village located near the Mount of Olives. Located east of Jerusalem on the way to Jericho, it was surrounded by a wall. Each of the Synoptic Gospels mentions this location in their respective Triumph Entry accounts. It was there where Jesus' disciples obtained the donkey and colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem. 

Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is one of three peaks of a mountain ridge bordering Jerusalem to the east. Its name derives form the fact that it is covered in olive tress. The peak is approximately two hundred feet higher than the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which sits across the Kidron Valley, thus giving it a great view of Jerusalem. It was from this perspective that Jesus gave His discourse on the doomed city below (Mark 13:3). Some scholars believe this was the "high mountain" where the devil took Jesus to show Him all of the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5). It also served as the place where Jesus agonized over the task before Him prior to going to Calvary (Luke 22:39-46). 

Messiah. Transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning "anointed one"; translated into Greek as Christos or "the Christ." Since apostolic times, the name Christ has become the proper name of Jesus, the person whom Christians recognize as the God-given Redeemer of Israel and the church's Lord. "Christ," or Messiah, is therefore a name suited to express both the church's link with Israel through the Old Testament and the faith that sees in Jesus Christ the worldwide scope of the salvation in Him. The Jews, however, thought that their Messiah would be a warrior-usher in a kingdom in which Israel would be promoted to world dominion. 

BACKGROUND

A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah began his prophetic career around 520 B.C., during the reign of King Darius. At fourteen chapters, the book of Zechariah is the longest book among the minor prophets. Though the first eight chapters of the book are dated, the ninth chapter mentions no dates. Most scholars believe a significant amount of time passed between the eighth and ninth chapters. Zechariah 9 begins a section of the text where God providentially saves and restores His people. 

Matthew's Gospel is a theologically rich text, for Matthew was very intentional about pointing out the theological implications of Jesus' actions. The text in Matthew 21 follows this distinct pattern. In Matthew's account, this is Jesus' first appearance in the city of Jerusalem, though the city is mentioned earlier in the text (see Matthew 2:3). In that instance, King Herod and the inhabitants were troubled by the birth of Jesus. By the time we get to the later chapters in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus' reputation was growing. At the end of chapter 20, Jesus healed two blind men as great crowd followed Him on His journey toward Jerusalem. Given this increased popularity, the lesson text now describes what has been deemed Jesus' Triumphal Entry. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. How does the prophet Zechariah describe Jesus' Triumphal Entry (Zechariah 9:9)?

2. While Jesus was welcomed in a manner befitting a dignitary, how did His entry differ from what the Jews had previously witnessed (Matthew 21:9)?

3. What did the people say and do as Jesus entered Jerusalem? What was the significance of their words and actions (vv. 8-9)?

4. What was the difference between the people of Jerusalem and the multitude that went before and after Jesus (vv. 10-11)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. What character traits did Jesus display in this passage that believers should imitate?

2. Jesus made stranger request of two of His disciples. When they arrived, everything was as He had said. How might the disciples' faith inform us when we face tough decisions?

3. Characters in the In Focus story took advantage of an opportunity to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event. Do you thing the people who witnessed Jesus' entry into Jerusalem saw that event in the same way?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Celebrity worship has become a norm. Even some Christians spend more time on gossip websites than the Word of God. We pay more attention to our follower count on social media than to the number of souls we have drawn to the Lord. Even in churches, members show up in larger numbers for a celebrity evangelist or gospel recording artist but are absent from mid-week services. Today's lesson demonstrates that Jesus must be worshiped and lifted above all others. 

1. What are the earmarks of an out-of-control concern with celebrity?

2. What should we do when we have been caught up in the celebrity frenzy?

3. How do we help our youths resist misplaced adoration?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Make an effort this week to remove something from your life that can become idolatrous. Consider how many hours a day you spend online or how much money you waste on impulse shopping. Whatever it is, take break from it. Instead, take time to reflect on how to free yourself and restore your focus on the Lord. 

(Except from the Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc)