The cheering of the crowds as Jesus enters Jerusalem turns quickly to shouts of condemnation, leading us to wonder about the nature of their loyalties, but also to consider ours as well.
Worship this weekend: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. traditional worship
10:30 a.m. contemporary worship
9:30 a.m. Fellowship and education hour.
April 13, 2014
John 12:12-17, 19:16b-22
Key Verse: “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!’” John 12:13
Time: 30 CE
Background: In John’s gospel, Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem was brief. The people gathered with palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” They acknowledged Jesus as “King of Israel,” and he arrived on a young donkey to fulfill the scripture concerning the coming Messiah.
This adoration stood in stark contrast to the mocking Jesus received just a few chapters later, where Jesus was crucified with the inscription, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” By this time the people had turned on him and didn’t even want the inscription to imply that they had ever received him as their king. They no longer accepted him as their king, yet Pilate’s refusal to change the inscription wrote into history words that still hold true today. Jesus is truly the King.
Community: Who are treated as royalty in today’s society? What have they done to earn the title? What does it take for them to fall from grace? How might we shift our loyalties so that we praise and emulate Jesus more than those in the public spotlight?
At Home: What prevents you from fully bowing down to Jesus as king? What power over your own life do you cling to? What might happen if you relinquish power to Jesus?
Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 14, Jesus Prays for His Disciples, John 17:1-19
Tuesday, Apr 15, Jesus Prays for His Disciples, John 17:20-26
Wednesday, Apr 16, The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus, John 18:1-11
Thursday, Apr 17, Jesus’ Last Words, John 19:23-30
Friday, Apr 18, Passover Lamb, John 19:31-37
Saturday, Apr 19, Passover Lamb, John 19:38-42
Next Week: Sunday, Apr 20, Resurrection, John 20:1-18
