Most champions have their victory parade after the victory is won. Jesus has his beforehand! Why is that? What does it mean for me? Jason Turner, our youth pastor at The Orchard Church, brings this special message.
Lifegroup Discussion Questions right after the jump!
If you are the discussion leader tonight, have everyone open to this page on their mobile device. Encourage everyone to read along, and be sure to distribute verses for others to read. We love group participation.
When the President of the United States arrives, what is his mode of travel?
These vehicles aren’t simply transportation… They mean something. What do the arrival of these vehicles communicate?
How do people respond to seeing these vehicles arrive? How do people in foreign countries respond when Air Force One touches down?
Does everyone respond the same way? Why?
Jesus was very specific about how he would arrive in Jerusalem on his final trip there. What vehicle did he use?
If the vehicle means something, what is Jesus trying to say by this action?
Have a look at this famous Old Testament prophecy:
Zechariah 9:9 NLT
Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.
Jesus is sending a clear message to the “people of Jerusalem…” He is painting a picture that they recognize immediately. What is He announcing Himself to be?
Did the people get this message? What was their response?
Luke 19:36-38 NLT
As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”
In a fascinating cultural response to what they were seeing unfold before them, the people in and around Jerusalem began to act out the water ceremony from the Feast of Tabernacles, where the people wave palm fronds around, symbolizing the coming of the Spirit, and quoting Psalm 118:25-26…
Psalm 118:25-26 NLT
Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
So, the people saw Jesus, the “king… righteous and victorious,” and they responded accordingly.
How does this work in my life? Who does Jesus declare himself to be in my life?
In order for me to experience victory in my life with Him, how should I respond to His declaration in my life?
Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?* Is anything worth more than your soul?
How have I responded to His victory in my:
- relationships with my family?
- relationships with others?
- habits?
- bank account?
- prayer life?
- time?
Luke 9:57-62 NLT
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Tonight, as you close in prayer, please be intentional about praying for this coming Sunday’s Easter services. Pray for each other in sharing our faith, “Saying It,” and pray for people by name that your group has invited.