Matthew 21:1-11

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord’s triumphal entry was a fulfillment of prophecy.

  2. The Lord’s triumphal entry was a foreshadowing of the Parousia.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you willing to ride on a donkey?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why is the Sunday before Easter celebrated as Palm Sunday?

  2. Why is this event known as the Triumphal Entry?

  3. Why did the multitude chant an excerpt from the Messianic Psalm 118?

  4. What does Hosanna mean?

  5. How is the Lord’s omniscience seen in this passage?

  6. What is the Parousia?

ANSWERS

  1. When Jesus entered Jerusalem a week before His resurrection, He was welcomed by the multitudes waving palm branches.

  2. In that day, palm branches were thrown on the road when a conquering hero rode into the city in triumph.

  3. The people did not all believe the Lord Jesus was the Messiah. Rather, they were hoping He would save them from Roman oppression.

  4. Hosanna means “save now,” or “save, we pray.”

  5. He directed two of His disciples to the exact place where a donkey would be tied and He knew the owner would allow Him to use it.

  6. Parousia is a Greek word meaning “coming.” This is one of the words used in the New Testament of our Lord’s Second Coming

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the ironies of our Lord’s Triumphal Entry. He did not enter Jerusalem to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin, and death, and Satan. This victory came by means of His death on the cross. Aren’t you glad our Lord’s ways are different from the ways of the world?

  2. The Triumphal Entry foreshadows our Lord’s Second Coming. When He comes, His presence will bring both blessing and judgment. Blessing for the believers; judgment for unbelievers. Both of these aspects are seen in the rest of the chapter, with the cleansing of the temple and the healing of many sick people. When He comes, will you be among the blessed or the judged?

CHALLENGE

  1. Our Lord did not ride into Jerusalem on a conquering war horse, but on a humble donkey. Are you willing to take the humble place? Follow our Lord’s example of humility.

KEY VERSES

  • “All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet.” Matthew 21:4

  • “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” Matthew 21:9



Matthew, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMatthew 21:1-11