"Palm Sunday"

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered into Jerusalem in a manner fit for a King, with pomp, circumstance and celebration. The crowd celebrating his arrival, however, has no idea that Jesus has come to sacrifice himself, not to conquer.

Palm Sundays tests our assumptions and our expectations. What is it we expect Jesus to do in our lives?

Triumphal Entry in the Four Gospels

Each of the Gospels handles Jesus' entry into Jerusalem right before he goes to the cross slightly differently. Below, you can see Matthew, Mark and Luke's versions to compare them to Mark.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. The Triumphal Entry (TE)

II. What is the "Messiah?"

III. TE in the Four Gospels
A. Matthew - The crowd cries out, Jesus clears the Temple.
B. Luke - The crowd cries out, Jesus weeps, then clears the Temple.
C. John - The whole world is following Jesus.
D. Mark - Jesus walks into the temple, looks around and goes home.

IV. Jesus is the Messiah
A. Duh
B. No, really.
C. Jesus is the Messiah in his way, no one else's.

V. What do you expect of the Messiah?

NEXT STEPS:

1) Read Mark 11:9-10 closely. Perhaps try to memorize these verses.

2) Prayerfully consider what it was the crowd was celebrating that day.

3) Reflect on what Holy Week causes you to celebrate.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1) What do you think people in Jesus' day expected of the Messiah?

2) What do you think people expect of Jesus today?

3) What do you expect of Jesus?

4) What has helped set your expectations of Jesus? Who or what has influenced those expectations?

5) How can you best root your expectations in Jesus' character, as revealed in scripture?

We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.