Jesus predicts his death and then enters into Jerusalem with great acclamation. (Matthew 20:17-19; 21:1-11)
Sermon Outline
“Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death.’” (Matthew 20:17-18)
Jesus’ Shocking Predictions of Messianic Suffering
- First prediction (Matthew 16:21) – in Caesarea Philippi
- Second prediction (Matthew 17:22-23) – in Galilee on the way to Jerusalem
- Third prediction (Matthew 20:17-19) – nearing Jerusalem
The Shocking Promise of Suffering and Hope of Resurrection (20:18-19)
- Handed over – entrusted – betrayed; hints at the role of Judas
- Condemned to death by the chief priests and teachers of the law
- Mocked, flogged, and crucified by the Gentiles
- Raised to life on the third day
The Shocking Entry to Jerusalem (21:1-11)
- Mount of Olives and the end of the age (Zechariah 14)
- The contrast of Galilee and Jerusalem
- The Messianic King arrives meekly, bringing true peace (Zechariah 9:9-10)
- The secret is revealed and the crowd acclaims Jesus
- The moment of confrontation has come
Seeing Jesus with Fresh Eyes
- The Biblical journey
- The Lenten community journey
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When you think of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, what stands out to you most?
- This week we begin a new series “Scandalous Jesus” that takes us through the season of Lent by following Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem through His crucifixion. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word, then read Matthew 20:17-19 and 21:1-11 aloud.
- Jesus’ third prediction of His death in 20:17-19 gives us more information than either of the previous predictions. Read those earlier two predictions (16:21 and 17:22-23). What do the disciples (and us) learn through this third prediction?
- Why do you think Jesus speaks about His death to the disciples ahead of time? How might this help them in days to come?
- Turn to Matthew 21:1-11. Background: The Mount of Olives lay across the Kidron Valley overlooking Jerusalem from the east. It was often linked with the coming of the Messiah but was also a natural route for pilgrim drawing near to Jerusalem.
- Why might the symbolism of Jesus riding in on a donkey (21:2-7) be significant for this moment? You may want to look at references in Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 62:11; Genesis 49:10-11; 2 Samuel 19-20; 1 Kings 1:38-40.
- The crowd around Jesus, most of whom were outsiders on pilgrimage for the Passover celebration (not Jerusalem natives), begin acclaiming Jesus (21:8-9). Why do you think Jesus, who so often asked people not to mention who He really was (9:27-31; 16:20), now allows this to happen? What might be different now?
- The locals in Jerusalem ask a question about Jesus that has been asked throughout the Gospel of Matthew: “Who is this?” (21:10). What stands out to you about the response of the crowd in verse 11?
- If you were there at that time watching this scene in Matthew 21 unfold, what do you think your response might have been? What would you have said about Jesus?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Matthew 20:18-19 or 21:9
- • Draw, ink, or paint Matthew 21:1-11 as a basis for prayer. Take time to talk with God as you depict the scene in your own way. What is God speaking to you through this account of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem?
- • Consider listening to the Bible Project podcast on Matthew 21, “Jesus, Prophet and Provocateur”