Jesus on Palm Sunday
Memory Verse: John 12:13
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Parents: How you choose to experience the story will vary according to the ages and abilities of your children (and how many are participating). For younger children, you may wish to use a children’s or storybook version of the Bible and explain details as you go. Older kids can take turns helping to read the story. You can also make this interactive and encourage everyone to get in on the action. You can even have your children draw as you go...it’s all up to the kids and their learning styles.
-John 12:12- 13
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Parents: Talk about what is happening here. Right before this, Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. He brought a dead guy back to life, so it certainly makes sense that people would crowd around to see what He might do next! They wanted to make Jesus a king, to have Him save them from political oppression. They waved palm branches to welcome Him into town and celebrate Him. It was sort of like waving pom-poms at a game or rally. The word “Hosanna” means “Save us”. The people wanted Jesus to save them and be their king. Well, He already was their king, but not exactly in the ways they expected...
Ask: Can you think of some ways that Jesus did not always do what was expected of Him?
-John 12:14-16
“Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.”
Parents: Okay, so what’s the big deal with riding a baby donkey? Well, a couple of significant things were taking place here. For one thing, riding a donkey was an indication of peace. Jesus was not storming in on a grand war-horse, ready to swoop in and raise riots. He was coming gently, indicating that His kingdom was one of peace. He was also fulfilling a prophecy.
Ask: Do you know what a prophecy is or what it means? People long before Jesus lived spoke things about what was going to happen. One of those prophets had spoken about this:
-Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Parents: The disciples didn’t quite put the pieces together at the time, but later they realized that Jesus was exactly carrying out the words of that prophet.
Ask: Has there ever been a time when you didn’t understand something right away and realized later how significant it was? Light-bulb moment!
-John 12:17-19
“Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
“Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Parents: So why was the crowd so excited about Jesus? As we read here, they were impressed by His miracles, and had seen Him raise Lazarus. They wanted to celebrate Him. This is a joyous and festive occasion, and the people almost realized how important Jesus was...but not quite. They didn’t quite comprehend the kind of King that Jesus was. Not a king who would conquer enemies with swords and rule over others. He was a leader who came to serve, and who lived to die. The enemies He came to conquer were not flesh and blood, but sin, death, and the devil. Of course, the Pharisees were not too pleased to see Jesus so praised and lifted up. All along, they had wanted to find a way to get rid of Him. They watch from the sidelines, disgusted at the celebration. And within a few days of this happy welcome parade, they would have Jesus arrested, beaten, and killed. The Messiah had the power to stop them. He could have wiped them out with a glance or changed what they were doing. He could have escaped. But that would not have fulfilled His mission. That’s not the kind of king He came to be. So, as we celebrate Palm Sunday and get ready for Holy Week, we rejoice in who Christ was, and who He IS in our lives today. Hosanna!
Prayer:Dear God,
Thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Help us to remember to serve one another just as He served us.
Thank you for your love! We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Help us to remember to serve one another just as He served us.
Thank you for your love! We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
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