• Hosanna! - a declaration of praise that originally meant 'save now'

Luke 19:29-40 "When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Lives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it? just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, 'Why are you untying the colt?' They said, 'The Lord needs it.' Then they brought it to Jesus' and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, order you disciples to stop.' He answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'"

John 12:11-19 "The next day a great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord -- the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, 'You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'"

• John 11:45 - 12:9 shows the background for the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The leaders of the Jewish nation wanted Jesus killed. Jesus had not made a public appearance in a while. News of Lazarus' resurrection was spreading and many were believing on Jesus because of it. The question of whether Jesus would dare come to Jerusalem for the Passover was part of everyone's conversation. Not only did he come - he came as a King!
• Jesus normally walked everywhere he went. He didn't own an animal to ride. For this occasion, he borrowed a donkey's colt. Even his ability to tell the disciples where a colt would be and what the owners would say was a small but powerful reminder of who Jesus was and the power he possessed. If he had such power, why didn't he own a riding animal? Why did Jesus avoid all physical trappings of power?
• Jesus rarely accepted praise in such a manner. Why did he this time?
  • to fulfill prophecy -- John 12:16
  • to acknowledge God -- Luke 19:37
  • he fully deserved it -- Luke 19: 40
  • The timing was right. The kingdom was at hand.
• Even in Jesus' moment of glory, the scripture says the people praised God for the signs they had seen. This was as it should be. Jesus was a great example of directing glory to God. We should be as well.
• One reason for the crowd was the testimony of those who had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Even before the kingdom, testimony of a resurrection brought people to Christ. But Lazarus' resurrection was just a foreshadowing of Christ's own.
  • Lazarus would die again, Christ would not.
  • Lazarus' resurrection was to declare the power and glory of God, Christ's resurrection was to bring redemption to all mankind.
  • Lazarus' resurrection would be testified of in Jerusalem, Christ's resurrection would be preached everywhere.
  • Lazarus' death brought pain to a few, Christ's death brought pain to God and even the earth broke.
• The Pharisees wanted Jesus to stop the crowds. They considered their acknowledgement of Christ's kingship as treason against Herod. Jesus' response was that no one could stop the true acknowledgement of His kingship. Creation itself stands as evidence (Romans 1). As Gamaliel would later warn them, if it's from God, no one can stop it. (Acts 5:39)
• The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus before this grand entrance into the city. What affect would this have on their hearts? Why not kill him then and there?

• Act out the scene where the disciples get the donkey.
• Have students make and decorate bookmarks or book covers that proclaim, "I'm a child of the king!"

• Color picture of two disciples bringing a colt for Jesus
• Black and White coloring page of two disciples bringing a colt for Jesus

1. Jesus is a King.                   T
2. The Pharisees felt threatened by Jesus' popularity.            T
3. The disciples got a horse and chariot for Jesus to ride on.            F
4. Jesus was acknowledged as a King by everyone in Jerusalem.       F

Psalm 118:29 "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

1 Timothy 1:17 "To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

1. What does Hosanna mean?
2. What's the opposite of praise?
3. Name four words that rhyme with king.

1. Print out color picture, cut into a simple puzzle and give to student to put together.
2. Print memory verse and cut each word into a piece. Have student put in order.
3. Have student draw an element from the lesson: donkey, palm branches, crowd, etc.

1. What emotions were the Pharisees feeling at Jesus' entry to Jerusalem?
2. How did the crowds feel?
3. How do you feel about Jesus now?

1. Jesus never sought fame, but sought to deliver God's message. How can we imitate Jesus in that way?
2. Name two of the ways God proved that Jesus was the Christ.
3. What can we do to honor and praise our king?

1. What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem upon?
2. What event inspired many people to come see Jesus enter Jerusalem?
3. What had the Jewish leaders planned to do upon seeing Jesus?

1. Why did Jesus have to borrow a donkey?
2. What did it mean to wave palm fronds and lay cloaks on the road before Jesus?
3. Why didn't the Pharisees arrest Jesus?

palm sunday