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Sunday School Lesson
Jesus Christ of Nazareth knew the purpose for his life. "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. Earlier, Luke recorded that "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." Luke 9:51c. The divine mission of the son of God was to be accomplished according to the divine timetable. "...Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28. The Apostle John was given the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1a), while he was "in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:9b, c). In this vision, Jesus Christ declared, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the almighty." Revelation 1:8. The first readers of this account had no difficulty in understanding the word pictures that were painted by the holy spirit (2 Peter 1:21;2 Timothy 3:16). It is important for us to understand the all-encompassing nature of the savior of the world. As Jesus and his disciples were traveling toward Jerusalem, they were part of a large crowd that was making a pilgrimage for the celebration of the Passover. Jesus had attempted to prepare the disciples for the events that would take place at this particular Passover. Yet these men did not get it. Their lack of acceptance did not change the divine plan. Luke wrote of their "ascending up to Jerusalem." Luke 19:28. This 15-mile journey required them to go up over 3,000 feet in elevation. Obviously, this was a difficult climb. Yet, the pilgrims would not allow these circumstances to distract them. This journey brought them near "to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount called the mount of Olives..." Luke 19:29c. At this point "he sent two of his disciples, saying, Go ye into the village over against you: in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither." Luke 19:29d,30. The master prepared these men for rejection of their mission. "And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, because the Lord hath need of him." Luke 19:31. These men carried out their assigned task. Luke 19:32-34. There is no indication that there was any hesitation in their action. Are we obedient in our divinely-directed tasks? Do we carry out the great commission? Mark 16:15-18. Are we faithful witnesses? Acts 1:8. There is no indication that anyone prompted the disciples - nor the crowd - that was on this pilgrimage. We are told that "they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they sat Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way." Luke 19:35, 36. "...Others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way." Matthew 21:8b. These acts were - historically - associated with honoring the king, as he entered an area. The crowd came near to the city of Jerusalem. "...Now at the descent of the mount of olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen..." Luke 19:37. The specific praises that were heard that day came from the book of Psalms. "Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." Luke 19:38; Psalm 118:26. There is no indication that this scene was rehearsed, but, simply came as a glad song of praise that had been made a part of their"heritage. As on many other occasions, the religious critics seemed to think that they needed to correct this one who was always causing them trouble. "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, master, rebuke thy disciples." Luke 19:39. The answer to this directive came as an application of a statement made by the prophet of old. "And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:40; Habakkuk 2:11. Kings were - and are - honored because of their position - not necessarily for the means nor methods that they use in governing the people. The people who were singing praise to the lord Jesus Christ on that road into Jerusalem were not fully aware of the ministry of this one of whom they had heard. Yet, the triumphal entry activities were reserved for royalty. Little did some of these people realize that the one whom they were honoring was "greater than Solomon" (Luke 11:31) or any other king - past or present. Are we active in our worship of Jesus Christ? In our society, we have developed a compartmentalized worship that is restricted to some particular place at some designated time. The people on the way to the temple were not seen by the critics as being at the right time and the right place. This worship was spontaneous and scripturally based. Do we have such a personal experience with the "king of kings and lord of lords" (Revelation 17:14) that praise and adoration can flow freely from the depths of our souls?
Do we, personally, know that we are being justified by faith, and that we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ?
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