8. Week Eight—The King

Words To Live By “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” The crowds in Luke 19:38 Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem, and what a welcome he enjoys! Picture yourself among the crowd as he enters the city of God42 with a great throng shouting “Hosanna,” or in English “Save.”43 For these people, he is the King prophesied throughout the First Testament. Although a king usually enters a city in triumph on a majestic steed, Jesus chooses the back of a humble donkey. His upside-down kingdom isn’t what most expect although many have heard his teachings about it. His victory is not over earthly powers, but those of evil, sin and death. Part One Study As a reminder, please read the verses in this section as if you have never heard them. It’s so easy to gloss over the Bible stories if you’ve known them since childhood, so read slowly, meditating on all the details of what’s happening to Jesus and those around him. Read Luke 19:28-20:8, and comment on these questions: Compare the different welcomes given Jesus by the crowd, the disciples and some of the Pharisees on that first Palm Sunday. Why does Jesus weep over Jerusalem (vv. 41-44)? Af...