The Meaning of Palm Sunday

Introduction

A country had been invaded and nearly destroyed. The heir to the throne had been smuggled out and now that the country had regained its independence, they were looking for him. Several men of about the right age and appearance claimed to be the heir to the throne. But only one could be the new king. The members of the royal council who had survived the war had a closely-guarded secret. They knew the secret password and evidence that would prove the identity of the royal heir. Everyone knew that one existed, but only these men and the true heir knew what it was. As the day came for the examination, there was excitement and building tension. Everyone wanted to know who would be their king. Some had one favorite, others another. But they knew that favorite or not, only one would receive the crown. Several men came in. They made bold attempts, but with each attempt as the council members shook their heads, the people booed and felt their excitement fade a little. Finally, the last man came in. There was something different about this man. Something in his bearing, his eye, the way he looked at people, his voice. There was none of the braggadocio in his manner that the other two claimants had shown – only humble confidence. The crowd found themselves wanting him to be the one. They were silently rooting for him as the council solemnly called for proof of his claim. He walked forward and whispered something to the council. They looked pleased, surprised. Then he pulled up his sleeve and showed them something on his arm. The crowd couldn’t see what it was, but they could see the smiles and nods the councilors exchanged. Despite the solemn occasion, the crowd broke into cheers. “Long live the King! Long live the King!” Even the council members joined them after a moment of hesitation. This was a moment to celebrate – even if it meant shouting in the council chamber. In Mark 11:1-11, Jesus fulfilled prophesy that proved He was claiming to be the promised King of Israel. Study the passage to learn more about the significance of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and what it means for you.

Observation

Pray

Before you begin this study plan, ask the Lord to help you understand and believe His Word and commit to taking action based on what He shows you.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 11:1-11 and try to picture what it would have been like if you had been there as one of the disciples that day.

Main Character

Who is the main character in these verses?

Keyword - Jesus

Marking the places where the passage mentions that Jesus will help you see it's all about Him.

Jesus Christ

Mark each time the Names of Jesus or references to Him (like He and Him) appear in Mark 11:1-11.

Where?

What places are mentioned in today's passage?

A Special Job

What special job did Jesus give two of His disciples in verses 1-3?

Never Ridden

What did Jesus say about the experience level of this colt?

Prepared

How did He prepare the two disciples for the responses of the people around them in verse 3?

Stop and Think

What do verse 4-6 tell us?

Honor

What did the crowd do to show honor to Jesus in verse 8?

Hosanna

What were the people shouting?

Where?

Where did Jesus go when He got into Jerusalem?

Time of Day

What time of day did Jesus leave the temple?

Nighttime

Where did Jesus go for the night?

Interpretation

3D Map

In this map you can see the land Jesus and His disciples walked through in today's passage. From near Bethany on the right across the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem and the temple. At the top of the picture you can see Nazareth where Jesus grew up and the Sea of Galilee where He spent so much time.

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Parallel

All four of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - tell us about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on that glorious Sunday. Each focuses on and add different details. Read the account in Matthew 21:1-11 and notice what details it adds to what you read in Mark.

The Other Donkey

Did you notice something that wasn't in Mark about the animals?

Which One?

If you had just read Matthew's account, you might miss which one Jesus had ridden. Which of the two animals does Mark emphasize that Jesus rode?

Why?

Matthew also includes an explanation of why all of this happened. What explanation does it give in Matthew 21:4-5?

Quoted Verse

John's account of this event quotes the same prophesy from Zechariah 9:9 that Matthew quotes. Read the prophesy for yourself.

Which Title

Which title of Christ does this prophesy emphasize?

King of Israel

What was Jesus declaring about Himself when He fulfilled this prophesy?

Lord of Creation

Have you ever seen someone try to ride a horse or donkey that has never been ridden before? What does it tell us about Jesus that He rode an unbroken donkey colt into Jerusalem?

Expectation

Think about it for a moment…what animal would you expect a King to enter His capital city on?

Just, Bringing Salvation, Humble

What does Zechariah tell us Jesus' choice of a donkey - a humble farm animal - instead of a dashing horse says about Him?

Humility

Philippians 2:5-11 also emphasizes Jesus' humility in a beautiful way.

Be Like Him

What does this passage say our response to seeing Jesus' humility should be?

The Next Time

In Philippians you saw that even though Jesus was humbled, He has been exalted. Notice what Jesus will ride and how He will appear at His Second Coming prophesied in Revelation 19:11-16.

Riding

What will Jesus ride next time He comes to Jerusalem?

Appearance

What will He look like then?

Names and Titles

Which of His Names and Titles are emphasized in Revelation 19?

Stop and Reflect

What does it make you think about Jesus to know that He had the right to appear in glory like He will at His second coming and yet chose to come as He did in today's passage in such humility?

Palm Sunday

Based on how the people reacted to Jesus' triumphal entry, why do you think it is often called Palm Sunday?

Hosanna

Easton's Bible Dictionary explains that Hosanna means "save now" or "save we beseech."

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Quoted Praise

Part of what the crowd was shouting was from Psalm 118:25-26.

Granted Request

How was Jesus about to grant their request for salvation to be made available - though in a very different way than they anticipated? (Hint: think about what happened later that week - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 summarizes it.)

Kingdom of David

Whose kingdom did the crowd mention?

Promise to David

That Jesus is a descendant of David is important because back in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16 God promised that a descendant of David would be the Promised eternal King - the Messiah.

Son of David

This short article explains more of the significance of Jesus' title 'Son of David' and what it means.

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You're the Messiah

What were the people saying they believed about Jesus by calling Him the Son of David?

More Details

If you've done the other IBS study plans in the Gospel of Mark, you've already seen that the religious rulers of that day - the Pharisees and Sadducees - hated Jesus because of jealousy and unbelief. Luke 19:37-40 tells us what they thought of Jesus' triumphal entry.

Pharisees

What did the Pharisees think and say about the events of that day?

Jesus' Response

What did Jesus tell them?

One More Thing

If we read the next few verses, Luke 19:41-44, we'll learn something more about Jesus and His heart for people.

What Would You Expect?

Jesus was coming in fulfillment of prophesy to offer Israel the kingdom, but He knew that in less than a week they would reject and crucify Him. How would you expect Jesus to respond to this?

Weeping

How did Jesus actually respond to it?

The End of the Day

If you were reading this story for the first time, do you think you might be surprised by how it ends - with Jesus looking around and going back to stay outside of the city for the night? Why?

Why Palm Sunday?

This video explains more of the significance of Palm Sunday as well as the meaning of the people putting their robes in Jesus' path and how this event fits into the story of Jesus' life. (Even though it was not the mission of His first coming, we know that someday Jesus will come to fulfill the prophesies about His Second Coming. Then He will show Himself to be a conquering King who defeats His enemies and rules on earth.)

Significance

In your own words what would you say is the significance of Palm Sunday and Jesus' triumphal entry?

Once More

Read Mark 11:1-11 once more in light of what you've studied.

About Jesus

What do these verses teach us about Jesus?

Application

The Master Needs It

When the disciples told the owner of the donkey that Jesus needed it, the owner gave it to them. Is there something Jesus is asking you to give Him or His people - time, money, a possession, a position, or something else? Will you give it to Him? You never know what He'll do with it.

The God Who Provides

Jesus not only knew that He needed a donkey to ride so He could fulfill prophesy, He knew where to get one. Is there a situation in your life that you are fretting or worrying about? How does knowing that Jesus can provide challenge you to trust Him with your needs?

Praising Jesus Christ

God doesn't always do things the way we think is best or in a way we understand. The crowds in Jerusalem praised Jesus on Palm Sunday. But when He didn't do what they wanted, they turned on Him. Will you praise the Lord Jesus today whether or not He is doing what you want Him to?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study plan has helped you understand the significance of Palm Sunday and has challenged you to love and praise the Lord Jesus more.

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