The Greatest King Who Ever Lived

Let us examine the Scriptures like the Bereans who "received the message with great eagerness and

examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  Acts 17:11 (NIV)

 

April 4, 2004: “The Greatest King Who Ever Lived” by Don Bartemus, Pastor of CE & Christian Ministries of College Park Church.  Today’s Palm Sunday message on the “Day of Hosanna,” focused on the triumphal entry of Jesus, the King of kings, into Jerusalem during the time of the annual Passover feast, as recorded in Luke 19:28-44 and the other gospels: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11, and John 12:12-19.

 

Pastor Don described the importance of the city of Jerusalem and it’s connection to the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah (Geneses 22:1-19), the building of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah where the Lord had appeared to Solomon’s father David (2 Chronicles 3), and now the son of David was now entering the city on a donkey to fulfill the prophecy of old of the coming of the Messiah, the Christ who would save the world and restore fellowship with God the Father.

 

As you read over this passage in Luke …

 

  1. What was the reaction of the people, when they saw Jesus along the way?  What did they say and do?  What do you think might have been their thoughts and expectations? 

 

  1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders, when they saw the reaction of the people and heard their cries for someone to save them?  Under whose influence do you think they might have been responding?

 

  1. What was the reaction of Jesus, when he saw the city of Jerusalem?  Why?  What was his prophecy about the future of his chosen people?  Why?

 

As you ponder society today…

 

  1. What is our reaction to the person of Jesus?  What is your reaction when you see the name of Jesus in public, and hear his name proclaimed?

 

  1. What is the reaction of the religious leaders of today to the person of Jesus?  Do they proclaim him as the King of kings and Lord of lords?

 

  1. What do you think Jesus’ reaction might be today as he looks upon the city of Jerusalem?  Upon America?  What is his prophecy about the future of his people today?  What is his desire for those who profess his name?

 

Pastor Don encourages us to pray for the King’s leading.  Remember…

If we choose Jesus…we are freed from the bondage of sin,

encouraged to become more like him and empowered to do so, and

will spend eternity with him, in a glorious place beyond our imagination.

If we choose Self…we are slaves to sin,

encouraged to become self-reliant, and influenced by the forces of evil to do so, and

will spend eternity separated from him, in a place of torment beyond our imagination.