Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 9 “The Messiah Enters Jerusalem”
Featured Passage: Matthew 21
It was nearing the time for the Passover, and Jerusalem was beginning to fill with pilgrims traveling from many different places near and far. The streets were abuzz with talk about a man from Nazareth called Jesus. Many had witnessed His miracles of healing the sick and heard about His unique teachings. Some said they knew for a fact that He had raised a man, Lazarus, from the dead (John 12:1, 9-11). Many wondered, could this Jesus be the Messiah, the Savior of Israel who would come from the line of David? Imagine their excitement when they saw Jesus entering the city in a way which fulfilled a special prophecy about the Messiah.
Discuss:
- How did Jesus enter Jerusalem? How did the multitudes respond as Jesus entered the city? What do you think it would have been like to be there? (This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9)
- What happened when Jesus arrived at the temple? What did the religious authorities think about all this?
- What lesson did Jesus intend the disciples to learn from the death of the fig tree?
- When the chief priests and elders questioned His authority, Jesus asked them a question in return. Why do you think they would not answer Christ’s question?
- In the parable about the landowner who leased his vineyard, who represented the landowner, vinedressers, and the son? What punishment did the elders say should be administered to the vinedressers?
- What was the point Jesus was making when He quoted Psalm 118:22? Do you think the chief priests and Pharisees knew what Jesus was talking about?
Memory Challenge:
Matthew 21:9
“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’”
