Triumphant Entry - The Easter Story - Days 1-2 Series

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Day One - Response to Lazarus Raised

Some of the people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead went to the Pharisees and told them about the miracle.

The Pharisees and chief priests gathered a council at the palace of the high priest Caiaphus to decide what to do about Jesus.

They said, “This man performs many miracles. If we let him continue, all men will follow him, and the Romans will come and take over our temple and our nation.”

Caiaphas said, “It’s best for us, that one man should die for the people, so that the whole nation doesn’t perish.”

Caiaphus had unwittingly prophesied, Jesus would die for the people so that they wouldn't perish.

By the obedience of one, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Whoever believes in him will not perish. John 3:16

They planned to put Jesus to death. Because of this, Jesus couldn’t walked openly among the Jews. So he went into the country to a city called Ephraim and remained there with His disciples. John 11:45-54

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Day Two - Triumphant Entry

As the Passover drew near, many people came to Jerusalem from all the country to purify themselves. As they stood in the temple, they looked for Jesus.

They asked each other, “Do you think he will come to the feast?”

The chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded, if any man knew where He was, he must make it known so that they could take Him.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, a town less than two miles from Jerusalem. Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, lived in Bethany.

The, next morning, after walking from Bethany to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples to borrow a specific donkey. Since the colt was tied at a crossroad, many would have heard the news that the Master was coming.

What was Jesus doing while He waited? I imagine He prayed, possibly in the garden of Gethsemane.

A “very great” crowd gathered, because they heard He had raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus came down the mount of Olives, the people met him. Some had cut palm branches. They waved them and laid them across His path. Others laid their cloaks on the path. They rejoiced and shouted praises.

The Pharisees said to each other, “The world is following Him.”

Protesting, they said to Jesus, “Master, rebuke your followers.” Jesus responded, “If these people stop, the stones will cry out.”

When Jesus drew near the city, He wept over it.

After He entered Jerusalem, Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.” Then prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.” And a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The people who stood near heard it and said that it thundered. Jesus told them, “This voice came for your sakes…”

Many of the chief rulers believed in Jesus, but they feared the Pharisees and loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus entered the temple and looked around at everything. It was evening so he went back to Bethany.

Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-50

For prophecies, see Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 6:10, 53:1