Who Is He?

WHO IS HE?

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

• Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)

[1] As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. [3] If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." [4] This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

[5] "Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ "

[6] The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. [7] They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. [8] A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

[10] When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" [11] The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

INTRODUCTION:

Retell the events of Palm Sunday; Jesus coming into the city created quite a commotion!

The people asked “Who is this?” Who is Jesus?

The people of Jesus’ day wondered, “Could Jesus be the one God has promised to come and save His people? God’s word spoke of the coming of a great prophet; could this be Jesus?

• Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV)

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

God had also promised He would send an heir to David’s throne—a deliverer for His people. Could Jesus be the promised king?

• Isaiah 11:10 (NLT)

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, for the land where he lives will be a glorious place.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem it was obvious who the people believed He was. Jesus was both the prophet and King! All the people needed was a crown to put upon His head; their promised King had come to Jerusalem!

• Matthew 21:9, 11 (NIV)

"Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" . . . "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Hosanna has a dual meaning; it is an exclamation of adoration and praise. But it’s root meaning is a cry for help. Literally Hosanna means “save us now.”

With palm branches waving, this was not only a celebration of praise for Jesus, but it was also the cry of the people that Jesus would save them from the oppression of the Romans. They were ready to follow Jesus to war if necessary! The palm branch was a symbol of the Jewish nation, so with the Romans looking on the people were waving palm branches crying out to Jesus for their independence.

The crowd was convinced that Jesus was the one God had promised to send as their deliverer.

Jesus’ popularity had grown. His teaching appealed to the people; He taught with authority, and with power. Miracles proved to many that Jesus was someone special. Who else could open the eyes of the blind, make the deaf to hear, the lame to walk? Jesus cleansed the lepers.

Jesus’ power was not limited to sickness. One day as Jesus traveled to a town called Nain. As Jesus approached the city a funeral procession was carrying out a dead body. Jesus’ heart was filled with compassion for the mother; not only was she now grieving the loss of her only child, but she was also a widow. Jesus comforted the mother, went over to the coffin and said, “Young man, get up.” Immediately the dead man was raised to life and sat up. After Jesus gave this young man back to his mother was from the dead the crowd was amazed!

• Luke 7:16 (NIV)

They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."

The crowds following Jesus continued to grow as the word spread about him. One day over 5,000 people gathered along the sea of Galilee to listen to Jesus. As the day was getting late the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people home so they could eat, but Jesus told them to feed them!