Dear Parents,
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday—the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King of kings the week of Passover.
Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well.
Near Bethphage (BETH fayj) and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead into a village to
bring a donkey to Him.
Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He rode the donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground
in front of Him. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem believed He was the promised Messiah, but they expected
Him to overthrow Roman oppression and set up an earthly throne. Jesus sent a different message.
The next day, Jesus entered the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers and those selling doves.
Jesus referred to Isaiah 56:7, declaring that His kingship would not just be over the Jews but over all people.
While Jesus was in the temple, He healed the blind and the lame. Jesus’ actions declared,
“I am not just your King; I am also your God” (Isa. 35:4-6).
Finally, the priests and the scribes heard the children in the temple worshiping Jesus as their King.
“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2.
Jesus gladly received their praise because He was worthy of their praise.
Jesus is the Son of God who came to overthrow sin and set up an eternal throne.
During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah:
“Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”
(Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything. (Revelation 19:11)
As you prepare for and celebrate Easter, help your kids connect the dots between God’s promises of a Messiah and Jesus’ coming.
Help them understand why Jesus came: to save the world from sin!
FAMILY STARTING POINTS:
- Who saves us from our sin? Jesus saves us from sin.
- People welcomed Jesus as their King.
FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS:
• What kind of King did the people expect Jesus to be?
• What kind of King is Jesus?
• Read Zechariah 9:9. How did Jesus make these words happen?
• A few days later, crowds of people wanted Jesus to be hurt. Does that seem strange after this Bible story?
FAMILY ACTIVITIES:
• Recruit your kids to help with yard work. Collect branches from the bushes or trees around
your home and hold a mini parade, waving the branches.
Take turns being the “guest of honor” and walking on the branches.
MEMORY VERSE FOR APRIL 2020
JOHN 3:3
LESSON:
