2022 Anglican Bible Study - STUDY 15, April 10, 2022
STUDY 15
2022 Anglican Bible study - study 15. 6TH SUNDAY IN LENT (PALM SUNDAY) APRIL 10 2022.THEME: THE LORD GOD AND THE REIGN OF PEACE
SUB-THEME: The Victory of Christ 1
TOPIC: The Humble Saviour
TEXTS: Zechariah 9:9-10.
AIMS:
i. to discuss the humility of Jesus Christ at His earthly enthronement and
ii. to expound the story of Jesus’ work of salvation inside the Jerusalem Temple.
INTRODUCTION
This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on what we traditionally call "Palm Sunday." The event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; and John 12:12-19). This is the only public demonstration Jesus allowed during His ministry, and He did it to fulfill this Scripture. When Zechariah made this prophecy about Jesus, Alexander the Great, who was the Emperor came to Jerusalem, and his arrival brought fear to people, but the Jews were commanded to rejoice and shout because their king had come. In contrast, Jesus’ purpose in coming was to bring salvation to those who would trust Him. How different from Alexander! Alexander rode a mighty horse and proudly led a great army, but Jesus rode a lowly donkey and came in humility. The people who welcomed Him were common peasants and children, who laid palm branches and garments before Him on the road. The great people of Jerusalem did not welcome Him. Jesus could have brought judgment, but instead, He brought grace and forgiveness (John 3:17), in humility.
Moreover, Jesus demonstrated his Kingly and Priestly authority in the Temple by overthrowing the oppressive tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of extortionist dove sellers and thereafter healed the sick.
STUDY GUIDE
1. From our text, what is the significance of horse and ass in human history and how can you justify the humility of Jesus riding on the latter?
2. With reference to Luk 4:18 and Matt 21:12-14; justify the actions of Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple as the saviour of the World.
3. How can you liken the actions of the moneychangers and dove sellers with some of what goes on in certain contemporary Churches that preach only “prosperity” messages?
4. While the indigents and children were shouting Hosanna (meaning save us now) to Jesus, the chief priests and scribes were displeased. How can you relate this with the relationship between contemporary rulers and their citizens’? Who can save us from tyrannical rules?
CONCLUSION
The eternal victory of Jesus Christ as saviour of the World was demonstrated on the day He rode on an ass to Jerusalem. We should always follow this earthly example as leaders in our various callings and enterprises to work for the joy and deliverance of the people we are called to govern.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Palm Sunday is meaningless if self is enthroned in our lives.
MEMORY VERSE: Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”.