The Triumphant Entry — Sunday

“The Festival of the Passover is near, and the time has come for Jesus to be delivered up.  No Jewish festival is more important to the Jewish people, and no festival could be more appropriate for the culmination of Jesus’ life and ministry.  On the Passover, the paschal lamb is slain, just as it was at the beginning of the exodus, at which time its blood was sprinkled over the doors of the Israelites.  As the perfect lamb of God, Jesus himself is about to be slain for the salvation of all who would recognize and accept the power in his blood.

Even as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, his enemies are plotting his death.  But the suffering will not come until Jesus has entered the city in triumph.  Riding on a lowly colt, Jesus is met by multitudes who shout praise to God for having sent this ‘great prophet’ in whom they now believe.  Jesus knows, however, that most of them still do not understand the true nature of his messiahship and deity, and that there are many more who still do not believe in him at all.”

Read:  John 12:12-19, Matthew 21:1-11;17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44

Final Week — Monday

“On the next day, Jesus’ popularity is still at a high peak, and children sing his praises as if to thank him for his continual remembrance of them.  In a contrasting mood of the day, an incident almost identical to one recorded by John at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry is recorded — that is, the throwing out of the temple merchants.  It may just be that Jesus is taking this last opportunity to purify the temple.

Jesus now speaks freely of his pending crucifixion and makes a special effort to explain its purpose.  There are many who still disbelieve, but even their disbelief is the fulfillment of prophecy.”

Read:  Matthew 21:12-19, Mark 11:12-16;18-19, Luke 19:45-48, John 12:20-36

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.