17 March 2024 // John 12:12-19
SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION: Read John 12
SERMON REVIEW:
Misconception of King Jesus. Vs. 12-13
True Conception of King Jesus. Vs. 14-15
Going with King Jesus. Vs. 16-18
May not understand it.
Keep a record of it.
Rage against King Jesus. Vs. 19
QUESTIONS:
LIFE APPLICATION:
His Rightful Place
Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with saying, “If Socrates would enter the room we should rise and do him honor. But if Jesus Christ came into the room we should fall down on our knees and worship him.”
In the life of faith, the believer must submit to the authority of Jesus and worship him. Does Jesus have a rightful place of worship in your heart?[1]
DIGGING DEEPER:
A. Zechariah’s Prophecy (vv. 4–5)
Zechariah 9 begins an oracle predicting the destruction of all Israel’s enemies and the ensuing peace in Jerusalem. All of Israel’s chariots, war horses, and battle instruments would be taken away (Zech. 9:10), and Jerusalem’s king would enter peacefully, “righteous and having salvation” (Zech. 9:9). The king would be gentle, since there was no longer any need for war, and he would arrive by the humble means of a donkey and her foal (Zech. 9:9).
It was common practice for a king to ride a donkey rather than a war horse in times of peace (e.g., 1 Kgs. 1:33). In that same context, Yahweh told of “the blood of my covenant with you” providing the means for the freeing of Israel’s prisoners and their restoration to hope and prosperity (Zech. 9:11–12).
This Jesus was the deliverer of God’s people in a threefold way. He would ultimately rescue them from their national enemies. But in the meantime, he would rescue them from their sin and from the abuse of their evil shepherds (the religious leaders).
Jesus’ humility has been taught and displayed throughout Matthew 18–20, and now Matthew said that his humility showed him to be the king. This first coming as the sacrificial Son of Abraham (the Lamb of God) was on the back of a humble donkey. At his second coming, as the sovereign Son of David (Lion of Judah) he would ride a war horse (cf. Rev. 19:11).[2}
B. The months and years of preparatory ministry were completed. There was no longer any reason for Jesus to keep his identity and his authority out of the spotlight. In fact, he boldly stepped into the spotlight, stating through his actions and his words that he was indeed the Messiah-King.
This claim could not go unchallenged by the religious establishment. Their authority was threatened by the advent of the Messiah. Jesus welcomed every attack from the religious leaders, publicly revealing their foolishness, malice, and disqualification. This set the stage for their final desperate action—to find any reason, whether true or false, to arrest and execute Jesus.[3]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are common misconceptions about God today?
2. What are common misconceptions about Christianity?
3. What are ways Christain get the truth?
4. Are there any podcasts, Youtube channels, radio stations, or study tools you use to dive into the truth?
5. What are ways people get sidetracked or off track in their search for truth? What advice do you have to give to a new or lukewarm believer concerning this topic?
PRAYER: Ask for petitions and ask 4-6 volunteers to pray.
[1] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 361–362.
[2] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 362.
[3] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 363–364.
SERMON REVIEW:
Misconception of King Jesus. Vs. 12-13
True Conception of King Jesus. Vs. 14-15
Going with King Jesus. Vs. 16-18
May not understand it.
Keep a record of it.
Rage against King Jesus. Vs. 19
QUESTIONS:
- What did the message teach me about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit?
- What did the message teach me about the human condition?
- Is there anything I need to confess, repent, or be grateful for, because of this passage?
- How do I need help in believing and applying this scripture to my life?
- How can I encourage others with this passage?
LIFE APPLICATION:
His Rightful Place
Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with saying, “If Socrates would enter the room we should rise and do him honor. But if Jesus Christ came into the room we should fall down on our knees and worship him.”
In the life of faith, the believer must submit to the authority of Jesus and worship him. Does Jesus have a rightful place of worship in your heart?[1]
DIGGING DEEPER:
A. Zechariah’s Prophecy (vv. 4–5)
Zechariah 9 begins an oracle predicting the destruction of all Israel’s enemies and the ensuing peace in Jerusalem. All of Israel’s chariots, war horses, and battle instruments would be taken away (Zech. 9:10), and Jerusalem’s king would enter peacefully, “righteous and having salvation” (Zech. 9:9). The king would be gentle, since there was no longer any need for war, and he would arrive by the humble means of a donkey and her foal (Zech. 9:9).
It was common practice for a king to ride a donkey rather than a war horse in times of peace (e.g., 1 Kgs. 1:33). In that same context, Yahweh told of “the blood of my covenant with you” providing the means for the freeing of Israel’s prisoners and their restoration to hope and prosperity (Zech. 9:11–12).
This Jesus was the deliverer of God’s people in a threefold way. He would ultimately rescue them from their national enemies. But in the meantime, he would rescue them from their sin and from the abuse of their evil shepherds (the religious leaders).
Jesus’ humility has been taught and displayed throughout Matthew 18–20, and now Matthew said that his humility showed him to be the king. This first coming as the sacrificial Son of Abraham (the Lamb of God) was on the back of a humble donkey. At his second coming, as the sovereign Son of David (Lion of Judah) he would ride a war horse (cf. Rev. 19:11).[2}
B. The months and years of preparatory ministry were completed. There was no longer any reason for Jesus to keep his identity and his authority out of the spotlight. In fact, he boldly stepped into the spotlight, stating through his actions and his words that he was indeed the Messiah-King.
This claim could not go unchallenged by the religious establishment. Their authority was threatened by the advent of the Messiah. Jesus welcomed every attack from the religious leaders, publicly revealing their foolishness, malice, and disqualification. This set the stage for their final desperate action—to find any reason, whether true or false, to arrest and execute Jesus.[3]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are common misconceptions about God today?
2. What are common misconceptions about Christianity?
3. What are ways Christain get the truth?
4. Are there any podcasts, Youtube channels, radio stations, or study tools you use to dive into the truth?
5. What are ways people get sidetracked or off track in their search for truth? What advice do you have to give to a new or lukewarm believer concerning this topic?
PRAYER: Ask for petitions and ask 4-6 volunteers to pray.
[1] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 361–362.
[2] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 362.
[3] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 363–364.