Passion Week Family Devotional - Palm Sunday

Jesus the King

Read Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:1-11

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" The praises echoed in Jesus' ears as He entered Jerusalem on a donkey. 

Each year the people of God went to the town of Jerusalem to remember how God protected them during the Passover in Egypt. They remembered how God led them through the desert to freedom. As Jesus entered the town of Jerusalem, the crowds and His disciples shouted His name with excitement. They laid their cloaks and palm branches on the ground to prepare the way for HIm. They had seen His mighty works. Many people believed He was the Messiah. In fact, the prophet Zechariah had said hundreds of years before that Israel's king would come for their salvation. Now, as they celebrated, these men, women, and children hoped Jesus would save them from Rome's harsh control. They wanted Jesus to be their King.

Jesus had come to save and rescue His people, just like Zechariah said. But His salvation would not be what the people thought they wanted. They wanted to be comfortable, to be free from all the mean things Rome did. But Jesus wanted them to be victorious, and to be free from sin forever so they could experience true life in God's presence.

Together:

• What would it have been like to see Jesus enter Jerusalem?
  
• Was Jesus the kind of Messiah many had hoped for? Why or why not?
  
• What do you think Jesus was thinking as He entered Jerusalem?
  
• Thank God for sending Jesus to be our one true King.
  
• Praise God by singing verse 1 of "I Will Sing of My Redeemer."

I will sing of my Redeemer and his wondrous love to me: on the cruel crossed He suffered, from the curse to set me free." 

Refrain:  Sing, O Sing of my Redeemer! With His blood He purchased me; on the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free."  - Phillip P. Bliss, 1876