The Triumphant Entry
Matthew 21:1-11 And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” … and the disciples went and did just as Jesus had directed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid on them their garments, on which He sat. And most the multitude spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the road. And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the multitudes were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus was welcomed into the city by a crowd of people who believed Jesus would deliver them from the Roman Empire. They were looking for a leader who could help them in an uprising. With all the miracles He had performed and the large crowds that followed Him, Jesus was a good candidate.
Hosanna is a Jewish phrase of praise meaning “Save” or “Save us now.” The crowd was looking for Jesus to ‘save’ them on earth. They had no idea in a week’s time He would save them in the most important way possible – by His death on the cross.
Activity:
1) Tell the children you have a surprise for them.
2.) Hand each one an (empty) gift-wrapped box.
3.) When they open it, explain that the Jews thought Jesus was someone He was not, just as they thought the gift was something it was not. They misunderstood the reason for His coming. Imagine their disappointment when they realized He wasn’t going to help them overthrow the Roman government.
